EXPERIENCE POLAR BEARS. WITHOUT THE CROWDS.
Our Great Ice Bear Adventure is undoubtedly the most diverse and holistic wildlife viewing package offered anywhere in the world for polar bears seekers. It combines four days at our Dymond Lake Ecolodge, where many of the Arctic's most famous residents are seen and photographed on foot, with a one-day Tundra Buggy® tour in Churchill. Great Ice Bear takes place during prime polar bear season in October and November, when polar bears congregate in large numbers on the coast of Hudson Bay as they wait for freeze-up and the beginning of their annual seal hunt.
The population of Churchill skyrockets to approximately 2,500 at this time, but the remoteness of Dymond Lake Ecolodge will help you escape the crowds while experiencing the most unique and interactive polar bear experience anywhere.
Dymond Lake Ecolodge is strategically located a quick 30 km flight west of Churchill, amidst the natural habitat of many Arctic creatures including polar bears, caribou, Arctic and red fox, Arctic hare, wolves and moose, along with numerous bird species such as snowy owls, ptarmigan and gyrfalcons. In addition to wildlife viewing at the Lodge, highlights include evening presentations by our specialist guides and often northern lights shows!
Your time spent at the Lodge involves mostly terrestrial travel in order to reduce our impact on the environment. Out of respect for both the wildlife and the sensitive ecosystem they depend on, the use of motorized vehicles is kept to a strict minimum. With Churchill Wild, the boots were definitely made for walking!
Your day in Churchill on Tundra Buggy® tour is chartered, so we have fewer guests per buggy and more room for great photo opportunities. You will have one of the most beautiful animals in the world just outside your window, and plenty of space to watch and photograph!
2017 DATES
Oct 26 – Nov 1 – This special departure, in partnership with the Royal Canadian Geographical Society, allows us to expand on our principles of education, conservation and promotion. You'll enjoy evening presentations by representatives of the Society who'll speak about their exciting projects and initiatives. By joining forces with this established organization we're able to reach a larger audience to promote awareness and appreciation of Canada's vast and diverse geographical landscape.
Oct 29 – Nov 4
Nov 1 – 7
Nov 4 – 10 – Photo leader Robert Postma
Nov 7 – 13 – Photo leader Robert Postma
Nov 10 – 16
Day to Day Itinerary
7 DAYS, 6 NIGHTS
The Great Ice Bear Adventure includes two nights in Winnipeg, three nights at Dymond Lake Ecolodge, one night in Churchill, as well as a chartered Tundra Buggy® tour in Churchill and round-trip airfare between Winnipeg, Churchill, and Dymond Lake Ecolodge.
DAY 1 - ARRIVE IN WINNIPEG FOR YOUR OVERNIGHT STAY
Arrive in Winnipeg, where you will enjoy a relaxing stay at our choice hotel, THE GRAND Winnipeg Airport Hotel by Lakeview. At 7:00 p.m. a dinner will be held at the hotel, where you will meet your group and your adventure specialist. You'll need your rest before an early morning departure to Churchill.
Includes: dinner
DAY 2 - YOUR ARCTIC ARRIVAL AND AERIAL TOUR
Arrive in Churchill by air, where one of our expert staff will meet you at the airport and provide you with instructions for your morning transfers. This is also the time to pick up your winter gear if you are renting. You will then be transferred by fixed-wing aircraft to our Dymond Lake Ecolodge. This exciting flight takes you out over the historic Churchill River and northwest up the rugged Hudson Bay coast to Canada's most exclusive polar bear viewing properties. Keep a sharp eye en route for possible sightings of caribou, moose, seals, wolves and of course the "Great Ice Bears".
Upon your arrival, your hosts will provide a tour of the Lodge and get you settled into your room. A thorough orientation on travelling in polar bear country will be provided prior to any outings. This day includes a guided hike on our rugged and starkly beautiful coastline, an interpretive slide show featuring the wildlife of Hudson Bay, and hopefully a clear night for viewing the Aurora Borealis. Dymond Lake Ecolodge features an Aurora viewing tower for northern lights observation. All this will be topped off with a lunch and dinner, where your hosts and guides will regale you with tales of life and adventures in Canada's Arctic.
Includes: breakfast, lunch, dinner
DAY 3 & 4 - NATURE TREKKING, POLAR BEARS AND PRICELESS PHOTOGRAPHY!
In the coming days, your breakfast will be served at 8:00 a.m. and the first walking tour will generally depart at 9:30 a.m. Should there be a polar bear in camp, the walking tour may be delayed for picture taking, but no one ever seems to mind!
Once you've fueled up with one of Churchill Wild's legendary full course breakfasts, you'll be eager to bundle up and head out into the snow. The walks are comfortably paced, as they are geared towards plenty of viewing and photo opportunities. These walks are guided by our professional and knowledgeable tour leaders and you may do a lot of learning along the way! Obviously we cannot allow the bears to approach too closely, but your guides are experts in keeping bears at a safe distance without sacrificing exciting viewing.
Polar bears are also known to saunter by our Lodge, so you can often view them from the warmth and comfort of one of our lounges through the massive picture windows. This opportunity is all too welcome when a squall blows in! We have a variety of other activities to take part in as well, should the weather prevent us from exploring the outdoors, though such is rarely the case.
Lunches are served at the Lodge. We are generally back at the Lodge by 4:00 p.m.for hot or cold drinks and appetizers. Your full course delectable dinners are served at 7:00 p.m. after which the fireplace is almost always central. Your guide team will give informative lectures and beautiful slide presentations as well as initiate a discussion about the activities for the following day. Bedtime is at your leisure. The entire Lodge area is patrolled for polar bears all night by one of our night watchmen so be prepared to have your sleep cut short by a nocturnal visit from one of the Great Ice Bears. Or by a dazzling displays of northern lights!
Includes: breakfast, lunch, dinner
DAY 5 - SAY GOODBYE TO THE LODGE... BUT NOT THE BEARS
Following a hearty breakfast it's time to pack for the flight back to Churchill, say your goodbyes and snap a few more photos. After another exciting aerial tour, you'll arrive in Churchill, where your bags will be stored until you can check into your hotel later in the day. You are then free to explore and wine and dine in this frontier community at your leisure. We recommend local places such as Cape Merry, the Port of Churchill, the Eskimo Museum and the Parks Canada exhibit. Dog sledding and helicopter charters fit nicely into this afternoon if you're so inclined. If you are interested in a dog sledding or heli-tour please book through us so that we can ensure you arrive in Churchill in time for your tour departure. You will be provided with a $30.00 dinner voucher for tonight (participating restaurants will be outlined on the voucher.) Then it will be back to your hotel or Bed & Breakfast so you can rest of for your sixth and final day with the bears.
Includes: breakfast, dinner
DAY 6 - TUNDRA BUGGY® EXCURSION & BACK TO WINNIPEG
Today you will travel across the tundra in a "tundra vehicle" for more polar bear viewing. Transportation by bus to and from the station is provided at 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m.
respectively so remember to grab some breakfast beforehand. Lunch "with the bears" will be prepared and served to you on the tour. Your flight south to Winnipeg is scheduled
for this evening and thus we wish you safe travels back to reality. Upon arrival, collect your bags, head out of the arrivals doors and look to your right. THE GRAND Winnipeg Airport Hotel by Lakeview is only a two minute walk away.
Includes: breakfast, lunch
DAY 7 - HOMEWARD BOUND
After a restful sleep you will pack your bags in preparation for your flight home. You will also enjoy a breakfast before your trip back to reality.
Includes: breakfast
For more information and pricing, please contact us directly at 604 733 1010 or by email
