Itinerary

GREAT ICE BEAR ADVENTURE
7 DAYS, 6 NIGHTS
Dymond Lake Lodge & Churchill Package

Your journey of exploration and adventure will take place at our Polar Bear Lodge at Dymond Lake, approximately 30 kilometers by air from Churchill, Manitoba.  This dynamic seaport has long been known as the ‘Polar Bear Capital of the World’ as approximately 1,200 of these enormous bears congregate on the Hudson Bay come fall in wait for the freeze. You’ll meet several of these animals up-close and on their turf on your Great Ice Bear adventure at our eco-lodge and/or on your Churchill town buggy adventure.

Day 1 - ARRIVE IN WINNIPEG FOR YOUR OVERNIGHT STAY

Arrive in Winnipeg where you will enjoy a relaxing stay at our choice hotel the “Four Points Sheraton”.  You’ll need your rest for your early morning departure to Churchill.  At 7:00pm a dinner will be held at the hotel where you will meet your group and your adventure specialist.

Day 2 – AN ARCTIC ARRIVAL AND AN AERIAL TOUR
Arrive in Churchill by air. One of our expert staff will meet you upon arrival in and will provide you an orientation to the tour including a clothing check (in order to crosscheck your “What to Bring” list as provided to you in your Adventure Album).

You will be transferred by helicopter or fixed wing aircraft to Dymond Lake Lodge.  This exciting flight takes you out over the historic Churchill River, and then northwest up the rugged Hudson Bay coast to Canada’s most exclusive polar bear viewing property. Keep a sharp eye out en route for caribou, moose, seals, wolves and of course the great Ice Bears.

Upon your arrival at the Lodge your hosts will provide a tour of the facilities and get you settled into your room.  A thorough orientation about being 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! 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.

Day 3 & 4 – TUNDRA 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 generally leaves at 9:30 a.m. Should there be a polar bear in camp, the walking tour is 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. They are guided by our professional and knowledgeable tour leaders and so you’ll do a lot of learning along the way as well. Obviously we cannot allow the bears to approach too closely, and your guides are expert in keeping bears at a safe distance without sacrificing exciting viewing.

Polar bears are also known to saunter by our Lodge on a regular basis 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 by one of the great Ice Bears (or by one of our dazzling displays of northern lights!).

Day 5 – SAY GOODBYE TO THE LODGE… 
BUT NOT TO THE BEARS!
After another hearty breakfast it is time to pack for the flight back to Churchill, say good-byes and snap a few more pictures! After another exciting aerial tour, you’ll arrive in Churchill where your bags will be stored for you 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, the Polar Bear Holding Compound (otherwise known as the Polar Bear Jail), as well as the Parks Canada exhibit which are all of great interest. Dog sledding and helicopter charters fit nicely into this afternoon if you’re so inclined. If you are interested in a dog sledding tour or aerial tours they can be arranged through our office.

You will have a choice of Churchill restaurants for dinner and will be provided with a $30.00 dinner voucher.  Participating restaurants will be listed on the voucher. Then it will be back to your hotel or B&B so you can rest up for your 6th and final day with the bears.

Day 6 – MORE BEARS!  WHAT A GREAT WAY TO FINISH UP…

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.  You will check into the Four Points Sheraton upon your return to Winnipeg.

Day 7 – TIME FOR REALITY…

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. If you have not had enough bear action for one lifetime, ask us about our Birds, Bears & Belugas adventure which takes place in July and August annually.

Inclusions: All accommodations and transfers required within the package dates are included in the cited price. Meal inclusions are as follows:

Day	1	2	3	4	5	6	7
Included Meals	D	B, L, D	B, L, D	B, L, D	B, D	B, L	B

Legend: 
B = Breakfast   L = Lunch   D = Dinner