FIRE & ICE TOUR
March 28-April 1, 2008
FIVE DAY, FOUR NIGHT ALL INCLUSIVE FROM CHURCHILL
$5295 CAD per person with return airfare from Winnipeg to Churchill

Embark on a journey of exploration and adventure near Churchill, Manitoba, polar bear capital of the world and one of the original New World arrival points of the Old World Explorers.

FEATURES: Igloo building, aurora borealis viewing, potential polar bear sightings, seal watch, winter ecology, and the chance to see a live traditional dog sled race move right past your lodge!

Day 1
.Arrive in Canada’s Arctic seaport and polar bear capital of the world. Our expert staff will meet you at the airport or train station and transport you to your hotel for the evening. After you drop your bags, we’ll have lunch at a local restaurant, followed by a thorough Arctic orientation as well as an introduction to the program and a gear and clothing check.

You’ll have the afternoon and evening free for browsing. We encourage you to take in the world-famous Eskimo Museum, the Parks Canada exhibit at the train station, and “the complex,” a building that has it all (library, schools, movie theatre, hockey and curling rinks, et cetera) which is absolutely necessary in a seaport with the range of temperatures that Churchill experiences annually. Further, there is a thorough list of restaurants in your Adventure Album on page 26.

Day 2
Rise and shine, a winter wonderland awaits you! This morning, we will depart for our wilderness lodge by snowmobile and komatik (traditional Inuit sleigh) via the Fort Prince of Wales, a citadel built in 1717 in order to expand the Hudson Bay Company’s presence in the north. We will continue to travel the paths of ancient explorers across the mighty Churchill River to your first stop, a 300-year old stone fort built by early fur traders. Imagine the dog teams of yesteryear arriving from distant outposts with their cargoes of gold (read: beaver pelts)! Continue on the sea ice, keeping a sharp eye out for Nanuk, the Great Ice Bear! There will be plenty of time en route for
exploration and photography.

Arrive at the Lodge in the early afternoon to the welcome of a crackling fire and a hot cup of tea. This afternoon you
are free to take in a variety of winter activities, such as a snowshoe along the coastline, a snow polar bear building
competition, or grab a book (or a nap!) in front of the fire. Your evening will include a scrumptious dinner and tales
of Arctic life under the northern lights.


Day 3

Today we will travel via snowmobile and snowshoe in order to explore the Hudson Bay coast’s many treasures, not the least of which are its many caribou, wolves, foxes, wolverines, hares and ptarmigan. The coast come springtime is like one giant ice-sculpture so be prepared to take a lot of photos. You will have a traditional “trappers” lunch with tea & fresh bannock baked over the fire whilst you take in the expansiveness of the icy shoreline


  We will return to the lodge in the late afternoon, just as the sun begins to set. With nothing to get in the way, colors like you’ve rarely seen will move across
the sky to create world-class sunsets. On evening 3, you will receive your instruction on building your “ice cottage” by the frozen sea, so that you are equipped to construct your own igloo on Day 4. After enjoying the grand and authentically northern dishes that will be served to you at dinner, settle in by the pops and squeals of the fire for some storytelling and hopefully another brilliant display of northern lights.

Day 4 - Stretch well this morning because today will be a day of snowy labour! Your snow condo awaits and after yesterday’s lesson, you are prepared to get started. If you want to spend the night in it, you had better get building! Our expert guides are there to help you through this surprisingly challenging process so not to worry. While you’re building, keep your ears open for the
calls of the mushers and the barks of the dogs who are competing in the 250 km Hudson Bay Quest dog sled race from Churchill to Arviat, Nunavut. They are scheduled to come right past the lodge and will likely stop to rest their dogs after the day’s journey from Churchill. Then, weather permitting, we’ll have a pack lunch at your building site and if igloos are complete, we will head out onto the floe edge in search of seals and the mighty bears that hunt them. We’ll be home in time for another lovely meal and to prepare you for a night in your igloo under the dancing northern lights (should you choose to do so, of course).

Day 5
After another hearty lodge breakfast, take one last picture of your snow condo and pack up.  After a final snowshoe hike to the coast, we’re heading back to Churchill.

Upon your return to Churchill, you’ll have the afternoon free for another look around town.  After an early dinner, your flight will depart for Winnipeg.

Notes:

• Arctic expedition style clothing is available for a small fee – please reserve with us in advance.
• We do have radio-telephone connection to Churchill from the Lodge.
• Bathrooms are shared and there is no running water or flush toilets as the pipes are still surrounded in permafrost.  Water for washing will be melted from ice and toilets are of the old-fashioned pre-running water type (but are indoors!).  Water for drinking will be brought in from town.   
• Electricity is available for a portion of each day (morning and evening). 

Legend:
B = Breakfast
L = Lunch
D = Dinner