DAY ONE: WELCOME TO WINNIPEG

This evening, we will visit the enormous collection housed at the Manitoba Museum. There are over 2.8 million artifacts and specimens here–and you can actually “adopt” one for $35 (to $500) to help support the care and conservation of the object. 

At the museum, northwestern Canada’s colonial history comes to life through the shared stories of Indigenous women who were the lifeblood of the European fur trade. They acted as invaluable guides, translators and consumers. The HBC gallery showcases a trapper’s base camp and a how-to on beaver hat-making.

Afterwards, we’ll be well-spoiled with a 3-course indigenous dinner served in the Museum Galleries. 

Tonight, in the comfort of the Inn at the Forks, we recommend counting polar bears, not sheep, in anticipation of the Tundra Buggy experience that lies ahead!

DAY TWO: CHURCHILL ADVENTURE 

Today we make a beeline to the “polar bear capital of the world”–Churchill! This is where the world’s largest carnivores spend their summer vacation, patiently waiting and pacing for the bay to freeze so they can begin hunting for ringed seals.

We’ll jump on an early morning flight to Churchill with a grab-and-go breakfast from the hotel. Upon arrival, we’ll immediately begin exploring the area’s historical points of interest: Cape Merry and the Port of Churchill. Weather-permitting, we’ll also swing by Manitoba Conservation’s Polar Bear Holding Facility (“polar bear jail” for troublesome bears). There are 28 cells and the detained bears are safely relocated after serving their short term. White is the New Black in these parts!

After lunch, things get mush-y. We’ll visit a local resident and dog sledding expert for a mile-long ride on a custom-built sled through the northern boreal forest. You will learn the difference between “gee” and “haw” in no time! Of course, “whoa” is always an option too.

After the rush of a dog-powered sled ride, we will attend a workshop led by Indigenous artist Sandra Cook, a longtime resident of Churchill. Inspired by her frozen surrounds, Sandra integrates a variety of media and ‘canvases’ to celebrate the landscape, wildlife and northern skies. At the Town Centre Complex (a large collection of Inuit wall hangings are on display here), you will have the opportunity to create your own take-home masterpiece under Sandra’s instruction to indelibly document your time in Churchill. 

And now for the moment you’ve been waiting for: we’ll transfer to the Tundra Buggy Dock to board an official Tundra Buggy to make our way to the exclusive Tundra Buggy® Lodge at Polar Bear Point in the Churchill Wildlife Management Area.

We will meet the Lodge staff for a safety briefing and orientation of the accommodations. Then, we will unwind and indulge at Dan’s Diner (the Lodge’s dining hall nickname). Be sure to look for the dazzle of the northern lights before you cozy up under your Hudson Bay blanket! Unfortunately, they can’t be queued up like Netflix but Mother Nature always has surprises up her sleeve!

DAY THREE–FOUR: TUNDRA BUGGY ADVENTURE

Are you now pacing like the polar bears and ready for the tundra? 

On day three, after a sweet and savoury breakfast, we will depart on a full-day Tundra Buggy Adventure exploring the Churchill Wildlife Management Area. There will be substantial time spent on the tundra with a picnic lunch and refreshments provided. 

 ☑Picnic with polar bears. That’s a big bucket list CHECK!

After searching for polar bears, ptarmigans, Arctic fox and other sub-Arctic wildlife in action, you will return starry-eyed to the Tundra Buggy® Lodge to chill out in the late afternoon. 

Swap stories with your fellow Wild Women and enjoy some laughs, cocktails and apps in the lounge before dinner. In the evening, entertainment may include an informative lecture, slide and/or video presentation. And/or, a free display of the northern lights!

DAY FIVE: EXPLORE CHURCHILL

After breakfast on day five, we will depart the fairytale experience of the Lodge and revel in another full-day Tundra Buggy Adventure. Pack your bags and bring your carry-on luggage with you as luggage will be transferred separately and you won’t have access to it until arrival at the hotel in Winnipeg.

We’ll start the day with a ready, set, go breakfast and take a panoramic drive 23km east of Churchill to the Churchill Northern Studies Centre (CNSC) for a facility tour and introduction to Rocket Greens. It’s not rocket science–it’s better! Rocket Greens is a hydroponic initiative that produces fresh greens for the community year-round. CNSC is an independent non-profit field station focused on sub-arctic research and education, located on the former site of the Churchill Rocket Research Range. Get it? Rocket Greens?

Rocket Greens operates out of a 40’ shipping container manufactured and named, The Growcer (from an Ottawa/Iqaluit based company). The self-contained gardens help address food security issues in northern and remote locations, delivering 250-400 items of fresh produce to the community each week.

After a decadent lunch we will immerse ourselves in the vibrant culture and history of the Itsanitaq Museum. The museum’s collection of Inuit carvings and artifacts that are among the oldest in the world from Dorset, Thule and modern Inuit life. This precious collection of ivory and soapstone sculptures are a genuine document of daily life in the north. The museum’s curator, Lorraine Brandson, has been a Churchill
resident since 1973 and has authored two books on Inuit and Dene culture. She has contributed to a number of important northern initiatives and served as Chair of the Working Group Committee that successfully negotiated the establishment of Wapusk National Park (1996). In 2014, Lorraine was inducted into the Order of Manitoba in recognition for her devotion to preserving and promoting the culture, heritage and environment of our north.

After this dynamic museum visit, we will then transfer to the Churchill airport for a flight back to Winnipeg (a light meal will be served on board). Upon arrival, we will check into the Lakeview Signature, part of the Trademark Collection by Wyndham, conveniently located at Winnipeg’s international airport. 

DAY SIX: ONWARDS AND UPWARDS

Today we will pinch ourselves and wonder where we are and where we’ve been. Where did our uninterrupted polar bear view go? To ease back into the real world, we’ll take a shuttle to the Assiniboine Park Zoo for a breakfast reception in the Tundra Grill, overlooking the tundra landscape of the Journey to Churchill exhibit (home to the zoo’s mighty polar bears).

After breakfast, the group will be privy to an exclusive Canadian Signature Experience through the Journey to Churchill exhibit with an impactful Indigenous All My Relations Gakina Ndinewemaaganag cultural tour. This experience is cooler than the sub-Arctic temperatures!

The Wild Women pack will then transfer from the zoo to Winnipeg International Airport. Sigh! Where next?

For more information and visuals about the Polar Bear Safari and Tundra Buggy® Lodge, please visit the site of our partner and friends at Frontiers North.