Marvelous Manitoba: Family Journey of Wildlife, Climate Change and Culture

The Trip

This magical trip to Churchill, Manitoba, Canada, is one to be remembered forever. You and your family will get the incredible opportunity to view beluga whales swimming next to the zodiac boat. We will keep our eyes peeled for polar bears as we ride a monster-wheeled Tundra Buggy and we will feel the wind on our face as we ride a dog cart as the sled dogs happily yip and bark on the trail. Throughout the trip, we will meet wonderful local residents who will give insight into cultures with which you may be unfamiliar. The whole family will benefit from learning about climate change and the immense challenges our world is facing. This will provide you with endless educational and bonding experiences; you are sure to create memories that will last a lifetime! 

Day 1: (Dinner included)

Arrive in Winnipeg and make your way to the Inn at the Forks Hotel in downtown Winnipeg, located at The Forks National Historic Site. Your adventure officially begins this afternoon when you meet your Guide and transfer together to Fort Whyte Alive. Manitoba's history comes alive during a hands-on, 3km (1.86 miles) walking tour. Experience the sights and sounds of 40 plains bison, Manitoba's provincial mammal and the 9th largest land animal in the world! Feel the warmth inside a tipi as you discover the historic importance of the bison to Indigenous peoples on the Prairies. Complete your experience by sipping wild herb tea as you roast bannock, a traditional bread, on an open campfire near our 1890's-era Pioneer Sod House. After dinner together, you are free to explore the Forks Market on your own. Overnight in Winnipeg.

Day 2: (Breakfast included)

This morning we will walk together to the architecturally stunning Canadian Museum for Human Rights (CMHR) for a guided tour of the galleries focusing on the connection to the Indigenous people of Canada. An immersive experience awaits with 11 powerful, interactive, and awe-inspiring exhibits, complete with an incredible view of the city from the CMHR’s Tower of Hope. After enjoying lunch, you will transfer to the Assiniboine Park Zoo, where the ‘Canadian Signature Experience: Journey To Churchill’ awaits. This interactive and educational experience will immerse you in one of the world’s best Arctic zoo exhibits as you learn about Manitoba’s majestic north and the importance of polar bear research happening right at the Zoo. This evening, have dinner and explore the Forks National Historic Site and visit the many interpretive sites, shops, and restaurants. Overnight in Winnipeg.

Day 3: (All meals included)

Today, you depart on a morning flight from Winnipeg to Churchill. Upon arrival, the group will set out for a Churchill and area tour, visiting local attractions. 

Day 4: (All meals included)

Following an early morning breakfast, you will meet with a friendly local guide to set out on a coastal hike along the coast of the Hudson Bay. Learn about Churchill’s different flora and fauna along the way and spot the MV Ithaca shipwreck from the shoreline. Following the shoreline hike, you will take part in a tour and presentation of the Churchill Northern Studies Centre. This evening, the group will transfer to the Tundra Buggy® Dock to board an official Tundra Buggy to explore the trails of the Churchill Wildlife Management Area in search of polar bears and other wildlife. You will enjoy dinner on the tundra while watching the beautiful sunset over the horizon. Overnight in Churchill.

Day 5: (All meals included)

After breakfast, you will partake in an exhilarating dog carting excursion hosted by a local resident and dog sledding expert. You will have a chance to meet the team of friendly dogs, hear stories, and enjoy a mile-long ride on a custom-made dog cart through the northern boreal forest. This afternoon, you will enjoy an Artist Workshop led by a local artist and longtime resident of Churchill who is inspired by the beauty of the natural world in which they live. You will have the chance to create your own masterpiece under their tutelage as a remembrance of your time in Churchill. Afterwards, you will once again board a Zodiac and embark on a guided excursion of the Churchill River and estuary. Experience the largest beluga whale population in the world at surface level, so close you could almost reach out and touch them. After enjoying dinner at a local restaurant, the group will visit the Polar Bears International (PBI) House, an innovative public space allowing visitors to learn about polar bears, polar bear conservation, and research. Here you will enjoy an exclusive tour of the facilities followed by a private presentation hosted by PBI species experts and representatives. Overnight in Churchill.

Day 6: (All meals included)

In the morning, we will visit the Parks Canada Visitor Centre and the Itsanitaq Museum and shops before the afternoon flight back to Winnipeg. Upon arrival in Winnipeg, you will check in for the night at the Grand Hotel, located adjacent to the Winnipeg International Airport. Overnight in Winnipeg.

Day 7: (Breakfast included)

After breakfast, you may depart at leisure.

Getting There

The trip will begin in the afternoon of July 7th at the Inn at Froks in Winnipeg, Canada. Detailed meeting location and time will be emailed to participants as the day gets closer. Flights to Winnipeg can include different transfers and timing. It is suggested to be there early in case of flight delays.

Please do not make non-refundable travel arrangements until notified to do so by the trip leader.

Accommodations and Food

Food is included as there are few options in Churchill, but restaurants are accommodating to a variety of dietary restrictions. Most restaurants will have a set menu with those diverse options as well as accommodations for “kid” preferences.

Trip Difficulty

This is an easy trip, perfect for families.

Equipment and Clothing

It is summer in Manitoba when we travel, which is generally mild and beautiful, but the wind and evenings can be cold.  Warm jackets and a hat and gloves are nice when we are outside.  Footwear is important since we will hike in places, be on boats, and walk through mud flats.  I would recommend hiking boots and a pair of rain boots. 

References

• Live video of animals in the Churchill area.
• Polar Bear International will be an organization we will visit.
• What is a Tundra Buggy
• Polar Bears are a sign of bigger climate disaster issues 

Conservation

As a location where we can directly see the effects of climate disaster, we will talk a lot about the heating of the earth and what that means.  Kids will be able to see that the sea ice has shorter seasons and how that affects wildlife like polar bears, seals, belugas, and many others and those adverse effects on people and the world. Conservation education is rolled into this adventure for all.