Belugas, Bears, History and Culture of Churchill

Belugas, Bears,  History and Culture

A Multi-Sport Adventure to the Sub Arctic~ Churchill, Canada

July 14th-20th, 2023

(Below is a sample itinerary. Each year our itinerary is adjusted according to local tide considerations, marine forecast  and weather. We will update our itinerary as our outfitters indicate the timing for Zodiac tours, Beluga Boarding, Kayaking and Paddle Boarding However, our plan is to include the activities described below during the most appropriate date and  time).

Day One: Arrival into Churchill~ Prince of Wales Fort 

Our adventure begins with a mid day arrival  into the Polar Bear and Beluga Whale Capital of the World, the remote town of Churchill, Canada. The only morning flight from Winnipeg currently arrives at 12:45pm which will require that you overnight in Winnipeg on July 13th. See Getting to Churchill for more details. Upon arrival, we begin our daily search for polar bears and other arctic wildlife as we make our way across the barren terrain to our hotel base for the next 5 nights, the Polar Boutique Inn and Suites in the heart of Churchill.

By mid July, the arctic sea ice has typically melted away. Polar bears, an apex predator of the tundra start roaming the rocky shores of the Hudson Bay where Churchill is located. By early – late fall, bears are more frequently seen around Churchill, however we have a relatively good chance of seeing polar bear activity during July.

After getting settled into our quaint Inn, we will gather for an orientation and lunch. As they say, ” the tide waits for no one” so we will explore Churchill Estuary in a motorized vessel heading to the historic Prince of Wales Fort. Built 250 years ago and strategically positioned in the entrance of the Churchill River, this iconic stone structure reveals the region’s rich cultural history including its use as an early 18th century Hudson Bay  Company Fur trading Center.

Since polar bears roam freely throughout the Churchill region, our interpretive hike will be escorted by a local polar bear  guard trained in polar bear safety.

 (Breakfast, lunch and double occupancy rooms included, dinner will be on your own tonight)

Day Two: Kayak  and Canaries of the Sea

Listen in here: Canaries of the Sea

Today we will offer an exciting opportunity to kayak  among the beluga whales that forage and molt  in the Churchill Estuary. It has been estimated that 3000 beluga whales arrive into this ecologically productive estuary each summer as the ice fields melt allowing access.

During our stay in Churchill,  we can  drop a hydrophone into the bay listening to the “Canaries of the Sea”. Belugas are known as one of the most vocal marine mammals and belong to the order cetacean which includes baleen and toothed whales such as beluga whales, sperm whales, all dolphins and porpoises.

The eerie clicks, chirps and whistles signal not only communication among the pod, but sounds are used in their hunting strategies as they employ a sophisticated sonar known as echolocation. The ethereal sounds produced by beluga whales are mesmerizing.

For many people, kayaking or stand up paddle boarding   among the curious belugas is described as a bucket list activity not to be missed. If you choose not to kayak or Sup, join the safety Zodiac. Sometimes the best viewing is near the Zodiacs as the Belugas often approach them.

Later in the day, we will board our privately chartered zodiac  and set off in search of more beluga whale encounters. (Lunch and double occupancy rooms included, dinner will be on your own tonight)

Fantastic views of the Belugas from small Zodiacs: Curious Belugas by Zodiac

Beluga whale and her calf photo bombing a gelatinous ctenophore

Day Three: Polar Rover Adventure ~ Exploring Churchill

Hop aboard the Polar Rover  and get ready for a day traveling the rugged terrain found within the Churchill Wildlife Management Area! These robust off road enclosed vehicles are designed to handle the rocky terrain. We are pleased to be under the expert care of  Great White Bear Tours on this special day. We will search the landscape looking for arctic species such as caribou, arctic foxes, arctic hares and ptarmigan.  Over 200 species of birds migrate through this region each summer. We will scan the vast landscape for a variety of wildlife with wild flowers in bloom in the comforts afforded by our Polar Rover.

 (Breakfast, lunch and double occupancy rooms included, dinner will be on your own tonight)

Day Four: Kayaking Or SUP & Beluga Boarding

Our day will begin with an  eye to eye encounter with belugas, a truly phenomenal  experience. Donning our dive masks and a wetsuit, we will go Beluga Boarding! This relatively new eco-adventure sport involves floating on a enforced raft that is pulled behind a Zodiac.

Curious by nature, belugas may approach the platform allowing you to dip your head into the chilly arctic water for a closer look or submerge a waterproof camera. During this activity you will wear wetsuits to protect from spray and partial submersion created by potentially choppy marine conditions. We will offer another opportunity to kayak or Sup (paddle board) among the curious Beluga whales.

Worried about your balance? Never SUPPED  before? Sometimes, the best beluga interaction is while sitting on your board as pictured above.  Beluga whales seem particularly intrigued by Sups. It has been speculated that the white coloration of the boards may bring these curious whales in for a closer look. People may opt to join our safety  Zodiacs if kayaking or Sup does not interest you. The Belugas seem to follow the Zodiacs at close range allowing for wonderful viewing.

 (Breakfast, lunch and double occupancy rooms included, dinner will be on your own tonight)

A visit to the  Itsanitaq Museum, Churchill

Day Five:  Kayaking or Paddle Boarding 

Our adventuresome day includes a  final opportunity to  kayak or paddle board   among the curious  Belugas. On our final evening in Churchill, we will set out by private Zodiac for a sunset tour  among the Beluga Whales.

During our stay, we will  visit  the Itsanitaq Museum, formerly known as the Eskimo Museum.”Itsanitaq” is an Intuit word meaning “things from the past”. Intricate carvings, sculptures and pictorial displays help reveal the fascinating story of the Inuits and other First Nation people of the region. Showcasing narwhal horns, seal skin qayaq or covered canoes, moose antlers and mounted polar bears, the museum is a must see for those intrigued by natural and cultural history.

 (Breakfast, lunch and double occupancy rooms included, dinner will be on your own tonight)

Day Six: Dog Karting and the History of Dog Sledding

 On our final day in Churchill, we will meet the canine crew of Wapusk Adventures  and learn about the historical significance of dog sledding in the region. You will soon see that each husky has it’s own unique personality as we meet the friendly working team. Our day will include a Dog “karting” adventure through the boreal forest.

In 2005, Wapusk Adventures received both the Manitoba Aboriginal Tourism Award and the Manitoba Hydro Spirit of the Earth Award.

Our flight departs today at 2:00pm  and arrives into Winnipeg at 5:30pm.  We will then transfer to a nearby hotel and have our final dinner together)

(Breakfast, lunch and double occupancy rooms included,  dinner will be on your own tonight).

Day Seven: Optional Park Outing, Onward to Home

We suggest that you have an early breakfast at our hotel and join us for the optional outing to the Assiniboine Park and the incredible Polar Bear Research and Conservation Center at the Leatherdale International Polar Bear Conservation Centre in Winnipeg. This extremely informative educational center opens at 9:00am. Admission into the park is less than $20 and is well worth it. Those who wish to visit the park may share a Taxi  from our hotel in Winnipeg. We suggest that you allow at least 2 hours or explore Assiniboine Park and its world renown Polar Bear exhibit.

Please consider a flight back home on July 20th  after 2:00pm or later allowing enough time to explore this educational park and polar bear center. For those who decide to skip this outing, you may arrange a taxi to the Winnipeg Airport at your convenience. (hotel breakfast included. Lunch, park or airport transfers and park admission is on your own today)

The Polar Bears living at the Leatherdale Polar Bear Center are  either rescued cubs or older bears found injured and unable to be safely  released back into the wild. Their habitats  are spacious and include a welcomed cooling area with a viewing tube for the two legged types as shown  here.

Back to Belugas