Winnipeg

Snap photos of polar bears in their natural habitats as close as humanly possible and trek into the tundra to view other iconic Arctic animals such as moose, fox, black bears, wolves, seabirds, and beluga whales, while relaxing at a rustic yet well-appointed ecolodge between photo safaris.

This trip has been designed with a strong focus on providing an unparalleled opportunity for capturing ground-level images of polar bears in their natural habitat. At Churchill Wild, they understand your passion for photography and have curated this experience that gives you the best possible chance to capture those once-in-a-lifetime shots.

Highlights of this program include:

•Daily, guided hikes across the tundra to view polar bears and other Arctic wildlife, up-close-and-personal, in their natural habitat.

•Indulging your taste buds with tundra-inspired cuisine, complemented by select Canadian wines.

•Educational evening presentations by the lodge managers or naturalist guides about the Arctic ecosystems, landscape, and lifestyle.

•Travelling further afield on a half or full-day ATV tour. The low-impact tundra vehicles give you access to areas up and down the coast.

•Viewing beluga whales near the mouth of the Seal River estuary where they congregate by the thousands in the summer months.

Special Notes:

Due to the adventurous nature of this program and the amount of walking over uneven terrain, we do not recommend it for guests with walking difficulties of for those who use a wheelchair or scooter. Guests travelling with Portable Oxygen Concentrators (POC) or CPAP breathing machines should read the airline stipulations below with regards to bringing this equipment on the tour. This program is not exclusive to RSSC – there will be guests who are not sailing with us also on the program.

Due to the nature of this program, cancellations made within 120 days or less prior to the sail date are subject to 100% cancellation penalty. There are no refunds for unused portions of any program. Guests failing to arrive on Day 1 of a scheduled land program will be considered no-shows and their program space released. Full payment is required to confirm this program.

Please see further below for packing instructions – duffel bags are required.

This program begins in Winnipeg, Canada and ends in Vancouver, Canada where guests will board the ship. The internal flight between Winnipeg and Vancouver is included in the cost of this program and will be booked by RSSC’s air team.

DAY 1 – 16 jul 2024

Upon arriving at Winnipeg’s Richardson International Airport (YWG), you will proceed through Customs and Immigration for international flights, collect your luggage and transfer to the hotel, which is directly across the street from the arrival’s terminal. There will be no meet and greet.

After checking in, the remainder of the day will be mostly at your leisure, allowing you time to settle in and perhaps explore Winnipeg on your own. The only scheduled event will be an orientation dinner that a Churchill Wild representative will host. Further details on where to meet for the dinner will be provided in a Welcome Letter received when you check in.

Please separate any luggage that will not accompany you on the safari. It will be stored until your return on Day 7. Make sure to take any medications and documentation such as passports with you to the lodge. Also make sure that all luggage left behind has sufficient identification.

DAY 2 – 17 jul 2024

A deluxe continental breakfast will be served from 5-5:30am and then meet the Churchill Wild team in the lobby before walking back to the airport to check in for a flight to Churchill. Your representative will ensure all luggage requirements are met, will walk with the group through the security and to the gate and will stay until the group departs.

In Churchill you will be met by one of Churchill Wild’s expert staff who will provide more details on your light aircraft transfer to the lodge. Your adventure begins with an aerial flight over the winding Hudson Bay coast en-route to your home for the next six days, Seal River Heritage Lodge.

The flight will take you over the winding Hudson Bay coast, where you may see pods of whales, birds, and polar bears out on the ice. The Seal River Estuary is a favorite summer habitat for these bears, and they are regularly seen swimming or basking near the water’s edge.

Upon arriving at Seal River Heritage Lodge, your hosts will provide a tour and get you settled into your room. Perched on the rugged coast of Hudson Bay, Seal River Heritage Lodge is one of the early members in the National Geographic Unique Lodges of the World collection. It is a prime location for observing polar bears as they wander the coast during summer and fall waiting for the bay to freeze.

The stars of the safaris at Churchill Wild are the polar bears but they are just the tip of the wildlife iceberg. Black bears, wolves, colored and Arctic fox, Arctic hare, moose, and beluga whales are also commonly seen.

The fenced-in compound, viewing platforms and tower lend themselves to unique photography opportunities for northern lights and the wildlife that approach to check out the sights, sounds and smells of the lodge.

After each day of trekking the tundra, you can relax in the cozy lounge, watching for wildlife through expansive picture windows, sharing photos and talking with new friends. The lodge also includes a library, gift shop, 24-hr electricity via solar power, natural gas and wood heat, radio, telephone, and satellite wi-fi.

Rooms at the lodge are rustic not luxurious, however, they combine the charm of nature with the comfort of modern amenities. Appointments include arctic throws that keep you cozy and warm, and eco-friendly toiletries (hair dryer, body wash, shampoo, conditioner, and hand soap) and a welcome basket filled with local snacks.

A thorough orientation on travel in polar bear country will be provided prior to any outings and after a tundra-inspired lunch, you will experience the coast for the first time. Ensure your camera batteries are charged.

All wildlife approaches are done on foot with the exception of the whale watching which is done by boat. In some instances, the group may take ATV vehicles to the wildlife, but the approach will be on the ground. Morning and afternoon hikes or excursions can be anywhere from 1-3 hours, or the group may not even leave the compound if the wildlife is at the lodge.

Back at the lodge, enjoy an “appetizer hour” followed by a family-style meal that will include organic, locally sourced meats and fish along with fruits and vegetables from our Prairie Wild orchard and gardens. Meals are inspired by the tundra landscape and consist of comforting soups and stews, freshly baked rolls, tasty salads, show-stopper main courses and delicious desserts.

Evenings typically include an informative lecture or slide show presentation narrated by one of Churchill Wild’s knowledgeable guides or staff.

ETHICAL WILDLIFE VIEWING

Churchill Wild practices ethical wildlife viewing, meaning they do not do anything to interfere with the animal’s normal behavior or cause it stress. Practically speaking, this translates into a few key principles:

The majority of their wildlife viewing excursions are on foot which means the group can be quiet and less intrusive when approaching a polar bear or other animal. It also means leaving behind a very small footprint on the tundra and taiga across which you will trek.

You never want to make a polar bear feel trapped or encroached upon, so when our in the field, the group will keep a minimum distance of 100 meters (328 feet). This keeps both the group and the animal safe.

It is common for bears to wander past the lodge or even curl up for a nap outside the fenced compound. Once it is noticed that a bear is approaching, guests are reminded to move slowly and quietly around the lodge. The lodges are elevated off the ground, so footfalls can be quite noisy if not controlled, which can spook the bear. Sudden movements seen through the windows or within the compound can also be startling. Guests are also asked to turn off camera sounds while photographing out in the field.

Drones are not permitted.

Wildlife is never fed or coerced into certain behaviors with food. Feeding wildlife can lead to aggression or reliance on food provided by humans, which can be deadly.

Churchill Wild is deeply committed to being ecofriendly and leaving the coastline in its natural state. It employs a wide range of sustainability initiatives at the ecolodges and is always looking for ways to add to or improve on them. This includes things like relying on solar power and greywater recycling, using biodegradable cleaning products and toiletries, and strict waste management policies.

Churchill Wild wants guests to develop a deep appreciation for, and connection to, the wildlife and their habitat by sharing its knowledge of the area. In the field, guides will point out and interpret behaviors of polar bears and other wildlife, identify local plants, and speak to the geography and ecology of the region. Evening presentations provide more in-depth discussion on wildlife behavior, characteristics and the three distinct biomes of the area.

DAY 3, 4, 5, and 6 – 18 jul, 19, 20, 21, 2024

After breakfast, head out for either a marine tour or hike. Lunch will typically be back at the lodge, unless your guides take you on an ATV excursion further down the coast. Marine tours are tide-dependent, so scheduled mealtimes may be adjusted to accommodate whale watching.

Relive the excitement of the day during daily “appetizer hour” before sitting down to dinner, then top up your glass of wine and settle in for the evening’s presentation.

Bedtime is at your leisure. The lodge area is monitored all night so be prepared to have your sleep cut short by a nocturnal visit from a polar bear. You might also stay up for a dazzling display of the Northern Lights.

DAY 7 – 22 jul 2024

After breakfast at the lodge, you will transfer back to Churchill by small light aircraft. Have your cameras ready for the return flight as it affords excellent opportunities for great aerial shots.

Back in Churchill, you will spend the day with a tour guide exploring the town and surrounding area, learning about its rich history as a seaport and ex-military base. Stops may include the Parks Canada exhibit, the Itsanitaq Museum, and the Polar Bear Jail. Along the way, your guide will point out murals that were commissioned in 2016 as part of the SeaWalls mural festival. Before a group dinner, you will enjoy free time to shop.

Your flight south to Winnipeg will take place in the evening. Upon arrival, you will collect your bags, head out of the arrival’s doors and back to The Grand Hotel for an overnight. Please be sure to collect any bags left in storage.

DAY 8 – 23 jul 2024

Following breakfast at the hotel, you will fly to Vancouver. Please refer to the flight details that will be provided by the RSSC Air department and make your way back to the departure’s terminal in plenty of time for your flight.

Upon arrival in Vancouver, the group will be met after luggage claim in the arrival’s hall by our local ground operator. Look for a representative holding a sign with the Regent Seven Seas logo.

You will be transferred to your hotel for the evening. After check in, the remainder of the day will be at your leisure to relax or explore Vancouver on your own. Lunch and dinner will be on your own.

If flight delays are encountered while enroute, guests should proceed to the airline counter for updates. Downloading the free airline app will also keep guests current of any changes and in the event of a cancellation or delay, the airline will notify them, via the app, of their new schedule.

Should guests have any questions pertaining to the internal air segment on this program, please call RSSC at 1.844.519.9613 (weekdays: 8h30 - 20h00 EST, Saturday:9h30 - 17h30 EST, Sunday: closed). Dial 7 if after regular business hours.

DAY 9 – 24 jul 2024

After breakfast and check out, the group will be met and transferred to the port, where you will embark the ship.

NOTA: There will be another RSSC group staying at the same hotel that will also transfer to the pier by coach; however, a private transfer has been arranged for this small safari group. Your meet and greet representative from the previous day will advise where and when you should meet for your private transfer.

Programação em terra, detalhes passo a passo

• A ordem dos locais visitados pode variar para evitar aglomeração. Os horários da programação são aproximados e fornecidos aqui para fins de referência geral; eles estão sujeitos a alterações.

• Os itinerários com os detalhes mais atualizados serão emitidos quando você receber os documentos finais do cruzeiro por e-mail 21 dias antes da partida. Você receberá um itinerário final de nosso operador terrestre com uma carta de boas-vindas na chegada ou em seu hotel. Leia a carta e seu itinerário final cuidadosamente para verificar se houve alterações.

• Os hotéis usados para a programação em terra serão os hotéis listados neste documento, a menos que você tenha sido avisado de outra forma sobre a data de início da programação.

• Os hóspedes que não chegarem no dia 1 da programação em terra serão considerados como “não comparecimento” e sua vaga no hotel será liberada.

Noites Extras

•If you book extra nights through the cruise line, you will need to make your own way across the street from the terminal to the hotel to check in. O check-in é às 15h00 (sujeito a alterações). As refeições (exceto o café da manhã) e as atividades são por sua conta até o Dia 2 do programa.

• Se tiver um voo com chegada antecipada, poderá reservar uma noite extra, uma vez que o seu quarto não estará pronto para ocupação até aproximadamente 15h00.

• Se você reservar noites adicionais por conta própria, os transfers não estão incluídos.

DAY 1 – 16 jul

Arrive at Winnipeg’s Richardson International Airport (YWG)

Proceed through Customs and Immigration (for any flights arriving from international), collect your luggage and walk to the airport-based hotel (across street from terminal)

Nota: There will be no meet and greet.

3:00pm Official check in time at your hotel

Mesmo que todos os esforços sejam feitos para conseguir quartos disponíveis mais cedo, isto não pode ser garantido.

7:00pm Group dinner with your Churchill Wild representative

Overnight at The Grand by Lakeview Hotel (Winnipeg Airport)

Day 2 – 17 jul

Timings below are approximate and given for reference only. Final details will be relayed within 21 days of sailing.

5:00am Deluxe continental breakfast at the hotel

5:25am Meet your tour representative and walk to the terminal to check in for a flight to Churchill

7:00am Flight from Winnipeg to Churchill (Flight details TBA and subject to change)

9:30am Arrive in Churchill and transfer to light aircraft for a flight to your lodge

TBA 30-minute flight from Churchill to your lodge (Flight details TBA and subject to change)

TBA Arrival at the lodge and time to get settled in

12:30pm Lunch at the lodge

TBA Afternoon excursion – guide’s choice – walk, boat or ATV depending on conditions

TBA Return to the lodge and freshen up before dinner

6:00pm Appetizers and drinks

7:00pm Dinner at the lodge

After dinner Evening presentation

Overnight at Seal River Heritage Lodge

DAYS 3, 4, 5 and 6 – 18 jul-21

7:00am Coffee and tea service in the lounge

8:00am Breakfast at the lodge

TBA Morning excursion

12:30pm Lunch at the lodge

TBA Afternoon excursion

6:00pm Appetizers and drinks

7:00pm Dinner at the lodge

After dinner Evening presentation

Overnight at Seal River Heritage Lodge

DAY 7 – 22 jul

7:00am Coffee and tea service in the lounge

8:00am Breakfast at the lodge

TBA Depart for the airstrip and check in for a flight to Churchill

Lodge managers will advise flight time

TBA Light aircraft flight pf about 25-minutes to Churchill (Flight details TBA and subject to change) –

TBA Arrival in Churchill

TBA Explore Churchill including the Parks Canada exhibit, Itsanitaq Museum and Polar Bear Jail

5:00pm Dinner

7:30pm Flight from Churchill to Winnipeg (flight details TBA and subject to change)

10:00pm Arrive in Winnipeg, collect luggage and walk to your hotel (across the street from terminal)

Overnight at the Grand by Lakeview Hotel (Winnipeg Airport)

DAY 8 – 23 jul

AM Breakfast at your hotel. $15 voucher provided per person

TBA Flight from Winnipeg to Vancouver (flight details TBA and subject to change).

Please refer to any details provided by the RSSC Air team and make sure to be at the airport in sufficient time to check any luggage and go through security.

NOTA: Guests need to make their own way unescorted to the check in counters/kiosks.

TBA Arrive in Vancouver and collect luggage – the group is met in the Arrivals Hall

TBA Transfer to your hotel, lunch and dinner on own

Overnight at the Rosewood Hotel Georgia or similar hotel

DAY 9 – 24 jul

Manhã Café da manhã no hotel

TBA Check out and transfer to the port of Vancouver for embarkation

Program Insurance:

Travel insurance is required for this program and Churchill Wild will require to see proof of insurance at least 90 days before the program start date. You may opt for your own level of protection and provider however the following items are recommended to be covered:

Losses experienced due to missed connections, damage to luggage, and weather delays (such as meal expenses, hotel costs, or airline transfer fees), cancellation/trip interruption, medical, and medical evacuation insurance.

Guests should understand that neither Churchill Wild nor Regent Seven Seas Cruises will insure any portion of any packages that have any issues relating to any of the above.

Clima provável:

Situated at 58 degrees of latitude, Churchill, Manitoba has a subarctic continental climate. You will be there in July during the summer season when the average daily temperature is about 15° Celsius (59°F). The staff and guides will make sure you are adequately prepared for the weather and keep an eye on you on really chilly days as hypothermia and frostbite can occur in minutes when temperatures and wind chills are extreme. They will make sure you have all the gear and recommendations needed to keep you safe and warm while out on the tundra.

Conditions change quickly and constantly in the north, so leading up to and on changeover days, the lodge manager will be in constant communication with the staff on the ground in Churchill. Low visibility at the lodge may delay the flight there. Typically, delays are short. But safety comes first.

Moeda local

Dólar do Canadá. U.S. dollar may be accepted in certain businesses, at applicable exchange rate.

Eletricidade:

Canada uses Type plugs with two flat parallel pins and Type B plugs with two flat parallel pins and a grounding pin. Canada operates on a 120V supply voltage and 60Hz. International guests should bring a universal travel adaptor for electrical devices.

O que trazer:

Clothing that can be layered is key. Essentials include a warm spring or fall jacket, warm sweater/heavy fleece, light warm gloves, comfortable long pants, long and short-sleeve tee shirts, a sun hat, indoor shoes or slippers, sunscreen, lip balm, sunglasses, a small day pack for excursions, a dry bag for marine tours, waterproof rain gear and hiking boots, rubber insoles for boots provided at the lodge. You may also wish to bring binoculars, a water bottle, a bug jacket, or head net and a knit or fleece hat. Bug repellent will be provided at the lodge. Only non-aerosol products can be taken on the flights.

Rain Gear (jacket, pants, and boots) will be provided at the lodge. Boot sizes larger than a men’s size 13 are considered to be custom sizes that cannot be provided. Additionally guests over 6’4” should bring their own gear as we may not have clothing sizes to fit.

Bagagem:

Details for luggage allowance on the internal flight between Winnipeg and Vancouver will be provided once flights are confirmed by the RSSC Air Team. Please also refer to your final cruise documents which are emailed approximately 21 days before sailing.

Fees for excess or overweight luggage will be the responsibility of each guest and payable upon check in for flights.

For the flights to / from the lodge – pack light!

Luggage MUST be in a duffel bag. It can have a bottom frame with wheels, but the sides and top must be collapsible. Guests may bring one checked bag weighing no more than 50lbs (22 kg) and up to two carry-on items if their combined weight does not exceed 20lbs (9 kg). The total measurement of checked luggage (width + height + length) must be less than 62 inches.

Excess luggage not being taken on safari will be stored at the hotel in Winnipeg where you will collect it again on Day 7. Do not forget to bring medications, valuables, and documents with you and label each piece sufficiently.

Carriage of Portable Oxygen Concentrators (POC) or CPAP breathing machines on internal flights per airline regulations (subject to change as each airline has their own regulations)

1. Guests must obtain a Doctor’s Certificate mentioning their medical condition and the need to carry this equipment with them on their flights.

2. The certificate should have attached a picture of the equipment with its description/specifications especially with regards to the type of batteries used (lithium/dry or any other type).

3. These documents need to be sent to the Land Program Team via Reservations at RSSC at least one month prior to travel so that our local operator can begin the notification process with the airline(s).

4. Failure to comply with the above regulations may result in a denial of this equipment at the airport for which the cruise line nor our local ground operator be responsible for.

Exigências de documentos e vistos:

A passport that is valid at least 6 months after travel is required

Please check with your local embassy for any visa requirements for your nationality for Canada.

VERY IMPORTANT – The name on your cruise booking, passport and any visas if required, must all be exactly the same for flight ticket purchase, otherwise guests may be denied travel by flight. Please ensure that all documents are identical in spelling to the names provided for your cruise reservation including first, middle, and last name. Manifests generated by the cruise line must match your travel documents.

Failure to have the required documents ahead of time or incorrect names on flight tickets will result in either denial of travel or ticket re-purchase and guests will be responsible for any fees incurred.

Endereços dos hotéis:

The Grand by Lakeview Hotel (Winnipeg airport)

1979 Wellington Ave, Winnipeg, MB R3H 1H5, Canada

Tel.: +1 204-505-0145

Seal River Heritage Lodge

Manitoba R0B 0E0, Canada

Rosewood Hotel Georgia

801 W Georgia St, Vancouver, BC V6C 1P7, Canada

Tel.: +1 604-682-5566

*Só substituiremos por hotéis diferentes do original em ocasiões inesperadas. If comparable hotels are required, they will be of equal ratings and standards, and you will be notified of the change. Se você não for avisado da mudança antes da saída, ficará nos hotéis listados neste programa.

O programa inclui, para hóspedes:

•2 nights at the Grand by Lakeview Hotel in Winnipeg (standard double room) including breakfast

•5 nights at Seal River Heritage Lodge (standard double room) including all meals, beverages, and daily photo safari activities

•Internal flights between Winnipeg and Churchill

•Charter light aircraft flights between Churchill and Seal River Heritage Lodge on Calm Air or similar

•Welcome dinner on Day 1

•Churchill Tour on Day 7

•Lunches to include non-alcoholic beverages

•Dinners to include Wine /Beer / non-alcoholic beverages

•Rain Gear (jacket, pants, and boots) provided at the lodge

•Gratuity for Churchill Wild portion of the program

•Internal flight from Winnipeg to Vancouver on Day 8 as booked by the RSSC Air Team – every attempt will be made for Business Class flight confirmations

•Group meet and greet and hotel transfer in Vancouver

•1 night at Rosewood Hotel Georgia in Vancouver (deluxe king bedroom) including breakfast

•Group transfer from hotel to pier in Vancouver

O programa não inclui, para hóspedes:

• As refeições ou bebidas não estão listadas acima

• Despesas pessoais

•Gift shop purchases

•Gratuities for drivers and guides in Winnipeg and Vancouver

•Additional gratuities (at your discretion) while at Seal River Heritage Lodge

• Despesas acessórias com o hotel, incluindo frigobar e serviço de quarto

•Program Insurance

Observe: Programações em terra que abrangem vários dias normalmente incluem atividades extensas e prolongadas, enquanto os de durações mais curtas geralmente têm níveis de atividade mais moderados. However, each program varies, and participants should be prepared to negotiate a mixture of surfaces which may include inclines, cobblestones, sand, gravel, and natural paths. Também pode ser necessário subir degraus ou escadas às vezes. Os hóspedes em cadeira de rodas e com problemas de mobilidade são aconselhados a verificar com a companhia de cruzeiro com antecedência para saber se uma parte da programação dos passeios pode não ser considerada apropriada para a sua condição individual.

Observe: Todas as programações em terra têm sua capacidade controlada e estão sujeitas à disponibilidade. Os programas que não receberem um número mínimo necessário de inscrições de participantes estão sujeitos a cancelamento. Os preços listados também estão sujeitos a alterações para suprir aumentos de custo inesperados de transporte, de programações em terra ou flutuações da moeda. Uma vez que a compra for feita, os preços estarão garantidos e não estarão sujeitos a mudanças.

Due to the nature of this program, Cancellations made within 120 days or less prior to the sail date are subject to 100% cancellation penalty. There are no refunds for unused portions of any program. Guests failing to arrive on Day 1 of a scheduled land program will be considered no-shows and their program space released. Full payment is required to confirm this program.

CHURCHILL WILD DISCLAIMERS

Guests are travelling to Arctic regions of Manitoba to view wildlife in their natural environment. The essence of our Safaris is for guests to experience wildlife with minimal impact on wildlife and the environment. It is important that we ensure the safety of guests and the well-being of wildlife being viewed. Guests travel in a small group, led by expert and informative guides, following an itinerary that is flexible to accommodate daily wildlife activity, tides, and weather.

Churchill Wild, its owners, employees, and anyone acting as their agent, assume no responsibility or liability for external forces that affect the experience of viewing wildlife in their natural environment. Advertising and expectations are based on typical wildlife activity as historically experienced and is not a guarantee as to the volume or variety of wildlife they will see on their adventure. Weather, population variations, migratory patterns and other wildlife are some common factors impacting the behavior and activity of the wildlife they have come to experience. Despite the best efforts of owners, guides, and staff there is a chance that the desired wildlife may not be present.

Churchill Wild, its owners, employees, or anyone acting as their agent assume no responsibility or liability for any Force Majeure, political, meteorological, climatic, or other event, or for the services of transportation companies, contractors, or other principals for which we act as agents.

Due to the nature of the destination and weather, it is common to encounter flight delays (during our July to November season) and/or changes to itinerary in the event of which the guest will bear all additional expenses.

No refunds will be made for unused portions of the program due to conditions beyond Churchill Wild’s control.

The guest also assumes all risks associated with adventure travel involving potentially hazardous activities in a remote region of Canada. By purchasing one of our trips, the traveler is indicating that they have read and understood this and fully acknowledges what is being purchased.

Churchill Wild is governed by the laws of the Province of Manitoba and are Federally regulated by the Government of Canada. Disputes shall be subject to the exclusive authority of the Courts of Canada.