At a Glance
Ignite your imagination with an adventure into the natural photography wonderland that is the Arctic, especially curated for the professional and aspiring photographers and polar bear enthusiasts. This extraordinary itinerary offers an unmatched expedition into Churchill’s Arctic region in the heart of polar bear country while staying at the prime location of Seal River Heritage Lodge. Taking on 5 to 10km challenging walking every day, journey on a 7-day walking safari expedition for the ultimate polar bear encounters, aurora viewing and photography opportunities in one of the best places on Earth.
Your spectacular adventure begins with an overnight in Winnipeg, for a next morning flight to Churchill where your photo safari adventure begins. Embark on a scenic flight, offering stunning aerial photo opportunities of wildlife including the majestic polar bears from ...
Trip Highlights
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What's Included
- 6 nights accommodation on a twin share basis
- Roundtrip airfare between Winnipeg and Churchill, Manitoba
- Roundtrip airfare between Churchill and Seal River Heritage Lodge
- All meals as specified
- Excursions, activities and guide services while in Churchill and at Seal River Heritage Lodge
- Winter gear including winter pants, boots and parka
Itinerary
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Arrive in Winnipeg, the capital of Manitoba. In this city where the Red and Assiniboine rivers meet, you will have an overnight at the charmingly boutique, The Grand by Lakeview, conveniently located at the Winnipeg airport. Spend time unwinding and come 5pm gather together to mingle with the rest of your travel companions for gear fitting and collection. Tonight, be treated to a delicious dinner hosted by your representative guide and bask in the anticipation and celebration for the adventure ahead. |
The Grand Winnipeg Airport Hotel, Winnipeg
Dinner |
Enjoy a delightful breakfast before a morning flight to Churchill where you’ll be greeted by your expediter on arrival. Embark on a fixed wing aircraft for a scenic flight over the spectacular Churchill River and then northwest up the rugged Hudson Bay coast, enroute to your remote home, Seal River Heritage Lodge. Keep your eyes peeled and cameras ready for incredible widllife spotting including the majestic polar from up above. |
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On arrival, your host will take you on a tour around the lodge, flaunting its excellent features and giving you a sneak peek into the hospitality that awaits. Seal River Heritage Lodge is perched on the rugged coast of Hudson Bay near the Seal River Estuary. Marvel at its prime location for observing polar bears as they wander the coast. 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. With intimacy of just 8 guest rooms, unwind in your cosy ensuite rooms or mingle in the communal dining room or lounge area complete with a fireplace, a perfect place to relax with a glass of wine and sharing photos. Be briefed on a thorough orientation on travelling in polar bear country before any outings. Then it’s time to assemble your cameras, hard drives, and tripods and start shooting.
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Seal River Heritage Lodge, ChurchillBreakfast, Lunch, Dinner |
Every morning, your guides will outline a plan for the day’s excursions, and after a hearty breakfast, you’ll head out with your cameras in hand, in search of wildlife. This safari caters to the wildlife photographer dedicated to documenting Arctic wildlife up close and personal, so mealtimes will be adjusted to take advantage of the encounter taking place. Your photos will have the sea and/or snowy landscapes as breathtaking backdrops. Go through each day’s photos during appetizer hours before enjoying a signature dinner alongside a prime selection of delicious wines. Head to the lounge and cosy up in front of the fireplace and enjoy a presentation by one of our team members. |
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Bedtime is at your leisure and you can rest easy knowing you won’t miss out on anything. In case the aurora or a nocturnal bear appears, our staff monitoring the compound and skies will inform you.
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Seal River Heritage Lodge, ChurchillBreakfast, Lunch, Dinner |
Tantalise on one last wholesome lodge breakfast, before flying back to Churchill. Remember to keep your cameras handy as the flight always promises to inspire photo-worthy moments and sights from up above. Upon arrival, spend the day exploring Churchill and the neighbouring area with a tour guide and learn about its rich history as a seaport and ex-military town. Along the way, you’ll visit the Parks Canada exhibit, the Itsanitaq Museum, and the Polar Bear Jail. En route, marvel at murals that were commissioned in 2016 as part of the SeaWalls mural festival that your guide will point out. Before convening for a group dinner, spend free time to shop for last-minute souvenirs at the unique gift stores in Churchill. Come evening, fly south to Winnipeg and retreat back to where it all began at The Grand Hotel, conveniently located at Winnipeg airport. |
The Grand Winnipeg Airport Hotel, WinnipegBreakfast, Lunch, Dinner |
This morning, bid farewell to an incredible adventure filled with memories and photos reflecting an incredible arctic wildlife safari. Depart Winnipeg at your own leisure for your onward journey. NOTE: This itinerary is provided as an example only – prevailing conditions and local arrangements may cause variation. |
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Dates & Prices
More Info
- The departure and finish point is Winnipeg
- Major commercial flights provide convenient access to Winnipeg. The closest major airport is Winnipeg James Armstrong Richardson International Airport and is 8 km from the center of Winnipeg.
Challenging 5-10 km walking per day in cold and/or extreme weather and/or snow
Churchill, Manitoba has a moderately dry climate with sharp seasonal temperature changes. Winter temperatures of about −40 °F (−40 °C) may occasionally occur in any part of the province, and summer days of 100 °F (38 °C) are not unusual in the southern regions. During the month of June and August you are most likely to experience good days with pleasant average temperatures that fall between 20 degrees Celsius (68°F) and 25 degrees Celsius (77°F). The coldest month is January with an average maximum temperature of -11°C (12°F).
Single guests can sign up to share a room with another person of the same gender at the regular rate per person based on double occupancy.
Onlyluxe Travel acts as travel agency and work with different tour operators.
Payment Detail
All pricing is in Australian dollars and are quoted on a per person twin share basis. A supplementary price is available (see below). Bookings are not confirmed until full payment and the signed Booking Form has been received by Onlyluxe Travel.
A non-refundable 30% deposit is payable within 7 days of your booking, with the final balance due 120 days prior to departure. If a booking is made 120 days or less before departure, the full payment is payable immediately. Last minute bookings are payable before arrival. Failure to pay on time may result in automatic cancellation of a booking with cancellation penalties payable to Onlyluxe Travel. If you pay by credit card or PayPal a surcharge will be added to the total price.
Single Supplement
All accommodation is twin share. Single guests will share with someone of the same gender. If a single room is demanded, a supplementary price of will apply. The supplementary price refers to our quotation and needs to be stipulated at the time of booking.
General Cancellation Policies
- Outside of 120 days monies will be refunded less 30% of full fee
- Within 120 days prior to arrival all monies will be forfeited
- No refunds will be given in the event of non-arrival, any unused services or unused nights due to flight or weather disruption
- We strongly recommend guests protect themselves with travel insurance and medical insurance
Please Note: Cancellations must be advised in email and will take effect from the date they are received.
We strongly recommend guests protect themselves with travel insurance.
Pre-Existing Medical Conditions and Age Limits
You need to advise the tour operator on any pre-existing medical condition, mobility impairment and/or disability that might reasonably be expected to increase the risk of your requiring medical attention, or that might affect the normal conduct of a trip and the enjoyment of other trip members. The tour operator may require an assessment of your medical condition from a qualified medical practitioner. If you fail to adequately notify the tour operator of any pre-existing medical conditions and/or disability, the tour operator reserves the right, at its reasonable discretion, to cancel your participation in a trip at any time, including after the commencement of your trip, with no right of refund if your medical condition, mobility impairment and/or disability could be reasonably expected to affect the normal conduct of the trip and the enjoyment of other trip members.
Liability
The participant agrees to indemnify Onlyluxe Travel, and its servant, tour operator and agents, in relation to any liability, loss and damage which the tour operator, or its servants and/or agents may incur as a result of the participants, negligence or misconduct during the tour.
Smoking is not permitted on the bus, or in tents or in other accommodation being used by tour operator at the time that a trip is being conducted.
Child Policy
Please consult travel consultant on age limit.
Changes to Itineraries
Local conditions may necessitate changes to sightseeing, walking and driving routes, camping and accommodation locations. While every effort will be made to provide the services and experiences as offered in our brochure, on our website, and in our trip letters, we reserve the right to vary your itinerary. In the event that we are forced to change your arrangements, substitute arrangements of a similar standard will be provided. The tour operator will not be liable where interruptions to itineraries are caused by weather conditions, technical problems to transport used by the tour operator, industrial action, political or civil commotion or other circumstances beyond our control. We refer you to the conditions regarding travel insurance.
Changes in Prices
While we will do its utmost to honour its pricing unforeseen circumstances may mean that prices may be subject to change without notice.
Pre-Existing Medical Conditions and Age Limits
You need to advise Onlyluxe travel and the tour operator on any pre-existing medical condition, mobility impairment and/or disability that might reasonably be expected to increase the risk of your requiring medical attention, or that might affect the normal conduct of a trip and the enjoyment of other trip members. Onlyluxe Travel and the tour operator may require an assessment of your medical condition from a qualified medical practitioner. If you fail to adequately notify the tour operator of any pre-existing medical conditions and/or disability, the tour operator reserves the right, at its reasonable discretion, to cancel your participation in a trip at any time, including after the commencement of your trip, with no right of refund if your medical condition, mobility impairment and/or disability could be reasonably expected to affect the normal conduct of the trip and the enjoyment of other trip members.
Cancellation by The Tour Operator
The walks take place in very special wilderness settings. The tour operator is at the mercy of nature in all her beauty and all her fury. The tour operator will under no circumstance knowingly place at risk the health and well-being of our guests and guides. In the case of natural threats, acts of God and the like (e.g. bushfires, impassable snow, etc) the tour operator may need to cancel a walk with very little notice. In some cases, this can occur after the walk has commenced. The tour operator reserves the right to cancel any walk up to 60 days prior to departure if the minimum number is unable to meet for a tour. If the tour operator needs to cancel for any reason, the cost of the walk or any other costs associated with travel to the designated pick up point, overnight accommodation, meals, etc will not be covered by the Onlyluxe Travel and therefore we strongly recommend travel insurance be taken out prior to travel.
Force Majeure
'Force Majeure' means (without restriction) any event which Onlyluxe Travel or its third party providers could not, even with due care, foresee or avoid. Force Majeure covers events such as, but not limited to, adverse weather conditions, fire and all similar events beyond our control. In the case of Force Majeure Onlyluxe Travel will not accept liability, and reserves the right to change and cancel trips.
Evacuations
In rare circumstances, due to injury or unforeseen illness, the tour operator may need to evacuate you from a remote part of the walk. Helicopter evacuations are expensive and in most cases will be at a cost to the customer.
For Australian residents, under the Australian Government Medicare Act, it is prohibited for any domestic travel insurance product to provide any financial reimbursement with regard to ambulance or air ambulance services. We therefore strongly advise our customers to take specific ambulance cover through their health insurance provider. Evacuation cost will not be covered by the Onlyluxe Travel and therefore it is also strongly recommended that our customers take out travel insurance to cover (amongst other things) the costs associated with evacuation.
Travel Insurance
In view of the heavy cancellation penalties applied to cancelled reservations in certain circumstances, we strongly recommends suitable travel insurance be purchased at the time the holding deposit is paid. We recommend insurance cover that covers any loss which may be suffered due to cancellation. We also strongly recommend comprehensive travel insurance against loss of baggage and medical expenses.
