Vision Statement: by Benjamin Walls

There are few places more legendary, serene, and yet inaccessible than the Arctic. A fraction of the earth’s population will ever have the privilege of seeing a polar bear and this hauntingly beautiful region. Ironically, for most, the opportunity to do so usually comes on a crowded tourist vehicle with 40+ passengers. Moreover, only 1-2 days of a typical 7-8 day itinerary is spent with the bears. I too, longing to see the polar bears and the far north, came headlong into these quandaries and ultimately found myself trapped in the crowds in order to catch a glimpse of the king of the arctic.

Refusing to settle, I eventually found my way to the handful of places on the enormous Hudson Bay that offer an immersive, peaceful, and refined experience and placed these properties and experiences at the heart of our WALLSabout itinerary. As for the mega buggies? Well to be frank, they are remarkable in their own way! The problem is the crowded 40+ passengers they carry. So, I’ve developed a relationship with the most established vehicle operator in the Churchill Wildlife Management area and was able to acquire a private buggy for our small group tour.

In short, this is the ultimate Polar Safari for those that want it all – zero compromises! This trip combines both a private multi-day Tundra Buggy experience and a private multi-day luxury lodge experience on the remote shores of the Hudson Bay. It includes a fully guided walking tour where you’ll experience the arctic wildlife at ground level. Throw in a dedicated chef, three expert (& armed) guides, and my impeccable WALLSabout Concierge team and you have our Signature WALLSabout Polar Safari.

Friends, in 20 years of exploring our world, and in the 9 years of designing trips for WALLSabout, I’m hanging my hat on this experience as much as anything we have ever done!

Lets Go,
– Benji

Arrive and relax at the hotel. Afternoon/evening at your leisure.

*Book your flight to arrive anytime this day. Hotel check-in is 4PM, but let us know if you’d like us to request early check-in.

Accommodations: The Grand, Winnipeg

Meals: None — arrivals day

Breakfast at the hotel, followed by time exploring the city of Winnipeg and The Forks District (option: sleep in and meet us for lunch). We’ll come together as a group for lunch at one of the most iconic restaurants in town, The James Avenue Pumphouse. Afterwards, we’ll get our historic and cultural bearings at the Manitoba Museum – including a 411 on the native flora, fauna, trade routes, and native peoples of the far north. A central highlight of the museum is a tour of the full-sized replica of the Nonsuch, the first English ship from to take part in the fur trade in Churchill in 1668. Upon returning to the hotel we’ll do a gear fitting in your custom parka, pants, and boots. Followed by a happy hour wine tasting, dinner, and briefing at the hotel. Rest up because we depart early tomorrow!

Itinerary:
AM – breakfast at The Grand from 7AM 
9AM – Group shuttle for The Forks shopping / exploring (optional)
Noon – FIRST GROUP ACTIVITY – Lunch at The James Avenue Pumphouse
3-5PM – Gear Fitting at The Grand – 5th Floor 
5PM – Happy Hour and Dinner 5th Floor of The Grand
6:30PM – Polar Safari Briefing
8PM- Early to bed   

Accommodations: The Grand, Winnipeg

Meals: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner

Early flight northbound to Churchill. Lunch in town followed by an afternoon dog sled adventure. Next, we’ll visit some of the landmarks of Churchill including a stop at the edge of the brisk Hudson Bay to learn about Inukshuks. Dinner and overnight in Churchill. 

Accommodation: Wild Blueberry Inn, Churchill

Meals: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner

Breakfast at the lodge before we climb aboard an official Tundra Buggy. We’ll use this massive vehicle with 5’ tall tires to explore the Churchill Wildlife Management Area. This area is legendary for its dense population of polar bears that congregate each fall waiting for the sea ice to freeze so they can go out onto the Hudson Bay to hunt seals. We’ll have a catered lunch, hot chocolate, and coffee onboard the Tundra Buggy which also has an ensuite bathroom, duel heaters and other creature comforts to make sure we stay cozy and comfortable as we explore the Tundra and frozen ponds looking for the great white bears!  We’ll head back to town at dusk (3:30-4PM this time of year) to catch dinner and overnight in Churchill. That night we’ll review photos, trade stories and view a slide show presentation from a local wildlife expert. 

Accommodation: Wild Blueberry Inn, Churchill 

Meals: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner

Day 2 of Tundra Buggy Exploration! Breakfast at the lodge before we climb aboard an official Tundra Buggy. We’ll use this massive vehicle with 5’ tall tires to explore the Churchill Wildlife Management Area. This area is legendary for its dense population of polar bears that congregate each fall waiting for the sea ice to freeze so they can go out onto the Hudson Bay to hunt seals. We’ll have a catered lunch, hot chocolate, and coffee onboard the Tundra Buggy which also has an ensuite bathroom, duel heaters and other creature comforts to make sure we stay cozy and comfortable as we explore the Tundra and frozen ponds looking for the great white bears!  We’ll head back to town at dusk (3:30-4PM this time of year) to catch dinner and overnight in Churchill. That night we’ll review photos, trade stories and view a slide show presentation from a local wildlife expert. 

Accommodation: Wild Blueberry Inn, Churchill 

Meals: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner

Breakfast is at your leisure, explore town to pick up any final souvenirs. You will then be transferred by chartered fixed wing aircraft to our private luxury Polar Bear Lodge located on the Hudson bay.  This exciting one-hour flight takes you over Wapusk National Park as well as the historic York Factory.  Keep a sharp eye en-route for wildlife including the ‘Great Ice Bears’.

Our accommodation is the pioneering vision of a local couple to share an unforgettable experience of walking with wildlife among the open tundra. Upon arrival, you’ll get settled in your room followed by a thorough orientation and safety briefing before exploring the fully fenced compound and heading out for our first outing to see Polar Bears and other wildlife.

The lodge has a dedicated team ready to assist. Three dedicated guides, a dedicated chef, the lodge manager, housekeeping staff, and maintenance. Because we have exclusive access to the lodge, we’ll also be using motorized vehicles that have been used previously by Discovery, BBC Wildlife, NatGeo and others. These vehicles will boost us out to see the most active wildlife zones on days that the action is not centered immediately adjacent to the lodge (which it often is). Upon return, enjoy local wines and appetizers while comparing photos and listening to a presentation by one of our guides.

Accommodation: Private Luxury Lodge on the Hudson Bay

Meals: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner

Each morning after a delicious breakfast, your guides will outline a plan for the day’s excursions. Each day you will embark on a walk with the polar bears in the morning before returning to the lodge for hearty lunch and relaxing by the fire. Later in the day you will set off on your second excursion to walk with the bears before returning for dinner with appetizers and local wine pairings. Note that to maximize photography time and opportunities, your daily schedule may be adjusted. Our Luxury Polar Bear Lodge is a wildly rugged and remote location catering to adventurers ready to spend hours in the field getting up close and personal, at ground level, with Arctic wildlife. The shoreline location of the lodge is ideal for viewing and photographing  bears on snow and ice, and on clear nights offers excellent chances for northern lights photography.

After appetizers and another one of our signature meals, evenings are spent near the fireplace downloading images, sharing the day’s adventures, or taking in an informative lecture or slide show.

Bedtime is at your leisure and you can rest easy knowing you won’t miss out on anything. Our guides will monitor the compound and skies and will rouse you if the aurora or a nocturnal polar bear make an appearance.  

Accommodation: Private Luxury Lodge on the Hudson Bay

Meals: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner 

After another delicious breakfast, continue to explore and soak up all that this wild and incredible environment has to offer. Your guides will outline a plan for the day’s excursions. Each day you will embark on a walk with the polar bears in the morning before returning to the lodge for hearty lunch and relaxing by the fire. Later in the day you will set off on your second excursion to walk with the bears before returning for dinner with appetizers and local wine pairings. Note that to maximize photography time and opportunities, your daily schedule may be adjusted. Our Luxury Polar Bear Lodge is a wildly rugged and remote location catering to adventurers ready to spend hours in the field getting up close and personal, at ground level, with Arctic wildlife. The shoreline location of the lodge is ideal for viewing and photographing  bears on snow and ice, and on clear nights offers excellent chances for northern lights photography.

After appetizers and another one of our signature meals, evenings are spent near the fireplace downloading images, sharing the day’s adventures, or taking in an informative lecture or slide show.

Bedtime is at your leisure and you can rest easy knowing you won’t miss out on anything. Our guides will monitor the compound and skies and will rouse you if the aurora or a nocturnal polar bear make an appearance.

Accommodation: Private Luxury Lodge on the Hudson Bay

Meals: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner 

For the last full day in Nanuk, your guides will outline a plan for the day’s excursions. Each day you will embark on a walk with the polar bears in the morning before returning to the lodge for hearty lunch and relaxing by the fire. Later in the day you will set off on your second excursion to walk with the bears before returning for dinner with appetizers and local wine pairings. Note that to maximize photography time and opportunities, your daily schedule may be adjusted. Our Luxury Polar Bear Lodge is a wildly rugged and remote location catering to adventurers ready to spend hours in the field getting up close and personal, at ground level, with Arctic wildlife. The shoreline location of the lodge is ideal for viewing and photographing  bears on snow and ice, and on clear nights offers excellent chances for northern lights photography.

After appetizers and another one of our signature meals, evenings are spent near the fireplace downloading images, sharing the day’s adventures, or taking in an informative lecture or slide show.

Bedtime is at your leisure and you can rest easy knowing you won’t miss out on anything. Our guides will monitor the compound and skies and will rouse you if the aurora or a nocturnal polar bear make an appearance.

Accommodation: Private Luxury Lodge on the Hudson Bay

Meals: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner

After another hearty Lodge breakfast, we will begin air transfer back to Churchill. Have your cameras ready for the return flight as it affords excellent opportunities for great aerial shots.

Back in Churchill, you’ll spend the day with one of our tour guides exploring the town and surrounding area and learning about its rich history as a seaport and ex-military base. Your tour will include stops such as 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, your guide will give you free time to shop for last-minute souvenirs at the unique gift stores in Churchill.

Your flight south to Winnipeg will take place this evening. Upon arrival, collect your bags, head out of the arrivals doors and back to The Grand Hotel.

End of WALLSabout Services upon arrival at The Grand in Winnipeg

Accommodations: The Grand, Winnipeg

Meals: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner

The international terminal is just across the street from our hotel. Double check you have your documents and belongings and proceed to check-in 3 hours prior to your flight time. Hotel checkout is 11AM. Please let us know prior to your trip if you require a late checkout or additional nights in Winnipeg.

Highlights Include:

– Walking Safari with the Polar Bears
         – Exclusive access (our group only) to luxury lodge with only 16 participants 
         – Dedicated lodge staff and chef 
         – 3 dedicated local guides

– Tundra Buggy Excursion (2 full days) 
         – WALLSabout exclusive access to a Tundra Buggy
         – Dedicated bathroom / driver-guide / catered lunch

– Dog Sledding experience
– Local expert guides at each stop with morning briefing and evening              presentations on flora, fauna, history, and conservation
– Museum tour in Winnipeg
– Northern lights viewing and photography tutorial by local guides
– Boots / Parka / Pants provided 
– Benjamin to attend this inaugural tour
– Possible Sightings Include: 
         – Polar Bears
         – Wolves
         – Moose
         – Arctic Foxes
         – Ptarmigan 
         – Arctic Hare
         – Snowy owls
         – Northern Lights  

The lodge has a dedicated chef for just 16 guests, fresh ingredients are flown in from Southern Manitoba twice a week to create delicious and hearty meals for the entirety of your stay. Pictured above are expertly prepared meals actually on the menu for an incredible arctic infused culinary experience.