The Far North Canada – Yukon, Manitoba and North West Territories
Possibly the least known of all the Canadian Provinces, but with plenty to offer, and holiday ideas for the adventurous traveller. In the autumn each year, Polar Bears gather in and around Churchill, Manitoba awaiting the big freeze, and the tasty treats that then await. Meanwhile, to the west the North West Territories vie with Yukon and Alaska to put on the best display of Aurora Borealis (Northern Lights). In the summer months, Hudson Bay boasts pods of Beluga’s – these unusual and vocal white whales are often mistaken for wave caps in the Bay. Riding Mountain National Park provides the adventurous traveller with great black and brown bear viewing opportunities – don’t expect the Ritz here!
Yukon Manitoba and North West Territories are possibly the least known of all the Canadian Provinces, but with plenty to offer, and holiday ideas for the adventurous traveller. In the autumn each year, Polar Bears gather in and around Churchill, Manitoba awaiting the big freeze, and the tasty treats that then await. Meanwhile, to the west the North West Territories vie with Yukon and Alaska to put on the best display of Aurora Borealis (Northern Lights). In the summer months, Hudson Bay boasts pods of Beluga’s – these unusual and vocal white whales are often mistaken for wave caps in the Bay. Riding Mountain National Park provides the adventurous traveller with great black and brown bear viewing opportunities – don’t expect the Ritz here! Contact us for more information
Bear watching can be an expensive addition to a holiday and for many it is a once-in-a-lifetime experience. There are a large number of companies offering all sorts of bear-watching experiences. Whilst sightings are never guaranteed, to avoid disappointment it is important to pick the trip that will match both your expectations and your budget. Call us and we will help you make the right choice. Here is just a small selection of what we are able to offer
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Bear Viewing
Great Bear Lodge Knight Inlet Lodge Spirit Bear Lodge Polar Bear with Frontiers North Adventures Churchill Wild [/wptabcontent]
Where the land is wild and the salmon plentiful, whether on the coast of British Columbia, Yellowstone or South eastern Alaska, bears will congregate. Bear viewing can range from spotting a bear at the side of the road to luxury wilderness adventure trips. Viewing bears without a guide is certainly possible, but guided bear-watching trips are the best way to ensure a safe, successful experience of viewing bears in their natural habitat.
Bear watching can be an expensive addition to a holiday and for many it is a once-in-a-lifetime experience. There are a large number of companies offering all sorts of bear-watching experiences. Whilst sightings are never guaranteed, to avoid disappointment it is important to pick the trip that will match both your expectations and your budget. Call us and we will help you make the right choice. Here is just a small selection of what we are able to offer:-
Great Bear Lodge The Great Bear Rainforest is home to a significant concentration on coastal grizzly bears and is arguably one of the best places in the world to observe grizzlies and other wildlife such as wolves, black bears, otters, pine martins, mink and bald eagles. Great Bear Lodge is nestled in a remote inlet in the heart of this Rainforest. During the spring, grizzlies come down from the mountains to graze on the sedges and grasses of the river estuary. Bear viewing is from boats which float gently through the estuary. The estuary is bustling with other bird and animal life at this time of year. The return of thousands of salmon marks the beginning on the Fall season in mid August. The bear viewing at this time is from a series of viewing platforms along the river as the bears gorge on fish in preparation for hibernation …
Knight Inlet Lodge In a wild and remote area of Pacific Northwest, set amidst the dramatic snow-capped peaks of Canada’s rugged coastline is Knight Inlet Lodge. The area is home to one of the largest concentration on grizzly bears in British Columbia. During the peak Fall season, when the salmon are returning to the river, it is not uncommon for there to be up to 50 bears within 10 kilometres of the lodge. The grizzly bears are abundant in the fall but this is not the only season that grizzlies frequent the area around the lodge. Starting in April, both black and grizzly bears begin emerging from hibernation and head to the estuary to feed on the succulent new spring growth. This is a great time for watching grizzly bears as they go about their daily lives. Even in mid-summer, when many of the bears have moved into the surrounding timber clearings to feast on berries, several bears can usually be seen each day as they move in and around the estuary and along the logging roads…
Spirit Bear Lodge In the small remote Kitasoo First Nation fishing Village of Klemtu, in the heart of the Great Bear Rainforest of British Columbia is Spirit Bear Lodge. This area is home to the rare and beautiful Spirit (Kermode) Bear. In addition, an abundance of other wildlife can be viewed including grizzly and black bear, wolves, whales and dolphin. To optimise your chance of viewing the shy and elusive Spirit Bear, we would strongly suggest at least 4 nights in September or October.
Polar Bear with Frontiers North Adventures Head to the Province of Manitoba and experience the thrill of Polar Bear viewing. Together with our friends at Frontiers North, we are proud to offer the adventure of a lifetime viewing these magnificent animals. Find out more
Churchill Wild For those who would prefer to view the polar bears at ground level then we are able to offer a unique alternative experience. Staying in remote and exclusive lodges, daily guided hikes into the Tundra are offered with the opportunity to view and photograph polar bears, caribou, and Arctic fox in a backdrop of stunning sea and landscapes – contact us for more details.
Hallo Bay in Alaska is home to the highest concentration of Alaska’s brown bears. The area is a rich source of food from berries and sweet grasses to fish and clams. In early summer the bears can be viewed feeding on grass and digging for clams – this is typically a good time for seeing cubs. In August and September the bears usually feed on salmon. The bear viewing is by foot accompanied by a knowledgeable guide. Day tours or longer overnight programs are offered with accommodation in simple tented cabins
If you have seen film footage or photographs of bears fishing at a waterfall then in all likelihood it was taken at Brooks Falls in Katmai National Park, Alaska. The area is world renowned for its large population of brown bears due to salmon migration through Brooks River. Prime viewing is in July and September. We are able to offer packages to take in this amazing sight – a Mecca for wildlife photographers.
Black Bear are found all over the North American continent but most abundantly in British Columbia and on Vancouver Island. The heavily forested, dense bush and wooded mountains provide the ideal habitat. We work with a number of tour companies who offer day tours to watch for bears – one of our favourite is Remote Passages in Tofino. Your knowledgeable guide will take you into the fjord inlets and sheltered bays of Clayoquot Sound. Black bears come out of the rainforest to feed on crunchy crab, clams & barnacles on the coast.
This is just a small selection of the possibilities. Call us to discuss how we can include bear watching in your itinerary.
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Little Gems
For an up-close and personal experience with these giants, we recommend Great Bear Lodge, located on the British Columbia coast. A true immersion in a remote corner of this wonderful country with highly experienced and knowledgeable guides. [/wptabcontent]
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Every year, as the waters of Hudson Bay in Canada begin to freeze over, polar bears begin to gather waiting to feed on one of their favourite delicacies – seals. You could be there to witness this extraordinary event…
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Polar Bears
Every year, towards the early autumn, the waters of Hudson Bay in Canada begin their big freeze; the Arctic winter is well under way. It is at this time that polar bears congregate at Churchill, the ‘Polar Bear Capital of the World’ waiting for their opportunity to get onto the ice and stock up on one of their favourite delicacies, seals!
Day 1: London to Toronto Day 3- 5: Toronto to Winnipeg Day 6: Churchill Day 9: Winnipeg Day 10: Montreal Day 12: Depart Montreal [/wptabcontent]
We are delighted to work with our friends at Frontiers North in offering the adventure of a lifetime on a Tundra Buggy® Tour. Different levels of tours are available – we will help you choose the right one for you. Here is just one idea.
Day 1: London to Toronto Take a direct flight from London Heathrow to Toronto. Two nights Toronto
Day 3: Toronto to Winnipeg Whilst many may choose to fly, Via Rail does offer a twice or three times weekly service (depending on the time or year) spending two nights onboard. We’ll assume for the moment taking one of these services. Choose from Economy class or their Sleeper (First) class carriages, the latter including sleeping compartments and all meals.
Day 5: Winnipeg
Arrive into Winnipeg, and transfer to your hotel, here you will meet the rest of your group with a brief introduction to your forthcoming adventure. One night Winnipeg
Day 6: Churchill Fly to Churchill this morning together with your group, your chosen programme will include several visits to the Polar Bears, plus other local activities. Three nights Churchill
Day 9: Winnipeg Return flight to Winnipeg. One night Winnipeg
Day 10: Montreal Bid farewell to the group, and return to the airport for an internal flight to Montréal and an opportunity to sample this cosmopolitan French Canadian city in the Province of Quebec. With the first class shopping here, you may take the opportunity of a little retail therapy – perhaps some early Christmas shopping. Two nights Montréal
Day 12: Depart Montreal
Photographs by kind permission Frontiers North and Tundra Buggy®Adventures
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For a really special experience, consider visiting the Tundra Buggy Lodge and stay out on the Tundra with Polar Bears all around [/wptabcontent]
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Experience Holidays along with Destination Quebec are attending Destinations: The Holiday & Travel Show, Olympia London, 29th January – 1st February 2015. This is the UK’s biggest and longest-running travel show.
Come along and visit us on stand AC12 to discuss your travel plans.
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Experience Holidays is fully bonded under the Civil Aviation Authority ATOL scheme and is a member of the
Worldchoice Consortium.