Under the Arctic Sun
About the Trip
Experience the deep-blue-sea world of beluga whales on this Arctic summer safari to the coastal waters of Hudson Bay. Start your adventure in Winnipeg before your flight to Churchill, Manitoba. Head out into waters where thousands of white beluga whales migrate each summer to feed and give birth. Take an exhilarating dogcart ride through the boreal forest before you board a Zodiac for a guided exploration of the belugas’ prime summer habitat, the Churchill River estuary. Along the way, tour the delicate coast, explore historic sites, experience Inuit art collections at the Itsanitaq Museum and ride a Tundra Buggy® to see land-based wildlife. Your face-to-face adventures await beneath the Arctic sun.
Member-exclusive Benefits
We reward all our CAA Members on our Extraordinary Explorations® tours/cruises.
- $25 CAD Beverage card†
- 25 CAA Dollars®^
- 50 Buggy Bucks™‡
- 25% savings on CAA Travel Insurance◊
Extraordinary Experience
CAA has curated an exceptional experience unique to your tour. Details of this experience are listed below:
Your Extraordinary Experience will take you on a zodiac in search of Beluga whales in the Churchill River estuary. Experience the thrill of gliding alongside these curious creatures in their natural habitat – so close you could almost touch them!
Package Includes:
From Toronto:
- Return airfare from Toronto to Winnipeg
From Toronto & Winnipeg:
- Return airfare from Winnipeg to Churchill
- 1+1-night stay in moderate-class accommodation in Winnipeg
- 3-night stay in moderate-class accommodation in Churchill
- 4 breakfasts, 4 lunches and 5 dinners
- Land transportation via motor coach
- Sightseeing and entrance fees as per itinerary
- English-speaking Frontiers North Interpretive guide
- Hotel porterage of 1 suitcase per person
- Destination transfers
Under the Arctic Sun: Beluga Whale Safari
Activity Level: Moderate. Arctic wildlife, history and culture beckon you north to explore land and sea on an up-close and personal Northern safari beneath the summer sun.
Day 1
Winnipeg – Toronto passengers: Depart Toronto to Winnipeg. Upon arrival, check in at the hotel. Winnipeg passengers: Check in at the hotel. All passengers: Enjoy a welcome dinner this evening. D
Day 2
Churchill – Board your flight to Churchill. Upon arrival, set out for a tour of Churchill and area to visit local and historical points of interest. Following lunch, board an approved vessel to view beluga whales. Next, tour the Prince of Wales Fort National Historic Site. Choose an optional kayaking or paddle board excursion to get up close with the Belugas, weather-permitting. B/L/D
Day 3
Churchill – Experience an exhilarating dogcarting excursion hosted by a sledding expert. Enjoy a mile-long ride through the northern boreal forest. Return to town for lunch. In the afternoon, board a Zodiac boat and embark on a guided excursion along the Churchill River. B/L/D
Day 4
Churchill – Set out on a relaxing tour along the coast of the Hudson Bay and hear about the local flora and fauna. After lunch, visit the Parks Canada Visitor Centre to learn about the history of the fur trade, followed by a visit to the Itsanitaq Museum which houses extensive Inuit art collections. B/L/D
Day 5
Winnipeg – Transfer to the Tundra Buggy® for a private adventure exploring the Churchill Wildlife Management Area where you’ll search for summer polar bears and arctic foxes. After dinner, transfer to the airport for your evening flight back to Winnipeg. Overnight in Winnipeg. B/L/D
Day 6
Toronto passengers: Depart Winnipeg for your return flight to Toronto. Winnipeg passengers: Depart at leisure.
B - Breakfast | L - Lunch | D - Dinner
Terms & Conditions
*All CAA Member prices are per person, based on double occupancy, in Canadian dollars unless otherwise indicated and are subject to change without prior notice until final payment is paid. All prices are correct at press time and apply to new bookings only, based on availability at time of booking. To receive CAA Member-exclusive benefits, there must be one valid CAA Member travelling per booking. Non-members booking Extraordinary Explorations will not receive Member-exclusive benefits.
†Beverage card is one per person, in Canadian funds and has no cash value.
‡CAA Member-exclusive benefits are per room and are based on double occupancy.
^CAA Dollars awarded per adult Member. To earn and redeem CAA Dollars, you must be a current CAA Member in good standing (CAA Membership dues paid in full by membership expiry date). CAA Dollars will be credited at time of departure. For more information on CAA Dollars, please visit www.caasco.com/caadollars.
◊CAA Travel Insurance is underwritten by Orion Travel Insurance Company, a CAA Company. Twenty-five percent (25%) Member savings is made up of a ten percent (10%) Member savings as well as a promotional fifteen percent (15%) savings when you purchase an Extraordinary Explorations tour through CAA Travel, applies to CAA South Central Ontario and CAA Manitoba Members in good standing (CAA Membership dues paid in full by membership expiry date). This promotional offer is valid until December 31, 2023. Ten percent (10%) Member savings applies to Members in good standing of all other CAA clubs. Savings apply to the total premium excluding applicable taxes. Minimum premium applies. Visitors to Canada Insurance is limited to the promotional savings. Certain exclusions, limitations and restrictions apply. Subject to change without notice. A Medical Questionnaire may be required to purchase travel insurance. Extraordinary Explorations vacations are organized and booked by CAA Travel (South Central Ontario) Inc. and CAA Manitoba (“CAA Travel”) on behalf of CAA Club Group (o/a CAA South Central Ontario and CAA Manitoba). In the event of an increase in any of the cost factors, CAA Travel reserves the right to increase the price whereby the provisions of the Travel Industry Act shall prevail. CAA Extraordinary Explorations packages are 100% non-refundable at final payment. CAA Travel service fee for cancellation prior to final payment varies by program. For full payment terms and conditions, please ask your CAA Travel Consultant. CAA Travel reserves the right to cancel or reschedule any tour departure in accordance with operating requirements (minimum number of participants) or circumstances beyond its control. Additional fees for checked luggage or other incidentals may be incurred and vary according to itinerary and airline. Air schedules with some tours are not available at press time and may include several connections or forced overnight at passenger’s expense. CAA Travel strongly recommends the purchase of trip cancellation and emergency travel and emergency medical insurance at the time of booking. Please note: Participants must be able to embark and disembark cruise ships and coaches without assistance as well as have a good level of mobility for walking tours in destinations where stairs and traditional cobblestone streets can be challenging. International transportation vehicles and facilities may not meet accessibility standards.
Flight
IncludedTour Itinerary
Day 1
Winnipeg
Depart Toronto for Winnipeg. (Toronto passengers) All guests will check in to the Lakeview Signature by Wyndham hotel. Enjoy a welcome dinner this evening. (D)
Day 2
Winnipeg to Churchill
After breakfast, depart on an early morning flight from Winnipeg to Churchill. Upon arrival, set out for a Churchill area tour visiting local and historical points of interest such as Cape Merry, Manitoba Conservation’s Polar Bear Holding Facility and the Inukshuk at Town Beach. (weather permitting)
Following lunch at a local restaurant, board a Transport Canada approved vessel to view the beluga whales that migrate into the mouth of the Churchill River. Then, across the river, tour the Prince of Wales Fort National Historic Site, the oldest most northerly fort in the country. Return to Churchill for a delicious dinner at a local restaurant.
Your evening is free to relax, explore Churchill’s authentic shops or discover the SeaWalls Project murals around town. Perhaps choose an optional kayaking or paddle board excursion to get up close with the Belugas. Weather permitting. (B/L/D)
Day 3
Churchill
After breakfast, partake in an exhilarating dog carting excursion hosted by a local resident and dog sledding expert. Have a chance to meet the team of friendly dogs, hear stories and enjoy a mile long ride on a custom-made dog cart through the northern boreal forest. Return to town for lunch at a local restaurant.
This afternoon, board a Zodiac and embark on a guided excursion of the Churchill River estuary. Experience the largest beluga whale population in the world at surface level, so close you could almost reach out and touch them. Dinner awaits this evening at a local restaurant back in town. (B/L/D)
Day 4
Churchill
Following an early morning breakfast, set out on a relaxed tour along the coast of the Hudson Bay. Learn about Churchill’s different flora and fauna along the way and spot the MV Ithaca shipwreck from the shoreline.
After lunch, step back in time at the Parks Canada Visitor Centre while viewing detailed wildlife dioramas and learning the remarkable history of the fur trade. Then head to the Itsanitaq Museum, which houses the most extensive Inuit Art collections in the world, before tucking into dinner at a local restaurant. (B/L/D)
Day 5
Churchill to Winnipeg
After breakfast, transfer to the Tundra Buggy® Dock for a private Tundra Buggy adventure exploring the Churchill Wildlife Management Area at a time when it is full of flowers, migrating birds and other wildlife such as caribou and arctic fox.
This evening, enjoy one more dinner together at a local restaurant before being transferred to the Churchill airport for an evening flight to Winnipeg. Overnight in Winnipeg. (B/LD)
Day 6
Winnipeg
Depart Winnipeg for your return flight to Toronto. (Toronto Passengers) (Manitoba Passengers) Depart at leisure.
B - Breakfast | L - Lunch | D - Dinner
Kayaking/ Paddle Boarding Excursion
Churchill.
See the Beluga Whales up close and personal on a memorable wildlife adventure on the Churchill River. You will be amazed by how the whales interact with your kayak and paddle.