Hudson Bay, Buggies & Bears

Roundtrip from Winnipeg - 7 days/6 nights Group Tour.

Sunday November 10 to Saturday November 16, 2024 (Please call to confirm dates and tour costs)

CALL TODAY TO BE PUT ON A WAITLIST TO BE CONTACTED IF VIA RAIL ALLOWS GROUP SPACE FOR THE TOUR TO PROCEED.   WE ARE HOPEFUL VIA RAIL WILL PROVIDE THE SLEEPING CAR SPACE REQUIRED SO WE CAN SUPPORT THE TOURISM ECONOMY OF THE ISOLATED TOWN OF CHURCHILL, MANITOBA.

The Arctic is easily accessible to you on this travel package that will see you journey roundtrip by rail from Winnipeg to Churchill, Manitoba to take part in the annual Polar Bear Migration. The tour includes your rail transportation, in sleeping car accommodation on the train (2 nights each way OR 4 nights in total), with meals on the train and 2 nights hotel stay in the Town of Churchill. Travelling on the world-Famous Tundra Buggy along the shore of Hudson Bay is always a highlight. Also, the tour includes station to hotel transfers and town and area tour as well as visits to local attractions, heritage and cultural presentations, most meals and time to shop the many gift boutiques in town. The package includes our detailed information kit, itinerary, souvenir pins, history of the “Bay Line” booklet we have compiled from historical articles from over the years, route guide and support of a Tour Manager.

WHAT THE TOUR INCLUDES:

DAY 1 – All Aboard the train to start our journey North by Northwest.  

Morning meet and greet to check luggage for the baggage car and a planned welcome reception for our guests here in Winnipeg’s Historic Union Station prior to boarding. Shortly after Noon is the scheduled departure from Winnipeg on VIA’s Winnipeg to Churchill train known as the HUDSON BAY in your reserved sleeping car space and enjoy the passing scenery of prairies and Riding Mountain National Park.  Guests will enjoy lunch in the dining car before attending a Bon Voyage reception in the train’s rear dome car lounge car for those in the group. The route the train will travel will take it just over the border into the Province of Saskatchewan before returning to Manitoba on a Northerly direction towards Hudson Bay. Overnight on the train.  Meals included today: Lunch, Dinner.

Day 2 - Heading North by train

This morning as guests awake to changing views of the boreal forest and Canadian Shield.  Stretch your legs on the platform in Thompson Manitoba (and maybe some time to explore this Northern Manitoba mining City depending on the train’s scheduled arrival) before continuing north on our journey through isolated communities only accessible by this train.  Make sure you have your camera ready as the train passes large lakes and Northerly flowing rivers and vast forests along the way that are detailed in the route guide, we provide for you.  Overnight on the train. Meals included today: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.

Day 3 – Arrive and start exploring Churchill

This morning the view outside your window on the train has changed again now with views of the Tundra as you get close to the shores of Hudson Bay.  Arriving in Churchill guests will be introduced to this Northern community by visiting the Parks Canada Interpretive Centre (located right in the train station) to view the displays here and a presentation by the Parks Canada Staff.  Also, this morning (while your baggage car bags are being transferred to the lobby of the Bear Country Boutique Hotel) is our planned visit to the Itsanitaq Museum and its vast collection of Inuit art and learn about the indigenous people who have lived here for generations. After some mid-day free time we will meet a local tour guide early this afternoon to enjoy an orientation tour by bus to be shown where shopping options and attractions are located in this unique northern community   The tour will also feature a planned visit to historic Cape Merry that overlooks the mouth of the Churchill River and Hudson Bay.  After learning about our host community, we will check into our hotel and enjoy a special welcome dinner and presentation this evening.  Overnight at our Churchill hotel.  Meals included today: Breakfast, Dinner.

Day 4 – A full day tour searching for wildlife along the shore of Hudson Bay.  

After enjoying included breakfast the group will transfer out of town where a better part of the day will be on the world-famous Tundra Buggy along the shore of Hudson Bay to search for the migrating Polar Bears that come here to wait for the freezing of Hudson Bay.   Lunch will be served right on the Buggy at mid-day. The driver of the Buggy will also explain the wildlife and fragile eco-system of the area. Dinner in Churchill this evening is included before some time to shop at some nearby souvenir stores (some that are conveniently located right next to our hotel) or put your feet up in your room.  Overnight at our Churchill hotel. Meals included today: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.

Day 5 – Our last busy day in Churchill before departing by rail in the evening.

Today, after enjoying breakfast, as part of the tour, this morning will be the opportunity to visit any of the Churchill attractions you may have overlooked or shopping for some memorable souvenirs. The afternoon will be enjoyed on a tour by bus driving along the coastline of Hudson Bay to continue to search for wildlife and learn the ecology and heritage of the area and perhaps some folklore with a local guide.  There will also be a farewell to Churchill supper this evening prior to boarding and travelling south on the Churchill to Winnipeg train again commonly known as the HUDSON BAY in your reserved sleeping car space on the train. Overnight on the train. Meals included today: Breakfast, Dinner.

Day 6 – Southbound rail journey.

Travel day on the southbound train.  Make sure you have your camera ready as you cross the bridge that takes the train high above the Nelson River. There may be some time again to briefly stretch our legs in Thompson, MB.  Continuing southbound on the train we will watch for the Grassy River and isolated communities, scenic lakes and rivers we will pass from the dome car and other windows of the train along the route.  Overnight on the train. Meals included today: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.

Day 7 – Again enjoying prairie views from the train and return to Winnipeg.

Awake this morning to the view outside your window of fields prepared for winter and the rolling hills that are the headwaters of the Assiniboine River.  Also, while travelling south breakfast and lunch will be enjoyed in the train’s dining car. We will have a tour windup gathering with the tour guests planned for this afternoon in the train’s dome car and lounge area.   Scheduled arrival back in Winnipeg this afternoon (or possibly the early evening) as we have to say goodbye to the new friends, we have made and gained fond memories from our travel experience. Meals included today: Breakfast, Lunch.

Pricing Details – Hudson Bay, Buggies & Bears - Roundtrip from Winnipeg, Manitoba

Train Berth(s): Per Person Double Occupancy - PLEASE CALL FOR PRICING

Train Cabin: Per Person Double Occupancy - PLEASE CALL FOR PRICING

Train Cabin Upgrade: Per Person Double Occupancy - PLEASE CALL FOR PRICING

Train Cabin & Churchill Hotel: Single Rate - PLEASE CALL FOR PRICING

Additional Notes:

CONTACT US to RESERVE your space by calling toll free 1-866-704-3528

• A $250.00 per person deposit is required to hold space and can be processed with Visa or MasterCard.
• Balance of tour cost to be paid approx. 46 days prior to departure
• Price above is shown in Canadian Dollars prior to 5% GST.
• Additional pre-tour and post tour hotel stays in Winnipeg are HIGHLY recommended and can be added at our partner rate at the Hotel Fort Garry located steps away from Winnipeg's Union Station.
• Rail Travel Tours is not responsible for late bookings if train or hotel space is sold out, we highly recommend reserving early guaranteeing your inclusion on the tour.
• Changes may be made to the final itinerary due to situations out of our control but rest assured we will use our experience to deliver a unique experience that our customers have enjoyed in the past.

Let our knowledge of Canada’s world renowned rail journey work for you.  Those who reserve with us receive an industry leading detailed travel information kit with route guides, tickets, well located hotels, a variety of attractions, sights and activities, maps, travel info and more.  Our detailed final itinerary has hints and suggestions for the benefit of your trip that we have learned over the years in our experience and listening to our customers.  We look forward to sharing our passion for Canada by rail when you travel with us.