Northern Lights and Winter Nights Tours March 6 - 13, 2013 |
A faint glow appears on the horizon. Slowly, soft curtains of color shimmer across the northern sky. The colors bend and weave and slowly begin to fade. The night sky darkens again. You have just witnessed a display of awe-inspiring Aurora Borealis (the Northern Lights). Churchill is one of the best places in Canada to witness the Northern Lights. The programs to Churchill provide an exciting alternative for viewing the Northern Lights; watch the Arctic sky from the back deck of a wide-bodied, comfortable Tundra Buggy. During the winter, a Tundra Buggy is moved to an appropriate area, far from the lights of the community, and parked in a safe spot that provides an excellent backdrop for Aurora photos. The Buggies are heated and have on-board washroom facilities. This exciting outing is different from any other viewing experience. You will also have the opportunity to glide across the snow-covered tundra on a sled pulled by a team of dogs, and feel the sun on your face and wind in your hair during an interpretive snowshoeing afternoon!
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Cost: $3,999.00 / person + 5% GST + 3.5% PST
Single Supplement Cost: $750.00
Tundra Buggy Days: 4
Tour Capacity: 18 people
Lodging: 3 nights Winnipeg, 4 nights Churchill
Meals: all
Itinerary
Day 1 Winnipeg
Arrive in Winnipeg independently. Guests will transfer on own to check-in at the Inn at the Forks hotel. Meet and Greet event will take place in the hotel’s lounge. Overnight in Winnipeg.
Day 2
Guests will spend time in Winnipeg by visiting the Manitoba Museum and Planetarium. Here, guests will participate in an introductory photography clinic and receive tips on how to best capture the aurora. Guests will also take part in an interactive program lead by Museum Interpreters that illustrates the traditional lifestyles of the Inuit people and view award-winning dioramas. Overnight in Winnipeg.
Day 3 Churchill
Depart Winnipeg in the morning and fly to Churchill. Guests will participate in a tour of the town and area upon arrival and a visit to the Eskimo Museum. The evening consists of Northern Lights viewing from a Tundra Buggy. Overnight at the Tundra Inn.
Days 4 through 6 Churchill
Over the next few days, guests will be participating in daily activities such as the Way of the North program, wildlife presentations, snowshoeing program, dog sledding excursions, and extensive nightly Northern Lights viewings from a Tundra Buggy.
Day 7 Winnipeg
Depart Churchill in the morning and fly to Winnipeg. Guests will check-in at the Four Points by Sheraton hotel. Overnight in Winnipeg.
Day 8
Depart Winnipeg at your leisure.
Itineraries are subject to change if situations arise that are beyond our control. Prices based on double occupancy.
Detail list of Activities
Churchill and Area Tour: A guided bus tour of local and historical points of interest surrounding Churchill, including such attractions as Cape Merry, Port of Churchill and Manitoba Conservation's Polar Bear Holding Facility (weather permitting).
Dog Sledding: Hosted by a local resident and dog sledding expert, you will learn about the history associated with dog sledding in Northern Canada. Enjoy an exhilarating ride behind a strong team of huskies on a custom-made sled (or cart, weather permitting). Join the musher’s for hot chocolate and freshly made bannock after your ride and share their personal stories of their dog sledding adventures.
Eskimo Museum: The museum contains one of Canada's finest collections of Inuit carvings, kayaks and artefacts dating from pre- Dorset, Dorset, Thule, and modern Inuit times.
Parks Canada Interpretive Centre: Walk back in time viewing detailed and exciting wildlife dioramas, fur trade exhibits. View a series of videos on the history, culture and wildlife of the area. You leave chock-full of natural and historical information from the Churchill region.
Snowshoe Trek: Feel the exhilaration of an afternoon interpretive snowshoeing adventure through Churchill's boreal forest, tundra and marine ecosystems.
Way of the North: Exploring the issue of sustainable lifestyles, an interactive discussion with two First Nations elders learning about their lives growing-up in the wilds of Northern Manitoba near Churchill.
Winnipeg Planetarium: A live tour of the current night sky, this guided "nature walk" of the stars highlights current constellations, planets and northern lights. A photography and educational clinic will help guests better understand how to capture perfect northern lights images with their own cameras in a night setting.
To book, please fill out a booking form by clicking here and send into Heartland Travel.
Terms and Conditions for Booking
A $750.00 CAD non-refundable deposit per person is due at the time of booking. Full payment for the tours is due 90 days prior to departure. All itineraries and prices above are listed in CAD dollars and can be subject to change at any time.
Itineraries are intended as examples only. Actual itineraries may vary depending upon weather, wildlife habits, contract service providers, logistical decisions of the tour leader and forces beyond our control. Price is based on specific foreign exchange rates and tariffs may change if these rates vary. Visitors must be prepared to be flexible; schedules may vary depending on conditions. Travel insurance is strongly recommended.
Reservations
Methods of payment that are accepted include: Visa, MasterCard, personal cheque or bank transfer. Many of these trips fill up six to twelve months in advance. We suggest you reserve your space early.
Single Supplement
Tour prices are based on double occupancy. If you are travelling alone and would like us to arrange a suitable roommate for you on the trip, we will make every effort to do so. If a roommate is not available or you wish single accommodations (where available), we must charge a single supplement which reflects the additional cost we incur for a singly-occupied room.
Cancellation Policy
This applies to all tours unless otherwise noted on individual itineraries. In the event that you must cancel your reservation, refunds will be made according to the following schedule: Deposit: $400.00 CAD per person non-refundable. 90-61 days prior to departure, 50% of total is non-refundable. Less than 60 days prior to departure, 100% non-refundable. Travel insurance is strongly recommended. Contact us for rates and insurance information so that you can be appropriately covered for your travel needs.
For more information on the Northern Lights tours, please contact Heartland Travel.
Phone: (204) 989-9630
North American Toll Free: 1-866-890-3377
Fax: (204) 989-9636
Email: info@heartlandtravel.ca