Hudson Bay Odyssey Fact Sheet

Transcription

1 The remoteness of Nanuk Polar Bear Lodge provides you with exclusive access to one of the most pristine wilderness areas in the world It is also strategically located in very close proximity to significant polar bear denning activity. On your daily excursions you will explore the Cape Tatnam Wildlife Management Area surrounding the Lodge. This is where the boreal forest ends and the Subarctic begins. This unique convergence of eco-systems, nourished by the Hudson Bay coastal waters, is home to an impressive variety of flora and fauna. It is here that you can find wolves, black bears and polar bears, co-existing as they have for thousands of years. 7 Days / 6 Nights Hudson Bay Odyssey Information Inclusions 2 nights in Winnipeg at The Grand by Lakeview at Winnipeg Airport Hotel 4 nights at Nanuk Polar Bear Lodge Roundtrip airfare between Winnipeg, Churchill and the Lodge Activities as noted in the itinerary 5 breakfasts, 5 lunches, 6 dinners Exclusions Transportation to and from Winnipeg Gratuities & Personal Expenses Lodges Food Churchill Wild boasts numerous luxury and rustic wilderness eco-lodges on the Hudson Bay Coast. Ideally situated to access and watch a great variety of wildlife, their locations are part of what makes the safaris the most unique polar bear, beluga whale and northern lights viewing adventures on the planet. The lodge you will be staying at is advised in the itinerary. Your trip isn't all about the food. But it could be. Inspired by a love for creating and eating fabulous food, the whole family is in on the act. With a particular focus on local foods and a respect for the proximity to the nearest grocery superstores and gourmet food stores, what is created for you on a daily basis will thrill you almost as much as the wildlife. For some, arguably, even more. Children Due to the physical nature of the safaris we suggest that children be a minimum of 8 years old. Please realise that it is a remote Lodge where they will be expected to remain indoors when the group is not on outings. Your child must be supervised (by you) at all times. Considerations for children under our minimum age are made on an individual basis. 1 of 6

2 onally trailblazing if you volunteer for the front of an escort at all times for your safety. The guides of our lodges that allows guests to go outside on phone at the lodge which can be used for s a limited bandwidth and is not suitable for irmation invoice. If a deposit is not received eived Rail Plus withholds the right to cancel the Such payment will then be subject to normal incurred if you cancel your trip. CANCELLATION FEES PER PERSON Loss of deposit 100% non-refundable 2 of 6

3 Hudson Bay Odyssey Itinerary & Departure Dates Month Departure dates August 11, 15, 31 September 4, 8, 12, 16, 20 Sample itinerary: Day 1 Day 2 Day 3-5 Day 6 Winnipeg Arrive in Winnipeg and make your own way to The Grand by Lakeview at Winnipeg Airport, where you will enjoy a relaxing stay (no transfer needed - the hotel is only a two minute walk). During the evening at 7pm, Churchill Wild hosts an informative orientation chat where you can meet your fellow travellers over refreshments and anticipate your departure from civilisation. Winnipeg to Nanuk Polar Bear Lodge You will depart Winnipeg for Churchill early in the morning on Calm Air International. Upon arrival in Churchill you will transfer to a private charter flight for your one hour flight to Nanuk Polar Bear Lodge. Upon arrival at the Lodge, your hosts will provide a tour and show you to your room to get settled. Lunch is served shortly after and you will then be given an orientation regarding your stay in polar bear country. Your first day includes an afternoon or exploring the coastline in search of the "Great Ice Bear." Appetisers and cocktails are served at 6pm and dinner is served at 7pm. During the evening there will be an informative lecture or slide show presentation narrated by one of Churchill Wild's knowledgeable guides or staff. If it is clear night you may also have the chance to view one of the spectacular Aurora Borealis displays common at this latitude. Nanuk Polar Bear Lodge Breakfast will be served around 8am and your outings will begin at about 9.30am. If there are bears near the Lodge your tour may be delayed to take advantage of the photo and observation opportunities. There is always the option available for anyone to stay behind to take photos of the wildlife around the Lodge and relax. The average day includes morning and afternoon excursions with lunch served either at the Lodge or out on the trail. Appetisers and cocktails are served at 6pm and dinner is served at 7pm. During the evening, there will be an informative lecture, slide show presentation, or informal visiting. Churchill Wild staff will monitor Aurora Borealis after dark conditions and if conditions are optimal they will provide a gentle wake-up call to ensure you don't miss any opportunities to witness and photograph this spectacular Arctic phenomenon. Nanuk Polar Bear Lodge to Winnipeg After breakfast, you will depart on your flight back to Churchill. In Churchill, a representative will store your luggage. For the rest of the day, you can explore the shops and exhibits. In the evening, depart on your flight to Winnipeg. Upon arrival, collect your bags, head out of the arrivals doors and look to your right. The Grand Winnipeg Airport Hotel is located across the way, only a two minute walk. 3 of 6

4 Day 7 Frequently Asked Questions Winnipeg Today you will make your own way to the airport and fly home on your own arrangements, marking the end of your adventure. Does every tour see bears, including mothers and cubs? Why the location for the lodge(s)? How long is the flight to the lodge? What do I need to bring? Are there restrictions on luggage? What are the average temperatures for your tours? When is the best time to see Northern Lights? How strenuous is the hiking terrain? Can we go off on our own? Is there a phone or internet that we can use? Does every tour see bears, including mothers and cubs? In the 20 years that we have been offering eco tours, every group of guests we have hosted has seen bears. While wildlife patterns are never entirely predictable, our lodges are located in the best areas in the world to experience polar bears in their natural habitat. Nanuk Polar Bear Lodge is located in prime polar bear denning habitat and thus represents the best chance of observing mother and cubs up close. There are no guarantees, but the chances of seeing a mother and cub are very good. Our other lodges also frequently witness mothers and cubs, but sightings are more common at Nanuk than they are at any other accessible area. Why the location for the lodge(s)? All Lodges are located on the coast and it is this shoreline which is known as a wildlife corridor or as we say "where the action is"! Essentially it is the epicenter of a flora and fauna transition zone from boreal forests, to Arctic tundra - culminating in the Arctic Ocean's Hudson's Bay. No other place in the Arctic is home to such an incredibly rich diversity of wildlife species. Terrestrial mammals include moose, caribou, black bear, grizzly bear, wolves, fox, wolverine etc. Marine mammals include thousands of beluga whales, seals and of course the largest concentration of polar bears in the world. The remoteness of our exclusive fly-in lodges ensures undisturbed wildlife in a pristine unique setting. 4 of 6

5 How long is the flight to the lodge? Flying time from Churchill, MB to Dymond Lake Lodge is 15 minutes and Churchill, MB to Seal River Heritage Lodge is 30 mins. Flying time from Gillam, MB to Nanuk Polar Bear Lodge is 60 minutes. It's a great start to your adventure! It's quite likely that, depending on the season, you'll count your first polar bear, beluga pod, caribou or wolf on your flight. What do I need to bring? All of our lodges are in remote locations and a long way from the nearest shopping centre! It is very important that you pack carefully, and in particular, make sure that you have any required medications packed in your carry-on bag. The climate along the Hudson Bay coast can be highly variable and weather can change from one hour to the next. It is recommended that you dress in layers so that you can adjust your comfort during your excursions from the Lodge as required. We have prepared a detailed list of items that should be considered during your packing. To download this list,please click this link. Are there restrictions on luggage? Pack light! Please pack your gear in a soft-sided duffel bag to ensure that all guest luggage will fit into the smaller aircraft utilized exclusively for the flight into our remote lodges. Airline restrictions require the length x height x width to be less than 62 inches. These restrictions also limit luggage to 70 lbs. altogether, including one checked bag not exceeding 50 lbs. and a carry-on bag not exceeding 20 lbs. If you need to downsize your luggage we do offer a secure location in Churchill for any excess items. Excess luggage can also be stored by your Winnipeg hotel until your return. What are the average temperatures for your tours? The average Churchill temperatures in Celsius are as follows: July: High 17 Low 6 August: High 17 Low 6 October: High 1 Low -7 November: High -11 Low -18 The climate at our lodges is heavily influenced by Hudson Bay, and variations from the above averages are common. They can also occur quickly and with some intensity! Our packing lists have been selected to ensure that you are well equipped to handle any unexpected weather changes you might experience during your visit. When is the best time to see Northern Lights? It is possible, given the right conditions, to see the Northern Lights in any month of the year while staying at our wilderness lodges. Maximum darkness is preferred, so generally long, cold, clear winter nights are best, but excellent viewing possibilities do present themselves from July through May. Though the optimal viewing season is generally from January to March, it's a lot more fun working with cameras in the warmer months at 10 C instead of -40 C, and the Northern Lights can be equally spectacular on a good night. How strenuous is the hiking terrain? Great grandparents and great grandchildren alike have roamed these paths. The ground is rocky/spongy tundra or snow. Your hikes are on level ground so there are no steep hills or mountains to climb. A good pair of hiking boots or supportive winter boots will greatly enhance your ability to move along the trails. Some hikes occur on the tidal flats and there are areas where the footing can be muddy, or where you will be using our rubber boots (provided) to wade through shallow tides. During the October and November adventures, there is frequently some amount of snow 5 of 6

6 cover. This will require you to walk through packed snow, but also offers you the chance of occasio the line! Can we go off on our own? No. You are in polar bear country and any excursions, whether two meters or two km, will require a are well trained in providing protection for our guests. We do have a fenced in compound at each o their own or in a group to view and photograph wildlife walking by the Lodge. Is there a phone or internet that we can use? Yes, you don't have to be completely out of touch (unless you want to be). We do have a satellite p emergencies. We also have satellite Internet that you can access anytime, although the service has large volume transmissions. Payment & Ticketing Conditions A non-refundable 50% deposit per person is required 7 days after receiving your confi Rail Plus holds the right to cancel your booking. Full payment is required at least 100 days prior to departure date. If your balance is not rece booking. Appropriate cancellation charges will apply. Late Bookings made within 100 days of departure require full payment prior to confirmation. cancellation conditions should cancellation occur. All taxes included in the package cost. Please click here for further conditions on your tour package. We also recommend that you take out suitable travel insurance to cover (as a minimum) the costs i Cancellation & Amendments Prior to final payment: there will be no refund of your deposit. DAYS PRIOR TO DEPARTURE DEPOSIT PER PERSON % of payment due 99 days or less 100% of payment due 6 of 6