Cabin Life, City Life, Wild Life: A Southern Manitoba Road Trip Tuesday, September 6 to Tuesday, September 13, 2016 Manitoba is Canada s sixth-largest province, has more than 100,000 lakes and a population of about 1.2 million. It is bordered on the north by Nunavut Territory, on the west by Saskatchewan, on the east by Ontario and on the south by North Dakota and Minnesota. While considered one of Canada s Prairie provinces, Manitoba actually has three distinct geographical zones: the agricultural triangle in the south; the sub-arctic tundra in the far north; and the predominant Precambrian Shield with its rugged terrain and thousands of pristine lakes. Your journey will include a visit the beautiful Falcon Trails Resort in Manitoba s Whiteshell Provincial Park where you will wake up in your own cabin on the shores of Falcon Lake. After a proper welcome, we will make our way back to the capital city of Winnipeg, home to 70% of Manitoba s population and a centre for arts, culture and history in Western Canada. 762,000 people from a variety of ethnic backgrounds call Winnipeg home, which has led to a multitude of flavours, languages and experiences and caused Winnipeg to become the gateway city to both the north and the west. From there, our adventure will head west to Riding Mountain National Park, one of two national parks in Manitoba and home to thousands of moose, black bear and elk, along with a lovely resort town called Wasagaming. Your eight days in Manitoba will include stays at private cabins, urban hotels and wilderness resorts. We will be pampered at a spa, watch the sun rise over a pristine lake and ride horses through the forest. From the varied wildlife of the rugged outdoors to the even wilder urban nightlife in Winnipeg, your time in Manitoba will be one UNFORGETTABLE journey! 1
Tuesday - September 6, 2016 Welcome to Manitoba! Look for a Travel Manitoba representative in the baggage claim area of the Winnipeg James Richardson International Airport. Transfer by van or mini-bus 1.5 hrs east to the Falcon Trails Resort at Falcon Lake, Manitoba. Time to relax and unwind in the peace and quiet of lakefront cabins. Enjoy the changing landscape as you leave the city and are welcomed back to nature. Welcome to Falcon Lake in Whiteshell Provincial Park Falcon Trails Resort is a little forest resort on the shores of Falcon and High Lake in Manitoba`s Whiteshell Provincial Park. Hand-crafted lakefront cabins, private hot tubs, docks, beaches, canoes, hiking, and biking trails. This is no chain hotel resort. Falcon Trails is owned and operated by the Christie/Hamilton family, authentic Manitoban characters who will add colour to your story. Wifi is available in the Welcome Centre and Ski-Chalet buildings. Falcon Trails Resort Box 130 100 Ridge Road, FALCON LAKE, MB, R0E 0N0 www.falcontrails.mb.ca 2
6:30 PM 8:00 PM Welcome dinner at Falcon Trails Resort After dinner enjoy exploring the resort grounds, or jump in the hot tub at your cabin and soak up the beauty of the boreal forest. Wednesday - September 7, 2016 7:00 AM - 8:30 AM 9:00 AM 11:00 AM Breakfast at Falcon Trails Resort Meet at the Welcome Centre for Falcon Trail s Biathalon Experience Falcon Trails is a famous training ground for members of the Canadian National Biathalon team. But what is biathalon? Cross-country skiing plus rifle shooting: a great outdoor workout that takes control and focus. With support from local coaches, discover the rules and rhythms of biathlon. We ll hike out to the rifle range for shooting reenactments, fun exercises, sweaty challenges - all designed to suit different ages and fitness levels. Hear inspiring stories about local athletes' development to elite, and even Olympic, levels. 12:00 PM 1:30 PM Lunch 1:30 PM 4:45 PM Choose your own activity: Live Art Demonstration, Guided Walk or free time at the resort Enjoy some time to unwind and relax. Meet some local artists, witness their creative process as they paint while discussing the influence of the Whiteshell on their work. If you would like to go for a hike, there are over 20 kms of trails. Your guide will take those interested on a short jaunt to explore the area. Grab a kayak and go for a ride around Falcon Lake to see the scenery or go back to your cabin for a soak in the hot tub. 4:45 PM Meet at the Welcome Centre to transfer to Falcon Beach Ranch 5:30 PM 8:30 PM Trail Ride & Steak BBQ Supper Experienced guides will get us mounted and review basic horsemanship and trail safety. After that, it is up to us and our trusty sidekick to enjoy the magnificent forest trails. A 1-hour ride will be followed 3
by a proper cowboy dinner cooked and enjoyed around the fire. Falcon Beach Ranch Inc. Lot 83, Barren Lake Road FALCON LAKE, MB, R0E 0N0 www.falconbeachranch.com 8:30 PM Overnight at Falcon Trails Resort Thursday - September 8, 2016 7:30 AM 9:00 AM Breakfast at Falcon Trails Resort 9:00 AM 1:00 PM Hike to High Lake and guided boat tour of Eco-Cabins with Lunch The staff at Falcon Trails will guide our group as we make our way to High Lake. Enjoy the pristine beauty of the award-winning eco-cabins and majestic nature that has inspired artists, singers and athletes the world over. More info: http://experiencethewhiteshell.org/tag/high-lake/ Lunch will be served at one of the High Lake Eco-Cabins. Sit back and enjoy the view, and the tranquility of Whiteshell Provincial Park. 1:30 PM Depart to Winnipeg We must bid farewell to Falcon Trails Resort. Please meet at the Welcome centre with your belongings for our transfer by mini-bus back to Winnipeg. 3:00 PM Check-in at Inn at The Forks We will arrive in Winnipeg at our home for the next two nights the Inn at The Forks. Manitoba s number one attraction, The Forks, is spread over 54 beautiful acres where the Red and Assiniboine Rivers converge. Immediately, you ll sense the cultural significance of this 6,000 year-old meeting place. Take time to wander the boutique shops and historic points of interest. *The Forks North Portage Partnership 259-393 Portage Avenue WINNIPEG, MB, R3B 3H6 theforks.com 4
Inn at The Forks 75 Forks Market Road, WINNIPEG, MB, R3C 0A2 http://www.innforks.com/ 5:00 PM Dinner Overnight at Inn at The Forks Friday - September 9, 2016 7:30 AM 9:00 AM Breakfast at Inn at The Forks at your leisure 9:00 AM 12:00 PM Depart on guided tour of Winnipeg by Heartland Tours (via mini-bus) Please meet in the hotel Lobby for the departure our city tour. Discover Winnipeg's rich historic past on a guided city tour. Learn about St. Boniface, Winnipeg's French Quarter that is home to a thriving Franco- Manitoban community and the St. Boniface Basilica, and The Exchange District, a National Historic Site home to one of North American's finest collections of the turn-of -the-last century architecture. Take in the Canadian Signature Experience Hermetic Code tour, Winnipeg s own Da Vince Code experience. Heartland International Travel & Tours 202-3111 Portage Avenue, WINNIPEG, MB, R3K 0W4 http://heartlandtravel.ca/ 12:30 PM 3:30 PM Lunch and Journey to Churchill exhibit at the Assiniboine Park Zoo Go deep into the heart of Manitoba's north - without leaving the city of Winnipeg! This exclusive tour of the Journey to Churchill exhibit at the Assiniboine Park Zoo is one of the world's best Arctic zoo exhibits. Your journey starts with lunch at the Tundra Grill, located in the Churchill Coast and town site, inspired by the town of Churchill, Manitoba. Afterwards, enjoy a private tour of the 10 acre exhibit, where you'll get unobstructed views of a variety of northern species, including Canada's most iconic animal - the polar bear. Watch in wonder as the majestic polar bears swim and play above and around you in the Sea Ice Passage, underwater viewing tunnels. Join a zookeeper for a private Positive Reinforcement Training session with one of the polar bears. This is a once in a lifetime opportunity to see a polar bear in closer quarters, and you'll get an insider's look at this important part of the care of the polar bears and other animals at the Zoo. 5
Assiniboine Park Zoo 2595 Roblin Boulevard Winnipeg, MB, R3P 2N7 http://www.assiniboineparkzoo.ca 4:00 PM 5:30 PM Return to Inn at The Forks for free time 5:45 PM 10:00 PM War or Peace choose your own adventure Food Truck Wars at ManyFest Winnipeg s largest downtown festival rolls into town this weekend. One of the highlights is Food Truck Wars, where more than 20 of Manitoba s most popular meals on wheels complete for the title of 2016 People s Choice Winner. After you re done sampling and have cast your vote for the winner, stick around and enjoy the live music and entertainment late into the night. http://www.manyfest.ca/ OR Dinner and Thermëa by Nordik Spa-Nature Winnipeg s latest spa offering is a truly unique, peaceful experience. Opened in January 2015, Thermëa offers a complete relaxation experience in nature using Nordic baths and century-old Scandinavian traditions. Cold waterfalls, outdoor fireplaces, steam baths, hot and temperate pools, saunas and relaxation areas are found in this tranquil setting, located in the midst of an urban forest. Enjoy dinner at the spa restaurant available only to spa guests. 775 Crescent Drive, Winnipeg, MB, R3T 1X3 Ph: 204-284-9595 http://www.thermea.ca/ Overnight at Inn at The Forks. Saturday - September 10, 2016 5:30 AM Breakfast on the go Grab a breakfast-to-go in the lobby of Inn at The Forks. Grab a coffee, tea or juice and head off on the 6
next adventure! 6:30 AM 9:30 AM Cat-fishing on the Red River with City Cats Manitoba is world-famous as an angler`s paradise. With over 100,000 lakes, thousands of rivers and countless species of fish, Manitoba the opportunity to fish is endless. Manitoba also pioneered an award recognition program for fishermen and women who not only catch the biggest fish, but release the fish back into the wild, encouraging a healthy eco-system and conservation of species. You will never forget the Rock N Roll Fisherman, nor will you ever forget catching your first monster Channel Catfish in Manitoba. City Cats Guiding Service 804 College Ave. WINNIPEG, MB, R2X 1A9 www.citycats.ca 9:30 AM 10:30 AM Transfer back to Inn at The Forks Once we arrive back at the hotel, enjoy some free time to get freshened up. 12:00 PM 3:00 PM Canadian Museum for Human Rights Dine at era Bistro, located in the Canadian Museum for Human Rights. After, enjoy a private tour of the newly opened Canadian Museum for Human Rights. This one -of-a kind "dialogue" museum takes visitors through the history of human rights in Canada and throughout the world using new media displays, hands-on exhibits and thought-provoking dialogue with everyday heroes. Canadian Museum for Human Rights 85 Israel Asper Way WINNIPEG, MB, R3C 0L5 http://www.museumforhumanrights.ca/ 3:00 PM 6:00 PM Free time to explore the Canadian Museum for Human Rights, the Forks Market or refresh at the hotel 6:00 PM Saturday Night in the City Winnipeg is a multi-cultural oasis in the prairies with something for everyone. Join us as we explore Winnipeg s vibrant culinary and nightlife scene with dinner and entertainment, hosted by Tourism Winnipeg. 7
Overnight at Inn at The Forks Sunday - September 11, 2016 Breakfast at Inn at The Forks at your leisure 8:00 AM 11:30 AM Depart for Riding Mountain National Park We head west today towards Riding Mountain National Park in the Parkland region of Manitoba. Riding Mountain is one of two national parks in Manitoba, Canada. The park sits atop the Manitoba Escarpment and consists of a 2,969 km² of protected forested parkland. It was designated a National Park because it protects three different ecosystems that converge in the area; grasslands, upland boreal and eastern deciduous forests. The park is home to wolves, moose, elk, black bears, hundreds of bird species, countless insects and a captive bison herd. We will stop in the prairie town of Neepawa for a quick break, then be greeted by Parks Canada staff at the historic East Gate to welcome us to the park! Riding Mountain National Park of Canada General Delivery WASAGAMING, MB, R0J 2H0 www.pc.gc.ca/riding 11:30 AM 12:00 PM After a quick photo op, our bus will climb the Manitoba escarpment on our way to the town of Wasagaming. 12:15 PM 1:00 PM Parks Canada Interpretive Centre and Explore Wasagaming Wasagaming (also known as Clear Lake) is the main town-site in Riding Mountain National Park. It is located at the south gate of Riding Mountain National Park along Highway 10. The town-site lies on the south shores of Clear Lake, the largest lake in Riding Mountain National Park and is a popular tourist destination. Wasagaming Chamber of Commerce Box 621, Onanole, MB, R0J 1N0 discoverclearlake@gmail.com 1:00 PM- 3:00 PM Lunch at the Wigwam Restaurant, followed by dessert at The Lake House 8
3:00 PM 5:00 PM Check in to the Lake House Boutique Hotel Located on the shores of Clear Lake and at a premiere location in the Wasagaming townsite, Lake House is a welcome retreat for today s active traveler. Lake House Boutique Hotel Box 99, WASAGAMING, MB R0J 2H0 http://www.staylakehouse.ca/ 5:00 PM 6:30 PM Dinner at T.R. McKoy s 6:30 PM 9:30 PM The Call of the Wild with Parks Canada - Elk bugling We will practice our skills of calling the wild! Parks Canada representatives will take us out on an Elk bugle experience in the park. Overnight at the Lake House Monday - September 12, 2016 6:30 AM 9:00 AM Wildlife Viewing with Patrick Rousseau of Riding Mountain Nature Tours The Lake Audy Bison Enclosure in Riding Mountain National Park in Manitoba, Canada is home to a herd of around 30 plains bison. This special area has a healthy prairie ecosystem and was once home to hundreds of Bison making it the ideal location for the reintroduction of the Bison. Patrick Rousseau works as a guide for Riding Mountain Nature Tours. He lives near Riding Mountain National Park, where he was a Park Warden for 21 years. Pat has also lived over 5 years on Baffin Island and is very familiar with arctic wildlife and the arctic environment. Riding Mountain Nature Tours P. O. Box 429, Erickson, Manitoba, R0J 0P0 9:30 AM 11:00 AM Breakfast Breakfast at White House Bakery Located on Buffalo Drive in Clear Lake, the Whitehouse Bakery and Restaurant sports a family atmosphere with a full breakfast and unique lunch menu. They are well known for their exceptional food, fast friendly service and our handmade fresh and delicious Cinnamon Buns 9
11:00 AM 3:00 PM Outdoors in the Park Options From peddling, paddling or hiking choose an adventure that gets your heart pumping! Hop on a bike and peddle on a leisurely trail around Clear Lake and the township of Wasagaming. Kayaks or paddle boards will get you right out on the water. With more than 400 km of trails, Riding Mountain offers a variety of walking and hiking opportunities for all abilities. There are several short walks on self-guided trails around town. Gorge Creek Hike - Hike the Manitoba Escarpment on the challenging 12km Gorge Creek Trail. 3:00 PM 5:30 PM Afternoon Free Time 5:30 PM 8:00 PM Bonfire & Farewell Dinner Picnic Dinner, Bonfire and Camp Fire Songs. Sit back and enjoy the sounds and the beauty that Riding Mountain National Park has to offer. Return to the Lake House for your final overnight in Riding Mountain National Park. Tuesday - September 13, 2016 7:30 AM Breakfast Breakfast at Foxtail Café 8:30 AM 11:30 AM Depart for Winnipeg (3 hours) 1:30 PM Departures from Winnipeg International Airport We hope you enjoyed your time in Manitoba. Safe travels! 10