Day 1 – Arrive in Vancouver
Arrive in Vancouver and spend the night at the airport in preparation for tomorrow’s flight to Campbell River.

Overnight at a Vancouver Airport hotel.

Day 2 – Fly to Campbell River
This morning fly to Campbell River on Vancouver Island where you will be transferred to a hotel for the night. The remainder of the day is yours to explore the “Salmon Fishing Capital of the World”. Today is the day to make sure you have all your camera accessories, memory cards, and batteries ready to go for your adventure tomorrow.

Overnight in Campbell River.

Day 3 – Float Plane to the Great Bear Rainforest
A spectacular float plane ride takes you to Knight Inlet Lodge this morning. The flight takes roughly 30 minutes and is sure to be one of your trip’s highlights.

A cozy floating wilderness retreat, Knight Inlet Lodge is located in the heart of the Great Bear Rainforest in secluded Glendale Cove. It has one of the highest concentrations of Grizzly Bears in North America – sometimes it’s possible to see them right from the lodge’s dock.

In the fall, the normally solitary grizzly bears congregate along rivers to feed on migrating salmon. You’ll watch the bears from a specially designed viewing platform, giving you rare photographic opportunities and a chance to immerse yourself into their natural habitat. Although bear sightings can vary, it is not uncommon for there to be up to 40 bears within 6 miles of the lodge at this time of year. Enjoy a delicious dinner tonight with new companions and an evening presentation by one of your guides.

Overnight at Knight Inlet Lodge.

Day 4 – Grizzly Bear Viewing at Knight Inlet Lodge
Head out for another day of adventure. Glacier-fed waterfalls, old-growth forests thick with moss, and snowcapped mountains are your backdrop as you explore the secluded coves and inlets around Glendale Cove. Additional activity options include kayaking, hiking, or a scenic boat tour of Knight Inlet

Overnight at Knight Inlet Lodge.

Day 5 – Knight Inlet Lodge/Campbell River to Vancouver
Get up early to soak in the fresh wilderness air, perhaps spotting a soaring bald eagle or two as you sip your coffee. Today you fly back to Campbell River and then onwards to Vancouver. Spend the rest of the day enjoying the sights and sounds of the city.

Overnight in Vancouver.

Day 6 – Discover Vancouver
Spend the day exploring Vancouver. Ask us to arrange an activity for you – walking tours, bike tours, food tours, and nature tours are available to suit all interests. Or, simply stroll the sea wall and sip coffee at English Bay, admiring Vancouver’s legendary harbour and mountain views.

Overnight in Vancouver.

Day 7 – Board VIA Rail’s Canadian Train
Enjoy exploring Vancouver at leisure today before boarding the train across Canada. This is the first day of your overnight rail journey to the Canadian Rockies. The excitement builds as the train leaves Vancouver. The ‘Canadian’ is Canada’s most famous train, the route links Vancouver and Jasper using original steel rail cars from the 1950’s and Vancouver to Jasper is the most spectacular stretch of the whole journey.

Overnight on board the train in your private cabin.

Day 8 – VIA Rail’s Canadian Rail Journey Continues
Enjoy a full day of sights from your picture window as your train continues towards Winnipeg. Marvel at the snowcapped mountain peaks as the train weaves through the Canadian Rockies. Watch for bears, deer, elk or moose – you never know when you might spot one.

Overnight on board the train in a private cabin.

Day 9 – VIA Rail’s Canadian Train – Arrival in Winnipeg
The scenery changes as you travel across the undulating plain of the Prairie Provinces. Settle into your seat and enjoy watching the sights from your window. Arrive in Winnipeg late this evening.
Known as the “Cultural Cradle of Canada,” Winnipeg is home to Canada’s Royal Winnipeg Ballet, the Royal Manitoba Theatre Centre, Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra and so much more.

Overnight in Winnipeg.

Day 10 – Experience Winnipeg
The day is yours to explore Winnipeg. Visit the Forks – Winnipeg’s gathering place with nine acres of activity, restaurants, shopping and interactive fun. A visit to the Assiniboine Park Zoo has also been included today.

• Included: Assiniboine Park Zoo Admission
Located in Winnipeg’s beautiful Assiniboine Park, the zoo is home to over 150 species from around the world. The Journey to Churchill exhibit is a definite highlight as the home to polar bears, muskoxen, Arctic fox, wolves and other northern species.
Activity rating: Easy

This evening at the hotel, you will meet other participants on your Polar Bear tour and learn about adventures to come.

Day 11 – Winnipeg to Churchill
Early this morning board your plane for a flight from Winnipeg to Churchill. Journey over the tundra and plains of the north – the bird’s eye view is spectacular!

Upon arrival drive past various points of interest in and surrounding Churchill on an interpretive tour. You’ll have a chance to photograph the Polar Bear Holding facility amongst other highlights. Included is a visit to Polar Bears International House to learn about ongoing polar bear research as well as the Parks Canada Interpretive Centre, where you’ll learn more about the history and wildlife of Churchill.

Overnight in a Churchill hotel.

Day 12 – Polar Bear Viewing
Why is Churchill known as the Polar Bear Capital of the World? Well, because large numbers of the bears congregate near town each fall while they wait for the ice to form on Hudson Bay.

This morning you’ll board a specially designed Tundra Buggy and journey into the Churchill Wildlife Management Area for your first chance to see polar bears in the wild. Since the number of visitors to the CWMA is highly restricted, your chances of seeing the bears up close is excellent. This is prime polar bear habitat! Your knowledgeable guide will provide insights along way.

This evening at a Cultural Presentation, you’ll learn what it’s like to live in the northern reaches of Canada through the stories of a Churchill resident, such as a local trapper.

Overnight in Churchill.

Day 13 – Dog Sledding and Itsanitaq Museum
Set off on an exciting dog sledding excursion today. Meet a local musher and hear his incredible tales of Arctic racing, then meet his pack of sled dogs. After a thorough briefing, feel the exhilaration of racing a team through the boreal forest on a one-mile groomed trail. This excursion is designed for guests of all abilities.

Later today, visit the Itsanitaq Museum. The museum’s a collection of Inuit carvings and artifacts are among the finest in the world. This is also a great place to stock up on unique, locally crafted souvenirs.

Overnight in Churchill.

Day 14 – Polar Bear Viewing and Return to Winnipeg
Enjoy another extraordinary day exploring the Churchill Wildlife Management Area onboard a Tundra Buggy. As well as capturing incredible, up-close photographs of polar bears, you’ll likely see other wildlife such as arctic fox, ptarmigan, and snowy owl. When you arrive back in Churchill, you will be transferred to the airport for your flight back to Winnipeg.

Overnight in Winnipeg.

Day 15 – Depart with Fond Memories
Your Canada vacation ends as you check-out from your hotel this morning and depart Winnipeg.