
Seal River Heritage Lodge
A family eco-lodge, Seal River Heritage Lodge is accessible by air on the isolated coast of Hudson Bay with belugas, bear viewing & the northern lights.
Duration | Price | When | Destination | Type |
---|---|---|---|---|
8 Days | £10920 | Jul - Aug | Arctic Canada | Small Group Safari |
A specialist-led safari in the Arctic North taking in the variety of wildlife that inhabits this remote wilderness; from the majestic King of the Arctic - the polar bear - to the unique-looking beluga whale and more.
A truly remote polar adventure, flying into Churchill and then catching an onward flight deeper into the territory of the King of the Arctic. Arriving at Seal River Heritage Lodge you have the next six days to experience this truly unique region of the world with no-one else around. This is your own Arctic wilderness. Enjoy some truly unique adventures during your stay including tundra trekking, driving the coastline in a tundra tracker, beluga whale spotting, ocean kayaking, northern highlights and more.
Arrive into Winnipeg where you will enjoy a relaxing stay at The Grand, located at the Winnipeg Airport. At 7pm a dinner will be held at the hotel where you will meet the rest of your group, as well as your adventure specialist. You will need your rest tonight for an early morning departure to Churchill.
Overnight: Arctic Canada (D)
Be prepared for huge pods of whales, countless birds, as well as caribou and, of course, the magnificent ice bears. The Seal River Estuary is a summer favourite for these goliaths and they are regularly seen swimming or basking near the water's edge. Upon your arrival, your hosts will provide a tour of the lodge and get you settled into your room. A thorough orientation on travel in polar bear country will be provided prior to any outings. After a full three-course lunch, experience the coast for the first time. The combination of diversity and sheer natural elegance will amaze you. Finish your day at the lodge with a sumptuous meal and some down time by the cosy fireplace.
Overnight: Seal River Heritage Lodge (B, L, D)
After breakfast, head out for either a marine tour or hike. Lunch will typically be back at the lodge, unless your guides take you on an ATV excursion further down the coast. Marine tours are tide-dependent, so scheduled mealtimes may be adjusted to accommodate whale watching. They run depending on the local weather as well as interest from other members of the group:
Marine Tours: Depending upon the tides and the weather conditions, during your time it may be possible to do at least two of these excursions in to the waters of Hudson Bay, where you can view beluga whales, seals, a variety of sea birds and, of course, polar bears! Beluga whales are curious, sociable creatures, so theses excursions will give an opportunity to get up close to them. The inflatable boats, in which these tours are carried out, have a capacity for 9 passengers and are equipped with 2-way radios, safety gear, including lifejackets, and a hydrophone, so you can listen to the whale songs. The excursions are half a day in length so that they can be co-ordinated with the high-tides. Lunch and refreshments will be served on board.
Trekking/walking tours: There are daily walking tours, which range in length from a short walk to photograph a passing example of local wildlife, to full-day treks for which you’ll need to wear appropriate clothing and take a packed-lunch. These excursions are designed to help make sure that you will get the most out of your time in the area. Polar bears may also be seen on these excursions and your guide will be on hand to help make sure that a safe distance between the group and the bears is maintained.
Coast by buggy: The lodge has its own custom-built Tundra Tracker from which you can cover quite a large distance, searching for wildlife along the shores of Hudson Bay. A picnic lunch is served during the excursion and there is ample time for exploring and photographic opportunities along the way.
Wildlife photography workshops: For most, a visit to the Churchill area of Canada is a once in a lifetime experience. There are professional photographers on hand to provide you with tips and advice on how to help make sure that your photos match your experience.
Ocean paddles: By kayaking the tranquil waters of Hudson Bay, the only sound you may here will be the dipping of your paddle in the water. Canoes and Kayaks are at the lodge and free to use at any time for complete peace and tranquility.
Aurora watching: Churchill is a great place for seeing the Aurora Borealis – more commonly known as the Northern Lights. They are best viewed towards the end of the season, when the skies are clear and if you are planning on getting a good shot, make sure you bring a tripod.
Bird watching: There are around 150 species of Bird in the area, so Churchill is a great destination for keen bird watchers. Expert guides are on hand to help you spot and identify many of the species.
Photo presentations and lectures: There are a variety of subject matters, ranging from travelling in bear country to lectures on the Arctic wildlife, landscapes and the people.
Generally you will be back at the lodge by 4pm for warm drinks and snacks, your delicious dinners are served at about 7pm, after which you will usually relax by the fireplace and discuss the days excitement. Your guides will also give informative lectures and slideshow presentations, as well as discussing the plans for the following day. The entire lodge is patrolled for bears throughout the night, so be prepared to have your sleep cut short by a nocturnal polar bear visit, or even by the dazzling Northern Lights.
Overnight: Seal River Heritage Lodge (B, L, D)
After your final lodge breakfast, you will be transferred back to Churchill by plane. There are many photo opportunities on the way so make sure your camera is close to hand. Back in Churchill, you’ll spend the day with one of our tour guides exploring the town and surrounding area, learning about its rich history as a seaport and ex-military base. Your tour will include stops such as the Parks Canada exhibit, the Itsanitaq Museum, and the Polar Bear Jail. Along the way, your guide will point out murals that were commissioned in 2016 as part of the SeaWalls mural festival. This evening, you will board a flight back to Winnipeg where you will be met and transferred to your hotel for the night.
After breakfast, you will have time to say your final farewells before taking your transfer to the airport in time for your onward flight.
This is a specialist-led small group departure with a group size of up to 16.
GBP and USD prices are subject to exchange rate fluctuations. Please contact your Destination Specialist for more details.
2023 Rate: $16,165 CAD per person
2024 Rate: $17,030 CAD per person
Trip date | Prices from |
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Jul 06 - Jul 13 2023 | £10920 |
Jul 11 - Jul 18 2023 | £10920 |
Jul 16 - Jul 23 2023 | £10920 |
Jul 21 - Jul 28 2023 | £10920 |
Jul 26 - Aug 02 2023 | £10920 |
Jul 31 - Aug 07 2023 | £10920 |
Aug 05 - Jul 12 2023 | £10920 |
Aug 10 - Aug 17 2023 | £10920 |
Aug 15 - Aug 22 2023 | £10920 |