The Great Ice Bears at Dymond Lake Lodge

Arrive in Winnipeg, where you will enjoy a relaxing stay at our choice hotel, The Grand Winnipeg Airport Hotel by Lakeview. This evening a welcome dinner will be held at the hotel, where you will meet your group and your adventure specialist. You’ll need your rest before an early morning departure to Churchill.
Meals: Dinner

Arrive in Churchill by air, where one of our expert staff will meet you at the airport and provide you with instructions for your morning transfers. This is also the time to pick up your winter gear if you are renting. You will then be transferred by fixed-wing aircraft to our Dymond Lake Ecolodge. This exciting flight takes you out over the historic Churchill River and northwest up the rugged Hudson Bay coast to Canada’s most exclusive polar bear viewing properties. Keep a sharp eye en route for possible sightings of caribou, moose, seals, wolves and of course the “Great Ice Bears”.

Whether it be from one of the nature trails, the viewing tower, or right from the Lodge windows, the Great Ice Bear Adventure at Dymond Lake Ecolodge allows you to experience polar bears up close and personal. The lodge has eight double occupancy rooms and groups are limited to 16 guests to ensure a very personal experience.

Upon your arrival, your hosts will provide a tour of the Lodge and get you settled into your room. A thorough orientation on travelling in polar bear country will be provided prior to any outings. This day includes a guided hike on our rugged and starkly beautiful coastline, an interpretive slide show featuring the wildlife of Hudson Bay, and hopefully a clear night for viewing the Aurora Borealis. Dymond Lake Ecolodge features an Aurora viewing tower for northern lights observation. All this will be topped off with a lunch and dinner, where your hosts and guides will regale you with tales of life and adventures in Canada’s Arctic.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

In the coming days, your breakfast will be served at 8:00 a.m. and the first walking tour will generally depart at 9:30 a.m. Should there be a polar bear in camp, the walking tour may be delayed for picture taking, but no one ever seems to mind!

Once you’ve fueled up with one of Churchill Wild’s legendary full course breakfasts, you’ll be eager to bundle up and head out into the snow. The walks are comfortably paced, as they are geared towards plenty of viewing and photo opportunities. These walks are guided by our professional and knowledgeable tour leaders and you may do a lot of learning along the way! Obviously we cannot allow the bears to approach too closely, but your guides are experts in keeping bears at a safe distance without sacrificing exciting viewing.

Polar bears are also known to saunter by our Lodge, so you can often view them from the warmth and comfort of one of our lounges through the massive picture windows. This opportunity is all too welcome when a squall blows in! We have a variety of other activities to take part in as well, should the weather prevent us from exploring the outdoors, though such is rarely the case.

Lunches are served at the Lodge. We are generally back at the Lodge by 4:00 p.m.for hot or cold drinks and appetizers. Your full course delectable dinners are served at 7:00 p.m. after which the fireplace is almost always central. Your guide team will give informative lectures and beautiful slide presentations as well as initiate a discussion about the activities for the following day. Bedtime is at your leisure. The entire Lodge area is patrolled for polar bears all night by one of our night watchmen so be prepared to have your sleep cut short by a nocturnal visit from one of the Great Ice Bears. Or by a dazzling displays of northern lights!
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Following a hearty breakfast it’s time to pack for the flight back to Churchill, say your goodbyes and snap a few more photos. After another exciting aerial tour, you’ll arrive in Churchill, where your bags will be stored until you can check into your hotel later in the day. You are then free to explore and wine and dine in this frontier community at your leisure. We recommend local places such as Cape Merry, the Port of Churchill, the Eskimo Museum and the Parks Canada exhibit. Dog sledding and helicopter charters fit nicely into this afternoon if you’re so inclined. If you are interested in a dog sledding or heli-tour please book through us so that we can ensure you arrive in Churchill in time for your tour departure. You will be provided with a $30.00 dinner voucher for tonight (participating restaurants will be outlined on the voucher.) Then it will be back to your hotel or Bed & Breakfast so you can rest of for your sixth and final day with the bears.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Today you will travel across the tundra in a “tundra vehicle” for more polar bear viewing. Transportation by bus to and from the station is provided at 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. respectively so remember to grab some breakfast beforehand. Lunch “with the bears” will be prepared and served to you on the tour. Your flight south to Winnipeg is scheduled for this evening and thus we wish you safe travels back to reality. Upon arrival, collect your bags, head out of the arrivals doors and look to your right. The Grand Winnipeg Airport Hotel by Lakeview is only a two minute walk away.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

After a restful sleep you will pack your bags in preparation for your flight home. You will also enjoy a breakfast before your trip back to reality.
Meals: Breakfast