Our Birds, Bears & Belugas safari takes place during the beautiful Arctic summer when the bears are pristinely white after coming off the ice, the belugas are plentiful, and the weather is balmy. During this Canadian Signature Experience, you’ll spend five nights at Seal River Heritage Lodge enjoying tundra treks and marine tours. It’s a great trip for families and one of our most beloved safaris!
Details
Overview
Itinerary Highlights
- Daily, guided hikes across the tundra to view polar bears and other Arctic wildlife, up-close-and-personal, in their natural habitat.
- Sky gazing! Our location beneath the auroral oval offers nearly 300 nights of aurora viewing each year. If conditions permit, you will be able to enjoy the greatest light show on earth from within the lodge or out in our secure compound. There is a low to moderate chance of seeing the lights on this safari.
- Zodiac tours to view beluga whales near the mouth of the Seal River estuary where they congregate by the thousands in the summer months.
Itinerary in Brief
- Day 1: Anticipation Builds During Your Overnight Stay in Winnipeg
- Day 2: Winnipeg to Churchill to the Lodge
- Day 3 to 6: Tundra Trekking, Polar Bears and Priceless Photography
- Day 7: Churchill Time!
- Day 8: Homeward Bound
Travelling with Eclipse
Peace of Mind
- Eclipse Travel is Australian owned and run, and an ATAS accredited travel agent.
- 24/7 emergency numbers and local contacts provided for support while you’re abroad.
- We provide all the information you need to organise your visas and vaccinations, making travel preparation stress-free.
- No currency surcharges. Once your deposit is paid, your price is guaranteed.
Specialists
- Our consultants are true destination experts, with firsthand experience and extensive travel in the regions we offer.
- Expect quick, professional responses and dedicated service from our knowledgeable team.
- We conduct regular checks on destinations, hotels, and services to ensure quality for every trip.
Authentic Travel
- Tailor-made itineraries designed around your unique requirements.
- Freedom to select your preferred style and standard of accommodation.
- Unique itineraries that take you beyond the major highlights, immersing you in each location.
- Committed to responsible travel: we reinvest in the environment and local communities across our destinations.
Day 1: Anticipation Builds During Your Overnight Stay in Winnipeg
Arrive in Winnipeg where you will enjoy a relaxing stay at our choice hotel, The Grand by Lakeview at the Winnipeg Airport. Meet the rest of your group during an orientation dinner hosted by a representative.
Day 2: Winnipeg to Churchill to the Lodge
Arrive in Churchill by air where one of our expert staff will meet you at the airport and provide you with instructions for the morning transfers. Your adventure begins with an aerial flight over the winding Hudson Bay coast en-route to your home for the next six days, Seal River Heritage Lodge. Watch out for pods of whales, birds, and of course, the magnificent Ice Bears. The Seal River Estuary is a summer favorite for these goliaths, and they are 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 lunch, you’ll experience the coast for the first time. Ensure your camera batteries are charged!
Back at the lodge, enjoy appetizer hour followed by another of our signature meals. Evenings typically include an informative lecture or slide show presentation narrated by one of the knowledgeable guides or staff.
Day 3 to 6: Tundra Trekking, Polar Bears and Priceless Photography
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.
Relive the excitement of the day during daily appetizer hour before sitting down to dinner, then top up your glass of wine and settle in for the evening’s presentation.
Bedtime is at your leisure. We monitor the Lodge area all night so be prepared to have your sleep cut short by a nocturnal visit from one of the great ice bears (or by one of our dazzling displays of northern lights!)
Day 7: Churchill Time!
After one last hearty Lodge breakfast, we will begin air transfers back to Churchill. Have your cameras ready for the return flight as it affords excellent opportunities for great aerial shots.
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. Before a group dinner, your guide will give you free time to shop for last-minute souvenirs at the unique gift stores in Churchill.
Your flight south to Winnipeg will take place this evening. Upon arrival, collect your bags, head out of the arrivals doors and back to The Grand Hotel.
Day 8: Homeward Bound
After a restful sleep you will pack your bags in preparation for your flight home.
| Dates | From | Special Offer |
|---|---|---|
| 06 Jul 2025 - 13 Jul 2025 | USD$11699pp | Contact us |
| 11 Jul 2025 - 18 Jul 2025 | USD$11699pp | Contact us |
| 16 Jul 2025 - 23 Jul 2025 | USD$11699pp | Contact us |
| 21 Jul 2025 - 28 Jul 2025 | USD$11699pp | Contact us |
| 26 Jul 2025 - 02 Aug 2025 | USD$11699pp | Contact us |
| 31 Jul 2025 - 07 Aug 2025 | USD$11699pp | Contact us |
| 05 Aug 2025 - 12 Aug 2025 | USD$11699pp | Contact us |
| 10 Aug 2025 - 17 Aug 2025 | USD$11699pp | Contact us |
| 15 Aug 2025 - 22 Aug 2025 | USD$11699pp | Contact us |
** Prices are per person based on twin / shared accommodation.
** Single supplements may apply
Suggested Accommodation
| City | Accommodation |
|---|---|
| Winnipeg | The Grand Winnipeg Airport Hotel or similar |
| Churchill | Seal River Heritage Lodge or similar |
Whats included?
- Roundtrip airfare between Winnipeg and Churchill, Manitoba
- Roundtrip airfare between Churchill and Seal River Heritage Lodge
- Two nights’ accommodations in Winnipeg
- Five nights’ lodge accommodations
- All meals, excursions, and guide services while in Churchill and at the Lodge
- Excursion gear*
* The equipment we provide at the Lodge (rain gear, rubber boots, and gear for use during marine excursions) is designed to fit guests from child to adult. Boot sizes larger than a men’s size 13 or a very small child are customized sizes that we do not provide. Additionally, guests over 6’4” may be required to bring their own gear as we may not have clothing sizes to fit.
What’s not included?
- Taxes and Gratuities
Price Assurance
At Eclipse Travel, our expert destination knowledge and decades of travel planning experience come at no extra cost to you. While many think booking through a tour operator is more expensive than planning a trip independently, that’s not the case. We’re paid by our travel partners—such as hotels, activity operators, and cruise providers—via commissions, not by our clients.
Our team negotiates the best rates for you and ensures you receive unbiased advice, with no preference for any particular supplier. In fact, where we secure higher commissions, we often pass the savings on to you, giving us a competitive price edge.
Additionally, we lock in exchange rates at the time of your deposit, ensuring no surprise costs when it’s time for final payment. You can rest easy knowing we’ll handle the details with our suppliers. The only exceptions are national park fee increases or fuel surcharges imposed after your booking, though these are rare.
Take advantage of our team’s expertise and let us help you plan the perfect holiday—hassle-free!
Destination: Arctic
Viking history, Inuit villages and an abundance of wildlife are just some of the wonders you’ll discover in the Arctic. You’ll be amazed by the natural beauty that surrounds you. Search for Polar Bears while cruising through breathtaking fjords or around the nature lovers dream, Spitsbergen.
Downloadable travel guide
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