Polar Bear and Northern Lights viewing adventure in Canada's Sub Arctic
Trip Itinerary
Your trip starts at Gillam MB. After a 45 min aircraft ride to the coast of Hudson Bay at Nanuk Polar Bear Lodge within Cape Tatnum Wildlife Management area.
The flight east from Gillam will take you over the Northern Taiga Forest and follow the might Nelson River to the coastal plain and title flats of Hudson Bay. You will see York Factory the original Hudson Bay Company posting, where Canada's history as a nation began, with 300 years of fur trade to its credit. Also you may have the opportunity to see Hundreds of Beluga whale in the mouth of the Nelson and Hays River.
This is a very unique program where the operator and staff routinely deal daily with polar bears at very close quarters. During the 3-previous months of July, Aug and Sept before the Nanuk Polar Bear Tour is conducted it is very common for the staff to count upwards to 400 plus bears passing the front of the lodge. Bears continue to stage through September in the Lodge area. Pictures are often possible from inside the 8 foot high Buffalo fence at bears as close as 3 feet away. Our 2005 record book shows that in one day we counted 17 bears in 9hrs.
Day 1
- 11:50am - Arrive in Gillam,Manitoba via Calm Air (Air Canada northern partner) . Transfer to private Charter, and depart for Nanuk Polar Bear Lodge arriving approx 12:30pm.
- Good opportunity for aerial photography (45 min. flight).
- Introduction to lodge program during lunch.
- Afternoon interpretive walk on inland Palsa Bogs, Eskers, Tundra Ponds and Taiga Forest.
- Supper served at 6:00pm.
- After dinner an evening talk: "Travel in Bear Country"
- Lights out at 10:00pm and hopefully a clear night for viewing the Aurora Borealis (Northern Lights).
Day 2
- 9:00am - morning ATV coastal tour to tidal flats and Hudson Bay shoreline. Tour reaches out to 8 miles from camp and explores historic beached vessel called the "Mooswa".
- Tea boil and lunch served around the campfire at this site.
- Options available for those who prefer to remain at the lodge and photograph bears that daily visit the fence this time of the year. Some days up to 5 bears have been sighted against the fence.
- Supper served at 6:00pm.
- Evening slide presentation "Arctic Wildlife and Northern Lights".
- Aurora Borealis viewing after dark.
Day 3
- 9:00am Polar Bear photo shoot. On this day we take you up close to the bear in his natural habitat. Nanuk Polar Bear Lodge is a very unique location with near 100% opportunity to photograph and to watch the King of the Tundra. Many Sows with Cubs are spotted during this tour.
- Lunch served at the lodge this day. Visitors are invited to immerse themselves in the arctic environment.
- Supper served at 6:00pm.
- Aurora Borealis viewing after dark.
Day 4
- 9:00am Full day photo tour of Coastal Hudson Bay. Photography of Polar Bears and other abundant wildlife on our unique landscape.
- Tea boil and lunch around the campfire. Exploring river deltas and coastal eskers.
- Return by 5:00pm
- Supper served at 6:00pm
- Presentation "Traditional Lifestyles of the North".
- Aurora Borealis viewing after dark.
Day 5
- Morning - Last minute photo's, packing gear and getting ready to head home.
- 4:00pm Departure for Gillam via private charter.
- Supper/Dinner will be prepared at the Aurora Gardens in Gillam.
- 8:30pm Departure for Winnipeg via Calm Air arriving 10:30pm.
Nanuk Polar Bear Lodge
PO Box 242
Frontier, Sask
Canada S0N 0W0
Phone/Fax:
(306) 296-4403
Email:
