These are well tours that combine viewing the polar bears with the opportunity to learn about the history and culture of the Churchill area and are led by very knowledgeable guides.

Enthusiast guests can choose from hotel-based programs or Tundra Buggy Lodge based programs, which are subject to availability. Another component for some guests is having a Via Rail option. Guests can choose one-way rail options where you can watch the transition from prairie to boreal forest, to tundra take place. The Enthusiast tours also include other tours apart from seeing the bears that range from town and area tours, dog sledding adventures, helicopter sightseeing tours, and a few more listed below.

Town and Area Tour

A guided bus tour of local and historical points of interest surrounding Churchill, including such attractions as Cape Merry, Port of Churchill, and the Polar Bear Compound (weather permitting).

Parks Canada Interpretive Centre

Look back in time, with museum fur trade exhibits, and models of Fort Prince of Wales & York Factory. View a series of videos on the history, culture and wildlife of the area.

Eskimo Museum

The museum contains one of Canada's finest collections of Inuit carvings, kayaks and artifacts dating from pre-Dorset, Dorset, Thule, and modern Inuit times.

Cultural Arts Program (some departures only)

Local artists share their interesting lived and explain the creation and meaning of their unique native art forms.

Dog sledding (some departures only-Prices may be extra)

A half-day tour includes a slide show of Arctic and Antarctic dog sled travel, presented by John Stetson who has traveled more than 60,000 miles with his dogs. Enjoy an exhilarating ride behind a strong team of huskies on a custom-made sled.

Heli-Tours (some departures only-Prices may be extra)

Get a birds eye view of this rugged remote country including the Cape Churchill area. Special requests can be made to include the town of Churchill, Fort Prince of Wales, Hudson Bay, and the boreal forest.

VIA Rail Components (select dates, subject to availability)

The VIA Rail components allows you to enjoy these tours in conjunction with travel from Churchill to Winnipeg by train. Watch the transition from tundra to boreal forest to prairie. The train offers a diner car and private sleepers or berths. Two nights and one day will be spent on the train.

Hotel-Based Enthusiast Tours

*2012 Available Dates:

3 Nights in Churchill

Tour Code 03 - Oct 11 - 16 - $4999.00 + taxes / person

Tour Code 09 - Oct 18 - Oct 23 - $5149.00 + taxes / person

Tour Code 10 - Oct 21 - Oct 26 - $5149.00 + taxes / person

Tour Code 15 - Nov 3 - Nov 8 - $5349.00 + taxes / person

Tour Code 20 - Nov 11 - Nov 16 - $5349.00 + taxes / person

4 Nights in Churchill

Tour Code 36 - Oct 11 - Oct 17 - $5649.00 + taxes / person

Via Rail Program

Tour Code 36 - Oct 21 - Oct 27 - $5649.00 + taxes / person

*Other dates are available, contact us for further information and itineraries.

Prices/Dates/Availability are subject to change; prices are based on double occupancy

Sample of an Enthusiast Tour Itinerary

October 21-October 26-$5149.00 + taxes / person

Day 1

Arrive into Winnipeg. Overnight at airport hotel.

Day 2

Early morning flight to Churchill. Depart for Churchill town and area tour and visit the Eskimo Museum. Evening slide presentation by local photographer. Overnight Churchill hotel.

Days 3-4

Days spent in a Tundra Buggy with knowledgeable guide, viewing bears and other Arctic Wildlife. Overnight Churchill hotel.

Day 5

Morning dog sledding and afternoon visit to Parks Canada Interpretive Centre. Evening return flight back to Winnipeg. Overnight at airport hotel.

Day 6

Depart Winnipeg at leisure.

Contact Heartland Travel for the above itineraries and for more information.

All prices shown are in Canadian funds. A deposit of $750 CAD is due at the time of booking along with clients' full names. Full payment is due 90 days prior to the tour date. Penalties per person for cancellation are as follows: $300 CAD up to 89 days or more prior to the tour date; 50% of the total cost of the tour 90-61 days prior to the tour date; 100% of the total cost of the tour 60-0 days prior to the tour date.