Polar Bear & Northern Lights Adventure
CHURCHILL MB, CANADA
November 3rd to 17th, 2012 (Drive and Train)
or November 7th to 14th, 2012 (Fly)
Please enjoy this exciting Polar Bear Slide Show Here!
WHY Churchill, Manitoba for a Northern Lights Tour?
There is auroral activity over Churchill for about 300 nights per year, with more activity near the spring & fall equinox. This makes Churchill, MB the place with the highest level of auroral activity that is reasonably accessible with accomodation & services that make the trip comfortable with flexibility in dates for the tour. Plus, there are also winter activities available to make the tour fun and enjoyable at ANY time of day!
Polar Bear Prime Time!
Late October through November is the very best time frame to encounter Polar Bears in the Churchill, Manitoba & Hudson Bay Areas.
Northern Lights In Tolerable Temperatures!
Northern Lights can be experienced in the Churchill Area 300 nights out of the year if the sky has good visibility. In November the temperatures are milder than mid-winter.
Other Notes: 1) For this tour, the departure point can be either Chicago IL, Winnepeg MB, or Churchill MB. In order to save the expensive airfare to Winnepeg, MB, one option is to rent vans in Chicago, IL and drive to Thompson, MB. From Thompson, MB we'll travel by VIA Train to Churchill, MB. If any of the group should decide that they would prefer to fly to Winnepeg, MB or Churchill, MB then they can easily be accomodated.
Lodging:
Various Bed & Breakfasts in Churchill, Manitoba
Including Duncan's Den B&B and Blue Sky Bed & Sled B&B
EVERYTHING is included in price except train or airfare, meals, and Winter
Activities such as Dog sledding/Trapping
are seperate.
All Instruction,
All Transportation, All Gas, All Lodging, & All Instructional CDs are included!
Polar Bear Travel Options:
A) Vehicle & Train: Group Vehicle from Chicago to Thompson, MB, CAN; Train from Thompson, MB, CAN to Churchill, MB, CAN and then return the same ways. This is the least expensive and longest trip.
B) Fly, Vehicle, & Train: Fly into Winnepeg, MB, CAN, we pick you up in Group Vehicles and drive to Thompson, MB, CAN; Train from Thompson, MB, CAN to Churchill, MB, CAN and then return the same ways. This is middle of the road for expenses and middle length of trip.
C) Fly Only: Fly into Churchill, MB, CAN for the week in Churchill, MB, CAN. This is the most expensive and shortest version of the tour.
Any travel option can be chosen to participate in the tour.
Approximate Tour Pricing:
Based upon 15 photographers, the estimated tour cost is $3,700 per person (before applicable discounts) including having the Tundra Buggies for 4 Full Days. The final tour cost will be determined based upon the final number of participants, and will be available 6 months before the tour start date.
Please note: All of the Northern Lights images presented were made in Western Canada in the Canadian Rockies. There are no mountains surrounding Churchill, Manitoba. However, the Northern Lights occur more than 300 nights per year over Churchill, making it the best, most accessible location to view and photograph the Aurora! Mark has photographed the Northern Lights over Churchill, MB; Galva, IL; Strathmore, AB; Banff NP, AB; Upper British Columbia, BC; Wasilla, AK; Fairbanks, AK; and Anchorage, AK.
November 2012 Polar Bears & Northern Lights Itinerary
Dates: November 3rd to November 17th, 2012
November 3rd - Depart IL and drive to Fargo, ND (Pick up anyone flying into Fargo, ND)
November 4th - Drive Fargo, ND to Ashern, MB (Pick up anyone coming into Winnepeg, MB)
November 5th - Drive Ashern, MB to Thompson, MB and board VIA Rail Train for Churchill, MB
November 6th - Arrive in Churchill, MB (CH Day #1))
November 7th - Full Day in Churchill (Dog Sledding, Town Centre, etc. - CH Day #2)
November 8th - Tundra Buggy Day #1
November 9th - Full Day in Churchill (Dog Sledding, Town Centre, etc. - CH Day #3)
November 10 - Tundra Buggy Day #2
November 11th - Tundra Buggy Day #3
November 12th - Full Day in Churchill (Dog Sledding, Town Centre, etc. - CH Day #4)
November 13th - Tundra Buggy Day #4
November 14th - Most of Day in Churchill, MB, then depart Churchill, MB on VIA Rail Train - CH Day #5
November 15th - Arrive in Thompson, MB and drive to Ashern, MB
November 16th - Drive Ashern, MB to Wisconsin (drop off in Winnepeg, MB & Fargo, ND)
November 17th - Arrive in IL for Flights or Drive Home
