The itinerary below is a sample itinerary. Depending on the group and travel times, the actual itinerary may vary in day-by-day content and total number of days. Please note that this Global Explorers excursion has a variety of possible alternatives that depend on how you would like to travel to Churchill, Manitoba from Winnipeg. You can take a train both ways from Winnipeg to Churchill (2 days per leg) or a train one way to Churchill (2 days) and a flight back. Flights will significantly increase our posted price. Please contact us to discuss these options and how they affect pricing. You can also include an extra two days on this itinerary (see below) for an extra fee. Call us (877-627-1425) for specific details.
Day 1. Travel to Winnipeg
After arrival in the late afternoon in Winnipeg, we’ll transfer and settle into our hotel. After dinner, our staff presents an introductory slide show about the ecosystems we will be visiting and the conservation issues that face the Churchill region.
Day 2. Winnipeg City Tour and Train Journey to Churchill
Our morning starts out with a city tour of the beautiful and historical city of Winnipeg. After lunch, we transfer to The Manitoba Museum where we learn about Canada’s unique ecosystems and humans’ past and present relationships with these ecosystems. This is a fascinating museum and our visit is a great way to set the stage for the rest of the workshop.
In the early evening, we head over to the train station where we will hop on the train to start our two night journey to Churchill.
Day 3: Continue Train Journey North
On the train, we have time to take in the amazing landscape and hone our observation skills as we pass through different ecosystems. We will discuss our hopes and expectations as well as conduct some preliminary research using our GPS units plotting our journey as we head north.
The train affords us an awesome opportunity to meet some really neat local people, so we encourage sparking up conversations with those around us on the train!
Day 4: Arrival in Churchill
We arrive in Churchill early this morning after another adventurous night aboard the train. After a short “familiarization tour” of the quaint town of Churchill, we enjoy lunch at a local restaurant. We then head out to the Churchill Northern Studies Centre (CNSC) to settle into our rooms and have a short introduction to the CNSC (by a CNSC staff member). We also take this opportunity to go over rules and expectations for our time at the CNSC and Churchill. We then head out on our first excursion into the Arctic Tundra where our instructor begins to get us acquainted with the area.
During our first evening at CNSC, our instructor presents a slide show on the local region and the unique habitats that make Churchill a species diverse area. We begin thinking about and designing our research projects.
Day 5. Arctic Ecology
This morning kicks off our hands-on ecological explorations of this fascinating region. One of our objectives of this workshop is to examine the three very different ecosystems found in the Churchill area and to make comparisons between them. We conduct field research and set up transect-plot studies in at least two of these distinctive areas. We begin by venturing into the boreal forest this morning.
This afternoon we enjoy a box lunch out in the field and then continue on to the tundra to repeat the morning’s activities in a completely different biome. Again, we conduct some track and scat identification and field research here, including a transect-plot study to examine the diversity evident in the tundra.
During the evening we begin to process the data that we have been collecting in the field. We’ll learn to use GIS software and analysis tools. We may also venture out on an evening hike – you never know when an arctic fox or a polar bear may appear!
Day 6. Whale Watch and Cultural Explorations
This morning, we head out to the Hudson Bay in search of beluga whales. The actual time of the excursion will depend upon the tides, so we’ll have to be flexible today in the order of our activities. We spend part of the day learning about the whales and observing them from the boat. This is one of the most amazing whale-watching experiences in the world!
After having lunch at CNSC, we spend the afternoon learning how traditional people use the land to survive in the Arctic through a wonderful hands on cultural program. We follow up the presentation with a traditional Arctic dinner.
Day 7. Research and Analysis and Service Project
Today we continue our field research, collecting additional data about the region. We’ll visit tundra, taiga and coastal Hudson Bay ecosystems. In the late afternoon and evening, we’ll continue analyzing our results and begin to draw some conclusions about what we’re finding.
After lunch, we work together with local students on a community service project. We’ll have plenty of time to learn about each other’s cultures and share stories. In addition, we also spend a little time exploring Fort Prince of Whales. Late night might include a Northern Lights watching experience!
Day 8. Research Conclusions
This morning we complete our field research projects and finalize our conclusions. We’ll spend time preparing a formal presentation that will be given to the CNSC staff, volunteers and researchers prior to our departure. Additionally, we’ll head out for a final exploration of some unseen areas of the tundra, boreal forest and Hudson Bay and then return to the CNSC for a farewell party. We pack and prepare for our departure tomorrow.
Day 9: Churchill Town Tour and Depart on Train
After an early breakfast, we’ll present our research to the CNSC staff and researchers. After lunch, we will say our goodbyes to the staff at the CNSC. We head into town for a historical/cultural tour of Churchill as well as spending time shopping for souvenirs and gifts. We also spend time learning from the informative displays at the local Eskimo Museum.
Dinner this evening is in town at a local restaurant. After dinner we head over to the train station and catch an evening train to Winnipeg and ride off into the sunset.
Day 10: Continue Train Journey to Winnipeg
On the train, we have plenty of time to reflect on our amazing experiences and to record our final thoughts in our journals.
Day 11. Arrive Winnipeg Train Station and Flight Home
We arrive in mid-morning to the Winnipeg Train Station. We transfer to the airport for our final journey home.
Extend Your Trip Two Days
Follow the itinerary above but add more in-depth field research and a more complete service using the sample extra time below built into the schedule above. Trip price increases to $2,450 with these extra two days.
Day 7 and Day 8. Research and Analysis
Over the next two days we continue to conduct our field research, collecting additional data about the region. We’ll visit tundra, taiga and coastal Hudson Bay ecosystems. In the late afternoon and evening, we’ll continue analyzing our results and begin to draw conclusions and interpreting the results about what we’re finding.
Day 9. Service Project
Today we work together with local students on a community service project. We’ll have plenty of time to learn about each other’s cultures and share stories. In addition, we also spend a little time exploring Fort Prince of Whales. Late night might include a Northern Lights watching experience!