For doing a polar bear safari, let me recommend the ones being offered this Oct and November at the whale" Northern Studies Centre, a non-profit educational institute located in the middle of the Cape Churchill Wildlife Management Area about 17km south of Churchill. Below is taken from the CNSC Website.
"Tuesday October 14 - Tuesday October 21 1997
Tuesday October 27 - Tuesday November 3 1997
Minimum 26 - Maximum 36 participants
Journey to Churchill, the Polar Bear Capital of the World. Stay at an active scientific research facility and learn about the incredible biology and latest scientific findings from your lecturer, a polar bear researcher. Two Tundra Vehicle day-trips to the Hudson Bay coast lets you observe the bears in their natural habitat. A half hour helicopter excursion will let you see it all from the air. Lectures from local artists and photographers, and a dog sled lecture and ride make this an incredible vacation and educational experience.
Price: C$1595.00 per person, plus taxes, from Churchill includes all meals and dormitory accomodation at the CNSC, two (2) day-trip excursions to the Hudson Bay coast aboard a Tundra Vehicle, a one half-hour helicopter excursion, a dog sled lecture and ride, instruction by a polar bear researcher, and all local travel (i.e practically everything except souvenirs).
I would recommend this highly. For what you get, and
the number of days you're there, the price is very good. (I've priced these
tours)
Nature Tours (Bonnie) 204/675-2248 In
summer, they offer walking tours geared toward interests in birdwatching
and botany. This might be Bonnie Chartier of Churchill Wilderness Encounter,
one of the compilers of Encounters on Hudson Bay. Adventure
Walking Tours Paul Ratson, PO Box 1136, Churchill, Manitoba Canada,
R0B 0E0 204/675-2147; fax 204/675-2884; rates per person, 1/2 day $53.50;
full day $107.00 Slight reduction for groups of 5+ people. 204/675-2195. This family-owned business offers a standard
boat tour that takes passengers out for approximately 2 hours. Time is
divided up between a Ranger-guided tour of historic Fort Prince of Wales--located
on an island in the Hudson Bay--and on the Churchill River.
Some passengers get very lucky indeed because, while out whale watching,
they see female polar bears swimming with their young. This last is not
a common occurrance, although it happened once while I
was up in July 1996. Unfortunately, I was not on that particular boat tour.
Sea North Tours also will charter private zodiacs for skin divers or
others who wish to spend more time on the Churchill River closer to the
water and its whales. These zodiacs come with an experienced pilot who is
familar with currents in the Churchill River. As of July 1996, these cost
$130/hour Canadian. Zodiacs can hold up to 8 people, although 4 would be
much more comfortable. Midwest Helicopters, Ltd 204/675-2576 Fifteen Minutes: across thousands of beluga whales for a bird's eye view
of Prince of Wales Fort, arcxhaeological abnd historic sites, picturesque
cabins, Cape Merry and Town of Churchill. $38 (this might be 1994 prices.
They may have gone up, so consider all prices for this company, "ballpark
figures." Includes photography stops. Lords of the Arctic 1.25 hours. Offers glimpse of polarbears and sightings
are guaranteed. $200/person based on 4 passengers. Mini Bear Flight-no photography stops. 30 minutes. Must be taken from
a tundra vehicle or the Churchill Northern Studies Centre to see bears. $100/person based on 4 passengers.
204/675-2576 Taiga air services, Ltd., P.O. Box 91, Churchill, MB Canada, R0E 0E0,
204/675-2781 COST OF TOURS BELOW CAN BE DIVIDED AMONG UP TO FOUR PASSENGERS Ten-minute flight -$145 Twenty-five minute flight, Churchill area $280 Thirty-five minute Coastal Run-to view churchill, Fort Prince of Wales,
the Western Peninsula Tent Rings, Sloops Cover, Fort Quarry, the Ithica
and Miss Piggy wrecks and dflight across the tundra. $440 Sixty-minute Adventure Flight. $729 CAD+applicable taxes. I think I picked this pamphlet up either at the train station or from
Bear Country Inn. I know nothing about these people. I am including them,
however, because they sound interesting. Those who wish to partake of anything
offered by these people should contact them and ask questions. Joe Barron, Barronland Outfitting. 204/675-2225. Airboat tours. According
to their pamphlet, they offer birdwatching, one-hour excursions, 4-hour
fishing trips, Airboat tour up the Churchill River, overnight camping(I
am not sure I'd want to do this in polar bear country, but hey! You may
feel differently), custom tours. Boreal Gardens-Greenhouses and gardens growing local produce. Most of
the interesting jellies available in tourist shops come from here. Free
tours are offered Sunday 2:00-4:00p.m. in July and August. Otherwise by
appointment only. Grouips of 1-8 people, $8, $1.00 per extra person Cape Merry National Historic Site. Another old fort, overlooking a truly
great but very inaccessible and somewhat dangerous beach. Guided tours are
given by Parks Canada staff from June-to-Mid-September. Contact Parks Canada,
Box 127, Churchill, MB R0B0E0 204/675-8863; Fax: 204/675-2026 Sloop's Cove National Historic Site. This was a safe harbor and winter
haven for Hudson"s Bayu Co. (HBC) sloops in the 18th century. The rocks
bear signatures of H.B.C. men, the most famous being Samuel Hearne, northern
explorer and H.B.C. governor. Tour arrangements can also be made with private
boat tour operators. Contact: Parks Canada, Box 127, Churchill, MB R0B 0E0
204/675-8863; Fax: 204/675-2026 Return to In town, Churchill, Canada.
Sea
North Tours
HELICOPTER TOURS