7-Day Canadian Shield Tour Packages
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Insider tips: Recommended 7-day Canadian Shield tour itineraries
Compiled by
MelissaCanadian Shield travel expert at TourRadar
- Day 1
Winnipeg
Your Arctic adventure starts in Manitoba's capital. Check into your hotel for the evening orientation meeting. Pack your cold-weather gear tonight. Churchill can get extremely cold, with temperatures dropping to -30°F (-34°C) during peak bear season from October to November.
- Day 2
Winnipeg to Churchill
Take an early morning flight to Churchill (2.5 hours). Get ready for your first blast of subarctic air. In the afternoon, a town tour introduces you to Churchill's unique polar bear culture. Stop at the Itsanitaq Museum to explore local Inuit history and traditional artwork that tells stories of life in the North.
- Day 3
Churchill & Lodge Transfer
Experience dog sledding in the morning. Wear plenty of layers since you'll be sitting still on the sled. Visit Parks Canada's visitor center in the afternoon before taking the Tundra Buggy to your remote lodge. The 5-mile ride to Polar Bear Point takes about 45 minutes on bumpy terrain. Keep your camera ready.
- Days 4-5
Tundra Buggy Lodge
Spend two full days exploring the Churchill Wildlife Management Area in a Tundra Buggy. These vehicles come with outdoor viewing platforms and heated interiors. You'll see the most bears in October and November as they gather to wait for Hudson Bay to freeze. Head out early for the best light and most active bears. The isolated lodge location is perfect for viewing the northern lights when weather permits. Bring a tripod if you want to photograph the aurora. A recent visitor shared: "Watching a curious bear inspect our lodge at breakfast was incredible—they really do come right up to the reinforced windows!"
- Day 6
Final Tundra Day & Return
One more day looking for bears, arctic foxes, and ptarmigan across the tundra. Fly back to Winnipeg in the evening. Try to get a window seat on the left side for possible views of the tundra and Hudson Bay.
- Day 7
Departure
Leave Winnipeg whenever suits your schedule. Most people find that a week gives them enough time to see Churchill's wildlife while allowing for potential weather delays, which happen often up north.
6 Day Manitoba Itinerary, incl. Winnipeg and Churchill
A 6-day Canadian Shield tour from Winnipeg to Churchill offers 3 full days of northern adventures including beluga watching, Tundra Buggy© excursions, and Prince of Wales Fort tours. Guests stay 2 nights at Lakeview Signature Winnipeg and 3 nights in Churchill.
- Day 1
Winnipeg
Start in Winnipeg and explore The Forks historic site and market. Have a welcome dinner in the evening and get to bed early since tomorrow starts before dawn. Pack layers for summer because Churchill evenings can be cold at 40°F/4°C.
- Day 2
Winnipeg to Churchill
Fly to Churchill early morning (2.5 hours). Take a town tour to get familiar with this small Hudson Bay community of 900 people. Visit Parks Canada to learn about the local ecosystem. Hotels in Churchill are basic but clean.
- Day 3
Churchill
Start with dog carting in the morning followed by beluga watching. Over 3,000 belugas visit the Churchill River in July and August. You'll get incredibly close to these white whales during the three-hour boat tour. In the afternoon walk around Prince of Wales Fort. The ground is uneven so wear good shoes.
- Day 4
Churchill Wildlife Management Area
Spend a full day exploring in a Tundra Buggy. Summer brings fewer polar bears but lots of wildflowers. You might see arctic foxes or caribou. Bring binoculars since wildlife viewing distances can vary.
- Day 5
Churchill River & Return
Take a morning Zodiac ride to see belugas up close. A recent visitor said: "The beluga calves were so playful coming right up to our boat. The water is cold but the supplied floatation suits keep you completely warm." Fly back to Winnipeg in the evening.
- Day 6
Departure
The tour ends in Winnipeg. If you have a late flight check out the Manitoba Museum.
7 Day Arctic Canada Itinerary, incl. Churchill and Winnipeg
This 7-day Manitoba adventure from Winnipeg to Churchill showcases Hudson Bay's coastline to Hubbard Point, with opportunities to spot polar bears and belugas. Historical tours of Prince of Wales Fort complement 4 nights at Lazy Bear Lodge, featuring specialized tundra tours and zodiac excursions.
- Day 1
Winnipeg Arrival
Start at The Forks, Winnipeg's historic meeting point. Take a walk to St. Boniface, the French Quarter in the late afternoon. The 30-minute riverside walk looks beautiful when the sun hits the limestone buildings.
- Day 2
Winnipeg to Churchill
Take a morning flight to Churchill (2.5 hours). Bring light layers since Churchill's summer temperatures can range from 40°F to 70°F in one day. Visit Cape Merry to see Hudson Bay. Stop by the Polar Bear Holding Facility or "Polar Bear Jail" to learn how the town manages wildlife conflicts.
- Days 3-5
Churchill Wildlife Viewing
These are your main wildlife watching days. Start with a full-day Hudson Bay coastal tour. Go early in the morning when polar bears are most active. Bring 10x42 binoculars for the best views. One visitor shared: "We saw a mother bear and cub around Hubbard Point. The captain knew exactly where to position the boat for photos without disturbing them." Day 4 is for beluga watching by Zodiac boat. You'll find over 3,000 belugas in the Churchill River estuary during summer. Wear waterproof clothes since the boat rides can get wet. Visit Prince of Wales Fort in the afternoon but wear good shoes for the uneven ground. Take a tundra tour on Day 5 in special vehicles with raised platforms. Watch for your guide's "paw up!" signal when they spot a bear. In July and August the tundra fills with beautiful fireweed and Arctic cotton perfect for photos.
- Day 6
Churchill to Winnipeg
Your morning is free for optional activities. Try dog sledding on wheels which runs early before it gets too hot. Fly back to Winnipeg in the late afternoon.
- Day 7
Departure
Stay at the airport hotel for easy departure. If you have time before your flight store your bags and take a quick trip downtown to shop at Johnston Terminal in The Forks.
Canadian Shield 7 Day Tour Packages You'll Love
Polar Bears in Churchill & the Tundra Buggy Lodge
Beluga Whales in Churchill Manitoba
Polar Bears and Belugas on the Churchill River
5 Day "One Way" Algonquin Park Canoe Trip
Ice barbarian experience with Tundra Buggy Lodge (6 nights)
Arctic Summer Explorer | Road to the Arctic Sea
Yellowknife Explorer: Culture by Day, Aurora by Night from Toronto
Yellowknife Explorer: Culture by Day, Aurora by Night
Northern Lights Photo Adventure in Churchill Manitoba
Northern Lights and Winter Nights in Churchill Manitoba
What people love about 7-day Canadian Shield tours
- Arctic Summer Explorer | Road to the Arctic Sea
Very satisfied. Two small points that, although good, could be improved: 1. list of equipment sent beforehand was generic. Temperatures were in the the range of 25-27 and we were told to bring hat and gloves ! 2. Food at times was a problem especially lunch. Although we knew it was not included, finding where to buy and where to go in the evening for dinner was at times a challenge.