7-Day Canadian Shield Tour Packages

Insider tips: Recommended 7-day Canadian Shield tour itineraries

Compiled by

MelissaCanadian Shield travel expert at TourRadar

• 7 Day Churchill Itinerary, incl. Winnipeg and Polar Bear Point

  

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  • 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.

    

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• Ice barbarian experience with Tundra Buggy Lodge (6 nights)

  A 7-day Canadian Shield adventure from Winnipeg to Churchill features 3 nights at the Tundra Buggy Lodge® in prime polar bear territory. Daily Tundra Buggy® excursions complement visits to Churchill's Itsanitaq Museum and dog sledding, with evening Aurora Borealis viewing opportunities.

  

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  • Winnipeg Canada

    624 mi

  • Churchill Canada

    624 mi

  • Winnipeg Canada

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• 7 Days in Manitoba Northern Lights, incl. Winnipeg and Churchill

  

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  • Day 1

    Winnipeg

    Arrive at Winnipeg International Airport and check into the Lakeview Signature hotel. Take time to adjust to the time zone before attending an evening welcome reception with your photo guide. Pack light layers since Churchill temperatures can drop below -40°F in winter.

    
  • Day 2

    Winnipeg to Churchill

    Catch an early morning flight (around 7 AM) to Churchill. One visitor said: "Well organized - everything worked great." The 2.5-hour flight shows you beautiful views as the landscape changes from prairie to tundra. After checking in, you'll learn essential northern lights photography skills in a workshop. Your first chance to see the aurora comes that evening at Thanadelthur Lounge.

    
  • Day 3

    Churchill

    Start your day dog sledding at Wapusk Adventures. Make sure to wear the warm gear they provide, since regular winter coats aren't warm enough for Churchill. In the evening, enjoy dinner at Dan's Diner, a heated pop-up restaurant with big windows. Set up your camera facing north between 10 PM and 2 AM when the aurora is usually most active.

    
  • Day 4

    Churchill

    Take a morning snowshoe walk through the boreal forest. Bring hand and toe warmers since they cost more in Churchill. The evening brings another chance to photograph the aurora, this time with the forest creating interesting shapes in your photos. Keep camera batteries warm by storing them close to your body.

    
  • Day 5

    Churchill

    Visit the Itsanitaq Museum to see impressive Inuit art and artifacts. Spend the afternoon walking around Churchill's downtown area. Your evening is free for more aurora viewing. The skies light up about 300 nights each year during February and March.

    
  • Day 6

    Churchill to Winnipeg

    Start with a visit to Polar Bears International House, where scientists share insights about arctic wildlife. Take a late afternoon flight back to Winnipeg if possible, since morning flights often get delayed by ice fog.

    
  • Day 7

    Departure

    Leave Winnipeg at your convenience, with most travelers taking morning flights to catch international connections.

    

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