Churchill
Northern Adventure:
Polar Bears & Northern Lights
November
4-11, 2004
Come along for an adventure in Manitoba's northern sub arctic
region where the polar bears play by day and the Northern Lights
dance across the sky at night! During clear nights, the skies
above Churchill offer the highest intensity of the multi-colored
aurora borealis activity in the Northern Hemisphere. Called the
world's polar bear capital, Churchill is located on the rugged
shores of Hudson Bay where a Canadian legend, the Hudson's Bay
Company, began their domination of the country's fur trade centuries
ago. Learn about this history and delve into the fascinating
culture of the native Inuit people. Experience a dog sled journey!
Visit with the polar bears and other wildlife aboard a Tundra
Buggy! Hop aboard VIA Rail's Hudson Bay and join us for an adventurous
holiday in Manitoba's North! Call today: 1-800-478-4881.
Itinerary
Day 1 - Winnipeg, Manitoba / VIA Rail (D)
Thursday, November 04, 2004
Transfer from the Winnipeg airport to the VIA Rail station. Join us for a Welcome Dinner in downtown Winnipeg before our evening departure aboard VIA Rail's Hudson Bay in sleeping car accommodations.
Day 2 -
VIA Rail (B, D)
Friday, November 05, 2004
Enjoy breakfast
in the dining car as we continue our journey north for 1055 rail
miles (1700 km), past many small remote communities into Manitoba's
vast road less northern landscape.
Day 3 - VIA Rail / Churchill, Manitoba (B)
Saturday, November 06, 2004
Continental breakfast is served on board before our morning arrival in Churchill. Tour this historic city and the striking tundra region surrounding it. Included is a visit to the Eskimo Museum, which boasts a large collection of Inuit carvings and artifacts.
Day 4 - Churchill, MB (Box Lunch)
Sunday, November 07, 2004
Just before the winter freeze-up of Hudson Bay, the polar bears congregate near the coastline until they move out onto the ice of the bay. A trip in a Tundra Buggy, a converted bus with huge all-terrain tires, allows access to the rugged landscape to view these magnificent animals. Be sure to have your camera ready as the bears will often gather around the vehicle and can be easily watched and photographed.
Day 5 -
Churchill, MB
Monday, November 08, 2004
Today, search out the unique sub arctic wildlife in their natural habitat on our aerial tour of the Churchill area. Visit the Parks Canada Centre to learn more about the history of the fur trade and development of the Hudson's Bay Company.
Day 6 -
Churchill / VIA Rail (D)
Tuesday, November 09, 2004
Today's agenda includes a visit to the Churchill Northern Studies Centre, which includes touring the tundra as the locals do-on a dog sled! The Centre is a research and education facility, which focuses on a diverse range of topics relating to northern sciences. Join us for dinner before our evening departure aboard the Hudson Bay.
Day 7 -
VIA Rail (B, D)
Wednesday, November 10, 2004
Breakfast is served in the dining car as the train heads southward towards Winnipeg. Spend a relaxing day on board enjoying the passing scenery and friendly ambiance of the Hudson Bay. Join us for dinner in the dining car, served by VIA Rail's courteous staff.
Day 8 -
VIA Rail / Winnipeg, Manitoba (B)
Thursday, November 11, 2004
Wake to a continental breakfast on board before our morning arrival at Winnipeg and a transfer to the airport. This concludes our tour.
Price Includes:
- Services
of a full time professional guide.
- 3 nights' hotel accommodations.
- 4 nights' VIA Rail sleeping car accommodations.
- Transportation & transfers, as described.
- Sightseeing, activities & admission to select attractions,
as described.
- 9 meals.
- Luggage handling & baggage tag: 1 medium-sized suitcase
per person.
- Gratuities for services listed as "included."
Price Details:
(Double
occupancy in hotels, price per person)
Standard (Shared) $ 3,499 Canadian Dollars (around $2,510 USD)
Deluxe (Shared) $ 3,599 Canadian Dollars (around $2,585 USD)
At print
time, the single accommodation prices were not available.
Please call (800) 478-4881 for this information.
The standard bedroom and the deluxe bedroom aboard the train are the same size and at night, both have an upper and a lower bunk for sleeping. The only difference between the two is during the day the standard bedroom has 2 chairs and the deluxe bedroom has a sofa.
Please note: not included-any items not listed, such as but not limited to GST, select meals, personal expenses, Cancellation Insurance, pre- & post-tour add-ons.
Prices are per person, double occupancy in hotel(s) & are subject to 7% Goods & Services Tax (GST). Non-Canadian residents may be eligible for a partial refund of GST through the Federal Government of Canada.
US prices may be subject to a surcharge due to market fluctuation and all prices subject to change without notice.
Deposits: Tour Packages (Group & Independent) - A minimum $250 CAD/$175 USD per person is due to confirm reservation unless booking within 45 days of departure, in which case we will require a credit card guaranteeing full payment before we check availability. Custom Itineraries - A goodwill deposit of minimum $50 CAD/$35 USD for Independent Holidays and minimum $100 CAD/$70 USD for Charter Group Tours is required for development of any custom itineraries. This deposit is refundable if space cannot be obtained except if booking within 45 days of departure, in which case the deposit is non-refundable. Upon confirmation of your reservation, the policies in effect for Tour Packages will apply.
Final Payment: Full payment is due no less than sixty (60) days prior to departure. If booking within 60 days of departure, full payment is due to confirm reservation. If payments are not received by the due date(s) specified, reservations may be cancelled without notice. We regret, unless otherwise stated, all payments are 100% non-refundable.
Cancellations: As payments are non-refundable, we recommend that guests purchase optional cancellation insurance. Please contact your John Steel Rail Tours representative for cancellation insurance details. In the event that you need to cancel your tour reservation, you must notify John Steel Rail Tours and the insurance company (if applicable) immediately. Please note that no refunds or adjustments will be made for portions of the trip and tour services not used or taken, for whatever reason, once tour has commenced. Tours or portions of tours and the activities described in tour itineraries may be subject to weather or other conditions and/or availability and may be changed or cancelled without notice. Guests booking based on twin/double accommodation may be assessed a single occupancy surcharge if either one of the parties cancels prior to or during the tour.
The Society of International Railway Travelers
800-478-4881
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