Itinerary

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. Call us (888-359-3801) for specific details.

Day 1. Travel to Winnipeg & Visit Museum
After arriving in Winnipeg, our afternoon is spent at 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.

After dinner, our naturalist guide presents an introductory slide show about the ecosystems we will be visiting and the conservation issues that face the Churchill region.

Day 2. Bus & Train Journey North
We head by bus through the taiga to Thompson and then hop on an overnight train to Churchill. On the train, we have time to take in the amazing landscape and hone our observation skills as we pass through different ecosystems.

Day 3. 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 the week at CNSC and Churchill. We then head out on our first excursion into the Arctic Tundra where our ecologist guide begins to get us acquainted with the area.

During our first evening at CNSC, our guide 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 4. 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 5. Whale Watch and Cultural Explorations
This morning, we head out for our first trip in 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 head into town for a Metis Heritage Program and to make traditional aboriginal handicrafts at Caribou Hall. 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 have a historical/cultural tour of Churchill and we have some time after the tour to do some shopping for souvenirs and gifts. We then head back out to the CNSC for a scheduled round table discussion. Late night might include a Northern Lights watching experience!

Day 6. Research and Analysis
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. We’ll start to prepare our summary presentations that will be given to CNSC staff prior to our departure.

Day 7. 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!

Tonight’s dinner is a feast! We are treated to a traditional Arctic dinner and have a hand in helping prepare the food for dinner. We also enjoy a presentation from a local musician including traditional drumming and singing.

Day 8. Research Conclusions and Whale Watching
This morning we complete our field research projects and finalize our conclusions. If weather permits, we may head back out for another beluga whale watch. In addition, we also spend a little time exploring Fort Prince of Whales. The last night at CSNC we present our research conclusions and have a farewell party! We pack and prepare for our departure tomorrow.

Day 9. Train to Thompson
After an early breakfast, we head out for a final exploration of some unseen areas of the tundra, boreal forest and Hudson Bay. We catch an evening train to Thompson and ride off into the sunset.

Day 10. Bus to Winnipeg and Overnight
We arrive in mid-afternoon to Winnipeg and settle back into the city life. We’ll spend an evening relaxing and maybe even catch a bit of bowling - Canadian style.

Day 11. Flight Home
We catch the first flight home bringing our arctic memories with us forever.