Muir's Tours - Wildlife

The Bears of Canada - Black & White

About 3 hours north west of Winnipeg, Manitoba, lies Riding Mountain National Park, a rugged region of hills and escarpments in sharp contrast to the table-flat prairies of southern Manitoba. The mountains are covered with beautiful coniferous and hardwood forests interspersed with open meadows, all filled with healthy populations of wildlife, including black bear. Our Black and White Adventure enables you to see the black bears in Riding Mountain National Park plus the polar bears of Churchill on the same trip. One portion of the tour will be spent at a comfortable guest ranch near the park.

                


From the ranch near Riding Mountain National Park, you'll have amazing wildlife viewing opportunities such as bison, black bear, moose, elk, deer, beaver, coyote, and the great grey owl. You'll even be able to view and photograph the black bears from a special hide.
This tour also gives you the opportunity to experience one of our classic polar bear tours to Churchill, Manitoba. You will be able to observe polar bears up close and personal from the comfort and safety of our own Tundra Buggies. In addition, enjoy discovering the rich culture and history of Churchill and the surrounding area.
Tour Leaders: Jim Irwin and Robert Taylor
 
Detailed Itineraries

There are two options, the only difference is the dates. both have the same amount of time wildlife watching.

Tour A - Ref: B&WA

Day 1, October 8: Arrive Winnipeg  Arrive Winnipeg and overnight at local hotel.

Day 2, October 9: To Riding Mountain  Meet your guide Dr. Jim Irwin and depart Winnipeg for Riding Mountain National Park. Stop along the way at the Delta Waterfowl Research Centre for a short bird watching walk and then proceed to Riding Mountain National Park starting with a wildlife safari on the drive through Riding Mountain National Park en-route to Riding Mountain Guest Ranch. Upon arrival at the ranch, meet the staff, get settled in and enjoy a welcome dinner.

Days 3 & 4, October 10-11: Riding Mountain  For the next two days enjoy your beautiful surroundings. Wildlife activities begin at first light and end at sundown. Enjoy three home cooked meals per day, wildlife safaris (for black bear, moose, elk, bison, beaver, coyote, lynx, wolf), guided nature walks (including a visit to a vacant bear's den), and sessions in the bear viewing hide. Nature interpretive commentary covers the biomes and ecosystems of the area, with special emphasis on the large mammals.

Day 5, October 12: Riding Mountain to Winnipeg   After breakfast depart for the journey back to Winnipeg watching for wildlife as we travel through the park.  We meet up with the rest of the group before departing for Churchill. Early afternoon flight to Churchill. Arrive Churchill and transfer of luggage to hotel. We'll do a short town orientation, and after dinner we'll visit the Parks Canada Interpretive Centre for a presentation. Overnight Churchill.

Day 6, October 13: Churchill   Today, after breakfast we'll be taken by bus to the Tundra Buggy departure point from where we'll head out in search of the 'great white bear'. Our Tundra Buggies offer a safe, comfortable means in which to be able to view and photograph the bears. We'll enjoy refreshments and a picnic lunch during the day.

Day 7, October 14: Churchill   Today after breakfast, we'll depart on our town & area tour. We'll have ample opportunity to stop throughout the tour for interesting photo shots and we'll include many points of interest including historic Cape Merry. After lunch, we'll take part in an exciting dog sledding adventure, including a presentation about the trips the dog team owner has taken part in, as well as good photo opportunities and a short dog sled ride on a specially designed sled. After dinner, enjoy another presentation featuring the local area and the bears of Churchill. Overnight Churchill.

Day 8, October 15: Churchill  Another full day Tundra Buggy tour including picnic lunch and refreshments. Watch for other wildlife such as Arctic fox, caribou and snowy owls. Overnight Churchill.

Day 9, October 16: Churchill to Winnipeg   We will walk as a group to the Eskimo Museum. A short introduction will be given and everyone can enjoy the Museum at their leisure. There will also be time for some last minute shopping. Flight back to Winnipeg. Overnight at Winnipeg hotel.

Day 10, October 17: Depart Winnipeg  Enjoy a breakfast at the hotel. Guests may choose to fly out of Winnipeg anytime today.

Tour B - Ref: B&WB

Day 1, October 11: Arrive Winnipeg   Arrive Winnipeg and overnight at local hotel.

Day 2, October 12: Churchill   Early morning breakfast and transfer to airport for flight to Churchill. Early afternoon flight to Churchill. Arrive Churchill and transfer of luggage to hotel. We'll do a short town orientation, and after dinner we'll visit the Parks Canada Interpretive Centre for a presentation. Overnight Churchill.

Day 3: October 13: Churchill  Today, after breakfast we'll be taken by bus to the Tundra Buggy departure point from where we'll head out in search of the 'great white bear'. Our Tundra Buggies offer a safe, comfortable means in which to be able to view and photograph the bears. We'll enjoy refreshments and a picnic lunch during the day.

Day 4, October 14: Churchill  Today after breakfast, we'll depart on our town & area tour. We'll have ample opportunity to stop throughout the tour for interesting photo shots and we'll include many points of interest including historic Cape Merry. After lunch, we'll take part in an exciting dog sledding adventure, including a presentation about the trips the dog team owner has taken part in as well as good photo opportunities and a short dog sled ride on a specially designed sled. After dinner, enjoy another presentation featuring the local area and the bears of Churchill. Overnight Churchill.

Day 5, October 15: Churchill  Another full day Tundra Buggy tour including picnic lunch and refreshments. Watch for other wildlife such as Arctic fox, caribou and snowy owls. Overnight Churchill.

Day 6, October 16: Churchill to Riding Mountain   We will walk as a group to the Eskimo Museum. A short introduction will be given and everyone can enjoy the museum at their leisure. There will also be time for some last minute shopping. Flight back to Winnipeg where you will meet your guide Dr. Jim Irwin and depart Winnipeg for Riding Mountain National Park. Stop along the way at the Delta Waterfowl Research Centre for a short bird watching walk and then proceed to Riding Mountain National Park. Arrive at Riding Mountain Guest Ranch, meet the staff, get settled and enjoy a welcome dinner.

Days 7 & 8, October 17-18: Riding Mountain  For the next two days enjoy your beautiful surroundings. Wildlife activities begin at first light and end at sundown. Enjoy three home cooked meals per day, wildlife safaris (for black bear, moose, elk, bison, beaver, coyote, lynx, wolf), guided nature walks (including a visit to a vacant bear's den), and sessions in the bear viewing blind. Nature interpretive commentary covers the biomes and ecosystems of the area, with special emphasis on the large mammals.

Day 9, October 19: Riding Mountain to Winnipeg  After breakfast, depart on the journey back, starting with a wildlife safari on the drive through Riding Mountain National Park en route to Winnipeg. Overnight at Winnipeg Hotel.

Day 10, October 20: After breakfast depart Winnipeg on your own schedule.

 

Dates:
Tour A: Oct 8-17, 2008          Available Space: 10 Places
Tour B: Oct 11-20, 2008        Available Space: 10 Places

 


Price Per Person GBP / USD / CAD - 2008:  AUD7205 / GBP3093 / USD6298 / CAD6389

Single Supplement: CAD1145

Based on two sharing.  Prices include 6.5% net Manitoba taxes for non residents of Canada.  The base currency is the Canadian Dollar and payments in other currencies are subject to exchange rate adjustment. 

The prices were calculated when CAD 1 = GBP 0.4928, AUD 1.1156 & USD 0.989
 (delete stored web pages and refresh this page to get recent updates)

 

What is Included
Return airfare Winnipeg / Churchill.  Hotel in Winnipeg (2 nights) on a shared basis.  Stay at Riding Mountain Guest Ranch (3 nights) on a shared basis. Transport to & from Riding Mountain Guest Ranch.  Transport to & from Churchill Airport.  Transport to & from the tundra near Churchill.  Hotel Room on every night in Churchill (4 nights), on a shared basis.  Meals - lunch on the Tundra Buggy and 1 dinner, plus all meals at Riding Mountain Guest Ranch.  Activities as stated in the table.  Expert tour leaders. Local taxes for non residents of Canada.
 
What is NOT Included
Return airfare from your home to Winnipeg and back to home. Airport taxes etc. Meals other than while at Riding Mountain Guest Ranch and whilst on the Tundra Buggy. The additional MB taxes for Canadian residents.

What gear do I need ?

Terms & Conditions      Reservation Form

Airfare (from the UK)
As a guide, the international airfare should be in the range GBP480 - GBP660 economy class.

Travel Insurance

Comprehensive personal insurance, including search and rescue is required on this trip. For UK clients we recommend the policies of the British Mountaineering Council, for their expertise in evacuation from remote areas worldwide. Details at www.thebmc.co.uk  As Insurance is always provided by a company based in your home country, we are unable to suggest suitable insurance companies unless you reside in the UK.