2025 CHURCHILL MB – Belugas, Bears & More
August 24th – 30th, 2025
Tour Directors: Colin & Dianne Markusson
This tour has limited booking spaces. To guarantee a spot please book early, the train seating and special tours have limited numbers.
Join us on this unique wildlife, picturesque and must-visit destination. Experience the wonders of the Arctic wilderness.
Churchill and area tour will cover some of the history and heritage of Treaty 5 territory. It has an incredibly rich cultural background, in which the Indigenous populations of Inuit, Dene, Denesuline, Cree, Oji-cree, Ojibway, and Métis people share their art, craftsmanship, music, and sacred traditions of the North.
Our seven-day tour includes bus transportation and driver to and from Thompson. Train ride from Thompson to Churchill and return. Hotel accommodations in Thompson, Churchill, and The Pas. Breakfast each morning. Guides and transportation to booked sights in and around Churchill.
ITINERARY
Meals as indicated: B Breakfast, L Lunch, D Dinner, S Social/Snacks.
Day 1 PRINCE ALBERT – THOMPSON MB. Join us anywhere along the route today. Start in PRINCE ALBERT – Best Western Marquis Inn, NIPAWIN – Esso, THE PAS – lunch stop to be determined, pit stop along the highway and final stop in THOMPSON - Best Western for overnight.
Day 2 DRIVEBY THOMPSON SIGHTS, BOARD TRAIN BOUND FOR CHURCHILL B. Take a drive around Thompson to various sights like: UNIVERSITY COLLEGE OF THE NORTH that offers nearly 50-degree, diploma and certificate programs. BOREAL DISCOVERY CENTER is an educational hub for residents. MILLENNIUM TRAIL, a 15km moderate to easy walking trail around Thompson to the water. MINER BY THE ROAD MONUMENT, honors the miners who keep the city's nickel mines running. PHOTO OP at Highland Tower WOLF MURAL one of the "Top 20 Places to Visit in Manitoba". HERITAGE NORTH MUSEUM that also houses a Visitor information booth. Bus will return to Prince Albert. You will spend the rest of the day on own in mall or shopping. Go to Thompson TRAIN STATION. The stories of the train ride being outrun by a small butterfly may be true but there’s something special about training through the Boreal Forest between Thompson and Churchill in the swaying carriages. You can move around on the train to the clear topped dome carriage for more sights and possibly catching a view of the northern lights.
Day 3 ARRIVE IN CHURCHILL MB TRAIN STATION B. You may be pulling into Churchill anywhere from 7:00am – 9:00am. They have been working hard on the tracks and 2024 has seen more and more early arrivals. Once you get unloaded at the train station, grab your luggage and wheel it over to the SEAPORT HOTEL just steps away from the station. You will be welcomed with a buffet breakfast. You can get settled into your hotel room. The rest of the day is yours. Wander over and tour the ITSANITAQ MUSEUM. In 1944 Roman Catholic missionaries recognized the value of preserving "carvings" representative of the culture of the people of the North. It has a collection of carvings and artifacts amongst the finest and oldest in the world dated 1700 BC.
Day 4 CHURCHILL – SEA NORTH TOURS B. BELUGA WHALE & HISTORIC FORT PRINCE OF WALES TOUR. Churchill is blessed with many beluga whales that travel down from the Arctic Ocean to the Churchill River. 60,000 inhabit the Western Hudson Bay region and about 3000 are found in Churchill. So, with luck you will see Belugas surround you and interact with them, special safety features ensure that even the most curious belugas will remain unharmed. The tour will dock at the Fort for you to explore PRINCE OF WALES FORT’S wind-swept ruins, be struck with awe by Cape Merry's stunning panoramic view. The structure has been standing for 250 years at the mouth of the Churchill River. Once you return to the hotel the rest of the day is yours.
Day 5 DISCOVER CHURCHILL BUS TOUR, BOARD TRAIN BOUND FOR THOMPSON B. You will be split into 2 groups. First group will go 8 – noon and the other group will go 1 till 5. While on your tour you will see Cape Merry National Historic Sight, Miss Piggy, Polar Bear holding facility, Rocket Rage, Golf Balls, Wildlife management and Sea Wall Murals. There is a good chance you’ll spot Red Foxes, Arctic Hares, Ptarmigans, Bald Eagles and a variety of other birds. You may even spot Moose, Caribou, Snowy Owls, Wolves and Wolverines.
When you are not on the tour, the free time is yours. You will be allowed to laze around the hotel for the day OR you can go out on your own. While you are waiting on the Train, visit the Parks Canada “Cornerstone Attraction” in the historic train station. It houses exhibits about the human and natural history of the area. Audio-visual presentations are also available on the wildlife and history of the Churchill area. The centre displays a collection of Hudson’s Bay Company muskets and trade goods, including replicas from the 1700s and 1800s.
FREE TIME – explore on your own, visit a gift shop or two, get on a Tundra buggy tour out to the polar bears, talk to a guide or resident birder to try to catch some sightings of rare species that nest or pass through Churchill like falcons, tundra swans or harlequin ducks. Grab a friend, go for a walk then relax and snap a selfie on one of their red chairs. St. Paul’s Anglican Church, the first prefabricated building in North America and is the oldest church in the North still in use. It originated as a kit of prefab components made in England, was assembled on the west bank of the Churchill River, then was moved in winter by sledge to the other side of the river followed by a final relocation to another street. St. Paul’s also has ties to the exploration era – Lady Franklin donated a stained-glass window in memory of her husband Sir John Franklin, the famous Arctic explorer. It can still be seen today.
Day 6 ARRIVE IN THOMPSON B. You will be pulling into Thompson around 11:30am. Your bus and driver will meet you at the train station. You will have lunch on own in Thompson and head to The Pas for the night. The hotel has a pool, hot tub, and exercise room. Experience delicious, home-style cuisine in the welcoming atmosphere of their onsite restaurant.
Day 7 The PAS to PRINCE ALBERT B. Today is a short drive to Prince Albert. Make a few stops along the route before biding farewell to your fellow passengers.
ITINERARY SUBJECT TO CHANGE WITHOUT NOTICE.
Remember there is limited space for this tour.
For the train ride we suggest you:
Bring a thermos and a water bottle. Bring your own instant coffee and tea bags then you just need hot water. Be sure to bring many things to do (puzzle books, movies, books, music, knitting, crocheting) if you can not sleep on the train or get delayed for some reason. Noise cancelling headphones or earplugs if you would like. Motion sickness medication, the train is slow, but the swaying back and forth may upset your stomach. Bring a face mask if light is a problem. While the carriage lights are dimmed during the night, they are never turned off, meaning there is light in the carriage when you’re trying to sleep. Bring a pillow and a blanket. While traveling on the train be sure to wear comfy clothes.
Enjoy the train ride. If there’s a delay, it is what it is. There’s nothing you can do about it but explore the natural wilderness with your eyes. It’s a great way to appreciate surroundings that you may otherwise overlook.
For more information or to book:
Call: 306.763.7415 or 800.665.0171 ask for Dana
Email: info@lobsticktravel.com
Call for appointment to visit our office: #2 - 17th Street East Prince Albert SK S6V 1G5
PRICES:
DEPOSIT: $200.00 PER PERSON TO SECURE SEAT NON-REFUNDABLE.
BALANCE DUE: May 15, 2025.
PAY BY CASH, CHEQUE, CREDIT CARD or E-TRANSFER.
$2,488.00 double $1,664.00 triple
$4,976.00 single $1,252.00 quad
ALL COSTS, TIPS, TAXES, FEES plus TRAINFARE INCLUDED IN THESE PRICES.
KNOW BEFORE YOU GO:
PASSPORTS: Are not required for this tour.
INSURANCE: All passengers MUST HAVE adequate medical insurance for this tour.
MANULIFE WORLD INSURANCE: Lobstick Travel & Tours offer the personalized coverage you need, to be financially protected against the cost of unexpected emergencies that happen prior to or during your trip.
For your travel insurance rates call Dana at Lobstick Travel 1.800.665.0171. Passengers have the option to obtain insurance at their discretion.
CANCELLATION:
If you must cancel for any reason, CONTACT Dana at Lobstick Travel 1.800.665.0171 IMMEDIATELY.
CANCELLATION POLICY:
applies the day you notify us.
60 days or more prior to departure – loss of deposit.
59 – 31 days prior to departure – lose 50% total cost.
30 days or less prior to departure – lose 100% total cost.
