Canadian Train Vacations (Fresh Tracks Canada) · Tailor-made rail vacation

Canadian Train and Polar Bear Experience

10-day VIA Rail journey to Churchill for guided polar bear viewing

Canadian Train and Polar Bear Experience, a rail journey with Canadian Train Vacations (Fresh Tracks Canada)

Canadian Train Vacations, part of Fresh Tracks Canada, runs this 10-day, 9-night trip that combines rail travel with a guided polar bear expedition. It begins with two nights in a private VIA Rail sleeper cabin, travelling from Vancouver through the Canadian Rockies, past Mount Robson, and across the Prairie provinces to Winnipeg. After a free day in Winnipeg, a flight takes you north to Churchill, on Hudson Bay, where the polar bear portion of the trip is fully guided: Tundra Buggy outings capped at 22 people search for bears on the tundra, and a dogsledding tour adds a second northern activity. The trip then returns to Winnipeg for departure. This suits travellers who want wildlife photography opportunities and a guided Arctic wildlife experience bookended by a classic Canadian rail journey, rather than a rail-only trip. Personalized planning support from Fresh Tracks Canada runs throughout.

What to know before you look closer

  • The evidence names the hotels used in Churchill (Tundra Inn) and Winnipeg (Inn at the Forks) but does not give their star ratings.
  • Winter clothing rental is available at extra cost, subject to availability, and is not automatically part of the base price.
  • Reaching Churchill requires a flight between Winnipeg and Churchill; this is not an all-rail itinerary despite starting with two nights on VIA Rail.

Day by day

  1. Day 1overnight: Vancouver

    Arrive in Vancouver

    Welcome to Vancouver, one of the world's most beautiful cities, surrounded by towering mountains and the sparkling ocean.

  2. Day 2railovernight: Onboard train

    VIA Rail - Depart Vancouver

    After a morning in Vancouver, board The Canadian train and begin your journey to Winnipeg. Settle into your private cabin and watch the ever-changing scenery as you travel through beautiful British Columbia. See farmer's fields, winding river canyons, and pristine forests.

  3. Day 3railovernight: Onboard train

    VIA Rail - Canadian Rockies

    As you head northeast through the mountains of British Columbia and Alberta, keep your eyes peeled for bears and elk! See Mount Robson, the highest peak in the Canadian Rockies, then pass by the small town of Jasper. In the evening, the train winds towards Edmonton, Alberta's capital city.

  4. Day 4railovernight: Winnipeg

    VIA Rail - Arrive in Winnipeg

    Make your way across the undulating plains of the Prairie provinces before arriving in Winnipeg, Manitoba's bustling capital city.

  5. Day 5overnight: Winnipeg

    Day in Winnipeg, then polar bear adventure begins

    Today is yours to explore Winnipeg and its iconic attractions before checking in for your polar bear adventure.

  6. Day 6overnight: Churchill

    Fly north into polar bear territory

    The excitement begins as you travel from Winnipeg to the remote town of Churchill. Situated on the Hudson Bay, Churchill is one of the best places in the world to view polar bears in the wild.

  7. Day 7overnight: Churchill

    View polar bears up close

    The moment has finally come, after a hotel pick-up, board a Tundra Buggy and start your search for polar bears.

  8. Day 8overnight: Churchill

    Dogsledding in Churchill

    Go on a thrilling dogsledding tour and experience this uniquely northern way of getting around.

  9. Day 9overnight: Winnipeg

    Another tundra buggy adventure

    Head out for another day on the Tundra searching for polar bears.

  10. Day 10

    Depart from Winnipeg

    Too soon, you bid farewell to the Canadian North as you depart from Winnipeg.

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 2The Canadian departs Vancouver, with a private cabin looking out over British Columbia's farms, river canyons, and forests.
  • Day 3The train crosses the mountains of British Columbia and Alberta overnight, passing Mount Robson, the highest peak in the Canadian Rockies.
  • Day 6A flight north from Winnipeg reaches Churchill, on Hudson Bay, one of the best places in the world to see polar bears in the wild.
  • Day 7A Tundra Buggy takes you out onto the tundra to search for polar bears.
  • Day 8A dogsledding tour offers a hands-on, uniquely northern way of getting around.

Included

  • Hotel accommodation
  • Sleeper train experience
  • Meals onboard the train
  • All meals whilst on your polar bear tour
  • Polar Bear viewing from a specialized Tundra Buggy
  • Unique guided activities such as dogsledding, cultural tours and more
  • Train station transfers
  • Flights between Winnipeg and Churchill
  • Electronic travel documentation package
  • Personalized Fresh Tracks Canada customer service support

Questions travellers ask

Is the train travel included?
Yes, two nights in a private VIA Rail Sleeper Plus cabin from Vancouver to Winnipeg are included, with meals onboard.
Is it escorted or independent?
The polar bear viewing and wildlife activities in Churchill are fully guided; the itinerary is otherwise personalized by Fresh Tracks Canada rather than following a fixed group schedule.
Which train do I take?
VIA Rail's The Canadian, in Sleeper Plus class, from Vancouver to Winnipeg.
How do I get from Winnipeg to Churchill?
By flight; flights between Winnipeg and Churchill are included in the trip.
What's included on the polar bear portion?
Tundra Buggy viewing, capped at 22 people per buggy, all meals during the polar bear tour, and guided activities such as dogsledding.
What's not automatically included?
Winter clothing rental is available at extra cost, subject to availability, and is not part of the base price.

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