Fresh Tracks Canada · Independent rail and wildlife safari vacation

Lords of the Wilderness Bear Viewing

Independent Canada trip pairing grizzly bear viewing with Churchill polar bears

Lords of the Wilderness Bear Viewing, a rail journey with Fresh Tracks Canada

Fresh Tracks Canada arranges this 15-day, 14-night wildlife safari across Canada, independent travel personalized by local Canadian Insiders rather than a fixed tour group. From Vancouver, the trip flies to Campbell River, then takes a float plane to Knight Inlet Lodge in the Great Bear Rainforest, where guided activities focus on grizzly bears gathering along the rivers to feed on migrating salmon, sometimes up to 40 bears within 6 miles. Back in Vancouver, VIA Rail's The Canadian carries travelers east for two nights in a private sleeper cabin, passing Mount Robson on the way toward Jasper. After time in Winnipeg, a flight north reaches Churchill on the Hudson Bay, where three days include Tundra Buggy searches for polar bears and a dogsledding tour. Grizzly viewing requires a moderate level of fitness on uneven ground, while the polar bear viewing suits less active guests. This suits travelers who want both of Canada's great bear-watching experiences on one independent, guided-activity trip.

What to know before you look closer

  • The evidence does not give a star rating for the Tundra Inn, the Lakeview Signature Hotel, or Knight Inlet Lodge.
  • Winter clothing for the polar bear viewing days is a separate optional rental, not included in the base price.
  • Only the Vancouver to Winnipeg leg is by VIA Rail sleeper train; the flights to Campbell River, the float plane to Knight Inlet Lodge, and the Winnipeg to Churchill leg are all by air, not rail.

Day by day

  1. Day 1overnight: Vancouver

    Arrive in Vancouver

    Welcome to our hometown, a famously lovely west coast city surrounded by mountains and the ocean.

  2. Day 2overnight: Campbell River

    Fly to Campbell River

    Fly from Vancouver to Campbell River, a busy oceanside community on the east coast of Vancouver Island.

  3. Day 3overnight: Knight Inlet Lodge

    Float plane to the Great Bear Rainforest

    A thrilling, 30-minute float plane flight takes you to Glendale Cove and Knight Inlet Lodge. After a welcome orientation at the lodge, head out for your first guided activity. At this time of year, the normally solitary grizzly bears congregate along rivers to feed on migrating salmon. Watch the bears from a specially designed viewing platform. It is not uncommon for there to be up to 40 bears within 6 miles of the lodge.

  4. Day 4overnight: Knight Inlet Lodge

    View grizzly bears

    Enjoy a hearty breakfast before heading out for another day of guided adventures. Activity options include kayaking, hiking, or a scenic boat tour of Knight Inlet, in addition to more guided grizzly bear viewing.

  5. Day 5overnight: Vancouver

    Knight Inlet Lodge to Vancouver

    Get up early to soak in the fresh wilderness air, perhaps spotting a grazing deer as you sip your coffee. Today, you fly back to Campbell River and Vancouver.

  6. Day 6overnight: Vancouver

    Explore Vancouver

    Explore Vancouver, a coastal city on the mainland of British Columbia. Options: Victoria and Butchart Gardens Tour, Whistler Day Tour, Vancouver and the North Shore Tour.

  7. Day 7railovernight: Onboard The Canadian train

    VIA Rail - Depart Vancouver

    Board The Canadian train in Vancouver and begin your journey east. Travel through the varied landscape of British Columbia's Fraser Valley. See lush farmland and berry fields, winding river canyons, and pristine forests.

  8. Day 8railovernight: Onboard The Canadian 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.

  9. Day 9railovernight: Winnipeg

    VIA Rail - Arrive in Winnipeg

    Make your way across the undulating plains of the Prairie provinces, Saskatchewan and Manitoba. Arrive in Winnipeg, Manitoba's bustling capital city, late this evening.

  10. Day 10overnight: Winnipeg

    Explore Winnipeg

    Explore Winnipeg at your leisure before checking in for your polar bear adventure.

  11. Day 11overnight: 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.

  12. Day 12overnight: Churchill

    View polar bears up close

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

  13. Day 13overnight: Churchill

    Dogsledding in Churchill

    Go dogsledding today. Enjoy this uniquely northern way of getting around.

  14. Day 14overnight: Winnipeg

    Another Tundra Buggy adventure

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

  15. Day 15

    Depart with fond memories

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

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 3A 30-minute float plane flight to Glendale Cove and Knight Inlet Lodge, where grizzly bears gather along the rivers to feed on migrating salmon, sometimes up to 40 bears within 6 miles.
  • Day 4A second day of guided grizzly bear viewing, with options to add kayaking, hiking, or a scenic boat tour of Knight Inlet.
  • Day 8The Canadian train passes Mount Robson, the highest peak in the Canadian Rockies, as it heads toward Jasper.
  • Day 12Board a Tundra Buggy near Churchill for a close-up search for polar bears on the Hudson Bay.
  • Day 13A dogsledding tour in Churchill.

Included

  • Hotel accommodation
  • Meals onboard the train
  • Unique guided activities such as dogsledding, cultural tours and more
  • Transportation to and from airports, timed with your flights
  • Electronic travel documentation package
  • Personalized Fresh Tracks Canada customer service support

Also sold by

The same itinerary is listed by more than one company. Prices and inclusions can differ; compare before booking.

Questions travellers ask

Is train travel included?
Yes, a two-night VIA Rail Canadian sleeper journey from Vancouver to Winnipeg; the rest of the trip, to Campbell River, Knight Inlet Lodge, and Churchill, is reached by plane or float plane.
Is it guided or independent?
It is independent travel personalized by local Canadian Insiders, with no fixed tour group, though guided activities such as grizzly bear viewing, Tundra Buggy polar bear viewing, and dogsledding are included at each stop.
Which train is used?
VIA Rail's The Canadian, in Sleeper Plus Class, from Vancouver to Winnipeg.
What hotels are used?
The Tundra Inn in Churchill, the Lakeview Signature Hotel in Winnipeg, and Knight Inlet Lodge in the Great Bear Rainforest at Glendale Cove.
How much walking or activity is involved?
A moderate level of fitness is needed for grizzly bear viewing at Knight Inlet Lodge, with about 200 metres of walking on uneven, sometimes muddy or rocky, ground; most polar bear viewing is done from a Tundra Buggy, suitable for less active guests, with 12 steps to board it.
What is not included?
Winter clothing rental is a separate cost; the evidence does not list other exclusions.

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