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lernidee.de · Escorted tour

Tanzende Polarlichter

Aurora hunt in northern Canada by Canadian and Hudson Bay Express trains

Illustration of Tanzende Polarlichter

Lernidee's Tanzende Polarlichter (Dancing Northern Lights) is a 14-day escorted rail and adventure tour through Canada's winter landscape, departing from Frankfurt in March. You begin in Toronto with a tour of the city and a welcome dinner high in the CN Tower, then journey north on two legendary trains: the Canadian, which carries you through Ontario's snow-blanketed lakes and forests into the prairie, and the Hudson Bay Express, which continues 1,700 kilometres through boreal forest into the Arctic tundra. Your destination is Churchill, a remote town on Hudson Bay, where you spend three nights pursuing aurora borealis from tundra buggies, on husky sleds, on snowshoes, and from Dan's Diner overlooking the frozen river. A Deutschsprachige guide accompanies the entire journey, supported by local Canadian rangers. This tour suits repeat rail travellers seeking legendary North American trains, photographers chasing the northern lights, and couples wanting curated comfort with genuine Arctic adventure. Group size is capped at 14.

What to know before you look closer

  • The package includes three nights in the Tundra Inn, described as simple accommodation; the other six hotel nights are in comfort-class properties (Novotel, Delta by Marriott).
  • Sleeper cabins on the Canadian and Hudson Bay Express are upgradeable at extra cost; the base price includes reclining day-car seating with a separate sleeping berth (Kajüt-Liegewagen).
  • Maximum group size is 14 participants; the tour requires a minimum group size with cancellation possible by the operator until 21 days before departure.

Day by day

  1. Day 1overnight: Toronto

    Flug über den Atlantik

    Flug von Frankfurt nach Toronto, Begrüßung durch die Reiseleitung, Transfer zum Komfort-Hotel (3 Nächte).

  2. Day 2overnight: Toronto

    Metropole am Ontario-See

    Stadtrundfahrt durch Toronto; Spaziergang am Ontario-See; abends Aussichtsterrasse und Welcome Dinner im The 360-Restaurant im CN Tower (351 m Höhe).

  3. Day 3overnight: Toronto

    An den Niagara-Fällen

    Tagesausflug zu den winterlichen Niagara-Fällen; Niagara Parkway nach Niagara-on-the-Lake.

  4. Day 4overnight: Zug

    Im Zug durch ein Wintermärchen

    Zugfahrt mit dem Canadian ab Union Station Toronto durch Ontarios verschneite Seen und Wälder.

  5. Day 5overnight: Winnipeg

    Von Ontario nach Manitoba

    Wechsel von Ontario nach Manitoba, Landschaftswechsel zur weiten Prärie; abends Ankunft in Winnipeg.

  6. Day 6railovernight: Zug

    Auf dem Hudson Bay Express

    Aufbruch mit dem Hudson Bay Express, 1.700 km Fahrt gen Norden durch Manitoba, von Prärie zu borealen Wäldern.

  7. Day 7overnight: Zug

    Fifty Shades of White

    Fahrt durch Winter-Wunderlandschaft, dichte Wälder bis zur Tundra der kanadischen Arktis; Halt in Thompson; Bordvorträge.

  8. Day 8overnight: Churchill

    Aurora Borealis

    Ankunft in Churchill an der Hudson Bay; Stadttour; optional Foto-Workshop; abends Tundra-Buggy-Fahrt zur Thanadelthur-Lounge für Polarlicht-Beobachtung.

  9. Day 9overnight: Churchill

    Mit Huskys durch ein Wintermärchen

    Husky-Schlittenfahrt; Parks Canada-Besucherzentrum; abends erneute Polarlicht-Beobachtung im borealen Wald.

  10. Day 10overnight: Churchill

    An der Hudson Bay

    Tundra-Buggy-Fahrt entlang der Küste, geführte Schneeschuh-Wanderung; Itsanitaq-Museum; abends Dan's Diner am Churchill River unter dem Polarlicht.

  11. Day 11overnight: Winnipeg

    Abschied von der Hauptstadt der Polarlichter

    Polar Bear International House; Rückflug von Churchill nach Winnipeg.

  12. Day 12overnight: Winnipeg

    Winnipeg

    Stadtrundfahrt mit Assiniboine-Park; Viertel The Forks; Abschieds-Abendessen.

  13. Day 13overnight: Flugzeug

    Bye-bye, Canada!

    Zeit für letzte Einkäufe, Transfer zum Flughafen Winnipeg.

  14. Day 14

    Ankunft in Deutschland

    Ankunft in Deutschland.

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 2Welcome dinner on the observation terrace of Toronto's CN Tower at 351 metres, overlooking Lake Ontario.
  • Day 4Departure on the Canadian from Union Station, entering Ontario's snow-covered lakes and forests.
  • Day 6The Hudson Bay Express departs Winnipeg on its 1,700-kilometre journey northward from prairie into boreal forest.
  • Day 8Arrival in Churchill at Hudson Bay; evening tundra buggy ride to Thanadelthur Lounge for first aurora borealis viewing.
  • Day 10Dinner at Dan's Diner on the Churchill River under the dancing northern lights; daytime tundra buggy tour along the frozen coast and guided snowshoe walk.

Included

  • Flüge von Frankfurt nach Toronto und zurück ab Winnipeg in der Economy Class
  • Inlandsflug von Churchill nach Winnipeg in der Economy Class
  • Zugfahrt von Toronto nach Winnipeg und von Winnipeg nach Churchill (3 Übernachtungen im Kajüt-Liegewagen; Schlafwagen gegen Aufpreis möglich)
  • 6 Übernachtungen in Komfort-Hotels
  • 3 Übernachtungen im einfachen Tundra Inn
  • Ausflüge in modernen Reisebussen mit Klimaanlage
  • Exkursion mit dem Tundra Buggy in Churchill
  • Deutschsprachige Reiseleitung während der gesamten Reise
  • Zusätzlich lokale Ranger in den Nationalparks und auf Exkursionen
  • Mahlzeiten laut Reiseverlauf (F = Frühstück, M = Mittagessen, A = Abendessen, Begrüßungs- und Abschiedsessen)
  • Ausflüge und Wanderungen laut Reiseverlauf
  • Eintrittsgelder laut Reiseverlauf
  • Hundeschlittenfahrt an der Hudson Bay

Not included

  • Einreisegebühr Kanada (7 CA-$)
  • Trinkgelder
  • Wunsch-Ausflüge

Questions travellers ask

Is train travel included in the price?
Yes. The package includes the Canadian from Toronto to Winnipeg and the Hudson Bay Express from Winnipeg to Churchill, with sleeping accommodation aboard both trains. Upgrading to a fully enclosed sleeper cabin costs extra.
Is this tour escorted or independent?
Fully escorted. A Deutschsprachige (German-speaking) guide leads the entire tour, supported by local Canadian rangers on activities and in national parks.
What is included in the price?
Flights from Frankfurt to Toronto and return from Winnipeg (Economy); the internal flight from Churchill to Winnipeg; two train journeys with three nights aboard each; six nights in comfort hotels and three nights at the Tundra Inn; all meals listed in the itinerary including a welcome dinner in the CN Tower and an exclusive dinner under the aurora; guided excursions, tundra buggy tours, husky sledding, and entrance fees.
When does the tour run?
March 2027 and March 2028, departing from Frankfurt.
How much walking and physical activity is involved?
The tour includes guided snowshoe walking, husky sledding, tundra buggy excursions, and city walking tours in Toronto and Winnipeg. No high-altitude hiking or strenuous trekking; moderate activity level expected.
What is the main goal of this trip?
To view the aurora borealis (northern lights) over three nights in Churchill, combined with experiencing Canada's landscape and wildlife through train travel, dog sledding, and guided tundra exploration.

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