Monday, March 9, 2015

Have An Unforgettable Experience With Churchill Manitoba Polar Bear Tours

By Leslie Ball


If you love nature, you probably prefer seeing animals in their natural habitat, living the way they are supposed to. You're likely also aware of the challenges many species face and that some of these animals may not be around for much longer. This is why Churchill Manitoba polar bear tours are such a great option for nature lovers. You get to see these magnificent creatures before global warming completely destroys their hunting grounds.

Churchill is a small town in Canada. It is located along Hudson Bay, near the border between the provinces of Manitoba and Nunavut. Winters here are cold and harsh and the community used to make a living from the fur trade. These days, however, it's a prime ecotourism destination.

The main attraction in the town is the polar bears that roam the area. As winter sets in, the bears wait on the peninsula for the water of Hudson Bay to freeze, so that they can go hunting. Tour operators use specially adapted vehicles to drive across the ice so that you can see these magnificent bears up close.

The prime bear-watching season is from October to the first half of November, when the animals are still waiting on the peninsula. Once it's cold enough for the bay to freeze over, the bears will move further away and then it's not as easy to see them. However, they're around throughout the year and when there isn't ice, you can take boat trips or even helicopter flights to see them. If you opt for a helicopter, it's important not to want to get too close to the animals because the noise of the rotor will upset them.

It's essential to remember that even though polar bears look cuddly, they're actually very dangerous animals. Ask the locals for advice on how to avoid being attacked. Don't walk outside of town on your own and never confront a bear. When you're on a tour, stay in the vehicle and avoid feeding the animals.

Apart from the magnificent bears, the town also has other attractions to offer anybody with a love of nature. Its northerly location means that it's a good place to come and see the Northern Lights, which are more visible in winter. In summer, visitors are drawn to the beluga whales that come to the area to calf. It's a bird-watching paradise too, with more than a hundred species coming here to nest.

You cannot drive to Churchill because there's no road that leads to this remote town. Traveling by boat is unfeasible too because of the ice in the bay during the cooler months. However, this doesn't mean it's difficult to get here. There are daily flights from either Thompson or Winnipeg. Another option is to take the train from either city and enjoy the Manitoba scenery along the way.

There are several tour operators in Churchill. Some offer Northern Lights, beluga whale or kayak tours too but most will be able to take you to see the polar bears. It's important to do some background research on the agency to see that it is environmentally responsible and ethical before you book a trip with them. You can find information and reviews online and many tour operators offer online bookings too. During high season it's a good idea to book in advance.




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