Churchill Belugas & Bears Explorer 6D5N, Self Guided

- The departure and finish point is Winnipeg

- Major commercial flights provide convenient access to Winnipeg. The closest major airport is Winnipeg James Armstrong Richardson International Airport and is 8 km from the center of Winnipeg.

Manitoba has a moderately dry climate with sharp seasonal temperature changes. Winter temperatures of about −40 °F (−40 °C) may occasionally occur in any part of the province, and summer days of 100 °F (38 °C) are not unusual in the southern regions. During the month of June and August you are most likely to experience good days with pleasant average temperatures that fall between 20 degrees Celsius (68°F) and 25 degrees Celsius (77°F). The coldest month is January with an average maximum temperature of -11°C (12°F).

Capacity: A Tundra Buggy can hold up to 40-passengers, however our Interpretive and Specialist Guided multi-day packages have a lower maximum capacity to allow for more room

Features: Tundra Buggies are large vehicles that can safely maneuver the rough terrain of the tundra, while still allowing our guests to have amazing wildlife viewing opportunities.

The tires on each Tundra Buggy vehicle are 1.7 meters (5.5 feet) high and 1.1 meters (3.6 feet) wide, and sit on 63.5 centimeter (25 inch) rims. A wide-bodied enclosure sits on top of the wheels and provides even more height, security, comfort and ability for guests to move around to view and photograph wildlife. The average male polar bear is 2.5 to 3 meters (8 to 10 feet) tall when standing on its hind legs. The window opening for viewing on the Tundra Buggy is just over 3 meters (10 feet) above the ground. This means that even the tallest average bear can stand vertically on the side of the Buggy and guests will remain safely out of reach.

Engine: Tundra Buggies have a 235 horse power International DT 466 engine, often found in highway semi-trailers. It is geared through an Allison Transmission and then geared through the differentials and planetaries on the hubs. The Buggies are full-time four-wheel drive and have the capability to lock the differentials if needed.

Wildlife on The Tundra: Although you can see polar bears in the area as early as June, the prime time to see polar bears in their natural habitat is during October and November when the polar bear population around Churchill is at its highest. It is possible to see polar bears in the summer during our Tundra Buggy excursions, but our main focus at this time of year is the landscape, plant life and other northern wildlife, including birds. Every day on the tundra is a little different but our guests most often spot: polar bears, arctic fox, red fox, ptarmigan, snow geese, gyrfalcons, snowy owls and a plethora of other birds and wildlife that call the Churchill Wildlife Management Area home.

Lunch & Refreshments: All guests will enjoy a light meal and refreshments during their Tundra Buggy excursion. The lunch may include homemade soup, sandwiches, and cookies. Canned soda is available on board, as well as water, coffee, hot chocolate, and tea (but don’t forget to bring your own reusable mug and/or water bottle).

Bathroom: there is a single-use bathroom located near the back of the Tundra Buggy

All add-on experiences are season permitting and subject to availability.

Kayaking: Kayak in the Churchill River estuary where beluga whales can seek you out and swim by
 for a closer look. This adventure is great for all levels of paddlers and no experience is necessary; a Zodiac boat with an experienced driver will be nearby at all times.

Stand-Up Paddleboard: Feel the ebb and flow of the Churchill River beneath your feet on a beluga whale experience you will. find nowhere else. Paddle boarding offers the opportunity to get right on the water and can be enjoyed standing or sitting. Let the belugas lead the way as you explore the river estuary on this unique and fun activity.

Onlyluxe Travel acts as travel agency and work with different tour operators.

Payment Detail
All pricing is in Australian dollars and are quoted on a per person twin share basis. A supplementary price is available (see below). Bookings are not confirmed until full payment and the signed Booking Form has been received by Onlyluxe Travel.

A non-refundable 30% deposit is payable within 7 days of your booking, with the final balance due 60 days prior to departure. If a booking is made 60 days or less before departure, the full payment is payable immediately. Last minute bookings are payable before arrival. Failure to pay on time may result in automatic cancellation of a booking with cancellation penalties payable to Onlyluxe Travel. If you pay by credit card or PayPal a surcharge will be added to the total price.

Single Supplement
All accommodation is twin share. Single guests will share with someone of the same gender. If a single room is demanded, a supplementary price of will apply. The supplementary price refers to our quotation and needs to be stipulated at the time of booking.

General Cancellation Policies
- Outside of 60 days monies will be refunded less 30% of full fee
- Within 60 days prior to arrival all monies will be forfeited
- No refunds will be given in the event of non-arrival, any unused services or unused nights due to flight or weather disruption
- We strongly recommend guests protect themselves with travel insurance and medical insurance

Please Note: Cancellations must be advised in email and will take effect from the date they are received.

We strongly recommend guests protect themselves with travel insurance.

Pre-Existing Medical Conditions and Age Limits
You need to advise the tour operator on any pre-existing medical condition, mobility impairment and/or disability that might reasonably be expected to increase the risk of your requiring medical attention, or that might affect the normal conduct of a trip and the enjoyment of other trip members. The tour operator may require an assessment of your medical condition from a qualified medical practitioner. If you fail to adequately notify the tour operator of any pre-existing medical conditions and/or disability, the tour operator reserves the right, at its reasonable discretion, to cancel your participation in a trip at any time, including after the commencement of your trip, with no right of refund if your medical condition, mobility impairment and/or disability could be reasonably expected to affect the normal conduct of the trip and the enjoyment of other trip members.

Liability
The participant agrees to indemnify Onlyluxe Travel, and its servant, tour operator and agents, in relation to any liability, loss and damage which the tour operator, or its servants and/or agents may incur as a result of the participants, negligence or misconduct during the tour.

Smoking is not permitted on the bus, or in tents or in other accommodation being used by tour operator at the time that a trip is being conducted.

Child Policy
Please consult travel consultant on age limit.

Changes to Itineraries
Local conditions may necessitate changes to sightseeing, walking and driving routes, camping and accommodation locations. While every effort will be made to provide the services and experiences as offered in our brochure, on our website, and in our trip letters, we reserve the right to vary your itinerary. In the event that we are forced to change your arrangements, substitute arrangements of a similar standard will be provided. The tour operator will not be liable where interruptions to itineraries are caused by weather conditions, technical problems to transport used by the tour operator, industrial action, political or civil commotion or other circumstances beyond our control. We refer you to the conditions regarding travel insurance.

Changes in Prices
While we will do its utmost to honour its pricing unforeseen circumstances may mean that prices may be subject to change without notice.

Pre-Existing Medical Conditions and Age Limits
You need to advise Onlyluxe travel and the tour operator on any pre-existing medical condition, mobility impairment and/or disability that might reasonably be expected to increase the risk of your requiring medical attention, or that might affect the normal conduct of a trip and the enjoyment of other trip members. Onlyluxe Travel and the tour operator may require an assessment of your medical condition from a qualified medical practitioner. If you fail to adequately notify the tour operator of any pre-existing medical conditions and/or disability, the tour operator reserves the right, at its reasonable discretion, to cancel your participation in a trip at any time, including after the commencement of your trip, with no right of refund if your medical condition, mobility impairment and/or disability could be reasonably expected to affect the normal conduct of the trip and the enjoyment of other trip members.

Cancellation by The Tour Operator
The walks take place in very special wilderness settings. The tour operator is at the mercy of nature in all her beauty and all her fury. The tour operator will under no circumstance knowingly place at risk the health and well-being of our guests and guides. In the case of natural threats, acts of God and the like (e.g. bushfires, impassable snow, etc) the tour operator may need to cancel a walk with very little notice. In some cases, this can occur after the walk has commenced. The tour operator reserves the right to cancel any walk up to 60 days prior to departure if a minimum of 4 walkers are unable to meet for a tour. If the tour operator needs to cancel for any reason, the cost of the walk or any other costs associated with travel to the designated pick up point, overnight accommodation, meals, etc will not be covered by the Onlyluxe Travel and therefore we strongly recommend travel insurance be taken out prior to travel.

Force Majeure
'Force Majeure' means (without restriction) any event which Onlyluxe Travel or its third party providers could not, even with due care, foresee or avoid. Force Majeure covers events such as, but not limited to, adverse weather conditions, fire and all similar events beyond our control. In the case of Force Majeure Onlyluxe Travel will not accept liability, and reserves the right to change and cancel trips.

Evacuations
In rare circumstances, due to injury or unforeseen illness, the tour operator may need to evacuate you from a remote part of the walk. Helicopter evacuations are expensive and in most cases will be at a cost to the customer.

For Australian residents, under the Australian Government Medicare Act, it is prohibited for any domestic travel insurance product to provide any financial reimbursement with regard to ambulance or air ambulance services. We therefore strongly advise our customers to take specific ambulance cover through their health insurance provider. Evacuation cost will not be covered by the Onlyluxe Travel and therefore it is also strongly recommended that our customers take out travel insurance to cover (amongst other things) the costs associated with evacuation.

Travel Insurance
In view of the heavy cancellation penalties applied to cancelled reservations in certain circumstances, we strongly recommends suitable travel insurance be purchased at the time the holding deposit is paid. We recommend insurance cover that covers any loss which may be suffered due to cancellation. We also strongly recommend comprehensive travel insurance against loss of baggage and medical expenses.