October Program
Day 1: Winnipeg, Manitoba
Arrive in Winnipeg and transfer to the Fort Garry Hotel. One of Canada's classic luxury railway hotels, the Fort Garry was built in 1913 by the Grand Trunk Pacific Railway and is designated a National Historic Site of Canada. A symbol of Winnipeg's importance as a transportation hub, this hospitality icon is located just one block from Union Station and is one of the city's most recognizable landmarks.
Dinner is on your own this evening to discover one of the city's many fine restaurants. With more dining establishments per capita than any other Canadian city, the choices are wide-ranging, and many feature distinctly Manitoban fare, from bison steaks to pickerel (elsewhere known as walleye) and wild berries. Plenty of appealing options are within walking distance in the Exchange District, a well-preserved enclave of turn-of-the-20th-century buildings that has become Winnipeg's center for dining,art and nightlife. Or choose to dine in the Fort Garry's own Oval Room Brasserie, where full dinners and small plates are served nightly.
Day 2: Exploring Historic Winnipeg
Located where the Red and Assiniboine rivers meet, Winnipeg has a rich and colorful history. Its name comes from the Cree word for “muddy water,” referencing nearby Lake Winnipeg. The region was a trading center for aboriginal peoples long before the arrival of Europeans who established a presence here in 1738 with the building of Fort Rouge by French traders. In the early 1800s, Lord Selkirk, who controlled the Hudson Bay Company and operated much of its trading activities from the area, imported settlers from Scotland to farm the fertile land in the Red River Valley around Winnipeg. The nucleus of the Red River Colony was later incorporated as the City of Winnipeg in 1873, ushering in an influential future as a railway and business hub and “Gateway to the West.” Today, Winnipeg is a thriving multiculturalcity and the cultural and commercial center of Canada’s prairie region.
Our exploration begins with a visit to FortWhyte Alive, a 640-acre nature reserve located just outside the city. Here, we'll have an up-close encounter with North America's largest land mammal, the bison. Aboard the park'smini bus , join an interpreter to explore the bison prairie, learning how this magnificent animal has shaped Manitoba's history. Our tour continues with a gentle walk through wetlands and forest to spot a wide variety of waterfowl, songbirds and birds of prey. Learn the difference between "dabblers" and "divers" from the comfort of a sheltered birding hut. We'll also see endangered burrowing owls, a charming species that has flourished in the park's highly successful breeding program.
This afternoon includes a guided tour of the acclaimed Manitoba Museum. We view exhibits reflecting the natural and human heritage of the province, including a 17th-century sailing ship and the history of Canada's northern Indigenous cultures. Following our full day in and around Winnipeg, return to the Fort Garry Hotel with time to get ready for this evening's welcome dinner—your first chance to meet your Expedition Leader and fellow travelers on your polar bear adventure.
Arrive in Winnipeg and transfer to the Fort Garry Hotel. One of Canada's classic luxury railway hotels, the Fort Garry was built in 1913 by the Grand Trunk Pacific Railway and is designated a National Historic Site of Canada. A symbol of Winnipeg's importance as a transportation hub, this hospitality icon is located just one block from Union Station and is one of the city's most recognizable landmarks.
Dinner is on your own this evening to discover one of the city's many fine restaurants. With more dining establishments per capita than any other Canadian city, the choices are wide-ranging, and many feature distinctly Manitoban fare, from bison steaks to pickerel (elsewhere known as walleye) and wild berries. Plenty of appealing options are within walking distance in the Exchange District, a well-preserved enclave of turn-of-the-20th-century buildings that has become Winnipeg's center for dining,
Day 2: Exploring Historic Winnipeg
Located where the Red and Assiniboine rivers meet, Winnipeg has a rich and colorful history. Its name comes from the Cree word for “muddy water,” referencing nearby Lake Winnipeg. The region was a trading center for aboriginal peoples long before the arrival of Europeans who established a presence here in 1738 with the building of Fort Rouge by French traders. In the early 1800s, Lord Selkirk, who controlled the Hudson Bay Company and operated much of its trading activities from the area, imported settlers from Scotland to farm the fertile land in the Red River Valley around Winnipeg. The nucleus of the Red River Colony was later incorporated as the City of Winnipeg in 1873, ushering in an influential future as a railway and business hub and “Gateway to the West.” Today, Winnipeg is a thriving multicultural
Our exploration begins with a visit to FortWhyte Alive, a 640-acre nature reserve located just outside the city. Here, we'll have an up-close encounter with North America's largest land mammal, the bison. Aboard the park's
This afternoon includes a guided tour of the acclaimed Manitoba Museum. We view exhibits reflecting the natural and human heritage of the province, including a 17th-century sailing ship and the history of Canada's northern Indigenous cultures. Following our full day in and around Winnipeg, return to the Fort Garry Hotel with time to get ready for this evening's welcome dinner—your first chance to meet your Expedition Leader and fellow travelers on your polar bear adventure.
Physical Rating: Easy
Repeater Layout :
vertical
