Thursday, March 5, 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.

For most visitors, the main reason to come to Churchill is to see polar bears. In the fall, these bears converge on the peninsula on which the town is located. They wait here for Hudson Bay's waters to freeze over, which will create their favorite hunting ground. Tour agents offer bear-sighting trips in special vehicles for traversing the ice during this time.

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.

Churchill's tour operators offer a variety of themed outings. In many cases you can go online and book in advance, which is essential if you're planning on visiting during the high season. Before you book, compare the different operators and read reviews about them. This way you can choose one that is not only environmentally responsible but will also make your safety a priority.




About the Author:



No comments:

Post a Comment