I was born in Tokyo, Japan, and flew to the US for the first time when I was six months old. By the time I reached 21, I had seen more of the world than many people do in a lifetime.
After TG and I tied the knot, we continued to travel and have experienced a lifetime of adventures together.
Before COVID-19 shut the world down in 2020, we had planned several bucket list destinations. After countries opened again, we took one international trip, an experience we were not eager to repeat any time soon. In the meantime, we discovered the joys of road trips with our two pups, and as of this writing, we have traveled with Oscar and Maddie to 29 states and four Canadian provinces.
But one dream remained close to my heart: to see polar bears in the wild. The thought of being in the presence of these majestic creatures filled me with an overwhelming sense of awe. The journey to reach them is not easy, as they are not accessible by car, and the cost of airfare and the remote location make it a significant investment. Since TG did not share my passion, we decided I would take this trip solo while he stayed home with the pups.
The most practical place to see polar bears is in Churchill, Manitoba. Peak bear season is from mid-October to early November when the bears tend to be most active, gathering on the shores of Hudson Bay and waiting for the ice to freeze before setting out to hunt seals. So, it’s a short season with limited options for accommodations and tour companies.
After thorough research, we settled on the Churchill Northern Studies Centre. Their six-day/five-night “learning vacations” cover everything: accommodations, meals, and the opportunity to see polar bears up close. In addition to bear sightings and other wildlife encounters, they include a helicopter tour of Hudson Bay and an afternoon of dog sledding.
The prospect of learning from experts each evening, which appealed to the “science geek” in me, was a bonus. And the group setting—sleeping dormitory-style with shared meals—was perfect for a solo traveler like me.
You can find more information about this trip, as well as their other learning vacations here:
Learning Vacations – Churchill Northern Studies Centre (churchillscience.ca)
The facility is located inside the Churchill Wildlife Management Area, 14 miles from town. Curious polar bears and other wildlife will sometimes approach the building,
And there was a chance I might even see the Northern Lights during my stay.
We booked the Oct 31-Nov 5, 2024 “Lords of the Arctic” dates and roundtrip airfare from Atlanta to Churchill, with an overnight in Winnipeg at the front and back of the trip. All I had left to do was pack my suitcase!
So, zip up your warmest jacket, grab your sense of adventure, and join me on a thrilling journey into the Arctic wilderness, where polar bears reign as lords!
Coming Next: My Lords of the Arctic learning vacation
On The Road with Tall Guy & JET 