Wild Planet
Beluga whales and more
walking & whale watching
at Hudson Bay
Upcoming Learning Vacations
Six days I 16 spots
2024
DATES COMING SOON
Also consider: Belugas in the bay
Six days I 20 spots
More focus on belugas and fewer hikes.
Witness the thrilling sights (and sounds) as the largest population of belugas in the world makes the Churchill area their summer home — all while hitting your daily steps goal.
Thousands of whales migrate to the Churchill River estuary every year, and with multiple awe-inspiring opportunities to watch them, you’ll have a hard time keeping track of how many you’ve spotted.
On top of whale watching, you’ll be busy with loads of active, authentic experiences with a focus on the natural world, as you hike the coast of western Hudson Bay. Daily walks will lead you through our rugged landscape, and you’ll explore a variety of habitats, including tundra, boreal forest, intertidal zone, fen, beach dune, and coastal pond. Â
Your expert instructor will offer insights and observations during each outing, and he’ll be presenting engaging every night, providing you with an even deeper understanding and appreciation of belugas and subarctic ecology.
This is our most active program, offering the full magic of a Churchill summer.
Sample Itinerary
Orientation
Get settled into your room then meet your wonderful instructor, and review your learning vacation schedule.Â
Green Building Tour
Take a compelling journey through the history of the Churchill Northern Studies Centre and its environmentally friendly 27,000 sq. ft. LEED-certified research station.
Cape Merry Tour
A beautiful walk along a boardwalk takes you to a lone cannon and a crumbling wall, evidence of the area’s enthralling history.
Twin Lakes Hike
Explore the boreal forest and keep an eye (and an ear) out for local birds.
Kayak Adventure
Spend the afternoon in the Churchill River estuary with only a kayak separating you from the curious whales.
Sloop Cove Hike
After a quick river crossing by zodiac, we will arrive at the historic Sloop Cove, overwintering site of explorers. From here we’ll trace the footsteps of first peoples and Early European fur traders, walking along the shore to the Prince of Wales Fort.
Tidal Flats Walk
Head to Bird Cove for an interpretive low tide walk and the chance to see local birds.
Churchill and Area Tour
Visit the Itsanitaq Museum, where we will listen to an interpretive tour and explore various Inuit carving and artefacts. At the Parks Canada Visitor Centre we will have an interpretive tour and further discussion about Churchill’s history.
Estuary Tour
Marvel at the pods of up to 3,500 belugas from a zodiac boat at the mouth of the Churchill River.
Ramsay Trail Hike
Soak in the subarctic on a guided walk through the tundra forest.
Current Research presentation
Hear all about the critical research being done at the CNSC and the impacts it will have.
Farewell
We’ll transport you back to the train station or airport and make sure you’re set up with our photo sharing app so you can keep in touch with your new contacts.
Meet Your Instructor
PIERRE RICHARD
Why choose a Learning Vacation?
Notable experts
Your group's guide will be with you for the duration of your visit, providing insight and information every step of the way. Plus, your guide will provide engaging, in-depth lectures every evening, allowing you to develop a genuine connection to the subject.
Northern Appreciation
Each Learning Vacation features a mix of scientific, cultural, and true-to-Churchill activities, ensuring that your visit is fun, educational, and authentic. You will hear unique perspectives from members of the Churchill community as they share their skills and knowledge with you.
Convenience & Affordability
At the Centre, we provide all essential services, including high quality meals, housekeeping, gear rentals, and transportation within the town. Plus, our communal accommodations help keep costs competitive. Once you book your Learning Vacation, the only other thing to do is arrange your travel to Churchill — and we can help.
Exclusive location
The Centre is located inside the Churchill Wildlife Management Area, about 23 kilometres outside of town. From the safety of our outdoor viewing platform, you'll get some truly wild views of local species, like migratory birds and a variety of terrestrial mammals. And before bed, don't forget to keep your eyes on the sky from the warmth of our indoor Aurora dome.
contribution to research
Your participation will also have a major impact on subarctic research, since you'll be helping to provide scientists with an affordable, accessible location to continue their valuable work. As an independent, registered non-profit research station, the CNSC invests all revenue into its mission to understand and sustain the north.
at the Centre
Your Learning Vacation includes accommodations, on-site meals, tours, activities, lectures, and travel within Churchill.
Guest rooms accommodate four people in bunk beds, with individual closet space, a small writing desk, bedside shelves, and individual reading lamps. We provide all linens, including bed sheets, comforters, and towels. Separate female and male washrooms have toilets, sinks, and private showers.
The building is equipped with top-of-the-line wireless internet. Local calls can be made from the Weston Family Welcome Lounge. Please note that cellular coverage is unreliable at the CNSC.
Your financial contribution has a major impact. Not only does it cover the costs of running the Learning Vacation, but it also allows us to provide researchers an affordable, accessible location to continue their valuable work.
Frequently Asked Questions
About wild planet
Fees for Wild Planet are $2,889 CDN in 2022 and $3,039 CDN in 2023. This covers accommodations, on-site meals, tours, activities, and lectures, and travel within Churchill.
A non-refundable deposit is due upon booking.
For monthly payment options, please contact our finance department.
Your financial contribution has a major impact. Not only does it cover the costs of running the Learning Vacation, but it also allows us to provide researchers an affordable, accessible location ( board, lab space, equipment, access to the north) to continue their valuable work.
Plus, each guest will receive CNSC membership for one year, ensuring you can stay up-to-date on all our activities.Â
At time of booking, a 20% of the total trip fee is due immediately. This deposit is non-refundable, except in cases of trip cancellation due to low registration numbers (see Refund Policy).
Payments for Learning Vacation bookings are due 60 days before the start of the trip. Bookings made within 60 days of the Learning Vacation will need to be paid in full.
Click here to see the full Learning Vacation Payment and Cancellation policy.
In the event that you need to cancel or reschedule your trip for personal reasons, your deposit will not be refunded. If you cancel 120 days or more before the Learning Vacation, you will receive your full payment, less the deposit.
If you cancel 119 to 60 days before the start of the Learning Vacation, you will receive 50 per cent of your payment.
Payments for trips cancelled 59 days or less before the scheduled start date will not be refunded.
Click here to see the full Learning Vacation Payment and Cancellation policy.
About a week after you leave, we will send you a survey so you can provide feedback on your experience.
Since your Learning Vacation fees also includes a one-year membership to the Churchill Northern Studies Centre, you will receive a copy of The Birdfish magazine to help keep you updated on all our activities.
Of course, you are always welcome to book another Learning Vacation, or experience the CNSC a different way by applying for a Volunteer Expedition.
Churchill is accessible only by train and airplane. ViaRail and Calm Air offer regular return service from Winnipeg to Churchill. We are happy to help you figure out schedules if you need it.
Once you arrive in town, we will pick you up and get you settled in at the Centre.
You will be assigned a room within the CNSC for the duration of your stay.
Guest rooms accommodate up to four people in bunk beds, with individual closet space, a small writing desk, bedside shelves, and individual reading lamps. We provide all linens, including bed sheets, comforters, and towels.
Separate female and male washrooms have low flow toilets, sinks, and private showers. Washing machines are available every evening.
The building is equipped with top-of-the-line wireless internet. Local calls can be made from the Weston Family Welcome Lounge. Please note that cellular coverage is unreliable at the CNSC.
The Centre has a small gift shop which carries postcards, stamps, books, CNSC brand clothing, locally made jams and jellies, and other souvenirs.
Yes! Once you book, we will send you a Welcome Package that includes a packing list for each season. And if you need anything while you’re here, we have a selection of gear available to rent.
We can provide meat and vegetarian options. We will do our best to accommodate other needs, provided you give us ample notice of your needs, but we cannot make any guarantees.