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About
Polar Bear Alley Expeditions
Real
Ecotourism in Canada's Sub-Arctic
 Polar
Bear Alley Expeditions, itself, was an accident. I had just settled
into life as a heritage interpreter with Parks Canada and buggy
driver with Tundra Buggy Tours when a conversation happened.
A
group from the Explorers Club of New York walked into Parks Canada
one day, actually they tracked me down to pay for a subscription
to the Hudson Bay Post (long story). We talked about Churchill
and the arctic and why people come here and, a year later, that
conversation turned into a ten-day tour of Churchill.
What
are you going to do for ten days in Churchill? I have heard that
a lot, mostly from people who have not spent much time up here.
Ten days in town, might be tough. It is fun at the start but there
are only so many streets to walk up and down and the Royal Canadian
Legion's 'meat draw' only comes around once a week.
 Ten
days on the land is a different story. Churchill is a wonderful
and random mish-mash of nature and culture. Three distinct ecosystems
run headlong into each other along this coastline. In only a few
miles, you can travel from the withered edge of Canada's boreal
forest, across the tundra to the waters of Hudson Bay, rugged
and defiant.
Each
group is different but the premise remains the same. Explore Churchill,
participate in northern research, seek out cultural identity,
hike in polar bear country, enjoy our beluga whales, settle in
for some local tall tales. Basically, walk, talk, learn and enjoy.
Each
tour is designed with all aspects of true ecotourism in mind,
from ecologically friendly products, respect for nature and a
focus on local involvement. At home, we have used recycled materials
to renovate our cabin; we recycle, vermicompost, grow our own
vegetables, we even have a composting toilet. Recently, we have
even become distributors for recycled and eco-friendly products
in the Churchill area. This respect for the environment and for
Churchill is easily translated into all of our tours.
 Polar
Bear Alley Expeditions focuses on small groups, eight to sixteen
people. Each group works with two guides, both capable of handling
people and handling shotguns (an important skill in bear country).
We are skilled in interpreting local history, plants, wildlife
and even scrap metal! We live in this community and care about
it.
Tours
run June 15 through October 15th - the start of tundra vehicle
season. Four day tours in Churchill start at
$2299 CDN, seven-day adventures
in Churchill at $2699 CDN and ten-day
expeditions start at $3299 CDN. All
tours include round-trip transportation from Winnipeg to Churchill,
Manitoba, all tours and transportation in the Churchill area plus
meals and accommodations while in Churchill. Winter tours available
upon request.
Polar
Bear Alley Expeditions works closely with Northern
Soul Wilderness Adventures based in Winnipeg. Owned
by Dave Pancoe, Northern Soul focuses on canoeing adventures in
Manitoba's wildlands.
Contact
Polar Bear Alley Expeditions for more details..
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