AAA Hoosier - AAA Sojourns Vacations

Detailed Description
Itinerary

Package details include:

A faint glow appears on the horizon. Slowly, soft curtains of colorful streamers dance and shimmer across the northern sky. The colors bend and weave and slowly begin to fade. The night sky darkens again. You have just witnessed a display of awe-inspiring Aurora Borealis, also known as the Northern Lights.

Journey to Churchill, Manitoba and experience this spectacular phenomenon first-hand. Churchill is one of the best places in Canada to witness the northern lights as it lies directly beneath the auroral oval - the circle of latitude where the northern lights occur more than 300 nights per year. You’ll view the aurora borealis in its winter brilliance from the observation deck of a comfortable Tundra Buggy. Perfect for watching the Arctic sky, the buggies are spacious, heated and have onboard washroom facilities.

Even better, before setting out for evening viewing in Churchill, you’ll get photography tips on how best to capture images of the northern lights with your camera at a private photography workshop at Manitoba Museum’s planetarium in Winnipeg.

Other highlights include a snowshoeing trek through the tundra, learning about local wildlife and Inuit culture through interactive presentations, and visiting local attractions such as the Eskimo Museum, which houses one of Canada's finest collections of Inuit artifacts. February travelers will also attend the Aurora Festival to witness events such as dog sledding, log splitting, moose calling and snowshoe racing while March travelers can cheer on Inuit mushers at the start of the Hudson Bay Quest dog sled race.

Price includes:

• 7 nights accommodations: 3 nights in Winnipeg and 4 nights in Churchill
• 5 breakfasts, 5 lunches and 4 dinners
• Visits to Manitoba Museum and Planetarium (with photography workshop) and Eskimo Museum
• City tour of Churchill
• Attendance at the Aurora Festival (February) or Hudson Bay Quest (March)
• 4 nights of northern lights viewing from a Tundra Buggy
• Afternoon snowshoe trek through boreal forest
• Dog sledding ride hosted by a local resident and dog sledding expert
• Presentations on local wildlife and Inuit culture
• Airport/hotel transfers in Churchill

Day 1 - Arrive Winnipeg
Arrive in Winnipeg and transfer on your own to check-in at the Inn at the Forks hotel. Later, enjoy a “Meet and Greet” event with your fellow travelers at the hotel’s lounge.
Accommodation: Inn at the Forks - 2 nights

Day 2 - Winnipeg
Visit the Manitoba Museum and Planetarium and participate in an introductory photography clinic. Get tips on how to best capture the perfect images of the aurora and northern lights in a night setting with your own camera. Guests will also view award-winning dioramas and take part in an interactive program lead by Museum Interpreters that illustrates the traditional lifestyles of the Inuit people.

Day 3 - Winnipeg / Churchill
Depart Winnipeg in the morning and fly to Churchill. Upon arrival, embark on a tour that includes a visit to the Eskimo Museum which houses one of Canada's finest collections of Inuit carvings, kayaks and artifacts dating from pre-Dorset, Dorset, Thule, and modern Inuit times. See and visit other local and historical points of interest surrounding Churchill, including such attractions as Cape Merry, Port of Churchill and Manitoba Conservation's Polar Bear Holding Facility (weather permitting).

For those traveling in February: After checking into your hotel, enjoy attendance at the Aurora Festival before you are transferred to the Tundra Buggy launch site for an evening out on a Tundra Buggy (weather permitting) to gaze at the northern lights accompanied by a local guide. Hot beverages are served as well as a light snack.

For those traveling in March: Dinner is at the Hudson Bay Quest pre-race banquet followed by northern lights viewing (weather permitting).
Accommodation: Tundra Inn - 4 nights

Day 4 - Aurora Festival or Hudson Bay Quest, Dog Sledding & Northern Lights
February travelers: Enjoy all the festivities of the Aurora Festival at your leisure, such as dog sledding and trapping events such as log splitting, moose calling, snowshoe racing, fireworks and the best in northern entertainment.

March travelers: This morning, head to the starting line of the Hudson Bay Quest and cheer on participants as they begin the race. The Quest is a 248-mile dog sled race that links Churchill, Manitoba with Arviat, Nunavut and brings together mushers and sled dogs from Canada's Polar Bear Capital of the World.

This afternoon, enjoy your own dog sledding excursion hosted by a local resident and dog sledding expert. Meet the team of friendly dogs, hear stories, and learn dog handling techniques. Then take a mile-long sled ride through the northern forests. Refreshments of hot chocolate and freshly made bannock will be included. Tonight, northern lights viewings (weather permitting) from a Tundra Buggy.

Day 5 - Snowshoeing & Northern Lights
This morning, embark on a snowshoeing trek through Churchill's boreal forest, tundra and marine ecosystems. In the afternoon, view a Parks Canada presentation that includes a film on the history, culture and wildlife of the area, with time on your own to explore the accompanying exhibit. The evening consists of viewing and photographing the Northern Lights (weather permitting) from the comfort of the Tundra Buggy.

Day 6 - Presentations & Northern Lights
Enjoy an afternoon cultural presentation that includes first-hand stories about local fur trapping, as well as differences between Cree and Dene Aboriginal history and culture. Tonight, northern lights viewing (weather permitting) from a Tundra Buggy.

Day 7 - Churchill / Winnipeg
Depart Churchill in the morning and fly to Winnipeg.
Accommodation: Sheraton Four Points - 1 night

Day 8 - Depart Winnipeg
Depart Winnipeg at your leisure.