December 2023

Manitoba travel ideas for next year

Dear Canada friend,

As 2023 slowly draws to a close and we enjoy a fantastic scenery in white in Manitoba, many new travel ideas are already waiting in the wings for next year. Of course, a new polar bear adventure in Churchill is not to be missed! But there are also new options for paddlers and road trippers to discover the province. Can you hear Canada’s Heart calling? Perhaps you find a little time to listen and dream away to Manitoba over the coming holidays!

Have a wonderful Holiday Season and a happy, healthy and successful New Year!

See you in 2024 and until then: Enjoy reading!

New with Lazy Bear Expeditions:
Journey to Fireweed Island

Lazy Bear Expeditions has been operating in Churchill for nearly 30 years. They create incredible opportunities to see the subarctic wildlife, including - but not limited to - beluga whales and polar bears, as well as other natural wonders like the Aurora Borealis. In summer 2023, they launched their new wildlife viewing vessel Matonabee, a uniquely designed Arctic cruise ship featuring multiple below water level viewing areas.

On their new all-inclusive summer adventure Journey to Fireweed Island, they use their new boat for a full day tour via the Hudson Bay to a remote island, home to polar bears and other subarctic wildlife as well as a plethora of wildflowers. This 6-night package is offered on selected dates in August 2024 and includes:

• 4 nights at Lazy Bear Lodge in Churchill and 2 nights in Winnipeg
• (1 night each pre and post Churchill adventure)
• Airport transfers in Winnipeg and Churchill
• Return flight from Winnipeg to Churchill
• Journey to Fireweed Island boat tour aboard the Matonabee
• Beluga whale boat and Prince of Wales Fort tour
• Cultural & heritage tour in Churchill
• Summer Arctic Crawler™ tour into the Churchill Wildlife Management Area
• (trail conditions permitting)
• Beluga AquaGliding™ and kayaking
• Naturalist tour guide over the 5 days in Churchill
• All meals (including specialty coffees from the coffee bars at Lazy Bear Lodge
• and aboard the Matonabee)

Guests of Lazy Bear Expeditions stay at the rustic Lazy Bear Lodge, centrally located in Churchill. The family-run log cabin-style lodge has 33 comfortable rooms and is home to the cozy Lazy Bear Café.


Contact:
Lazy Bear Expeditions
Melissa Perry
melissa@lazybearexpeditions.com

New: Wild Loon Adventure Company –
Indigenous-led paddling adventures in Manitoba’s backcountry

In Manitoba, summer beckons to dip a paddle into one of the province’s 100,000 bodies of water. Adventure seekers lacking experience with canoeing in the wilderness can now book a trip with Wild Loon Adventure Company. The operator takes guests on all-inclusive trips through Manitoba’s backcountry, to places often only accessible by canoe. With scheduled trips on the Manigotagan and Bloodvein Rivers, they explore two of the most popular rivers for paddlers in Manitoba. Both trips include an experienced guide, canoeing and camping equipment, local transportation and meals. Custom offerings can additionally be made for Bird River, Whiteshell River as well as Winnipeg River & Pinawa. Trips on Seal River, Pigeon River, Hayes River and Berens River will be added soon.

Wild Loon owner and operator, Garrett Fache has 11 years of guiding experience and looks back on 15,000 kilometers (9,300 miles) of backcountry canoe trips guided. In preparation of any trip, he offers safety and paddling courses to get people ready for a safe trip on the water – whether guided or unguided. Garrett also plans to develop offerings for winter camping and rock climbing and to further develop his Indigenous experiences.

Wild Loon Adventure is Manitoba’s only Indigenous-owned and operated outfitter. Through partnerships with local Indigenous organizations and communities, their trips include Indigenous education and wildlife interpretation components. The aim is to increase understanding of Indigenous culture and learnings and to teach people to adventure sustainability, following the Leave No Trace principles.


Contact:
Wild Loon Adventure Company
Garrett Fache
info@wildloonadventureco.ca

New self-drive sample itinerary:
Along the Great Lakes through Manitoba and Ontario

Our new self-drive sample itinerary takes travelers through Southeast Manitoba and Northwest Ontario through the varied landscape of the Canadian Shield. It is perfect for travellers who want to explore Canada off the beaten path.



The journey begins in Manitoba. After a short stay in Winnipeg, the route leads to Lake Winnipeg to explore Hecla Island and Gimli. Via Manitoba’s Whiteshell Provincial Park, the journey continues to Ontario past Sioux Narrows Provincial Park, Quetico Provincial Park, Thunday Bay, Sleeping Giant Provincial Park, Dryden and Kenora before finally returning to Winnipeg.

Enjoy discovering our sample itinerary Along the Great Lakes including hotel recommendations.

New in Riding Mountain National Park:
Marigold Cottage at The Lakehouse
in Wasagaming

The family-run boutique hotel The Lakehouse is located in the heart of Wasagaming on beautiful Clear Lake and is a perfect base to explore Riding Mountain National Park. Since long, its 16 stylish and cozy guest rooms and suites make visitors feel at home!

Located on the Lakehouse property, the new Marigold Cottage is a historic, but newly renovated 3-bedroom, 2-bathroom cabin that sleeps up to six people. It’s thus an ideal place for families or groups. Marigold's main floor features a fully equipped kitchen along with ample space for dining and relaxing. Nestled on the second floor, guests will find all three bedrooms along with a three piece bathroom with shower.


Contact:
The Lakehouse
Jessica Chubak
jessica@staylakehouse.ca

New camping experience with Indigenous touch: Turtle Village in Riding Mountain National Park

Turtle Village is a new and unique camping experience with an Indigenous touch in the heart of Wasagaming Campground in Riding Mountain National Park. The eight Turtle Shell units are weatherproof indestructible accommodations without any impact to the ground while allowing visitors to have the comforts of home. Each unit sleeps two people and offers an off-grid package that includes solar panels and a battery bank for the power source to utilize interior lighting and charge devices. Each site has a private plot surrounded by beautiful wilderness as well as a complimentary bench and fire pit for cooking. Parks Canada’s washrooms with hot showers and kitchen shelters are nearby. The units are open year-round and heated by a propane heater when needed. Bedding is provided by The Lakehouse in Wasagaming.

Turtle Village is the first-of-its-kind, Indigenous-owned and operated accommodation within Treaty 2 Territory. It’s a 5-minute walk to Clear Lake Beach and restaurants and shops in Wasagaming.

Whether visitors of Riding Mountain National Park are staying at Turtle Village or not, they can book hands-on Indigenous workshops as an add-on. In beading classes, guided by skilled artisans, they’ll master intricate techniques, with each bead carrying Indigenous history and expression.


Contact:
Turtle Village
Ashley Smith
hello@turtlevillage.ca

New Air Transat alliance with Porter Airlines takes travelers to Winnipeg

Air Transat and regional carrier Porter Airlines have agreed on a joint venture, combining both airline networks gradually during 2024. Travellers from the UK and Ireland will significantly benefit from this alliance, allowing passengers using Air Transat’s transatlantic services from Gatwick, Manchester, Glasgow and Dublin to easily connect at hubs in Toronto and Montréal to its onward network and Porter’s services, including their new semidaily flight from Toronto to Winnipeg.

Further information can be found with Air Transat and Porter Airlines.

If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to get in touch with:

Karin Schreiber Account Manager Germany & UK c/o Denkzauber GmbH Phone: +49 160 99130712 karin@denkzauber.de

Imprint:
Denkzauber GmbH
Neustadt 13
47809 Krefeld
Germany
Fon: +49 2151 5124669
info@denkzauber.de

Managing Director: Michaela Arnold
HRB 13436, Administrative Court of Krefeld
USt-Id-Nr.: DE277015365 
Responsible for the content according to § 10 MDStV /§ 6 TDG: Michaela Arnold