We booked this polar bear trip a year in advance and couldn't wait. We decided to deviate from the 'program' and took the train from Winnipeg to Churchill. We didn't receive the promised itenary beforehand, and upon arrival in Churchill; with the max temp being -11 degr C and the wind howling at 70-90 km/h, there was no one to meet us. I managed to get hold of a Tundra Buggy Guide about half an hour later and he abrubtly informed us that our group was supposed to meet at the gift shop at 4pm. We had no idea where the gift shop was....
Anyway, we eventually met up with the rest of the group and off we went. The first night on the buggy we were served spagetti bolonaise, which, according to the Canadians on the trip, was from a tin! OK! Now for the sleeping arrangements: there were 2 'dorms', each with 10 bunkbeds (ie it houses 20 people) with ONE shower and 2 toilets per dorm. Just to elaborate on the toilets; they were 'long-drops' but with the long-drop part being a normal black plastic rubbish bag. Not really a long drop at all. They were cleaned once a day but the smell by the next morning was totally overwhelming and enough to put anybody off their food... (Has the owner/s ever looked into the possibility of converting the toilets to the chemical, user-friendly ones found on boats????????)
So our overall impression was that we paid (over a thousand dollars per person per night) super duper inflated 5 star prices for what was effectively backpacker accomodation.
Yes, it is 'exclusive'. But we still can't help this overwhelming feeling of being ripped off.
Especially after we heard from 2 independent sources that the lodge is owned by a banker who is only interested in skimming off the fat and is not into the nature/conservation idea at all! Just as well we went this year, apparently there is a 30% price hike planned for 2007!
On a positive note; the food did improve after the first night, the lodge itself was warm and toasty and our guide Chris was a star. He was very knowledgable and went out of his way to make our bear viewing as exciting as possible.
Our recommendation is to go to Churchill, stay in one of the comfortable motels and hop on the Tundra Buggy daytrips.
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