At the heart of this journey is a rare encounter: standing just metres from a wild polar bear, in its natural Arctic habitat.

Travelling from Toronto to Churchill and concluding in Québec’s Eastern Townships, this carefully crafted itinerary balances extraordinary wildlife encounters with cultural depth and moments of true tranquillity.

Begin in Toronto, where your expert guide will introduce you to the city’s creative East End and the vibrant Distillery District, weaving together stories of craft, rebellion and local character. A privately guided day to Niagara Falls offers a fresh perspective on this natural wonder, away from the tourist trail.

You then fly north to Churchill, perched on the edge of Hudson Bay. Here, aboard specially designed Polar Rovers, you spend days tracking polar bears across the tundra. The experience is unhurried and privileged, led by expert naturalists. Sightings are extraordinary, but so too is the light, the silence and the sheer remoteness of this subarctic frontier. Evenings bring warm dinners, local stories and the chance of northern lights.

Finally, retreat to Manoir Hovey, a lakeside Relais & Châteaux property in rural Québec. This is a wonderfully peaceful time of year, at the tail end of autumn as winter begins to set in. The golden light of sunrise across the lake is an extraordinary way to start a day of gentle hikes, brewery visits, fine food and complete relaxation. It is the perfect conclusion to a truly exceptional journey.

Best time to visit

Good time to visit

Average time to visit

Itinerary Highlights

Niagara Falls

Start the journey with a private exploration of the mighty Niagara Falls. A boat takes you to the base of Horseshoe Falls, bringing you close to the spray and thunder. Then descend into tunnels behind the waterfall for a dramatic, subterranean perspective. There is also time to explore the charming town of Niagara-on-the-Lake, known for its 19th-century buildings, boutique shops and surrounding vineyards. A seamless, scenic experience captures both the grandeur and charm of the Niagara region.

Breweries + distilleries

Under the city’s Christmas lights, explore Toronto’s historic Distillery District on a private, story-rich tour through its cobbled lanes and Victorian-era warehouses. Once the site of the world’s largest whisky producer, it is now home to artisan distilleries, craft breweries and independent galleries. Enjoy behind-the-scenes access, guided tastings and colourful tales of Prohibition-era smuggling. Along the way, pause for locally roasted coffee or a seasonal snack from a hidden café. A relaxed, atmospheric way to discover one of the city’s most distinctive neighbourhoods.

Human rights

In Winnipeg, a visit to the Canadian Museum for Human Rights offers a reflective counterpoint to the journey north. Moving gradually upwards through the building’s striking architecture, exhibitions blend personal testimony, photography and multimedia to explore human rights stories from Canada and beyond. It is both a fascinating insight into Canadian history and a poignant look at the state of humanity.

Face to face with polar bears

Travelling in purpose-built vehicles, venture deep into the Arctic tundra around Churchill, where polar bears roam freely across vast, open landscapes. From the elevated vantage points of Polar Rovers, encounters unfold naturally, offering extraordinary opportunities to observe behaviour at close range. With expert guides interpreting each moment, this is an immersive and deeply moving wildlife experience – the defining highlight of the journey.

Arctic dogs

Dog sledding adds a spirited, surprisingly intimate dimension to your time in Churchill. Guided by a local musher, glide through boreal forest behind a powerful, well-bonded team of dogs, learning how they are trained, cared for and matched. It is an authentic, hands-on experience that brings northern traditions to life and leaves a lasting impression long after the ride ends.

Beauty in the Eastern Townships

Time in the Eastern Townships provides the greatest seasonal contrast of the journey. Spring and summer days revolve around lakes, vineyards, hiking trails and long outdoor lunches. Autumn transforms the region into a blaze of colour, with harvest festivals, cider tastings and crisp walking conditions. Winter brings a complete shift in pace, with snowshoeing, cross-country skiing and cosy fireside evenings. Each season reshapes both the landscape and daily rhythm, making every visit feel entirely different.

Itinerary Highlights

Our tailor-made journeys include

A dedicated Destination Expert who will curate your itinerary from scratch, tailoring it to your preferences + interests
Private + extraordinary under-the-radar experiences
Access to the very best guides + experts to bring the destination to life
Private international airport transfers in destination
The MyCazLoyd app to view your itinerary offline anywhere, anytime
24/7 support whilst travelling
ATOL protection to give you total peace of mind

Where to stay

Nothing but the best. On this suggested Canadian itinerary, these are our handpicked, tried-and-tested hotels and lodges.

During your stay in Churchill, you will stay in a local guesthouse. These are all relatively simple affairs, built to survive incredibly harsh winters and the fact that all building supplies must reach the town by train. Rooms are comfortable and practical, designed to be hard-wearing rather than stylish. Each guesthouse has its own simple restaurant, although there are others in town that you will discover during your stay.

To support as many of these small businesses as possible, hotels are allocated close to the time of arrival, meaning that you (or we) are not able to choose one specific guesthouse over another. However, they are all very similar, very welcoming and have everything you need (if nothing else).

Polar Bears + Canadian Lakes

At the heart of this journey is a rare encounter: standing just metres from a wild polar bear, in its natural Arctic habitat.

PEAK TIME

PRICE

IDEAL LENGTH

FLIGHT TIME

CURRENCY

LANGUAGE

Toronto

Winnipeg

Churchill

Montréal

Eastern Townships

When to go

Best time to visit

Good time to visit

Average time to visit

Itinerary Highlights

Niagara Falls

Breweries + distilleries

Human rights

Face to face with polar bears

Arctic dogs

Beauty in the Eastern Townships

Itinerary Highlights

Our tailor-made journeys include

Where to stay

1 Hotel Toronto, Toronto

Fort Garry, Winnipeg

Manoir Hovey, Eastern Townships

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