Manitoba
5
Day Itinerary •
Canada
Five days in Manitoba gives you the complete extraordinary wildlife and cultural experience of Canada's heartland province, from the prairies' finest museum and multicultural neighbourhood culture in Winnipeg through the bison and wolves of Riding Mountain to the polar bears and belugas of Churchill, the Icelandic heritage of Lake Winnipeg's shores and the meteorite crater lake and Indigenous petroforms of the Canadian Shield in the Whiteshell. This route covers the complete Manitoba experience from the CMHR and Winnipeg's Ukrainian and Filipino heritage through the national park wilderness and the world's finest polar bear destination to the extraordinary Icelandic community of Gimli and the ancient sacred rock figures of Bannock Point. Five extraordinary days in the wildlife capital of Canada.
Best Time To Visit
May to November
Getting There
Fly into Winnipeg (YWG)
Getting Around
Car plus flight to Churchill
Budget Per Day
Approx 190 to 565 CAD per person per day
Difficulity
Easy, prairie and Shield walking
DAY 1
WINNIPEG, THE CULTURAL CAPITAL OF THE PRAIRIES
MORNING
THE CANADIAN MUSEUM FOR HUMAN RIGHTS, THE MOST EXTRAORDINARY MUSEUM IN CANADA
The Canadian Museum for Human Rights in Winnipeg is the most extraordinary museum building in Canada, its extraordinary alabaster and glass tower by Antoine Predock rising above The Forks, its remarkable galleries exploring human rights from the Holocaust to Indigenous residential schools and its extraordinary Tower of Hope giving the finest view of the Red River confluence making it the finest museum in the country. Entry approx 18 CAD. Drive/Travel: 20 min walk
MIDDAY
THE FORKS NATIONAL HISTORIC SITE AND THE RED RIVER CONFLUENCE
The Forks where the Red and Assiniboine rivers meet is the most extraordinary historic meeting place in western Canada, a 6,000-year-old gathering site now containing the remarkable Forks Market, the extraordinary Manitoba Museum of Indigenous and natural history, the remarkable skating trail on the frozen rivers in winter and the outstanding Winnipeg Goldeyes baseball at the extraordinary Canadian baseball stadium. Market entry free. Drive/Travel: 15 min walk
AFTERNOON
THE EXCHANGE DISTRICT AND THE FINEST HERITAGE ARCHITECTURE IN WESTERN CANADA
The Exchange District is the most extraordinary heritage commercial neighbourhood in western Canada, its extraordinary 150 buildings of Edwardian and Beaux-Arts commercial architecture from the wheat boom of 1880 to 1920 preserved entirely intact, the remarkable Winnipeg Art Gallery Inuit art collection, the extraordinary Old Market Square and the remarkable North End neighbourhood making it the finest architectural quarter in the prairies. Gallery approx 15 CAD.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The Winnipeg North End is the most extraordinary immigrant neighbourhood in western Canada, its extraordinary Ukrainian, Jewish and Filipino heritage concentrated on Selkirk Avenue in the finest ethnic food strip in the prairies. The oldest Ukrainian Orthodox church in Canada, the Rorie Street community and the Winnipeg Goldeyes stadium are
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Deer + Almond, Winnipeg The finest restaurant in Winnipeg. Outstanding prairie farm breakfast. Also excellent for | Lunch: The Forks Market food hall Outstanding multicultural food hall at the finest market in Winnipeg. Ukrainian, Filipino and Indigenous all extraordinary. | Dinner: Segovia, Winnipeg The finest tapas restaurant in western Canada. Outstanding prairie ingredients in Spanish format.
DAY 2
RIDING MOUNTAIN NATIONAL PARK AND THE PRAIRIE WILDERNESS
MORNING
RIDING MOUNTAIN NATIONAL PARK AND THE FINEST WILDLIFE IN MANITOBA
Riding Mountain National Park on the Manitoba Escarpment is the most extraordinary wilderness destination in southern Manitoba, its extraordinary Clear Lake, the finest freshwater lake for swimming and sailing in the prairies, the remarkable herd of 40 plains bison in the south park enclosure and the extraordinary grey wolf, black bear and elk populations in the backcountry making it the finest wildlife park in the prairie provinces. Park pass approx 10 CAD. Drive/Travel: 3 hours drive
MIDDAY
WASAGAMING, THE MOST EXTRAORDINARY RESORT VILLAGE IN THE PRAIRIES
Wasagaming on the shore of Clear Lake is the most extraordinary resort village in the prairie provinces, its extraordinary collection of 1930s rustic log buildings including the park administration building, the remarkable Riding Mountain Golf Course and the extraordinary Clear Lake beach with its warm water swimming in summer making it the finest lake resort in western Canada. The townsite is entirely within the national park. Entry with park pass. Drive/Travel: 20 min walk
AFTERNOON
THE BISON PADDOCK AND THE GREY OWL CABIN TRAIL
The Riding Mountain bison paddock contains the finest accessible plains bison herd in Manitoba, 40 animals in a 500-hectare enclosure visible from the paddock road. The Grey Owl cabin trail, a 15km return hike to the cabin where the English-born conservationist Archibald Belaney lived as the Indigenous trapper Grey Owl in the 1930s, is the finest heritage hike in Manitoba. Entry free with park pass.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The Boreal Forest trail network in the backcountry of Riding Mountain gives extraordinary moose encounters in the beaver pond meadows north of Clear Lake. The Ochre River trail at dawn in September gives the finest moose viewing in Manitoba. No facilities beyond the trailhead. Park pass required. Bring bear spray.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Clear Lake Bakery, Wasagaming Outstanding national park breakfast at the finest cafe in Riding Mountain. Local prairie wheat bread. | Lunch: Elkhorn Resort dining room Outstanding Manitoba wilderness lunch at the finest resort in Riding Mountain National Park. | Dinner: Wasagaming Campfire Restaurant Outstanding park dining experience. Local Manitoba bison burger and prairie wild berry desserts.
DAY 3
CHURCHILL, THE POLAR BEAR CAPITAL OF THE WORLD
MORNING
CHURCHILL AND THE POLAR BEARS OF HUDSON BAY
Churchill on Hudson Bay is the most extraordinary wildlife destination in North America, the only town in the world where polar bears congregate on the land as they wait for Hudson Bay to freeze. The extraordinary Tundra Buggy tours through the Churchill Wildlife Management Area give face-to-face encounters with the world's largest land predator from October to November. The subarctic tundra landscape is extraordinary in all seasons. Tundra Buggy full day approx 250 CAD. Drive/Travel: 2 hour flight
MIDDAY
THE BELUGA WHALE ESTUARY AND THE CHURCHILL RIVER
The Churchill River estuary in summer contains the most extraordinary concentration of beluga whales in the world, 3,000 to 5,000 belugas in the shallow warm waters of the estuary from June to August giving the finest cetacean viewing in Canada from shore. The extraordinary kayaking among the belugas is the finest wildlife paddling experience in the country. Kayak tour approx 65 CAD. Shore viewing free. Drive/Travel: 20 min walk
AFTERNOON
THE NORTHERN LIGHTS AND THE CHURCHILL AURORA SEASON
Churchill is the finest northern lights destination in North America accessible by scheduled transport, its extraordinary subarctic sky away from light pollution and its position under the auroral oval giving the finest aurora borealis viewing in Canada from September to March. The extraordinary Aurora Pod heated dome accommodation gives the finest overnight aurora experience in the country. Viewing free from town.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The Prince of Wales Fort National Historic Site across the Churchill River, accessible by boat, is the largest 18th-century stone fortification in North America, begun by the Hudson's Bay Company in 1731 and surrendered without a shot to the French in 1782. The extraordinary restored walls and the views across
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Gypsy's Bakery, Churchill The only genuine bakery in Churchill. Outstanding cinnamon buns and the finest coffee on Hudson Bay. | Lunch: The Tundra Inn dining room Outstanding Churchill lunch. Local Arctic char and the finest Churchill chowder in the only hotel in town. | Dinner: Lazy Bear Lodge, Churchill The finest dinner in Churchill. Outstanding Canadian wilderness menu in the most extraordinary log lodge.
DAY 4
THE INTERLAKE AND LAKE WINNIPEG
MORNING
GIMLI, THE MOST EXTRAORDINARY ICELANDIC HERITAGE TOWN IN NORTH AMERICA
Gimli on the western shore of Lake Winnipeg is the most extraordinary Icelandic heritage town outside Iceland, its extraordinary New Iceland community founded in 1875 by Icelandic immigrants fleeing volcanic eruptions, the remarkable Icelandic Festival of Manitoba, the extraordinary Viking statue on the harbour and the fine Lake Winnipeg beach making it the finest heritage lakeside town in Manitoba. The Interlake Icelandic Heritage Museum is extraordinary. Museum approx 5 CAD. Drive/Travel: 1 hour drive
MIDDAY
HECLA ISLAND AND THE FINEST WILDERNESS IN THE INTERLAKE
Hecla Island Provincial Park in Lake Winnipeg is the most extraordinary island park in Manitoba, its extraordinary restored Icelandic fishing village of Hecla Village, the remarkable moose population on the island trails, the extraordinary pelican nesting colony on nearby Sugar Island and the fine Gull Harbour marina giving the finest wilderness island experience in the prairie provinces. Park entry approx 5 CAD per vehicle. Drive/Travel: 1 hour drive
AFTERNOON
THE BIRDS HILL PROVINCIAL PARK AND THE FINEST BIRD WATCHING IN MANITOBA
Birds Hill Provincial Park northeast of Winnipeg is the most extraordinary birding destination in southern Manitoba, its extraordinary oak forest and grassland mosaic supporting the finest warbler and shorebird migration in the prairies, the remarkable Winnipeg Folk Festival grounds and the extraordinary horseback trails through the aspen parkland. Park entry approx 5 CAD.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The Narcisse Snake Dens north of Winnipeg are the largest concentration of red-sided garter snakes in the world, up to 70,000 snakes emerging from the limestone karst dens in early May and returning in September. The extraordinary writhing mass of snakes at the den entrances is the most remarkable wildlife
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Gimli Fish Market restaurant Outstanding Lake Winnipeg whitefish breakfast at the finest dockside restaurant in the Interlake. | Lunch: Lakeview Resort, Hecla Outstanding island lunch at the finest resort on Hecla Island. Local Lake Winnipeg pickerel is extraordinary. | Dinner: Beachcomber Restaurant, Gimli The finest dinner in Gimli. Outstanding Manitoba pickerel and Lake Winnipeg whitefish.
DAY 5
THE WHITESHELL AND THE CANADIAN SHIELD
MORNING
THE WHITESHELL PROVINCIAL PARK AND THE FINEST SHIELD LAKES IN MANITOBA
Whiteshell Provincial Park on the Manitoba-Ontario border is the most extraordinary Canadian Shield wilderness in the province, its extraordinary Falcon Lake and West Hawk Lake, the deepest lake in Manitoba formed by a meteorite impact, the remarkable Manitoba Whiteshell rock paintings and the extraordinary Rennie River canoe route giving the finest wilderness experience in eastern Manitoba. West Hawk Lake approx 5 CAD day use. Drive/Travel: 1.5 hours drive
MIDDAY
THE BANNOCK POINT PETROFORMS, THE FINEST INDIGENOUS SACRED SITE IN MANITOBA
The Bannock Point Petroforms in Whiteshell Provincial Park are the most extraordinary Indigenous spiritual site in Manitoba, rock figures of turtles, snakes and humans arranged in shallow granite depressions by Anishinaabe peoples over several thousand years. The extraordinary site on bare Canadian Shield rock above the forest is entirely free and accessible by a short trail. Entry free. Drive/Travel: 30 min drive
AFTERNOON
THE PINAWA DAM PROVINCIAL HERITAGE PARK
The Pinawa Dam site on the Winnipeg River is the most extraordinary industrial heritage site in Manitoba, its extraordinary concrete dam built in 1906 as the first hydroelectric generating station in Manitoba now a provincial heritage park with the dam ruins accessible by trail above the river. The Pinawa townsite, an extraordinary planned community built for nuclear research, is remarkable. Entry free.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
West Hawk Lake in Whiteshell was formed by a meteorite impact 100 million years ago and is the deepest lake in Manitoba at 115 metres. The extraordinary scuba diving in the impact crater, the finest freshwater diving in Manitoba, and the swimming from the Provincial Park beach in summer are
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Falcon Lake Resort dining room Outstanding Shield wilderness breakfast at the finest resort in Whiteshell Provincial Park. | Lunch: Old Pinawa Dam Trail picnic Outstanding picnic lunch at the extraordinary dam ruins. Pick up supplies from the Pinawa general store. | Dinner: Lone Pine Restaurant, Kenora area Outstanding Ontario border dinner. Local Lake of the Woods pickerel and Canadian Shield wild rice.
Where To Stay
Winnipeg, Night 1 Inn at the Forks. Approx 150 to 300 CAD per night. Riding Mountain, Night 2 Elkhorn Resort. Approx 120 to 250 CAD per night. Churchill, Night 3 Lazy Bear Lodge. Approx 200 to 400 CAD per night. Gimli or Hecla, Night 4 Lakeview Resort Hecla. Approx 120 to 250 CAD per night. Whiteshell, Night 5 Falcon Lake Resort. Approx 100 to 200 CAD per night.
Top Tips
1. Bannock Point Petroforms: go at low sun angle for the finest shadow definition in the rock figures.
2. West Hawk Lake meteor crater: rent a canoe from the day use area and paddle to the deepest point.
3. Hecla Island pelican colony: Sugar Island is a provincial bird sanctuary. View by boat from the marina.
4. Gimli Icelandic Festival: first week of August. The finest ethnic heritage festival in western Canada.
5. Pinawa Dam trail: the dam ruins are extraordinary at dawn with the river mist. 45 minutes from Winnipeg.
6. VIA Rail to Churchill: book the Panorama dome car for the finest boreal forest rail journey in Canada.
Total Budget
190 to 560 CAD/day