91´«Ã½

Dates: July 26-August 1, 2026

Price: From $7,995 from Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada

Tour Operator: Orbridge

The whales are beckoning us north to the wildlife-rich mouth of the Churchill River on the Hudson Bay. There we will partake in one of the most unique nature and wildlife experiences in North America, where polar bears search the shores and the belugas show off within feet of boaters and kayakers. Washington and Lee Lifelong Learners will now have the opportunity to experience an utterly underexplored and unique area in the heart of summer.

This trip includes round-trip fare from Winnipeg to the northern coastal town of Churchill in Manitoba. In the wilderness surrounding this gorgeously forested locale we will stay in the handcrafted Lazy Bear Lodge, built over the last 100 years from Douglas firs, reclaimed from railway warehouses and from 19th-century trading posts. The Lazy Bear Lodge is a rustic wilderness retreat with character rivalling that of the old fur trades, only with the addition of all the modern amenities. The staff at Lazy Bear Lodge provides hearty northern cuisine and the kind of comfort that only comes with being in a cozy cabin in the heart of the northern woods.

Each day in this remote location, we will experience boat tours, dog mushing, polar bears, Indigenous museums and heritage sites with renowned ecologist Bill Hamilton, John T. Perry Professor of Biology.

Traveling With You

Bill Hamilton teaches courses in biology and environmental studies, such as Yellowstone Ecology and Experimental Botany, at 91´«Ã½. His research pertains to ecosystem dynamics with a focus on animal-plant-soil interactions in Yellowstone National Park.