General Tour Information
ENTERING CANADA: U.S. citizens will need a valid passport. Citizens of other countries should check with their nearest Canadian Consulate to determine entrance requirements.
MAP AND COUNTRY INFORMATION: You can view a map of Canada in the University of Texas series here. Click on the lower right corner of the map to adjust size. You can review the U.S. State Department background notes on Canada here.
HEALTH: Birdwatching in Manitoba presents no health hazards of any sort. As is the case with any such trip, we will be outdoors for considerable periods, so you may want sun protection. Any personal medication you may require should be brought in adequate supply.
If the weather is warm we may experience large numbers of mosquitoes at Churchill and Riding Mountain but in cooler weather we see few or none. Mosquitoes are avoidable to some degree but when confrontation is inevitable, you should be protected by long sleeves, light gloves, a light hooded jacket and lots of repellent.
CLIMATE: During our days of birdwatching on the prairies around Winnipeg and at Riding Mountain we expect pleasant temperatures in the 70-80°F range at midday, cooler earlier and later. Brief rain is possible. Churchill weather is notoriously unpredictable: it can be in the 80s one day and 30s the next.
PACE OF THE TOUR: The Riding Mountain elevation is 2000 feet, Winnipeg’s is 764 feet and Churchill is at sea level. We will have easy level walking at all three localities, and in fact very little walking is required at Churchill except periodically along roadsides.
ACCOMMODATION: During the tour, with the exception of one night on the Thompson-Churchill train, we stay at comfortable motels or lodges: Our hotels in Winnipeg and Brandon have swimming pools.
DRESS: Informal throughout.
TRANSPORT: Transportation is on foot and, commercial airlines, and 15-passenger window van (elsewhere).
TRAIN TO CHURCHILL: Our train ride between Thompson and Churchill is overnight, scheduled to depart about 6 PM and arrive in Churchill about 8:30 AM]. We will be in sleeper cars. Each bedroom (one or two beds) includes a fan, electrical outlet, private washroom, sink and mirror. The door locks from the inside and the shower is only a few yards down the hall..
Meals are served on board in the dining car.
The train has a baggage car, into which you can check all the articles that you will not need during the journey. There is a surcharge of $15 for any piece of baggage weighing between 50 lbs. and 75 lbs. You can carry two articles into the passenger car.
SMOKING: Smoking is prohibited in the vehicles or when the group is gathered for meals, checklists, etc. If you are sharing a room with a non-smoker, please do not smoke in the room. If you smoke in the field, we ask that you do so well away and downwind from the group.
GENERAL INFORMATION & CONDITIONS OF WINGS TOURS: Please take a moment to read the General Information & Conditions. This section contains important information about how we conduct tours, e.g., what is included in the tour price, refund and cancellation policies, pace of the tours and other information that will help you prepare for the tour.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: A more complete General Information for Tours to Deserts in Winter will be sent to each registrant on receipt of their booking. Final information with instructions for meeting the group, hotel addresses, etc., will be mailed about three weeks before trip departure. Other news will be communicated as necessary. If you have any questions, please let us know.
Updated: October 2006