All inclusive Winter Trapping Expedition
Experience the life of a traditional Cree trapper during this week-long adventure.
Day 1.
Take the Polar Bear Express train from Cochrane to Moosonee, enjoying the dining car and old-fashioned comfort watching the landscapes gradually transform the further north you go! Visit historic Moose Factory, Ontario and Hudson’s Bay staff house. On your first evening in Moosonee, you will be treated to a Cree feast including campfire roasted goose or duck, accompanied by the cultural wisdom and stories shared by a Cree elder, including a smudge offering that everyone stays well and safe in the days to come. It will also be your first opportunity to see the Northern Lights. Accommodations are at Keepaychum, James Bay Adventures’ home base.
Days 2 – 4.
On your first morning in Moosonee and for the next 2 days, you will snowshoe out with Napoleon and then back to the camp to participate in the skinning and drying of furs. There will be a traditional shore lunch with fish, harvested meats, fried potatoes and Bannock. There will also be freshly harvested meat or meat stew, potatoes and Bannock around the evening campfire.
Day 5.
The day begins as usual with checking the traps with Napoleon but then this time you will also gather tamarack boughs used in making tamarack geese, a traditional Cree craft.
Day 6.
Today you will work with a local craftsman who will guide you in the cultural craft of making tamarack geese.
Day 7.
This is your final day where you wind up your fur and crafting activities, perhaps with time for one more visit to the trap-lines before you catch the Polar Bear Express back to Cochrane that evening.
Our meticulously crafted tours provide everything you need for an unforgettable experience:
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Polar Bear Express flexible train tickets.
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Temperatures on this tour can be in the -40° range and at times with high winds. You must have -40° rated gear. Please note that you cannot do this eco-tour without this specialized gear. We will provide you with links to where you can purchase what you need and you must sign and send to us before your trip a waiver affirming you have the appropriate gear.
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Comfortable accommodations at Keepaychum, James Bay Adventures’ home base.
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All meals, snacks and beverages featuring Cree cuisine. This traditional Cree expedition includes ice-fishing, opportunities to harvest (by Kyle or Napoleon) rabbits, grouse and ptarmigan for meals and wood-stove warmed sleeping quarters.
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Photography assistance: we make capturing stunning images of your adventure an integral part of every tour. Go home with shots of the Northern Lights, sunrises on the expansive snowscapes of James Bay as well as…
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Wildlife encounters: polar bear, moose, caribou, snowshoe hares, ptarmigan, etc.
All Inclusive 7 Day Tour Costs: *Accommodation extra and customized based on your choice of location and how many people to a room. Not included in these rates are your required sleeping bags rated to -25 along with outerwear rated to -40.
Party of 4 - $4,625 per person.
Party of 6 - $3,500 per person.
Party of 8 - $2,925 per person.
Party of 12 - $2,650 per person.
*Weather determines what can be achieved each day. If the wind or storms are too intense then camping out is the better part of valour. This is why we have included two weather days in the above expedition cost. If these days are not needed, this cost will be refunded to you. We price weather days at 60% the cost of a regular day - so that we are sharing with you the inconvenience of respecting Mother Nature.
Booking Your Adventure:
We will handle all the details, making sure you have a seamless and rewarding experience from start to finish. To begin the booking process, please send
us your contact information using the Ask a Question chat function at the bottom of the page and let us know what you are looking for. We love what we do and are eager to share with you our passion for this extraordinary region!