Manitoba The Heart Of Canada
From £1,979 pp
- 11 nights
- Economy flights
- Available June - October
Go off the beaten track and discover Manitoba, located in the heart of Canada. This self-drive itinerary will take you through various regions of the province from Winnipeg to the Eastern, Interlake & Parkland regions. From the beautiful lakes and forests of Whiteshell Provincial Park to learning about Viking ancestry and to spotting bison at Riding Mountain National Park, this holiday combines varied experiences and landscapes. The largest city on the Canadian Prairies, Winnipeg offers the perfect balance of cultural attractions with a trendy entertainment scene.
What’s Included?
- International flights from the UK based on economy class
- 12 days intermediate car hire with fully inclusive insurance
- 11 nights accommodation
Holiday Map
Explore our interactive map to discover your holiday route and key points of interest.
Start
Finish
Stops
Point of interest
Your day-to-day plan
Winnipeg
Upon arrival at Winnipeg Airport, collect your car and make your way to your downtown hotel. The next couple of days are at your leisure for you to explore Manitoba’s capital, historically known for Indigenous gatherings, the fur trade, and the railway across Canada. The first point of call is the Forks National Historic Site, historically a railway yard, the area was revitalised and is now not only a historic site but a green space in downtown Winnipeg with shops, restaurants, a food market, museum and more. The area is also home to the world-famous Canadian Museum for Human Rights where you can easily spend a few hours learning about human right issues worldwide.
Whiteshell Provincial Park
Today you will travel east to Whiteshell Provincial Park, where you will spend the next few days. En route, we recommend you visit the living history museum of Mennonite Heritage Village where you can learn more about how these Russian settlers lived in the early 1900s. Once in the park, enjoy the numerous activities available from hiking, biking, swimming to canoeing, the choice is yours. Relax and enjoy the quietness of rushing rivers, clear deep lakes, and warm sandy beaches the park offers.
Gimli
After your stay at Whiteshell Provincial Park, drive to Gimli on the shores of Lake Winnipeg, the largest lake in Manitoba and the 10th largest freshwater lake in the world. Famous for its Viking heritage, this community was settled by Icelandic settlers and offers numerous activities for you to learn about their heritage. From watching a Viking battle re-enactment at a festival to indulging in traditional Icelandic treats, you will have quite the unique experience.
Hecla
Today you will visit Hecla which just like Gimli, was settled by Icelandic settlers. Before driving north, make sure to visit the New Iceland Heritage Museum. The Hecla Provincial Park offers a lush forest, rugged shoreline, scenic beaches, and lots of wildlife. Discover the flora and fauna on a bicycle tour or hike around the coastline of Lake Winnipeg before heading to the Parkland region of Manitoba. The nearby Hecla Village also offers a self-guiding trail through the restored village for great pictures.
Riding Mountain National Park
The next three days will be spent in the Parkland region of Manitoba that gets its name from its landscape: forests appearing out of grasslands. Although numerous parks are in the region, you will travel to the famous Riding Mountain National Park. Covering three different ecosystems, the park offers the best wildlife viewing opportunities and is home to 40 plains bison. Enjoy the beauty of the park on its hiking trails, bike trails or simply swimming on its crystal-clear lakes. You will be staying in the quaint townsite of Wasagaming, home to local shops, restaurants, and boutique hotels.
Winnipeg
Leaving Riding Mountain National Park, you will make your way back to Winnipeg for your final night. En route, we recommend you visit Spruce Woods Provincial Park. The park is home to shifting sand dunes offering you a desert-like landscape in the middle of the Canadian Prairies. The park offers unique flora and fauna including two species of cacti that can survive the harsh winter with temperatures dropping as low as -40 degrees Celsius. Finally, head back to Winnipeg for your final night and indulge yourself in one of it's trendy restaurants.
Fly Home
Depending on your return flight home, you may have time for some last-minute shopping and visiting some of Winnipeg's top attractions. Make sure not to leave without visiting Assiniboine Park where you can spot Polar Bears at the zoo, and discover The Leaf, a indoor horticulture attraction with four distinct biomes. Other attractions include The Exchange District National Historic Site and its architectural beauty as well as the West End Mural Tour amongst many others. Head to the airport on time for your return flight home.
Related Itineraries
Please note Parks Canada charge fees at most national parks and historic sites across the country. Parks Canada passes can be purchased as part of your holiday, speak to your sales advisor for more details. Early booking is recommended.
For further information about national parks and historic sites in Canada or to reserve campsites and activities, please visit:
This holiday requires an ETA for entry to Canada, for full details and to apply please see below: