Natural Treasures in Southern Manitoba

Day 1 - UK to Winnipeg

Fly into Winnipeg from the UK and make your own way to your chosen hotel.

Welcome to Winnipeg, Manitoba’s diverse and multi-lingual capital! Nearly 800,000 residents live in the province’s largest city. Visitors here find every feature desirable in urban centres - including museums, music and the arts, sports, popular entertainment, as well as a thriving culinary scene.

Day 2 - Winnipeg

Spend today exploring Winnipeg! Winnipeg‘s neighbourhoods offer an exciting mix of architecture, metropolitan flair, shopping opportunities, artisti Winnipeg‘s neighbourhoods offer an exciting mix of architecture, metropolitan flair, shopping opportunities, artistic offerings and last but not least culinary surprises. Take advantage of your stay to visit the sights around the city, such as the French quarter of St. Boniface, the historic Exchange District or The Forks National Historic Site. Be sure to see these world class attractions including The Canadian Museum for Human Rights, The Forks National Historic Site and Exchange District.

Day 3 - Winnipeg

Another day to explore Winnipeg.

Day 4 - Drive from Winnipeg to Whiteshell Provincial Park (approx. 200 km)

Begin today by checking out of your Winnipeg hotel and picking up your car hire.

On today's drive to Whiteshell Provincial Park, stop at the Mennonite Heritage Village in Steinbach. With its traditional houses and barns, as well as a windmill still in working order, the museum village illustrates the life of the Mennonites who once immigrated to Manitoba.

Continuing into Whiteshell Provincial Park, the landscape slowly changes from prairie to boreal forest to rocky Canadian Shield dotted with lakes. Outdoor lovers will get their Canadian outdoor experience here! The many rivers and approximately 200 crystal clear lakes offer a host of recreational activities: lazing on the sandy beach, boating, canoeing or fishing, water skiing, hiking, biking or horseback riding.

Day 5 - Whiteshell Provincial Park

Take a short break from your road trip schedule, get in touch with nature. Go for a walk or hike in the woods, grab a paddle or cast a line. Stop at Bannock Point Petroforms! This authentic Indigenous experience will touch upon all your senses as you walk, listen, smell and participate first-hand in a taste of Anishinaabe cultural traditions, teachings and stories.

Day 6 - Whiteshell Provincial Park

Spend another day in nature at Whiteshell Provincial Park.

Day 7 - Drive from Whiteshell Provincial Park to Gimli (approx. 270 km)

Today's scenic drive takes you through Whiteshell Provincial Park to Gimli on Lake Winnipeg which is ranked the 10th largest freshwater lake in the world!

Gimli is a small vacation paradise. The long beach and the magnificent marina invite you to stay. The town looks back on its long Icelandic tradition. Every year in August, the three-day Icelandic Festival takes place, attracting thousands of visitors. The Waterfront Centre is also home to the New Iceland Heritage Museum. The town offers many unique shops and local museums. A stop at Kris’s Fish and Chips for fresh local pickerel is not to be missed.

Day 8 - Drive from Gimli to Hecla (approx. 100 km)

Along the western shore of Lake Winnipeg, you'll drive north from Gimli to Hecla Grindstone Provincial Park. Characterized by its islands and coastlines, the park was also once home to Icelandic immigrants, whose history can still be explored at Hecla Village.

This diverse landscape is home to numerous species of wildlife, including a large colony of American White Pelicans. Long hikes along the limestone shores or relaxed bike rides through the park are the best way to explore the flora and fauna of the region. At Gull Harbour, you can rent out kayaks or jet skis.

Day 9 - Drive from Hecla to Riding Mountain National Park (approx. 380 km)

Today's journey takes you across Lake Manitoba to Riding Mountain National Park. The park rises from the flat prairie landscape in southwestern Manitoba like a huge green mountain island.

Day 10 - Riding Mountain National Park

Due to its unique location as a high plateau, rich in forests and lakes in the middle of the prairies, Riding Mountain National Park is home to numerous wildlife viewing opportunities. The park's herd of about 40 prairie bison live in a huge open enclosure near Lake Audy and can often be observed directly from the car.

A wide variety of outdoor activities give the opportunity to experience the wonderful nature of Riding Mountain National Park. Biking, canoeing, horseback riding or hiking - there is something for everyone. Check with the Visitor Centre and Parks Canada staff in the townsite of Wasagaming for the many activities that are available to visitors.

Day 11 - Riding Mountain National Park

Spend today exploring Riding Mountain National Park.

Day 12 - Drive from Riding Mountain National Park to Winnipeg (approx. 330 km)

On today's drive back to Winnipeg, you will make a detour to Spruce Woods Provincial Park. Completely unusual for the prairies, this park features Manitoba's only desert! The Spirit Sands used to be a spirit Cree site.

Day 13 - Winnipeg to UK

Today marks the end of your itinerary, check out of your hotel and drop off your car hire for your onward flight.