Page 97 - 2024-25 Travel Guide to Canada

houses used by Thule people between 1200
and 1700 AD can be seen (www.nunavut-
parks.com/nunavut_parks/qaummaarviit
-territorial-park).
There are also many Hudson’s Bay
Company trading posts, remnants from the
19th century whaling era and, on Beechey
Island, the graves of three men from Sir
John Franklin’s search for the Northwest
Passage. The Northwest Passage can be
explored on expedition cruises staffed
with artists, academics and Inuit
(www.quarkexpeditions.com/en/arctic;
www.adventurecanada.com).
Carving is common throughout Nunavut,
but Cape Dorset is the epicentre of iconic
Inuit sculptures that have been gifted
to presidents, popes and royalty
(www.dorsetfinearts.com). Their print-
making is also acclaimed. The Kenojuak
Cultural Centre, an art studio and exhibition
space, covers seven decades of printmaking.
The print centre in Pangnirtung is also
world-renowned (www.uqqurmiut.ca).
MUST SEE, MUST DO
Dogsled or kayak on a day trip out of Iqaluit
(www.inukpakoutfitting.ca).
Experience an Arctic safari aboard a
snowmobile-drawn Inuit sled from coastal
Pond Inlet to the floe edge in springtime,
guided by Inuit. Wildlife, from whales to
polar bears, take part in an open water
feeding frenzy (www.arctickingdom.com/
arctic-safari).
Watch polar bears and walrus emerge from
stone, antler and whalebone as carvers work
outside their homes in most hamlets.
See colourful northern lights flicker across
the sky in fall and winter.
Experience Inuit throat singing and drum
dancing (www.alianait.ca).
Squeeze yourself into the tiny but busy
South Baffin Holdings, an art shop
chockablock of carvings, prints and parkas.
Schedule a visit to Uasau Soap, where you can
get your hands on body butter, soaps and other
skin care products sourced from traditional
ingredients such as seal oil, whale and seaweed.
If you’re lucky enough, taste traditional Inuit
food like Arctic char, caribou, muskox—not a
regular menu item, and fresh, hot bannock
bread.
SCENIC WALKS
Experienced backpackers can traverse the
97-km (60-mi.) Akshayuk Pass through
Auyuittuq National Park, a 10 to 14-day hike
amid glaciers, sheer cliffs and river
crossings. Be sure to travel with one of the
licenced, insured and Park-approved outfit-
ters in Pangnirtung and Qikiqtarjuaq. The
less adventurous can glimpse the pass’
spectacular mountain terrain on a day’s boat
ride up the fjord from Pangnirtung to hike to
the Arctic Circle (www.parkscanada.gc.ca/
auyuittuq).
Hike the trail up the peak of 200-m (656-ft.)
Mount Pelly in Ovayok Territorial Park east
of Cambridge Bay for views, wildflowers and
archaeological sites (www.nunavutparks.com
/parks-special-places/ovayok-territorial-park).
Stroll easy paths through a tundra valley to
waterfalls and cultural sites at Sylvia
Grinnell Territorial Park just outside Iqaluit
(www.nunavutparks.com/parks-special-
places/sylvia-grinnell-territorial-park).
FAMILY FUN
Head to Iqaluit from Ottawa on a family-
friendly long weekend in August. Flights,
hotel and a town tour are included
(www.arctickingdom.com/arctic-
getaways).
Take the kids to play with Canadian
purebred Inuit dog puppies at Inukpak
Outfitting’s kennel, head out for a dogsledding
excursion, build an igloo with your family
then sleep in it, or ride a snowmobile and try
ice fishing (www.inukpakoutfitting.ca).
NU
95
ROUGHLY 75% OF THE WORLD’S
NARWHAL POPULATION MIGRATES INTO
NUNAVUT’S ISLAND ESTUARIES AND
SHALLOW BAYS.
Quick Fact
KAYAKING • DESTINATION CANADA/MARLIN OLYNYK
POLAR BEAR AND SNOWMOBILING IN THE ARCTIC • ©DESTINATION CANADA