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).
Taste traditional Inuit food like Arctic char,
caribou, muskox 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.gov.nu.ca/
environment/information/territorial-
parks-and-special-places).
Stroll easy paths through a tundra valley to
waterfalls and cultural sites at Sylvia
Grinnell Territorial Park just outside Iqaluit
(www.gov.nu.ca/environment/information/
territorial-parks-and-special-places).
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
159
INUIT OFTEN RAISE THEIR EYEBROWS
INSTEAD OF SAYING "II" WHICH MEANS
"YES" IN INUKTITUT.
Quick Fact
POLAR BEAR MIGRATION • DESTINATION CANADA
National Parks and Historic Sites:
www.parkscanada.gc.ca
1-888-773-8888
Park Pick
SIRMILIK NATIONAL PARK
Between the communities of Pond Inlet
and Arctic Bay on northern Baffin Island,
Sirmilik National Park's 22,200 sq. km
(8,572 sq. mi.) are comprised of three
parts: Borden Peninsula is a plateau
sliced by broad river valleys; Oliver
Sound is a scenic fjord for boating,
wilderness hiking and camping; and
Bylot Island is a spectacular and rugged
island of mountains, valleys, glaciers and
seabird colonies. Kayak iceberg-dotted
waters, trek to red rock hoodoo spires,
spot migratory snow geese at their
biggest nesting area and visit ancient
archaeological Thule sites. Bylot abuts
the Tallurutiup Imanga National Marine
Conservation area called the "Serengeti
of the Arctic" for its abundance of seals,
narwhal, beluga and bowhead whales,
as well as walrus and polar bears
(www.parkscanada.gc.ca/sirmilik).
AKSHAYUK TRAIL, AUYUITTUQ NATIONAL PARK • PARKS CANADA
