Issue link: http://read.canadatravelguides.ca/i/657907
nearly two dozen existing and proposed national wildlife areas, migratory bird and game sanctuaries. The vast territory is home to half the world's polar bears and more than 200 flowering plant species. Whale watching months are May to September. You'll never forget the sound of a 100-ton (91,000-kg) bow- head whale, exhaling through its blow spouts, only metres away. You may also see narwhals with ten-foot (three-m) spiralled tusks, and white belugas, called sea canaries because of their songs. Explore Nunavut Travel Planner lists prime viewing areas, as well as outfit- ters for nature and photography tours (www.nunavuttourism.com). Adventures range from hiking and camping to mountain climbing and big game hunting. Many trips, offered by tour operators and outfitters, are all- inclusive, including meals, transporta- tion, shelter and guide services. Dancing northern lights (aurora borealis) in winter's dark skies entrance visitors. Winter sports include cross- country skiing, dogsledding and snow- mobiling. Anglers can ice fish from April to June. Summer travel offers 24-hour daylight. Boats and float planes transport fishermen to outpost camps. Lake trout, Arctic grayling and Arctic char grow big in virtually untouched rivers and lakes. Even golfing is an adventure on Canada's most northerly 18-hole tundra course in Gjoa Haven (www.gjoa haven.com). CITY LIGHTS Nunavut's capital, Iqaluit, can easily be covered on foot. The Iqaluit Visitors Guide provides information on attrac- tions, local events and places to stay, eat and shop (w ww.city.iqaluit.nu.ca/i18n/ english/pdf/iqaluitVg2011.pdf). The Unikkaarvik Visitors Centre features wildlife and cultural exhibits. The Nunatta Sunakkutaangit Museum displays Inuit artefacts and photos por- traying the history of Iqaluit and the Qikiqtaaluk Region. The museum also sells art created by local artists. The Nunavut Legislature building displays excellent examples of northern art, including a m ace made from a carved narwhal tusk, local silver and gemstones. FAMILY FUN Children love wildlife. On Nunavut trips, families can search for bowhead whales in the Niginganiq National Wildlife Area and take guided boat trips from Grise Fiord to see walrus on ice floes. In Qikiqtarjuaq (formerly Broughton Island), they can scan landscapes with binoculars for polar bears. Muskox, caribou, Arctic hare, wolves and foxes are some of the oth- er animals that fami- lies may encounter in Nunavut. Park Pick HUDSON'S BAY COMPANY • NU TOURISM Book on-line with Canadian North Reservations: 1.800.661.1505 • canadiannorth.com • Cargo: 1.866.663.2223 Ukk usiksalik National Park Located in the Kivalliq Region, south- west of Repulse Bay, Ukkusiksalik National Park surrounds Wagner Bay on Hudson Bay's northwest coast. The uninhabited park encompasses over 500 archaeological sites, a reversing waterfall, rolling tundra, mud- flats, cliffs, eskers and coastal scenery. In July and August, experienced outfi tters in Repulse Bay, Chesterfi eld Inlet, Baker Lake, Rankin Inlet and Coral Harbour bring visitors on day hikes to observe wildlife such as caribou, Arctic hare and gyr- falcons. Boat trips are the easiest and safest way to look for beluga whales, seals and polar bears. For details, contact the Parks Canada office in Repulse Bay (www .pc.gc.ca/eng/pn- np/nu/ukkusiksalik/index.aspx). More info on national parks and historic sites: www.pc.gc.ca; 1-888-773-8888 2012 TRAVEL GUIDE TO CANADA 181