Issue link: http://read.canadatravelguides.ca/i/809166
Canada for a 16-day celebratory cruise through the Northwest Passage. This special sailing will stop at four Parks Canada sites in Nunavut, including Qausuittuq, Sirmilik and Auyuittuq, as well as the wreck of HMS Erebus—the fi rst cruise ship to do so ( www.adventurecanada.com). The world's northernmost heli-skiing operation is being launched out of the community of Clyde River (www.weber arctic.com/expeditions). CITY LIGHTS Nunavut's capital of Iqaluit can easily be strolled on foot. Visit the igloo-shaped Anglican church and the Nunatta Sunakkutaangit Museum with its Inuit artefacts, as well as carvings and prints for purchase in the gift shop. The Unikkaarvik Visitor Centre features wildlife and cultural exhibits, while the Nunavut Legislative Building displays temporary art shows along- side their permanent northern art collection including the Legislative Mace carved from a narwhal tusk. Check the Iqaluit Visitors Guide for local events and places to stay, eat and shop. THE GREAT OUTDOORS Nunavut has four national parks—with a fi fth in the making—11 territorial parks and special places, four Canadian Heritage Rivers, as well as migratory bird sanctuar- ies and wildlife reserves. But in reality, untouched Arctic wilderness starts on the doorstep of every hamlet. From June through September there is hiking, kayaking, whitewater rafting and marine-mammal watching for narwhal, bowhead and beluga whales as well as walrus, seals and polar bears. Many of these activities can be experienced on day trips from communities. Sport fi shing for Arctic char, grayling, lake trout or northern pike is popular, with fi shing lodges and camps accessible by boat and fl oat planes. In winter, there is ice fi shing and travelling across the frozen tundra and sea ice by snowmobile, on cross-country skis and via dogsled. Choose a hamlet hotel base, camp on the tundra with an outfi tter, or enjoy the comfort of luxury wilderness lodges ( www. nunavuttourism.com ). More adventurous travellers can canoe the Soper River in Katannalik Territorial Park on Southern Baffi n Island or the Thelon River on the Barren Lands. Rock climb granite peaks in Auyuittuq National Park, BASE jump from cliff s in Clyde River, or paddle Alexandra Fjord and hike in SPECIAL EVENTS APRIL • HAMLET DAY, MOST COMMUNITIES • NATTIQ FROLICS, KUGLUTUK • NUNAVUT QUEST DOGSLED RACE • TOONIK TYME, IQALUIT MAY • OMINGMAK FROLICS, CAMBRIDGE BAY • PAKALLAK TYME, RANKIN INLET JUNE – JULY • ALIANAIT ARTS FESTIVAL, IQALUIT JULY • CANADA DAY, TERRITORY-WIDE • NUNAVUT DAY, TERRITORY-WIDE AUGUST • NUNAVUT ARTS FESTIVAL, CAMBRIDGE BAY www.nunavuttourism.com INUIT CHILDREN • NU TOURISM/FRED LEMIRE RANKIN INLET • SHUTTERSTOCK/SOPHIA GRANCHINHO NU 156