Dramatic coastlines, Arctic wildlife, and Inuit culture await you in Canada’s newest territory of Nunavut. Established in 1999, Nunavut is the largest territory in the country and represents Canada’s true Arctic. Although it’s the largest territory in the area, Nunavut is also the least populated in Canada with only about 35,000 people, mostly of Inuit descent.
On our Nunavut guided tours, backpack the world's most remote areas, spot mythical narwhals, and cruise through the fabled Northwest Passage. If you thought that the great age of exploration on Earth was over, wait until you see the vastness of Nunavut. Shall we explore the world again?
Below find our Nunavut vacation packages grouped by activity.
Welcome to Nunavut, where you can fulfill all your explorer’s dreams.
The main feature of coastal Nunavut is, of course, the Arctic Ocean. The sea is abundant with wildlife and breathtaking scenery of winding glaciers and immense icecaps. From May to June, the floe edge — where the ocean meets the ice — becomes the world’s best place to spot whales, walrus, seals, and polar bears.
Many adventures include Inuit guides whose knowledge of the region, wildlife, and ecosystem will amaze you.
From May to June, the floe edge — where the ocean meets the ice — becomes the world’s best place to spot whales, walrus, seals, and polar bears.
With no roads linking its communities, the best way to explore Nunavut is by ship. Arctic cruises invite you to travel where few people ever get to go. Visit local communities and marvel at world-class Inuit art.
Possible stops along the way include Baffin Island, Devon Island, and Beechey Island, the location of the ill-fated Franklin expedition. For history buffs, cruises to retrace the route of the elusive Northwest Passage are also available.
The largest community in Nunavut is the capital city of Iqaluit on Baffin Island. As the centre of government and a growing community of local Inuit people, Nunavut is seldom explored, offering a true wilderness immersion. Start in the forest of the Precambrian Shield and embark on a journey through the Arctic tundra before ending at Hudson Bay.
Nunavut covers a large part of the Canadian mainland and the Arctic Archipelago. It extends about 1,700 km (1,050 mi) north and 11,000 km (6,800 mi) south of the Arctic Circle. You can cross the mythical line of the Arctic Circle on our exclusive Auyuittuq National Park tours.
Nunavut is not connected by road to the rest of Canada. Most visitors travel to Nunavut and between its communities by air. There are regularly scheduled flights from Ottawa, Montréal, Winnipeg, Churchill, Edmonton, Calgary, and Yellowknife. Major airlines are Canadian North, Calm Air, and First Air.
Our Nunavut travel packages include charter flights between smaller Nunavut communities. We also take care of all ground transportation and boat travel during the tours. Round trip flights from Ottawa to Nunavut can be added to the package for an additional cost.
Cruise enthusiasts can board our grand Ocean Endeavour cruise ship and reach Nunavut communities by sea. Expect to navigate among the icebergs and see Arctic animals en route. Arctic cruises offer adventures beyond anything you’ve ever imagined!
Nunavut is Canada’s true north, so make sure to pack enough warm and windproof layers. However, summers in Nunavut are warmer than you might expect. During the season, temperatures range from 10°C (50°F) to 20°C (68°F). You might be lucky enough to wear shorts and t-shirts in the far Canadian north. But let’s not forget that Arctic weather is ever-changing and temperatures can quickly fall below zero, especially at night.
You might be lucky enough to wear shorts and t-shirts in the far Canadian north.
In general, Nunavut sees little precipitation through the year. Always be prepared for cold and dry temperatures.
The good news is that you’ll get to experience the Midnight Sun — a remarkable natural phenomenon when the sun stays visible at midnight — during the summer months. Enjoy sunlight for the full 24 hours on our summer trips to Nunavut.
Insider tip: Think of Nunavut’s summers as spring seasons farther south in Canada.
What Travelers Ask About Nunavut?
October to April are the best months for aurora viewing in Nunavut, providing the clearest skies. If you want to avoid the freezing cold, consider traveling in early spring or fall when the weather is milder and the lights are still very active.
During the winter months, the temperature ranges from -10 °C (14°F) to -35°C (-31°F). The coldest place in Nunavut is Grise Fiord, where the winter temperature can go as low as -50°C (-58°F).
Though most of the territory is frozen and snow-covered most of the year, summers in Nunavut can be surprisingly mild. In the warmest regions, the temperature can jump to as high as 30°C (86°F). However, such hot days are rather a rarity than the norm. Average summer temperatures range from 10°C (50°F) to 20°C (68°F).
Back in the late 1960s and early 1970s, the rise of Inuit political awareness paved the way towards self-government. Thanks to political organization and effort, Nunavut successfully addressed land claims and split from the Northwest Territories in 1999. Thus Nunavut became Canada’s largest and newest territory.
Nunavut is one of the most sparsely populated territories on Earth with a population of just 35,944 according to the 2016 Canada Census.
Living on the top of the world is everything but ordinary. Nunavut communities are not connected by roads, meaning locals travel by plane or boat. As you might imagine, getting food transported to the Arctic is not an easy task. In summer, a sealift brings supplies for the whole year. The same holds true for oil supply, as an oil tanker comes only once a year. While some homes have piped water, smaller communities rely on daily water deliveries by a water truck.
It might come as a surprise, but Iqaluit, Nunavut’s capital city, has Tim Hortons, an iconic Canadian coffee and doughnut chain.
No, the territory's 26 communities are not connected by roads. The main means of transportation are aircraft, boats, snowmobiles, and all-terrain vehicles.
