NUNAVUT, "OUR LAND, OUR STRENGTH"

BY Clay Larroy

The preparation for a vacation is almost as exhilarating as the vacation itself. I love printing out the tickets and confirmations while thinking about how much fun I will have on vacation. I enjoy researching all the sights at the location I will see once I arrive at my destination. When you want to plan a vacation contact me!

Nunavut is a wilderness that forms one-fifth of Canada. Polar bears dot the landscape, whales the seascape; and it is possible to do all those things that visitors may associate with the Arctic, from enjoying a dog sled to visiting an igloo to watching the Northern Lights (Aurora Borealis) illuminate the dense darkness.

There are also less traditional but equally adventurous activities to sink your teeth into, such as mountain and rock climbing or challenging hikes across breathtaking national parks. The landscape is one of ice and snow but also spectacular flora and fauna, all the more startling and beautiful for their sparseness and their contrast to the barren scene that they have managed to wriggle out of and flourish in. Any visitor to Nunavut will most likely also flourish, in an area with plenty of indigenous history and plenty of stunning tundra, mountains and deep fjords.

Nunavut became Canada's largest and newest territory in 1999, when it was separated from the Northwest Territories. It emerged from around 20 years of negotiations by the Inuit communities that constitute about 80% of the population of this Arctic territory. Nunavut means 'our land' in the language of the Inuit people, Inuktitut, and it is a land that is both Canadian and uniquely distinct from the country's other provinces and territories.

Where to stay in Nunavut

Hotels

Most communities have accommodation facilities, hotels, hostels and/or bed & breakfast establishments open all year. Space is limited so the accommodation and facilities may be shared, and are often quite basic. There are, however, full service hotels in the larger centers that also have meeting and conference facilities. Hotels can be very expensive. Iqaluit, the capital, now has approximately 260 rooms, including hotels and bed & breakfast establishments. Nunavut Tourism publishes an annual vacation planner detailing accommodation and other tourism services in Nunavut.

Camping Caravanning

Backpacking and tent camping is a popular summer activity. Auyuittuq National Park, Thelon Wildlife Sanctuary and Katannilik Territorial Park are particularly popular with hikers.

Other

Lodges designed for outdoor activity holidays or naturalist trips can be found in some areas.
For the more adventurous travelers, staying with an Inuit family is an option. Families are very hospitable but the accommodation is not regulated. Contact Nunavut Tourism for more information.

REFERENCE SITES:

http://www.travelresearchonline.com/

A lot of funny stuff happens in Canada. 

Samantha Bee

Live, Love and Travel to create memories that will last a lifetime!