Yellowknife, NT

A fairytale place of permanent sunny days, the northern lights, polar bears and migrating beluga whales, Arctic Canada is where the seemingly impossible comes to life before your very eyes. With very sparse human settlement, the region’s tundra comes alive during summertime when it is carpeted by colourful flowers. It’s also at this time that the region’s wildlife, whose indisputable star is the King of the Arctic, emerges. The unique experiences that this region offers will excite even the most blasé of travellers. Giant tundra buggies set off to where the polar bears visit. And of course, the famous Aurora Borealis or “Northern Lights” is not to be forgotten. This natural phenomenon is sure to add another highlight to your journey into this fascinating Canadian region. A holiday in Arctic Canada will take you on a diverse and spectacular journey that offers the flexible traveller a wonderful array of experiences, and memories to last a lifetime.

A stunning polar desert, Ellesmere is one of the last remaining domains of wilderness in the world. Situated just 800 kilometres from the North Pole, Ellesmere Island boasts a spellbinding mix of scenic fjords, glaciers, icecaps and vast wilderness. The landscape is incised deeply by fjords, with ice shelves spreading out into the sea and jagged peaks dominating the skyline. To the north, the Ellesmere Island National Park is covered by mountains of 100,000 year old rocks in ice shrouds almost one meter thick, and pierced by rock spires to create a fascinating landscape. Challenging hikes through spectacular and unique terrain can be enjoyed during holidays in Arctic Canada, along with nature photography. Animal lovers will enjoy spotting a mix of wildlife as well as thirty bird species. Nature lovers can have their fill of colourful flowers that the surprisingly warm summer brings, here in the most mountainous of all the islands within the Canadian Arctic Archipelago.

Canada’s largest island, Baffin Island is a remote spectacular land of dramatic scenery. The island boasts the picturesque Baffin Mountains range and a host of wildlife to spot including the Arctic fox, the Arctic wolf, the polar bear and caribou. Rugged mountains contrast with flat lowlands, while the coasts begin at icy cliff drops. Simply begging to be explored, Baffin Island is also the world’s 5th largest island with the Inuit making up the majority of the island’s population. Open to tourists during the summertime, the eastern side of the island allows for the exploration of an intriguing wintertime wonderland of icebergs, glaciers and crystalline streams. Animal lovers will also enjoy spotting wildlife the whole year round, while birdwatchers can get their fill of the migrating bird species of summer. Whatever you have in mind for a holiday to Arctic Canada, a detour to Baffin Island is certain to deliver.

A place of sheer extremes, Arctic Canada has seasons that dramatically vary, with short summers of just a couple of weeks and long, cold and dry winters during which the temperatures plummet to biting degrees. Travelling conditions to this region are generally at their best between the months of May through to September.

That said when planning your Arctic Canada holidays, you will need to take into consideration the optimum travel periods for whatever it is you wish to experience, be it the majestic “King of the Arctic” or the mysterious Aurora Borealis. There are great times to visit Arctic Canada depending on the experience you prefer.

Summer Comforts

It is during the summer months in Arctic Canada that the area’s fascinating geology and wildlife are most visible. This is by far the most popular time for an Arctic Canada holiday as the vast majority of expeditions operate during these months. Because the temperatures at this time are also at their highest, it is much more comfortable to visit the region. A visit between July and August will coincide with the arrival of approximately 60,000 beluga whales.

Autumn Scenery

April and October are the ‘shoulder’ months between the main winter and summer months of Arctic Canada. While not offering the peak conditions for a visit, the October scenery is still good. October is also one of the best periods for viewing the majestic polar bears. A visit during this time sees the bears taking to the tundra as they await the ‘big freeze’ and the onset of their winter hunting season when they begin to hunt on the shores.

Winter Lights

Arctic Canada is one of the best places on earth to witness the natural phenomenon of the Aurora Borealis or Northern Lights. Caused by an interaction of charged particles from the sun with atoms in the upper atmosphere, the Northern Lights are at their most impressive from January through March. This period is when the skies are clearer and is therefore worth considering while making your holiday to Canada plans. The winter months in Arctic Canada are also ideal for enjoying a variety of winter sports.

Springtime Cruises

No matter how tempting the idea may be, visitors on an Arctic Canada tour cannot cruise the Polar Regions the whole year round. Travel in Arctic Canada is restricted to the polar summer and spring during which daylight lasts between 18 and 24 hours each day. April and October are the ‘shoulder’ months between the main winter and summer months of Arctic Canada. The springtime scenery of the region is good enough for a visit at this time.