Arctic Circle Expedition, Naujaat

Arrive into Winnipeg, Manitoba’s capital city, anytime today and make your way to The Grand Hotel, Winnipeg Airport for your overnight stay. The hotel is directly across the street from the main airport terminal.

The Arctic Circle awaits you! The Arctic Circle is a line that delineates the points on the earth’s surface north of which the sun is above the horizon for 24 hours on June 21, and entirely below the horizon for 24 hours on December 21.

Board your flight at Winnipeg International Airport for Naujaat (Repulse Bay). Today we will fly straight north over and above Hudson Bay to this small hamlet, home to approximately 1,000 people. Naujaat lies directly on top of the Arctic Circle in central Nunavut. It is here that the Arctic Circle cairn stands, a symbol that marks the Arctic Circle’s location. Naujaat is the only North American community located directly on the Arctic Circle.

Naujaat, which means “nesting place for seagulls” is situated near the nesting grounds on cliffs five kilometers north of the community. Every June the area is occupied by thousands of gulls, as well as snow birds, loons, eider ducks, longtail ducks, and jaegers.

Upon arrival, you will be met at the airport and transferred to your accommodation. Today you’ll take a community tour that includes a visit to ancient ruins and spot remnants of Bowhead Whale bones. You will also have time to get your Arctic Circle crossing certificate, and take photos at the monument to prove that yes, you really were this far north!

Naujaat is renowned for its excellent artisans, especially for its Inuit carvers who work in bone, ivory and stone. The past is valued here, as you’ll soon see. Artisans create exquisite imagery in stone, intricate jewelry, and beautifully designed clothing that is warm and practical. You might even be lucky enough to meet some local soapstone carvers.

After dinner you have the option to stay outside and marvel at the bright skies, even late at night! Because of the midnight sun it’s possible to read a book outside at midnight for most of the summer months. Or venture over to the community hall for a game of pool with the locals. The children of Naujaat are among the friendliest in the Arctic. They’ll greet you with shy smiles that turn into a friendly “Hi!”. Then, they’ll ask your name, tell you theirs, and an instant friendship blooms.

This is your chance for an authentic Arctic Canada experience at the Arctic Circle, as you explore lands that few visitors reach every year.

Touring programs in Naujaat are 100% weather dependent and may change at the discretion of your guide, right up to the time of the tour, depending on local conditions and forecasts.

Journey to the Floe Edge: This exciting journey to the floe edge is a full day excursion. The ride over the sea ice and the tundra is on a traditional qamutik pulled by a snowmobile. As the ice can be very bumpy this tour is not recommended for travellers with any health concerns, especially back problems. Adjustments will be made to the timing of this tour to take full advantage of the ever-changing floe edge.

Harbour Islands Boat Tour: Meet your local guide at your hotel and embark on a boat trip out to the Harbour Islands, which consist of approximately 15 islands lying off the north coast of Naujaat. A little over a kilometre from shore, the islands appear as sparsely vegetated rocky outcrops. The largest island, measuring approximately 2 km by 1 km, has two small creeks each fed by a lake. Watch for sea life, wildlife and birds, savouring the encounters that will hopefully come your way! Marvel at the freshness of the air surrounding you but, be aware, the sun is surprisingly strong this far north so remember to bring your sunscreen and sunglasses.

Weather and time permitting the boat tour may also visit North Pole River and the John Rae house. John Rae, a young doctor practising in Canada at the time, was commissioned in July 1846 to sail up the west coast of Hudson Bay from Churchill to Repulse Bay to examine the north coast of this mysterious bay. Rae discovered this beautiful area and returned in August to winter. This was when Rae and his men built the stone house at Fort Hope (North Pole River). Some of the parts were even brought up from Churchill. He was experienced with constructing stone houses as he was native to Scotland and familiar with the sedimentary rock surrounding him. Construction was finished by the beginning of September and the rest is history!

Naujaat Hiking Tour: Pre-book a hiking tour of the area with one of our local guides and get outside the town, into the wilderness to look for a variety of wildlife and birds.

If you are an early riser, this morning you will have time to explore town and perhaps purchase some art before our late morning flight back to Winnipeg. Have a final wander through the co-op, take last minute photos, and say goodbye to the new friends you now have living on the Arctic Circle. We’ll board our flight which will take us community hopping south. Window seats are ideal, as the views on clear days are spectacular while flying over Nunavut’s Kivalliq region. On arrival to Winnipeg you cross the street to your hotel for a final overnight stay.