Are you nervous about communicating? While over 80% of the population’s first language is Inuktitut or Inuinnaqtun, English and French are widely spoken throughout the region.

All roads may lead to Rome but not one single road leads to Nunavut. In other words, no road-trips will get you to Canada’s youngest territory. Most people choose to fly but there are a few months each summer—when the ice breaks up—that bring tourists to the region by cruise ship.

Nunavut is the largest of the Canadian territories and provinces. It encompasses over 2 million km2 of land—just over 20% of all Canada. Despite its size, it has the smallest population in the country.

I’m sure it doesn’t come as a surprise that the arctic is cold. But it is really really cold. Because Nunavut is so large, temperatures vary greatly around the territory. The coldest community, Grise Ford, will often see winter temperatures dip to -50ºC while the warmest community, Kugluktuk, sees winter temps of -15º to -40º C. The other communities range in temperature depending on the season but all of them will only see an average temperature of above freezing during the summer months. The moral of the story? Come prepared and trust your adventure guides’ clothing recommendations. Nothing ruins a good adventure like frost bite!

Confession: I thought Narwhals were mythical creatures until I was well into my thirties. As it turns out, these ‘unicorns of the sea’ are the real deal and live in the arctic waters surrounding Nunavut. Seeing one though is dependent on the season you visit—May and June are the prime viewing months.

Immersing yourself in the communities of Nunavut is a huge part of understanding the culture. However it’s hard to do that if you’re stuck at your accommodation. Enter the $7 taxi. No mater how far you need to go, a taxi ride in Nunavut will cost you $7. But don’t be surprised if your driver picks up another passenger or two. You’ll all get where you’re going and you will have good conversation along the way.

Adventures in the arctic all have an ideal season. Unless you’re a seasoned pro, we recommend enlisting the help of a guide. This will not only help ensure your ultimate enjoyment and well-being, their first-hand knowledge is sure to enhance your experience.