8 Day Inuit Festivals And The Road To The Arctic Tour

8 Day Inuit Festivals and the Road to the Arctic

Style: Tour of Distinction

Day 1: Arrive in Whitehorse, YT

Welcome to Whitehorse, named the Wilderness City, it is nestled on the banks of the famous Yukon River surrounded by mountains and pristine lakes. Tonight enjoy a get-acquainted dinner with your tour group. (Dinner)

Day 2: Whitehorse, YT

Whitehorse has great shops, galleries, and museums that are open all year. Take a stroll down Main Street or spend time with the locals in the lively cafés. Keep an eye out for local food and drink products – you may be surprised at the culinary scene up here!

The capital of the Yukon, Whitehorse, offers a charming inside to the history of the North. We visit the Visitor Centre to learn about the different regions of the Yukon, the SS Klondike-a paddle wheeler ship, and the Old Log Church, both restored relics from the Gold Rush days.

We also see the world’s longest wooden fish ladder and a Log Skyscraper. To finish with an inspiration of the North we will have a guided tour through the MacBride Museum.

One of the most sought-after Northern experiences, a Yukon vacation is only complete with viewing the Aurora Borealis cascading across the Yukon night sky.

Solar radiation interacting with the Earth’s upper atmosphere produces dramatic waves of light across the sky. The Northern Lights have captivated viewers since the beginning of time, as evidenced by the many Inuit and Canada’s indigenous people’s legends they have inspired.

We go on an Aurora viewing tour at our custom-built Aurora viewing location, far from the lights of the town, so we can experience a visual spectacle surrounded by wilderness away from habitation. (Breakfast, Dinner)

Day 3: Whitehorse, YT

We start our day at the interesting Indigenous Cultural Centre situated on the banks of the Yukon River where the Kwanlin Dün First Nation people celebrate their heritage and way of life.

Later in the day, we will visit the hot springs, have a chance to see Arctic animals in the native environment, and possibly do a gentle snowshoe walk. Depending on the weather, there may be a second opportunity to see the Northern Lights. (Breakfast, Dinner)

Day 4: Whitehorse - Inuvik, NWT

This morning we fly to Inuvik within the Arctic Circle for a stay at Inuvik’s comfortable Mackenzie Hotel. This afternoon we drive to Aklavik. We will drive on the Mackenzie River ice road, used by ice road truckers, to the Inuit community of Aklavik for a cultural meal with Inuit elders.

Highlights of this trip include a spectacular view of the Richardson Mountains along the way as well as a visit to the famous Mad Trapper’s gravesite. We will learn of the unique history and culture of this northern community as well as experience a drive on an ‘ice road’.

The Aklavik Ice Road is a two-hour drive each way over the frozen tundra learning about the culture and history of the area with our Inuit guide. On arrival in Aklavik, we go to an elder’s home and share a meal while the elders tell us the history of the area and the story of the Mad Trapper.

Return to Inuvik. This evening there will be an opportunity to see the Northern Lights. (Breakfast, Dinner)

Day 5: Inuvik - Tuktoyaktuk, NWT

Be one of the first to travel on the new Mackenzie Valley Highway from Inuvik to the coastal community of Tuktoyaktuk on the Arctic Ocean.

We experience the Northern way of life being surrounded by the stark beauty of the Arctic tundra as we visit a herd of 3000 reindeer on our drive to Tuktoyaktuk on the Arctic Ocean.

In this unique and exclusive Arctic tour, we will experience the region with locals as you live and learn the mysteries of the Northern ways of life. We travel alongside reindeer herders who have crossed this terrain year after year, generation after generation, venturing into the icy-blue horizon lines, herding thousands of reindeer who must be hurried across the Arctic tundra to their spring calving grounds.

Night falls and the spring Arctic sun gives way to a cozy evening as we bundle into the warmth of our B&B located in this northern community. Enjoy local cuisine and cultural activities shared by your Inuvialuit host as part of this authentic Arctic experience.

The experience continues as the potential for viewing the magnificence of the Aurora Borealis late at night as we look skyward with our breath dancing in the cold air. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Day 6: Tuktoyaktuk - Inuvik, NWT

We wake up in Tuktoyaktuk and after seeing the vastness of the frozen Beaufort Sea, we try our skills at the igloo building. This will be an opportunity for you to cut your own block of Arctic ice and help build a group igloo. We have hot refreshments ready at hand to help. After lunch in Tuktoyaktuk, we head back south down the brand new Inuvik to Tuktoyaktuk Highway to Inuvik.

After checking into the comfort of Inuvik’s Mackenzie Hotel, we head out to witness the Opening Ceremony of Inuvik’s springtime Muskrat Jamboree festival.

After the long Arctic winter, the sun shines bright and the people of the Mackenzie Delta come out for several days each spring to eat, play, dance, and celebrate the coming change in weather during the Muskrat Jamboree. At this four-day festival you can try your hand at ice chiseling, harpoon throwing, or jig the night away to great fiddle and guitar music, not to mention the dog races, community feasts, drumming, dancing, and much more!

The Muskrat Jamboree is a community celebration that is older than the town of Inuvik itself and a must-see for those looking for an authentic glimpse of life in Canada's Western Arctic.

We will have a local dinner with an Inuit family and have time with elders listening to folk tales handed down through generations. There will be time for Northern Lights viewing this evening. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Day 7: Inuvik, NWT

We will do a driving tour of Inuvik town this morning before witnessing events at the Muskrat Jamboree where the action gets going only around lunchtime. This evening you will have another opportunity to witness the magic of the Aurora Borealis, so keep your cameras ready. (Breakfast, Dinner)

Day 8: Inuvik - Whitehorse, YT

We have the morning free to explore this northern community before boarding our mid-day flight back to Whitehorse and then connecting onwards to home. (Breakfast)

Tour Includes:

7 nights of accommodation (3.5–4 star), professional driver-guide, transportation on deluxe motorcoach, economy class airfare between Whitehorse and Inuvik, 16 meals: 7 breakfasts, 2 lunches, 7 dinners.

Highlights:

Inuvik's Springtime Muskrat Jamboree Festival

Reindeer Herding with the Inuit People

First Drive on the 'Mackenzie Valley Arctic Highway' to the Beaufort Sea

Northern Lights Viewing in Whitehorse and Inuvik

Drive on an Ice Road

Pricing is per person (does not include tax)