Canadian Arctic Archipelago Islands

Qilak

This vast network of islands including Ellesmere, Devon, and Bathurst islands offers some of Earth's most extreme Arctic wilderness with glaciers, ancient ice, and polar wildlife. Accessible via expedition cruises and chartered flights, these islands represent the ultimate Arctic frontier experience.

Things to do

• Ellesmere Island Glacier Trekking — Hike across ancient glaciers and ice fields on Ellesmere Island, where you can witness millennia-old ice formations and pristine Arctic wilderness.
• Polar Bear Watching — Observe polar bears in their natural habitat during spring and early summer months when they emerge from winter dens across the archipelago.
• Inuit Cultural Tours in Grise Fiord — Visit one of Canada's northernmost settlements to learn about traditional Inuit hunting practices, dog sledding, and contemporary Arctic life.
• Midnight Sun Photography — Capture the continuous daylight of the Arctic summer, with 24-hour sunlight providing unique photographic opportunities across glaciers and tundra.
• Devon Island Archaeological Sites — Explore ancient Paleo-Inuit and Dorset culture ruins and stone artifacts scattered across Devon Island's barren landscape.
• Beringia Ecosystem Observation — Observe musk oxen, Arctic foxes, and migratory birds in their natural subarctic habitat during the brief summer season.
• Expedition Cruise Navigation — Travel by icebreaker ship through narrow channels and past icebergs, accessing remote locations unreachable by land.

Food to try

• Arctic Char — Fresh-caught fish from Arctic waters, often prepared simply grilled or smoked to highlight its delicate, slightly sweet flavor.
• Musk Ox Meat (Qiviut) — Lean, tender meat from wild musk oxen, traditionally prepared by Inuit communities in stews or as dried meat (quaq).
• Seal and Walrus Country Food — Traditional Inuit sustenance still hunted and consumed locally, often prepared as stews or eaten raw as part of cultural food practices.
• Arctic Berries — Cloudberries, crowberries, and lingonberries harvested during the brief summer, served fresh or preserved as jam.
• Bannock Bread — Traditional fried bread eaten by Arctic communities, often served with meals or as a staple carbohydrate source.

Local customs & good to know

• Respect Traditional Hunting Practices — Understand that local Inuit communities practice sustainable hunting of seals, whales, and polar bears as essential cultural and nutritional traditions.
• Extreme Weather Preparedness — Pack multiple layers, wind-resistant gear, and sunscreen despite cold temperatures, as UV radiation reflects intensely off ice and snow.
• Limited Services and Self-Reliance — Most islands have no permanent infrastructure or stores; plan thoroughly with your expedition operator and bring all necessary medications and supplies.
• Indigenous Land Acknowledgment — Recognize that the Canadian Arctic Archipelago is Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami territory; engage respectfully with local guides and communities.