Akshayuk Pass Hiking Expedition
- July & August
- 10-days
- Baffin Island, NU
- Difficulty: Moderate/Difficult
Overview:
This challenging expedition is perfect for individuals seeking an authentic Arctic experience in a land rich in history and culture. Guests will meet in the Nunavut capital of Iqaluit, and upon arrival at the airport will be greeted by your guide and transferred to your hotel. Iqaluit is traditionally reached via the hub cities of Ottawa or Montreal. That evening there will be a brief meet and greet in Iqaluit to become acquainted and ensure that you are appropriately geared up for the expedition. This is a perfect opportunity to address your questions/concerns regarding the experience. The following day, the group will fly to the remote Inuit village of Qikiqtarjuaq (Qik). Upon arrival at Qik, you will spend the night at a local hotel preparing for transport to the trailhead the following day.
The official start of the trip follows breakfast in Qik, and final preparations. We will travel by boat with our local Inuit partner (approximately 3-hrs), arriving at the trailhead in the early afternoon. Our Captain has a keen eye and will likely divert the boat on occasion to show guests the many natural attractions of the area – such as icebergs or resident marine and terrestrial wildlife. It is not uncommon to see Bowhead whales, marine birds and even polar bears on the ride to the drop off point. Upon arrival, we will offload our gear and begin the 97-kilometer (60 mile) adventure into the Pass. Our goal is to make some headway into the Owl River Valley before making camp for the evening.
For the remaining 9-days of this expedition, we will begin the day with an early wakeup call, followed by a nutritious breakfast prior to setting off. Our journey begins at sea level, but we gradually gain altitude until we top out at the aptly named Summit Lake (420masl). From there we follow the Weasel River Valley, where the effects of glacial activity are even more pronounced. We will encounter erratic boulder fields, moraines, sky-scraping mountain peaks and nunataqs. Two of the most well-known peaks in the region are Mount Thor (1675masl) and Mount Asgard (2015masl) – both names derived from Norse mythology. Thor Peak is of particular interest as it has Earth’s highest vertical drop at 1250m (4101ft). The group will camp at Thor Peak and guests will have an opportunity to explore and photograph this incredible mountain.As we continue south, guests will have an opportunity to officially cross the Arctic Circle (66o30’) – a truly memorable experience. Parks Canada has constructed a marker at this point, offering a memorable photo op. The final stretch takes us to our end point where we will await pickup by boat from another of our local guide partners. The trip back is stunning and is a great opportunity to relax before heading back to the realities of modern life.
Difficulty rating: Moderate/Difficult. Camping experience required:
Guests should be aware that this trip is of moderate difficulty and the expectation is that individuals can carry a 35-45lb backpack for 7-8 hours per day (10-15km each day). We’ve designed this as an expeditionary style adventure, therefore all clients will be required to share the load of group equipment, such as fuel, stoves and common cooking gear. This trip also involves several river crossings; therefore, you should have some degree of comfort crossing moving water (up to the knees). Your guide will evaluate water levels and determine the safest and most efficient place to cross. There may be a need to time certain crossings with water levels, so a degree of flexibility is required.
Ratio (client to guide) 6:1
Fees:
Early bird fee (Until October 31, 2026): $8995 + GST (5%).
Standard fee as of November 1st: $9495 + GST
25% deposit required on registration. Balance due 90 days prior to trip start.
What’s NOT included:
• Flights to Iqaluit from/to your home. Hotel/accommodation in Iqaluit evening one.
• Meals and accommodations outside of those specified in your itinerary
• Travel/evacuation insurance (mandatory)
• Personal camping gear (sleeping bag*, camp mattress*, personal hiking gear/clothing, medication/toiletries)
• Accommodations required due to travel delays, flight cancellations or other events outside of our control.
*AWE can assist with rentals
What AWE provides:
• Air transportation from Iqaluit to Qikiqtarjuaq; Pangnirtung to Iqaluit.
• Hotel Accommodation (based on double occupancy in Pang and Qikiqtarjuaq). One evening in each community at start/end of expedition.
• Boat transfers from Qiqiktarjuaq - Auyuittuq NP - Pangnirtung
• Trail food (breakfast, lunch & dinner during expedition. Dinner in Pang/Qik (last day)
• Trail snacks and hot drinks
• Professional guide(s)
• Group equipment (satellite phone, inReach®, expedition tents, fuel, MSR stoves, camp kitchen, medical kit, repair kit, etc.)
• Parks Canada permit
Getting to Nunavut:
Guests typically arrive in Nunavut from Montreal or Ottawa – the two major gateways to the Arctic in Eastern Canada*. Upon arrival, we will transfer you to your hotel or B&B, where you can relax or set out to discover the bustling city of Iqaluit, population 7500! Despite its small size, Iqaluit is a diverse community with an array of activities and shopping to explore. Once your deposit has been received and booking finalized, we will provide you with a discount code for use when booking your flights with Canadian North and our preferred partner hotel – The Frobisher Inn, in Iqaluit.
*There are also flights to Iqaluit from Winnipeg, Edmonton and Yellowknife that connect through Rankin Inlet.
