Akshayuk Pass Ski Tour

Program overview:

This challenging expedition is perfect for individuals seeking an authenticArctic experience in a land rich in history and culture. Guests will meet in theNunavut capital of Iqaluit, and upon arrival at the airport you will be greeted by your guide and transferred to your hotel. Iqaluit is traditionally reached viathe hub cities of Ottawa or Montreal. That evening there will be a brief meetand greet in Iqaluit to become acquainted and ensure that you areappropriately geared up for the expedition. This is a perfect opportunity tobecome acquainted with your team members and chat details regarding theitinerary and trip plan. The following day, the group will fly to Qikiqtarjuaq(Qik), a small Inuit village on the East Coast of Broughton Island. Upon arrivalin Qik, you will spend the night at a local hotel preparing for transport to thetrailhead the following day. The following day, (day 2) you will travel bysnowmobile over the sea ice to the trailhead at North Pang Fiord. Once at ourdestination, we will offload our gear and begin the 97-kilometer (60 mile)adventure into the Pass. As we pull our pulks (sledges) overland, our goal isto make distance into the valley before making camp for the evening.

For the remaining 7-days of this adventure, we will begin the day with anearly wakeup call followed by a nutritious, high calorie, breakfast prior tosetting off. Our journey begins at sea level, but we gradually gain altitudeuntil we top out at the aptly named Summit Lake (420masl). Travel in thepass in April requires the use of both skis and crampons, as the high windshave removed the snow from the Owl and Weasel Rivers in many sections.During our journey, we will encounter erratic boulder fields, moraines, skyscrapingmountain peaks and nunataqs. Two of the most well-known peaks inthe region are Mount Thor (1675masl) and Mount Asgard (2015masl) – both names derived from Norse mythology. Thor Peak is of particular interest as ithas Earth’s highest vertical drop at 1250m (4101ft). The group will camp atThor Peak and guests will have an opportunity to explore and photographthis incredible mountain. As we continue south, guests will have anopportunity to officially cross the Arctic Circle (66o30’) – a truly memorableexperience. Parks Canada has constructed a marker at this point, offering amemorable photo op. The final stretch takes us to our end point where wewill await pickup by snowmobile from another of our local Inuit guidepartners. The trip back is stunning and is a great opportunity to relax beforeheading back to the realities of modern life.

Difficulty rating: Moderate/Difficult. Winter camping experience required:

Previous winter camping and travel experience is required. Clients who are interested, but lack the winter camping experience, may be considered with pre-expedition training. We would be happy to help you plan this. Guests should be aware that this trip is moderate/difficult, and the expectation is that individuals have a good level of fitness and can pull a sled with a harness while skiing or walking on crampons for 7-8 hours per day (10-15km each day). While April signals the beginning of Spring in southern areas of Canada, Baffin Island may still experience periods of extreme cold, high winds, and powerful storms. This trip is a test of both physical, and mental endurance and finishing is a significant accomplishment in polar travel. We’ve designed this as an expedition style adventure, therefore all clients will be required to share the load of group equipment, such as fuel, stoves and common cooking gear.

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 (winter rated sleeping bag*, winter rated camp mattress*, backcountry skis (metal edges)/boots/bindings system, high quality winter clothing, medication/toiletries). A comprehensive gear list will be provided upon booking. 
• Accommodations required due to travel delays, flight cancellations or other events outside of our control. It is important to note that air travel is frequently delayed due to weather, or other logistical committments deemed necessary by the airline. Nunavut relies heavily on air transportation to move food and medicines throughout the territoiry. As a result, baggage may be delayed in transit. We recommend having a flexible timeframe for travel, with no important work or personal commitments 5-7 days after the scheduled end of the expedition. 

*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.
•  Snowmobile 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®, Hilleberg 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.