Arctic Kingdom, one of Canada’s leading travel organizations, makes Arctic adventures and dreams come to life. Since 1999, Arctic Kingdom has been operating legendary land tours and taking thousands of adventurers to the Canadian Arctic, giving them the experience of intimate wildlife encounters and pristine wilderness. Dive in the Arctic Ocean, see incredible wildlife, take in awe-inspiring landscapes, and meet the wonderful people of the North. Arctic Kingdom aims to make the North more accessible for more people to encounter this amazing place on Earth and provide the most incredible Arctic experiences. Follow nature’s rhythms in order to discover the best of the Arctic.
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FAQs
Arctic Kingdom socially and environmentally responsible?
The Arctic and Northern Canada are dynamic and changing places. Home and the traditional lands of Inuit and First Nations, they believe respecting and collaborating with local cultures, empowering communities and leaving wildlife untouched is the only way to be able to provide authentic sustainable experiences for years to come. They travel in small groups on land and everything, from the way they plan and operate their arctic tours, to their business practices, is geared toward making a positive impact on the areas they visit and minimize their environmental impact.
To ensure their tours economically benefit the local communities they hire local guides and drivers, purchase food supplies in community (whenever possible), eat local food, and use local services. By continually reassessing their trips, they ensure that they are socially, economically and environmentally sound.
Arctic Kingdom strictly adheres and supports the Wildlife Policy for the Territory of Nunavut.
Why do you use real fur on your parkas/gear?
Arctic weather conditions can be extreme. Gear is important for the comfort and warmth of their guests, they ensure they provide the highest quality. The jackets they provide are designed for extreme cold temperatures, where skin around the face can freeze in minutes. Fur and down are the best choice for warmth and protection. Fur trim around the hood disrupts airflow and creates warm air to help protect the face from frostbite. Fur remains the warmest option versus synthetic, and is the traditional choice of Inuit.
Are there restrictions on alcohol in the Canadian Arctic?
Restrictions on alcohol vary by community; there are three types of alcohol policies in Nunavut. Only five communities, including Iqaluit, have no alcohol restrictions. This means you can purchase and drink alcohol at licensed establishments. Other communities restrict local purchasing of alcohol, but allow it to be brought in for personal consumption only with a permit endorsed by the local Alcohol Education Committee. The communities visited on Arctic Kingdom with this policy are: Arctic Bay, Igloolik, Pond Inlet, and Qikiqtarjuaq. Some communities have a complete prohibition on alcohol, including Arviat.
When and where can I see the Northern Lights?
From August to May, the Northern Lights bejewel the night sky in the Canadian Arctic, against a backdrop of incredible scenery and possible rare wildlife sightings. The best places to see the Northern Lights in North America are in the northwestern parts of Canada – including Nunavut. Small communities and remote locations without light pollution are great for seeing the Northern Lights as they are most clearly seen on a dark sky.
What forms of payment are accepted in Nunavut?
They highly recommend having local Canadian currency with you while traveling. Some shops and restaurants may also accept credit cards and/or debit cards.
What forms of banking services/ payment are accepted in Churchill, Manitoba? Churchill, Manitoba operates on Canadian currency and has several ATMs available. Many shops and restaurants also accept credit cards and/or debit cards.
What kind of banking services are available in Nunavut?
They recommend having Canadian currency on hand when traveling to Nunavut as it still mainly operates on cash (Canadian dollars). Nunavut’s capital Iqaluit, located on Baffin Island, offers the most banking services, including a variety of banks and ATM machines. Many communities, however, have no banking services at all and very few communities have physical banks, due to remoteness. Interaction is not available outside the capital of Iqaluit and credit cards including Visa, Master Card and American express are typically not available.
How close can I get to polar bears? Why can’t we get closer?
Following the Wildlife Policy of Nunavut, and for the safety of their guests and wildlife, they ensure all participants remain at a minimum distance of 100 meters (approx. 300 feet) from polar bears in the wild. Arctic Kingdom Expeditions Leaders and Inuit guides are trained and experience in polar bear safety and de-escalation.
Are Arctic Kingdom adventures strenuous and/or physically challenging?
They want their guests to enjoy the wonders of the North! The majority of our Arctic adventures have been designed so guests can participate and enjoy regardless of your age or activity level and are perfect for families. Many trips include riding in qamatiks (sleds pulled by snow machines) or riding in boats; and they are pleased to offer comfortable, real beds on safari. While theirarctic tours may include optional activities such as hiking, kayaking, snorkeling or diving, participants can choose how much or how little do to. Their Arctic Travel Advisors are happy to help you choose which experience is right for you if you have any concerns.
Can I join an arctic tour if I have mobility issues?
Travel in the Arctic requires a significant level of mobility to get around. The terrain is rugged and uneven and rides on the qamatiks can be quite bumpy. Bathroom facilities in their mobile camps are set aside from your private tent so you must be able to make your way over to this area unattended, or with the help of a traveling companion. Unfortunately, at this time they do not have the resources to accommodate those in a wheelchair or requiring personalized assistance through the trip. If you have any concerns about your mobility level, their Arctic Travel Advisors are happy to discuss the best options for you including the possibilities of traveling on their less strenuous safaris or lodges including Bathurst Inlet Lodge.
What items/souvenirs am I not allowed to bring into my home country?
Your home country customs officials may prohibit certain items from being imported. Typical items that are prohibited are meat products and traditional items made of whale bone, antler, or seal skin. Please review the rules, regulations, and restrictions directly with your country of origin’s Customs Offices to avoid disappointment.
Do I need to get medical insurance to travel on an Arctic Kingdom trip?
Arctic Kingdom does not carry health, life or injury insurance for tour participants. It is your responsibility to ensure your medical coverage covers you for life and health care risks while on our trips, and in addition should provide transport to your home country or province (for Canadians traveling on our Canadian arctic tours).
All participants will be required to provide proof of travel medical insurance that includes sufficient emergency evacuation coverage. Please note, this is due 120 days prior to departure date.
In the event of a medical emergency where a patient must receive care of a doctor as soon as possible, almost all of our ours will require a private charter aircraft to complete the evacuation. Depending on the location and where the closest hospital is located, the expense could be very costly. It is imperative that you check with your insurance provider to ensure you are covered for the location you are visiting. Arctic Kingdom is not responsible for any expenses incurred for medical reasons
For emergency evacuation insurance, what dollar amount do you recommend clients cover themselves for?
Many guests that travel with us obtain a minimum coverage of $500,000 (USD). It’s difficult to determine the exact amount to purchase so they recommend travelers consult their insurance provider.
Do I need to purchase trip cancellation/interruption insurance?
In light of their cancellation policy and the extreme environment in which they travel, they strongly recommend that all trip participants purchase trip cancellation and trip interruption insurance. On very limited occasions, Arctic Kingdom has had to cancel trips after they have started due to unforeseen environmental conditions.
What is your cancellation policy?
They spend months preparing and continuously make non-refundable deposits and material purchases to suppliers, hotels, airlines and staff. Therefore they must strictly adhere to their Cancellation & Refund Policies for all travelers.
Can I get mobile phone reception? What about Wifi?
Mobile phone reception and WIFI is not guaranteed in such a remote location. You may be able to get cellphone reception in some of the communities, and Wi-Fi may be available at some hotels at the beginning and end of your trip, but it is not guaranteed. You will not have cell phone reception while in camp. It is best to plan ahead and not need access to the internet once you have begun your trip. Their Expedition Leaders communicate from their remote locations using Iridium satellite phones and InReach satellite communicators for text messaging. These tools can be made available to you in the event of an emergency, but not for casual communication. If you would like to stay in contact with your family and friends during your trip, they have satellite phones or communicators available for rent.
This was our first trip to South America and we were a little nervous. But Adventure Life made things so easy! All our questions were answered before we left, and our guide, Vidal, was amazing! He gave us enough space to explore without rushing us along. He also knew where the best picture taking opportunities were, which was great.
