Breaking the Ice with Arctic Kingdom

A while ago we wrote a post about getting to Iqaluit. It included the three ways to make your way to Nunavut – one of which was purely sarcastic.

Well, it turns out there is a proper third option for southern folks who are north-bound: Arctic Kingdom’s Break the Ice Arctic Getaway.

We first heard about this offer while at the Toonik Tyme Giant Craft Sale. There is a certain someone in town who we refer to as “Our Biggest Fan.” He introduced us to his adorable mother who was visiting him from back home. He proceeded to tell us how she had swindled a sweet deal to Iqaluit without a seat sale and during a notoriously impossible weekend to book Aeroplan. For under $1,500, she got airfare, accommodation, and a tour of the town. That’s unheard of.

It sounded too good to be true. But it wasn’t. Here are the Break the Ice details:

Trip Length:	3 or 4 days
Departing From:	Ottawa, Ontario
Arriving At:	Iqaluit, Nunavut
3 Day/2 Night Cost:	$1,470 all in
4 Day/3 Night Cost:	$1,680 all in
What’s Included:	Return flight from Ottawa with First Air (Retail Value: ~$2,000) Accommodation (Retail Value: ~$250 per night) Iqaluit City Tour (Retail Value: $50)

Not only will Arctic Kingdom get you to Iqaluit for a hell of a rate, the company will also show you a great time while you’re here. Through its local outfitting company, Tour Iqaluit, Arctic Kingdom offers all sorts of northern activities, such as hiking through Sylvia Grinnell Park, kayaking at a polynya, or snowmobiling to the floe edge.

The latter is an Arctic must.

Last weekend, the two of us were lucky enough to join Tour Iqaluit and a group of friendly gentlemen on a trip to the floe edge, where the frozen ice meets the open ocean. We would love to tell you all about it, but we’ll let Sara’s photos do the talking.

Oh, and if you haven’t yet watched our video “Floe Edge Minute” – do it!

The team getting ready to hit the open road – err – sea ice. Photo by Sara.

Anubha and her giant calzone. Not a sandwich. "It's a calzone!" Seriously, it was the size of her head. It also made appearances throughout the day.

Anubha and her giant homemade calzone, which made regular appearances throughout the day. Seriously, this thing was the size of her head. But hey, a girl’s gotta eat… Photo by Sara.

At our first pit stop, climbing up to a better vantage point. Photo by Sara.

Check out that view! The reflection is a polyna, or area of open water surrounded by sea ice.

Check out that view! The mountains are reflecting off the polynya, an area of open water surrounded by sea ice. Photo by Sara.

Group shot. From left to right we have Olivia, Rob, John (note the epic overalls), Anubha (sporting neon orange), Barrie (sporting *fluorescent* orange), Bryce, James (our amazing guide), Jeremy, and me (whose intended neon seems rather dull).

Group shot. From left to right we have Olivia (Office Manager), Rob (Dive Program Coordinator a.k.a. Jack of All Trades), John (note the epic overalls), Anubha (rocking neon orange), Barry (sporting *fluorescent* orange), Bryce (fearless snowmobiler), James (amazing guide), Jeremy (adventurous rock climber), and Sara (whose intended neon seems rather dull). Photo by Sara.

James was very patient with all of us and our photography shenanigans.

James was very patient with us and our lingering photography shenanigans that we insisted upon despite the fact we were in polar bear country. Photo by Sara.

These are polar bear paw prints. They were blown in, meaning that they weren't fresh tracks. I don't know if I was happy or disappointed...

Photographic evidence! These are polar bear paw prints. Luckily they were blown in, meaning that they weren’t fresh tracks. Better safe than sorry. Photo by Sara.