Road Trip to the Arctic Ocean

As you land in Alberta’s lively capital, take public transportation over to your hotel. From there, start your exploration of Edmonton by grabbing a bite in Winston Square. Next, you’ll head to Muttart Conservatory, comprised of four pyramids that host botanical gardens with different climates and plant life. Wind down with drinks in town and get plenty of rest for your full day of travel tomorrow. 

After an early breakfast, hop on a plane to Inuvik. Once you arrive and check into your accommodations, you’ll get a truly cultural experience touring the popular Our Lady of Victoria Church, also known as “Igloo Church”. There, you’ll learn about the history of the church and observe a nod to northern architecture. Next, you’ll spend the afternoon exploring more of the quaint town and dine at a local spot for dinner.   

Grab a coffee to go, and it’s time to hit the road! The road trip from Inuvik to Tuktoyaktuk is an adventure in itself, so give yourself plenty of time to take it slow. Tuktoyaktuk is a small but popular fishing village that used to only be accessible by plane or boat. Thanks to the namesake highway that opened a few years ago, you can now drive the 86-mile stretch. Along the way, stop off for multiple photo opportunities of the vast surrounding landscape. Once you arrive in Tuktoyaktuk, you’ll check into your bed and breakfast and check out the local fare in town. Nighttime will bring another trip highlight as you catch the stunning Northern Lights (aka Aurora Borealis) lighting up the dark sky.

Spend the early part of your day in Tuktoyaktuk with breakfast followed by discovering the area’s unique pingos, mounds of ice covered in soil and greenery that can only be found in permafrost environments. After lunch, make the trip back to Inuvik, where you’ll hike Boot Lake Trail and have dinner in town.

Spend your last morning in Inuvik touring the vegetation in the Community Greenhouse, which was converted from an old hockey arena! Next, you’ll head to the airport to catch your flight back to Edmonton and check into your hotel.

On the last full day of your trip, start the morning right by going to the infamous Duchess Bake Shop for a french press coffee and pastry. Next, explore Old Strathcona Farmers Market for organic food, arts, crafts, and other local fare. From there you’ll head to North Saskatchewan River Valley where you’ll bike or walk the area’s green zone and enjoy ravines, bridges, and water views woven through urban landscape. Wrap up your night with live music and dancing at Blues on Whyte.

It’s time to wave goodbye to the Canadian greens and blues from your plane as you head home.