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Is there a road to Tuktoyaktuk?
Highway 10, more commonly known as the Inuvik-Tuktoyaktuk Highway or ITH, is a road between Inuvik and Tuktoyaktuk in Canada's Northwest Territories. It is the "first all-weather road to Canada's Arctic Coast".
Can you drive the Dempster highway in a car?
Although four wheel drive is not required to drive the Dempster, it is certainly a benefit if you take the opportunity to explore backcountry camping. Four-wheel drive will also be helpful when the highway turns into mud. An extra jerry can of fuel is a must for this trip to ensure you arrive at the next fuel stop.
Is Tuktoyaktuk open for tourists?
Today, the community welcomes visitors from all over the world who tour the nearby pingos, sample traditional food like muktuk, and dip their toes in the chilly waters of the Arctic Ocean.
How fast can you drive on the Dempster highway?
The speed limit on the Dempster is 90 km/h. Whether you are experienced with driving on gravel roads or not, you will be well advised to take it slower. Choose the speed according to road conditions. In some sections, you will need to go very slowly.
What's the farthest north you can drive in Canada?
Ice Road to Tuktoyaktuk, Canada Distinction: Northernmost road in North America, open only during the heart of winter. In the summer, the only way to get to Tuktoyaktuk, a town of fewer than 1000 people at the top of Canada's Northwest Territory, is by plane.
Can u drive to Inuvik?
Getting to Inuvik is fairly simple, as you only have two options on how you may travel. You can either drive or fly (unless you live in a nearby community and then maybe the ice roads in the winter time are a third option).
What is Tuktoyaktuk famous for?
Tuktoyaktuk (an Inuit word for “reindeer that looks like caribou”) was established in 1936 as a Hudson's Bay Company trading post and transport depot. Its economic base is trapping, whaling, sealing, reindeer herding, and handicrafts (especially bone and antler carving).
Is Tuktoyaktuk a dry community?
As of midnight, April 10, anyone found with alcohol in Tuktoyaktuk could be facing fines and jail time as a 10-day prohibition came into effect in the community. It covers a radius 25 kilometres from the hamlet office and penalties can go up to as much as a $2,000 fine or up to 30 days in jail.
What is the coldest it's ever gotten in Tuktoyaktuk?
The lowest recorded temperature in Tuktoyaktuk is -45.8°F (-43.2°C), which was recorded in January.
How much of the Dempster Highway is paved?
6 milesThe first 5 miles/8 km of the Dempster are seal-coated, and the last 6 miles/10 km are paved, but the rest of the road is gravel.
Can you drive from Norman Wells to Inuvik?
There are 455.85 km (283.25 miles) from Norman Wells to Inuvik in northwest direction and 2,972.46 km (1,847 miles) by car and ferry, following the 5 route. Norman Wells and Inuvik are 2 days 5 hours far apart, if you drive non-stop for 2 days 5 hours and take a ferry for 11 minutes .
Can you drive to the Arctic Circle in Canada?
Canada's only all-season public road to cross the Arctic Circle, the Dempster Highway, is 740 km (458 mi.) of unpaved road that traverses some of the most beautiful scenery on the planet. It starts near Dawson City and heads due north to Inuvik in the Northwest Territories.
Is the Dempster Highway paved?
It was built to provide access to the Canadian Arctic and to accommodate oil and gas exploration activity. It was named for Inspector William John Duncan Dempster of the RCMP. The first 5 miles/8 km of the Dempster are seal-coated, and the last 6 miles/10 km are paved, but the rest of the road is gravel.
Can you camp along the Dempster Highway?
Northwest Territories' campgrounds along the Dempster are Nataiinlaii (D2), Vadzaih Van Tshik (D3) and Gwich'in (D3). Jàk (D4) and Happy Valley (D5), located in Inuvik, can easily accommodate RVs.
Can you drive to the Arctic Circle in Canada?
Canada's only all-season public road to cross the Arctic Circle, the Dempster Highway, is 740 km (458 mi.) of unpaved road that traverses some of the most beautiful scenery on the planet. It starts near Dawson City and heads due north to Inuvik in the Northwest Territories.
Is the Dempster Highway open?
The Dempster Highway officially opened in 1979 linking Inuvik with southern communities. The highway is open approximately June 10 to October 14 in the summer, and December 15 to April 30 in the winter.
Where is Tuktoyaktuk located?
Sharing is caring! Located right on the Arctic Ocean in Canada’s Northwest Territories is a little fishing village called Tuktoyaktuk. Like Easter Island, Tuktoyaktuk is one of those places totally off the beaten path. In fact, up until the end of 2017, Tuktoyaktuk was only accessible via boat, plane, or a winter ice road.
How to experience Tuktoytaktuk?
To really experience Tuk, as the locals call it, it’s best to stay a night or two, talk to some locals, learn about its history, visit the lone grocery store, and just get a feel for this isolated Northern Canadian town.
What are Tuktoyaktuk clothes made of?
Traditional clothes are often made from caribou hide and goose down, combined with a ruff made from wolverine or wolf fur. Ours was made from wolverine and even had the claws left on it. With Tuktoyaktuk weather dipping down to -70 Celcius with the wind chill, it’s easy to see why they need this type of clothing.
What to do in Tuk in winter?
Ride a Snowmobile Around Town. If you’re visiting Tuk in the winter months, do like a local and drive around on a snowmobile. These are much more popular than cars in the winter months. After all, a snowmobile is the vehicle of choice in the Canadian Arctic.
What was the first highway in Canada to reach the Arctic Ocean?
Now, an all-season road is in place from Inuvik to Tuktoyaktuk, making it easier than ever to visit this small northern town. It’s also the first highway in Canada to reach the Arctic ocean. Fun Fact: On September 3, 1995, Metallica and other popular bands flew into Tuk and made the little town internationally famous.
What is the name of the town in Canada that was renamed Tuktoyaktuk?
With a population of less than 1,000, the residents survive some of the harshest elements in the country. Formerly known as Port Brabant, the community was renamed Tuktoyaktuk in 1950 and was the first place in Canada to revert to the traditional Native name, which in this case means “resembling a caribou”.
What ship is on the main street in the Arctic?
Maybe you can even do it while visiting the Arctic Ocean sign. Our Lady of Lourdes Ship . This beautifully restored schooner is sitting off the main street by the Catholic mission. This schooner delivered supplies to far-flung Catholic missions in the Arctic in the 1930s and ’40s, braving storms and shifting ice floes.
How fast can you drive from Inuvik to Tuktoyaktuk?
It’s best to take a heavy, reliable vehicle if you’re driving from Inuvik to Tuktoyaktuk [Elizabeth Chorney-Booth] The speed limit on the road is 70 km/h, but you may want to take it even slower.
Where is Tuktoyaktuk in the Northwest Territories?
Up until quite recently, travellers to Tuktoyaktuk in the Northwest Territories had only a few less-than-convenient options to get to the famed whaling town that sits right on the coast of the Arctic Ocean.
How long is the Inuvik-Tuktoyaktuk Highway?
At 138 km, the road isn’t long and only takes a couple of hours to drive, but it isn’t quite like the highways ...
Where to stay in Inuvik?
The. Mackenzie Hotel.
Is Mackenzie Hotel a good place to stay in Tuktoyaktuk?
The. Mackenzie Hotel. has an on-site lounge and restaurant, which makes it a good bet. Depending on the time of year, you can get early to make the drive to Tuktoyaktuk and easily get back before dark, and dinner (the restaurant situation in Tuktoyaktuk is a bit spotty).
Can you buy drinks on the highway?
There are plans to build rest stops on the highway, but at this time there are no bathroom facilities and nowhere to buy drinks, snacks or gas. That said, the road is quiet enough that you can pull over and take in the beauty of your remote surroundings. You’re likely to see wildlife and will definitely see plenty of lakes that reflect the light of the northern sun. You’ll also lose any cell or radio service, so download some music or a podcast onto your phone if you want something to listen to.
Is Tuktoyaktuk a friendly place?
Tuktoyaktuk is a small and friendly community and, in general, people are happy to see visitors. Be sure to spend some money, buying goods from local artisans or visiting the Grandma’s Kitchen food trailer for a bite to eat.
Where is the Inuvik-Tuktoyaktuk Highway?
The Inuvik-Tuktoyaktuk Highway. Located on the Arctic Ocean in Canada’s Northwest Territories, Tuktoyaktuk (or Tuk) was only accessible by an ice road spanning frozen sections of the Mackenzie River delta and Arctic Ocean.
What was the problem in Tuk?
Prior to the road, employment was a major problem in Tuk. A large Military radar station and an oil camp had closed. The tourist traffic should bring in some much needed income.
Why did Inuvik close its campground?
Inuvik has a lovely municipal campground with a dump, water, and electricity. Because it starts freezing so early , they close it down. We ended up getting water from the fire department.
How many kilometers of dirt road is there from Dawson City to Tuk?
From Dawson City to Tuk there is about 900- kilometers of dirt road. The condition of this part of the road is very poor in some areas. There were long stretches of mud holes that were rough, so we crawled along.
What did the people at the Muk Tuk restaurant sell?
The people who started the restaurant thought they would sell hamburgers and hot dogs. They were surprised when the tourists wanted to eat local foods like Muk Tuk – whale blubber. They also serve local berries and wild game.
What is the name of the highway that Nate and Nancy are opening?
News of the Inuvik-Tuktoyaktuk Highway opening was exciting news for Nate and Nancy. They wanted to reach Tuk and meet its people before tourists permanently changed their way of life. With their Northern Lite 8-11 Special Edition and Ford F-350, they set out.
Is the road to Tombstone good?
The road is actually quite good to Tombstone. Beyond Tombstone, the road starts to get worse. We spoke to someone along the way who works at the information booth. He said that the area had received more rain that year than the 56 previous years. That obviously didn’t help the road conditions.
When was the Tuktoyaktuk Highway 10 built?
New Inuvik – Tuktoyaktuk Highway 10 – Construction of the 137 km all-season road between Inuvik and Tukoyaktuk started in April 2013 and opened on November 15, 2017.
Where is Tuk connected to?
Tuk is also connected with the hamlet of Aklavik via an ice road.
What percentage of the Tuk population is Inuvialuit?
About 90 % of Tuk’s population is Inuvialuit, meaning “original people of the Western Arctic”, known to outsiders as Eskimos. Over the years Tuktoyaktuk has been a base for Inuvialuit caribou and beluga hunting, as well as a DEW line radar site, and a centre of oil and gas exploration. Table of Contents [ show]
What time does the flight leave from Tuk to Inuvik?
Regular flights operate daily between Inuvik and Tuk, leaving Inuvik at 9:30 am and returning at 4 pm.
Where is Arctic Adventure Tours?
Arctic Adventure Tours and Tuk Tours with their office in Inuvik offer cultural tours of the hamlet, harbour tours and visits to traditional fishing camps, as well as boat trips between Inuvik and Tuk.
Where is the Western Arctic Regional Visitor Centre?
The Western Arctic Regional Visitor Centre in Inuvik and Dawson City have current Information on available tours.
How long does it take to drive 140 km?
To drive the 140 km took around 2 1/2 hours. It used to be an incredible journey; an adventure that is now gone forever. Most probably you’re like me and undertake your first excursion north of the Arctic Circle to the Land of the Midnight Sun during summer.
A Proud Moment
I’ve now reached, touched and tasted two oceans inside ten days’ time.
Cold Weather? No Bugs!
This year’s colder than usual spring weather has blessed me with a rare experience. Namely, a biting insect-free visit here in the north.
In Case You Missed It
If you haven’t any idea what “Tuk” (Tuktoyaktuk) or the Dempster Highway is, I’ll explain briefly. For 60 years the Dempster Highway (purpose-built to link the north to the south) has remained unfinished because of many different factors.
Enter the Ninja H2SX
If you already read my first write up on Riding Canada’s Arctic: An Adventure Ride From Dawson City to Tuktoyaktuk published back in March 2018 you’ll recall my original plan at that time was to fly to Dawson City then join up with Dawson Adventure Riding Expeditions (a local motorcycle tour group) and ride one of their Honda Africa Twins up to Tuk.
Doing Things The Hard Way
Typical of my indecisive nature I only squeezed the trigger on this new plan two weeks before leaving for Tuk. Getting the new bike through its 1000 km (600 miles) break-in period had to be accomplished in just two days to ensure it got the first service completed at the dealership to maintain warranty coverage.
My Chosen Riding Gear: Joe Rocket Canada
I definitely got to test my Joe Rocket Canada riding gear thoroughly in the rain during the first week of this ride! I pre-tested it in my backyard using the garden hose before leaving home and it proved impenetrable when it came to water.
Luggage For The H2SX
I purchased some very compact camping gear for this trip and I was looking for an opportunity to get my money’s worth out of it. My tent, stove, stove fuel, Thermarest sleeping pad and hatchet all fit into the right side factory KQR (Kawasaki Quick Release) luggage on the H2SX SE.
When is the Inuvik-Tuktoyaktuk Highway open?
This latter highway is open from January to April and is generally paved over by snow and ice. During this season, rivers and ocean can be frozen over and you can drive on them.
What is the road to the Arctic Ocean?
After reaching Inuvik but moving onward take the new Inuvik-Tuktoyaktuk Highway, the first all-weather road to Canada’s Arctic Ocean. This latter highway is open from January to April and is generally paved over by snow and ice. During this season, rivers and ocean can be frozen over and you can drive on them. This is the way locals get around. The highway is the only road connecting Tuktoyaktuk to mainland Canada. Roads are maintained by the government and you’ll find the roads cleared and its ice thickness is measured for safety. When the road is open, they put up signs.
What is the name of the town in Canada that is the gateway to the Arctic Ocean?
Tuktoyaktuk : Gateway to the Arctic Ocean, Canada B.C. Tuktoyaktuk ( Inuit means “Looks like caribou” ) -lovingly called “ Tuk ” by the locals- is a small and unique town (population: 900+, mostly Inuvialuit people ) that is the Canadian gateway to the Arctic Ocean.
Do you have to drive the Dempster Highway to Inuvik?
It’s a good 13 hour drive ( say whaaat???) The highway during warmer seasons is picturesque, alive with wildlife and is open for camping and potentially easier to drive. Yes, you don’t have to drive it all in one go. The first midpoint mark and gas station/hotel is Eagle Plains. Be sure to stop at the Arctic Circle sign to take photos.
Is it hard to plan a road trip to the Arctic Ocean?
Planning a road trip to the Arctic Ocean sounds like it would be harder than it is. These days, as more intrepid travelers and RV enthusiasts take to the roads, you’ll find more Arctic road trip information than you did in the past. Here’s insight into my Arctric road trip to Tuktoyaktuk BC.
Is the Arctic Ocean a tourist destination?
With the new highway, a boom in tourism is happening – travelers can experience the Arctic Ocean and fulfill bucket lists like Polar plunges (or like me- quite the opposite of walking on the ocean) and Canadians can now explore their backyard. Expect Northern Tundra tours to start happening!
Is there an all weather highway to Tuktoyaktuk?
New Arctic Destination: In 2017, an all-weather highway to Tuktoyaktuk opened, inviting accessibility and tourism to the small town of Tuktoyaktuk, which guards the Arctic Ocean border and whom has a unique and special Inuvialuit culture. This highway is a lifeline between mainland British Columbia and the Arctic Ocean (and Tuktoyaktuk). In the past, Tuk locals relied on air and ice roads for goods and resources, driving their lifestyle expenses up and creating food scarcity.
Getting There
- By Road via Dempster Highway
First, you have to get toInuvik. If you are an adventurer like me, you most probably decide to drive the 740 km long Dempster Highway. The famous gravel highway starts east of Dawson City and takes you to the Yukon/NWT border. It continues to Fort McPherson and Tsiigehtichic, ending in … - By Air
If you prefer to get to Tuktoyaktuk faster, Inuvik has daily air service from Edmonton, Norman Wells, Yellowknife and Whitehorse. Regular flights operate daily between Inuvik and Tuk, leaving Inuvik at 9:30 am and returning at 4 pm. Aklak Airalso operates charter flights, taking 45 minute…
Tours
- Arctic Adventure Tours and Tuk Tourswith their office in Inuvik offer cultural tours of the hamlet, harbour tours and visits to traditional fishing camps, as well as boat trips between Inuvik and Tuk. My plan was to fly to Tuk and take a boat trip back to Inuvik. Combined trips like this are only offered a couple of times a week. It didn’t work out for me and I had to fly both ways. The day tri…
Ice Road Memories
- In winter, the Mackenzie River used to turn into an ice road connecting Inuvik and Tuktoyaktuk. The road closed permanently on April 29, 2017, at the end of the winter season. The ice road between Inuvik and Tuk has been featured in some episodes of TV documentary Ice Road Truckers. To drive the 140 km took around 2 1/2 hours. It used to be an incr...
Touring The Settlement
- Our Inuvialuit tour guide met us at the Tuktoyaktuk airport in her van and toured with us the small settlement. Most of the houses are old and weathered with tin roofs. Still, it’s a pleasant place, despite the old and rundown buildings. The location is sensational and the people are extremely friendly.I wish I could have stayed for a night and listen to stories from the local folks. Our guide …
The Jacobson’s
- After the community tour, our guide invited us into her and her husband’s home for atraditional Inuvialuit meal of caribou stew and Eskimo donuts. We also sampled muskox meat, dry fish, muktuk and smoked whale meat. Like most residents in Tuk, the Jacobson’s still hunt, trap, whale and fish for their food and live a traditional lifestyle. They showed us some of the furs and skins …
Tour Operators
- Tour operators offer many activities including dog-sledding, snowmobiling, ice-fishing, igloo building and culture tours. To take part in any of the activities will give you a glimpse into the lives and traditions of the local people. The Western Arctic Regional Visitor Centre in Inuvik and Dawson Cityhave current Information on available tours.
Accommodation
- If you decide to stay at Tuktoyaktuk for a night I suggest to book your accommodationbefore you arrive. 1. Backcountry Accommodation Guide