No special vaccinations or visas are necessary for Nunavut visitors from the United States, New Zealand, Australia, or most European nations. More specific visa guidelines for individual countries are outlined on the Citizenship and Immigration Canada website (http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/visit/visas.asp). As Nunavut is thousands of miles north of the nearest large hospital, all visitors are strongly encouraged to obtain travel insurance whose coverage includes emergency medical flights.

Health and Safety

Nunavut’s biggest dangers are its extreme cold weather, its isolation, and the wildlife within its vast territory. All self-guided travel plans must be submitted in advance to the closest Royal Canadian Mounted Police detachment to their departure point. Visitors venturing into Nunavut’s wilderness without trained guides must also check in with the Royal Canadian Mounted Police upon their return. Most of Nunavut’s national parks and wilderness areas are hundreds of miles from cell phone reception and medical centers so be vigilant and careful.

Carefully packing up food scraps, cooking on portable camping stoves or fire pits instead of tundra, and leaving campsites without a trace are not only the best ways for campers to protect themselves against black bears and other dangerous wildlife, but also to show respect for these ancient and often untouched lands. Dressing warmly is always recommended in Nunavut, whose winters are among the coldest on Earth and whose summers often feel closer to spring or fall.