Accommodation in
The Arctic
At the northern tip of Nunavut’s Somerset Island, and already well north of the continental mainland, Arctic Watch Lodge overlooks the fabled Northwest Passage (Lancaster Sound). Renowned polar trekker Richard Webber and his wife Josée established this lodge in 2000 on the site of a former whaling station. Along with their children, Tessum and Nansen, they have an irrepressible enthusiasm for the region and have created an Arctic visitor’s dream destination for July and August.
The lodge offers comfortable accommodation, safely guided and well researched trips amongst amazing scenery, abundant wildlife and ancient historical sites. From the air the lodge resembles a futuristic outpost on a distant planet – a well ordered collection of pristine white domed structures, including a central lodge and 16 permanent cabins that contain duvet-covered beds and running-water toilets. The main lodge houses a kitchen, dining room, lounge, audio visual room and lecture theatre. Food is fresh and high quality, arriving with each plane.
Lancaster Sound has a large polar bear population and is home to walrus, seals and narwhals. The land has musk oxen, Peary caribou, arctic fox and many birds, including the peregrine falcon and snowy owl. There is great char fishing and a number of exceptionally well preserved Thule (ancient Inuit) and early European archaeological sites in the area.
Activities at Arctic Watch Lodge
Activities at Arctic Watch Lodge are tailored to the ability and personal interest of the guests and can include hiking, raft float trips, nature observation walks, photography excursions, exposure to Inuit culture and exploration by 4WD, quad bikes or even light aircraft. The energetic can try the world’s most northern mountain biking and sea kayak expeditions. The lodge is child friendly and a typical day’s programme for younger guests would included short walks, picnics and searches for lemmings. The warm, shallow waters of Cunningham Inlet are the summer home to 2,000 beluga whales and guests at the lodge can wander along the shoreline within metres of these inquisitive mammals.