GETTING HERE
By road:
Whitehorse → Tuktoyaktuk
Driving from Whitehorse to Tuktoyaktuk takes you through some of the most remote and spectacular landscapes in northern Canada. Allow 2–3 days of travel depending on conditions and stops.
1. Whitehorse → Dawson City
Highway: Klondike Highway (Hwy 2)
Distance: ~535 km
Time: 6–7 hours
A paved, well-maintained highway through Yukon wilderness. Dawson City makes a great overnight stop.
2. Dawson City → Inuvik
Highway: Dempster Highway (Hwy 5 in Yukon / Hwy 8 in NWT)
Distance: ~740 km
Time: 12–14 hours
The legendary Dempster Highway is a gravel road crossing mountain ranges, tundra, and both the Arctic Circle and Richardson Mountains.
Road conditions vary—check weather and fuel availability before departing. Eagle Plains (pop. 8) is one of the only service points on this route.
3. Inuvik → Tuktoyaktuk
Highway: Inuvik–Tuktoyaktuk Highway (Hwy 10)
Distance: ~138 km
Time: 1.5–2 hours
A newly built (2017) all-season highway leading you straight to the Arctic Ocean.
Enjoy sweeping tundra views and keep an eye out for wildlife.
Total Driving Distance: ~1,400+ km
Total Travel Time: 20–24 hours (not including stops)
Whether you prefer the open road or the northern skies, every route to Tuktoyaktuk offers its own unforgettable experience. The landscapes shift from boreal forest to wide-open tundra, and each community along the way adds to the story of your travels. Getting here is part of the adventure — and the journey is just as remarkable as the destination.
CHOOSE YOUR NORTHERN ADVENTURE
By air:
Reaching Tuktoyaktuk by air is simple, with flights from Whitehorse or Edmonton connecting through Inuvik before the final leg to the Arctic coast.
Whitehorse → Inuvik
Whitehorse → Dawson City → Old Crow → Inuvik
Air North offers convenient service from Whitehorse to Inuvik, with flight routes that weave through northern Yukon.
You may travel via:
Whitehorse → Dawson City → Old Crow → Inuvik, or
Whitehorse → Old Crow → Inuvik (the most common route)
These flights are an experience in themselves — mountains, river systems, and endless tundra unfolding beneath you.
Edmonton → Inuvik
Edmonton → Yellowknife → Normal Wells → Inuvik
Canadian North provides reliable service from Edmonton to Inuvik, with routes that connect key northern hubs.
Depending on the schedule, your flight may follow:
Edmonton → Yellowknife → Norman Wells → Inuvik, or
Edmonton → Yellowknife → Inuvik (the more common routing)
Each path gives you a glimpse of the Northwest Territories from above — from the rocky shield around Yellowknife to the sweeping river valleys near Norman Wells. It’s a memorable northern journey that brings you right to the gateway of the Arctic coast.
Inuvik → Tuktoyaktuk
From Inuvik, travellers can choose how they want to complete their Arctic journey:
Drive the iconic 138 km Inuvik–Tuktoyaktuk Highway, an all-season route that winds across tundra straight to the Arctic Ocean,
or
Charter a short scenic flight with Aklak Air for spectacular views of the Mackenzie Delta and a memorable aerial arrival in Tuktoyaktuk.
Either option offers its own northern experience — whether you prefer an open-road adventure or a bird’s-eye view of the delta’s winding channels.