Discover the exhilirating Nunavik landscapes in Parc national Kuururjuaq duringthis extraordinary trekk. You will instantly be filled with a sense of freedom. Our local guides will introduce you to this land filled with Inuit legends along this very ancient path accross the Torngat Mountains. You will feel the deep history of this magical place, while climbing the highest peak in Québec and East Canada : Mount Kauvvik (D'Iberville) and its 1646 meters high. You will come back with a unique tale to tell and cherish. We take care of everything: your flights from Montreal, your meals, your activities, your gear (tents, mats, sleeping bags...), and more! On behalf of our guides and our community, we are pleased to welcome you to our region: Tunngasugit!
The wild trails of Kuururjuaq Park are suitable for intermediary and experienced hikers. During this trip, some sections of the ascension of Mount Kauvvik will be leaded by our mountaineering guide with ropes, harnesses and anchors, scrambling to the top. You don't need to have mountaineering experience but you need to be comfortable with heights.
Day 1-2: Discovering Kangiqsualujjuaq community
Flight from Montréal to Kuujjuaq (2 hours). Then transfer from Kuujjuaq to Kangiqsualujjuaq (45–50 minute flight), where parc national Kuururjuaq staff will be waiting for you. A guide will escort you to your hotel for check-in before taking you on a tour of the village. You’ll have the chance to meet elders and get acquainted with Inuit culture, stories, and legends. The evening will be all yours.
These first two days will give you the opportunity to enjoy the fresh air of the Far North, meet the trip participants, and learn more about life in Nunavik. Kangiqsualujjuaq is nestled among the mountains on the banks of the George River, just 15 kilometres from Ungava Bay. It’s a welcoming community where you’ll enjoy a culturally diverse experience. You can take advantage of a day’s boat trip to visit hunting or fishing camps, check fishing nets, or go along on a seal hunt. If the weather prevents you from going out on the water, you can head for the bay or along the Koroc River to the north of the village. At the end of the day, you may have time for a short hike up the nearby mountains to take in the magnificent view of the bay and village.
• Accommodations: Kangiqsualujjuaq Coop Hotel
Day 3: Scenic flight to the Koroc River head
You’ll fly to the Koroc River head, in the middle of the Torngats, on a 40-minute scenic flight to reach the starting point of your expedition. You’ll follow the valley of this thousand-year-old river, traditionally used as a passageway between Labrador and Nunavik. The landscape will gradually change, and the mountains will become more and more imposing until you reach your drop-off point. You can then set off for a hike in the surrounding area and enjoy the view over the valley.
• Accommodations: base camp (Upper Koroc Domes)
Day 4: Hike along the valley to base camp
You’ll set off with your gear to hike the 12 kilometres to base camp, following the valley to the foot of Mount Kauvvik (Mount D’Iberville), where you’ll settle in for the next few days. You will see many typical arctic geomorphological formations and some archeological sites witnessing the use of the land as an ancient path for Inuit to travel from Labrador to Nunavik. You’ll have plenty of time to explore the area and appreciate the sense of freedom it offers.
• Accommodations: Kauvvik (Iberville) base camp
Day 5: Hike to the summit for a spectacular view of the Torngat
Depending on the weather, you will either explore the breathtaking views of the Torngat Mountains, its fjords, valleys, glaciers, falls, and lakes or start the ascension from Kauvvik base camp to the the giant Mount Kauvvik and its 1646 meters high. Note that some sections of the climb are more exposed and span terrain is very rocky with unstable blocks. As you will climb higher to the summit, the spectacular view will reveal to you the magic of the Torngats extending to the Labrador side. You will follow Mount Kauvvik ridge, equiped with our mountaineering equipment (harness and helmet) roped two by two with your guide to make it to the summit. The day you will be attempting the summit is a big day that may take around 12 hours.
• Accommodations: Kauvvik (Iberville) base camp
Days 6 and 7: Exploration of the Torngat Mountains (glaciers, valleys, fjords, lakes and rivers)
The Mount Kauvvik area offers a wide choice of superb hikes between glaciers, valleys, fjords, glacial lakes, and rivers. If you wish, and if the level of your group allows it, you can also go as far as the Nachvak fjord. The 24-kilometre round-trip hike from base camp offers unforgettable, spectacular views.
• Accommodations: Kauvvik (Iberville) base camp
Day 8: Panoramic return trip along the Koroc River to the community
Return trip through the valleys with your new perspective of the mountains. You will meet the plane at the head of Koroc camp for a last panoramic flight through parc national Kuururjuaq. You will stop breifly at Kangiqsualujjuaq, then take off to Kuujjuaq where a Nunavik Parks staff member will take you to your hotel for a good cozy rest.
• Accommodations: Coop Hotel in Kuujjuaq
Day 9: Explore the village of Kuujjuaq and return voyage home
After breakfast, Nunavik Parks staff will pick you up for airport check-in. You will then be taken on a tour of the village, a trip north along the Koksoak River, or an expedition to discover Kuujjuaq’s best-kept secrets. You’ll also have the chance to visit the local handicraft store, where you’ll find stone carvings, pualluk (Inuit mittens), kamik (Inuit boots), nasak (Inuit hat), and much more. You’ll head back south in the afternoon, your heart full of precious memories.
Drones
Nunavik Parks (Kativik Regional Government) does not permit the use of drones for recreational purposes in the parks it manages (Parc national Tursujuq, Parc national des Pingualuit, Parc national Kuururjuaq, and Parc national Ulittaniujalik) so as not to impact the visitor experience or disturb wildlife.
Good to know
In Nunavik, the weather is constantly changing. Therefore, the expedition is subject to change at any time to take current weather conditions into account, so be prepared to adapt to unforeseen situations. This extraordinary expedition will require you to be in the right frame of mind, which includes having a team spirit, being adaptable, and strictly adhering to safety rules. The journey will require you to accept a certain measure of adventure and unexpected situations. However, you will be able to rely entirely on the expertise and know-how of your guides to make the most of your stay.
Notes
Price per person, before taxes (all-inclusive: transportation form Montréal, meals, accommodation, outdoor gear, equipment for preparing and serving meals). Find out about preferential rates for JBNQA beneficiaries.
This package requires a minimum of 6 people to guarantee departure. Please contact us to inquire about joining groups that have already been formed.
Please note that hunting and trapping are strictly prohibited in Quebec’s national parks. However, Inuit have the right to practise their subsistence activities throughout Nunavik, including in parc national Kuururjuaq. Therefore, witnessing a group of Inuit hunting caribou or ringed seals, or trapping foxes, can become a part of your Nunavik park experience.
Safety
All expeditions led by the parc national Kuururjuaq team can be tracked day by day thanks to daily satellite positioning. The team can contact park staff at any time with a satellite phone. Visitors to Nunavik’s parks must take some responsibility for their own safety, and risk management must be an integral part of their experience. We strongly advise you to take out an insurance policy covering air evacuation costs.