You will climb the highest mountain in Quebec and Canada east of the Rockies and return with stories of a unique experience. Mount Kauvvik (Iberville) is the highest peak in Quebec and eastern Canada, rising to 1,646 meters. It is also the last place with glaciers in eastern North America and is located exactly on the border with Labrador. Wonder, excitement, and a change of scenery are guaranteed amid the impressive landscapes of the parc national Kuururjuaq, accompanied by your guides.
This trip is for anyone who is in excellent physical condition and comfortable with heights. Contact us if you have any questions about the difficulty of the trip.
Parcs Nunavik creates each of its experiences thanks to its local guides, their close ties to their community and their territory, in order to offer authentic and safe tours that showcase all the assets of our region. On behalf of our guides and our community, we welcome you to our region: Tungngasugit!
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
Departure from Montreal to Kuujjuaq (2 hours). Upon arrival, a representative from Nunavik Parks will assist you with checking your luggage for your connecting flight to Kangiqsualujjuaq (40-minute flight), where a park staff will be waiting for you. The employee will take you to the hotel for check-in before taking you on a tour of the village. You will have the chance to meet with elders and get acquainted with Inuit culture, stories, and legends.
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 kilometers 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.
• Accommodation: Kangiqsualujjuaq Coop Hotel
Day 3: Scenic flight to the Koroc River head
You will take off on a 30-minute scenic flight to reach the camp at the head of the Koroc River. 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.
• Accommodation: Upper Koroc Camp
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 follow small streams and walk among mountains that rise higher and higher as you approach the Kauvvik area. You will have plenty of time to explore the area and appreciate the sense of freedom it offers.
• Accommodation: Kauvvik (Iberville) Base Camp
Day 5: Hike to Bear's Ridge
You will begin a hike to Bear's Ridge, a perfect outing to acclimatize and familiarize yourself with the environment and your group. One section will also require the use of a rope and your harness so you can practice.
• Accommodation: Kauvvik (Iberville) Base Camp
Day 6: Hike to the summit of Mount Kauvvik
Depending on the weather, you will either explore the breathtaking views of the Torngat Mountains, or start the ascension from base camp to the the giant Mount Kauvvik and its 1,646 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 Torngat, extending to the Labrador side. You will follow Mount Kauvvik ridge, equipped 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 between 12 and 15 hours.
• Accommodation: Kauvvik (Iberville) Base Camp
Day 7: Exploration of the Torngat Mountains
This day will be the perfect opportunity to discover another part of the Torngat Mountains, which offers a wide range of superb hikes, including Beach Lake, Circus Lake, Glacier Lake, and Nachvak Fjord. Between glaciers, valleys, glacial lakes, and rivers, you will be immersed in spectacular scenery where the power and beauty of the Torngats reveal themselves with every step.
• Accommodation: Kauvvik (Iberville) Base Camp
Day 8: Scenic flight back to Kuujjuaq
Early in the morning, you will begin your return journey with a new perspective of the mountains. You will board your plane at the head of the Koroc for one last scenic flight. You will land in Kangiqsualujjuaq for a connection to Kuujjuaq, where a Nunavik Parks employee will bring you to your hotel for a well-deserved night of comfort.
• Accommodation: Coop Hotel in Kuujjuaq
Day 9: Explore the village of Kuujjuaq and return to Montreal
After breakfast, a Nunavik Parks staff will pick you up to check you in at the airport. You’ll then be taken on a tour of the village, a trip north along the Koksoak River, or an expedition to discover Kuujjuaq’s best spots. You’ll also have the chance to visit the local craft shop, where you’ll find stone carvings, pualuk (Inuit mittens), kamik (Inuit boots), nasak (Inuit hat), and much more. You’ll then head back south in the afternoon, with a 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.
As a visitor participating in a trip organized by Nunavik Parks and accompanied by a guide who is a member of the team, you are covered by insurance for costs related to accidents and search and rescue.