During this trip, you could enjoy a boat trip along the iconic Hudson Bay to Nastapoka Falls. Last but not least, this expedition will take you to the immense Lake Tasiujaq, with its brackish waters, cuestas, and unique northern flora and fauna. A magnificent encounter with nature, combining spectacular hikes and boat excursions.
Parc national Tursujuq is the largest park in Quebec. Explore the richness of Nunavik’s 27,107 km2 through the vastness of its lakes and rivers. This expedition was developed thanks to the expertise of local Inuit guides and their in-depth knowledge of the territory, to offer you an unforgettable experience that will introduce you to the magic of Nunavik and the Far North.
On behalf of the guides of parc national Tursujuq and the community of Umiujaq, we welcome you to our region: Tunngasugit!
ITINERARY
Day 1 | Umiujaq and life in a northern community
For visitors on an all-inclusive package, the journey begins early in the morning with a flight from Montréal to Umiujaq, after a short stopover in Kuujjuarapik. If you have chosen to depart from Nunavik, the team will be waiting for you in the early afternoon in Umiujaq.
On arrival, you’ll be met by a parc national Tursujuq official who will accompany you to your hotel. You will then be invited to the park pavilion for a meal and a presentation on the week’s activities. You’ll then take a guided tour of the village. This first day will help you get acquainted with the daily life and challenges of a Northern village.
• Accommodations: Coop Hotel in Umiujaq
Day 2 | Discovering majestic Nastapoka Falls
After breakfast, you'll set off on an hour-long boat trip along Hudson Bay. You’ll spend the day exploring the majestic Nastapoka Falls and its impressive sandy beach. This site, known to Inuit for generations, is a prime location for observing marine and land mammals. To get there, you’ll navigate through the scenery of the Gillies Islands and the imposing Hudson cuestas along the coast. Once at the mouth of the Nastapoka River, picnics, campfires, fishing, swimming, and a short hike to the waterfall will be on the agenda. You’ll return to Umiujuaq for dinner and an overnight stay.
• Accommodation: Coop Hotel in Umiujaq
Day 3 | Exploring Lake Tasiujaq with a boat, a kayak or a hiking excursion
Take a motorboat or go hiking to explore Lake Tasiujaq. The first two days will be devoted to exploring the northern sector of the lake, and you’ll have the opportunity to explore the southern sector on the days that follow. The return journey will be along the coast. Map of Lake Tasiujaq sectors: available here
The itinerary includes 3 to 5 hours of hiking per day. The expedition is subject to change at any time due to weather conditions. The itinerary will also be adapted to the group’s preferences and fitness levels.
On this first day on the immense Tasiujaq River, you’ll navigate about 20 kilometres to Sukkuk camp, where you’ll settle in for the next two nights. You’ll set off with your guides to explore the surrounding area on foot. There are three hiking options departing from Sukkuk chalet, as well as the beach, an ideal spot to enjoy the sunset at the end of the day.
• Accommodation: Sukkuk camp (rustic, open-space dormitory-style camp with wood-burning stove)
Day 4 | Sukkuk River sector and Char Lake hike
This is the Sukkuk River sector that you’ll be travelling through in the morning. You’ll follow the river up to its rapids where, if the weather is mild, you can go for a swim.
In the afternoon, you’ll hike up to Lake Char. The climb here is superb and follows mountainous terrain offering breathtaking views of Lake Tasiujaq.
At the end of each day, you can choose to rest or go for short hikes around Sukkuk camp, making the most of the long sunny days at this time of year. You can also go along with your guides to spread their fishing nets at their favourite spots.
• Accommodation: Sukkuk camp (rustic, open-space dormitory-style camp with wood-burning stove)
Jour 5 | Katattulik camp and visit to an old trading post
You’ll have the opportunity to travel by boat to reach the Katattulik camp, 50 kilometres to the south. This day will allow you to explore the surrounding cuestas.
After setting up your new camp, you’ll be offered to take a boat out to learn something about the region’s history. The former independent trading post, owned by George Papp in the early 20th century, contains the remains of a house and church. This Hungarian trader was well known to the Cree and Inuit.
Weather permitting, you can also visit Cairn Island. In the 19th century, it was home to a Hudson’s Bay Company trading post and blacksmiths’ shop (the remains of which have now disappeared). The island is magnificent, and you can fully enjoy it by strolling around and admiring the cuestas surrounding the lake.
• Accommodation: Katattulik camp (4 beds) or tent
Jour 6 | Scenic return to Umiujaq via Hudson Bay
After breakfast, you’ll leave Katattulik camp for a scenic return to Umiujaq via Hudson Bay. A breathtaking two-hour boat trip through the Hudsonian cuestas. Weather permitting, you can hike to the mouth of the Goulet for an incredible panoramic view of Lake Tasiujaq.
Accommodation: tents outside the park lodge in Umiujaq (if you wish to stay in the village an extra night)
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: 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 Tursujuq. 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 Tursujuq 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.