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: Tungngasugit!
ITINERARY
Day 1: Umiujaq and life in a northern community
For visitors beginning their trip in Montreal, the journey will start early in the morning with a flight from Montreal to Kuujjuaq. The charter flight from Kuujjuaq to Umiujaq will depart in the early afternoon and make a short stop in Kuujjuaraapik. For participants flying from Kuujjuaraapik, the time to arrive at the airport will be specified during the pre-departure meeting. If you have chosen the option departing from Umiujaq, the team will be waiting for you in the late afternoon.
A park staff will welcome you at the Umiujaq airport. In the evening, a guided tour of the village will be followed by dinner and cultural activities at the park pavilion. This time spent in the community will allow you to discover the peaceful life of a northern village and prepare for the expedition with your group.
• Accommodation: Hotel Coop in Umiujaq
Day 2: Discovering majestic Nastapoka Falls and Sukkuk Camp
After breakfast, you will set off on an hour-long boat trip along Hudson Bay. You will have the chance to discover the majestic Nastapoka Falls and its impressive sandy beach, where you will spend the day. This site, known to the Inuit for generations, is a prime location for observing marine and land mammals. To get there, you will sail between the landscapes of the Gillies Islands and the imposing Hudsonian cuestas along the coast. Once at the mouth of the Nastapoka River, a picnic, fishing, and a short hike to the falls are on the agenda.
Back to Umiujaq, you will eat and then head by boat to Sukkuk Camp, where you will spend the next few days. The day will end with a dinner, the perfect time to relax and share your first impressions.
• Accommodation: Coop Hotel in Umiujaq
Day 3-4: Exploring Lake Tasiujaq
You can explore Lake Tasiujaq by motorboat, kayak, or hike. Hikes start from Sukkuk Camp, not to mention the beach, the perfect place to end the day watching the sunset. You will have the opportunity to explore the Sukkuk River area and hike to Char Lake. The climb is superb, and you will follow mountainous terrain offering breathtaking views of Lake Tasiujaq and its cuestas.
At the end of each day, you can relax or go on short hikes around Sukkuk Camp, taking advantage of the long sunny days at this time of year. You can also accompany your guides as they set their fishing nets in their favorite spots.
A map of the Tasiujaq Lake area is available by clicking here.
• Accommodation: Sukkuk Camp (rustic, open-space dormitory-style camp with wood-burning stove)
Day 5: Visit to an old trading post and return to Umiujaq
After eating breakfast and packing your bag, you will travel by boat to an old independent trading post owned by George Papp. There you will find the remains of the house and church. This Hungarian trader was well known to the Cree and Inuit people.
Weather permitting, Cairn Island will be another destination. In the 19th century, it was home to a trading post and blacksmiths from the Hudson Bay Company (the remains are now gone). The island is beautiful, and you can take the opportunity to stroll around and admire the cuestas surrounding the lake.
At the end of the afternoon, you will return to the village of Umiujaq, a breathtaking two-hour boat ride through the Hudsonian cuestas.
• Accommodation: Coop Hotel in Umiujaq
Day 6: Scenic return to Umiujaq via Hudson Bay
Departure for the airport around 7 a.m. with a park employee to check your luggage for the charter flight to Kuujjuaraapik or Kuujjuaq, scheduled for 8 a.m. Upon arrival in Kuujjuaq, a Nunavik Parks representative will help you check your bags and ensure that your return to Montreal goes smoothly.
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.
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.