Hiking in Parc national des Pingualuit means discover the unique features of northern Nunavik and the iconic meteoritic crater. You will follow the ridges of the highest ground in the area and visit the Puvirnituq River Canyon which offers an exceptional ground for the flora, wildlife, for you to discover the tundra at its best.
The trails in the park are beginner to intermediate levels depending on the sector. While hiking, it is possible to cross unstable terrain, sometimes slippery, areas with knee-high bushes and irregular grounds. All those different terrains can make hiking difficult. Contact us for all questions related to the difficulty of this trip.
ITINERARY
Day 1 | Departure to Manarsulik Lake
You will leave for a 20-minutes panoramic flight in a Twin Otter plane to Manarsulik Camp in the park. If the weather is nice, you should take this opportunity for your first hike to see the crater (back and forth: 5 km to the ridge, 7 km to go to the water). It is also possible to fish on Manarsulik Lake in front of the camp or if you go hike along the Vachon River. Also, you may explore the area around the crater, paddle on Manarsulik Lake, or simply relax. If you are planning on fishing in the park, please contact us to make sure to get all the permits required prior departure.
• Accommodations : Manarsulik Camp
Day 2 | Hiking to the Crater
Weather depending, the itinerary for the following days can be switched to optimize your stay in the different sectors of the park. On your second day, you could hike the ridges of the iconic Pingualuit Crater. Once on top of them, you can see incredibly far to the horizon that seems to never end. You can also embrace the almost perfect circle shape of the 1.4 million years old crater. You can choose to go to the ridge (5km back and forth), go down to the water (extra 2.5km back and forth) or leave for a 10 hours hike around the full circle (22km back and forth). Please note that all our trails are marked but not managed. The paths are made of unstable rocks and sometimes slippery. We recommend to be prudent, to go to your own pace and to use walking sticks.
Accommodation: Manarsulik Camp
Day 3 | Vachon River and Manarsulik Lake
After your big day of hiking, you can enjoy the peacefull atmosphere of the area at Manarsulik Camp. You can follow the shores of the Vachon River or explore different areas of Manarsulik Lake with your guides on our motor boat. It will be a great opportunity to learn more about the land from your guide or enjoy the exceptional fishing grounds to bring back supper to the camp.
Accommodation: Manarsulik Camp
Days 4 - 5 | Hiking to the Puvirnituq River Canyon
You will leave Manarsulik with your guides on the motor boat to go accross Manarsulik Lake. You will start your 8km hike to Sangummaaluk Camp. You will carry your bags including everything you will need for the night and your food for the two days. The hike is crossing wet land and rocky areas. Once again, take your time, be careful and use walking sticks to make your progression as safe as possible. Sangummaaluk Camp is located at the top of the spectacular Puvirnituq River Canyon. You will enjoy the majestic beauty of the area and may be take the opportunity to make a few casts in the generous river. You will leave at mid day on day 5 to go back at Manarsulik Camp.
Accommodation: Sangummaaluk Camp and Manarsulik Camp
Day 6 | Return in the community
It is your last day at the camp and you can enjoy your last moments enjoying the area, cast a few lines in the lake or in the river, paddle on the lake or even go back to the crater for one last time and may be go to the water if you didn't have the chance yet. A Twin Otter plane will pick you up around 15h00 and you will start your journey back to your departure community, remembering the highlights of this extraordinary journey.
What Do You Need to Know?
Meals are provided locally, based on traditional cuisine as much as possible, therefore depending on seasonal catches and other available provisions. The meals listed in the itinerary are those normally provided during this expedition. In accordance with northern realities, meals may be adjusted depending on availabilities. Weather in Nunavik is changing constantly. Expeditions may be adjusted to take into account current conditions. Openness to new situations (such as plane delays or cancelations, changes in the itinerary), flexibility and the ability to adapt to modified activities and agenda are important prerequisites for travelers in Nunavik Parks and an authentic part of your northern experience.
Notes
Price per person, before taxes. All-included (meals, accommodations, transportation). Preferential prices for JBNQA beneficiaries. 4 participants are needed to guarantee departure, contact us to join a group. Although hunting and trapping are strictly prohibited into the National Parks of Quebec, Inuit have the right to practise their subsistence activities throughout Nunavik, including the parc national des Pingualuit. Thus, witness Inuit hunting caribou, ringed or trapping foxes may be part of the Nunavik park experience.
Safety
All the expeditions led by Parc national des Pingualuit team can be contacted via VHF radio. Also, the team can contact the park staff anytime with a satellite phone. It's part of visitors responsibilities to plan their own safety: training to prepare your trip and having the proper insurance is part of it. Therefore, we advise strongly visitors to take an insurance policy covering air evacuation costs.