Live the unique experience of discovering the outfitting camp of the May family, a fishing paradise for Atlantic salmon at the foot of the magnificent Pic Pyramide, followed by 107 km descending the mythic George river. This wild river is a challenge for advance paddlers but remains accessible to beginners feeling adventurous, thanks to our experienced guides. Paddling the George river gives also many hiking opportunities offering splendid views over the wide valley shaped by the glaciers; it is definitely the best way to discover parc national Ulittaniujalik!
ITINERARY
Jour 1 | Découverte de Kangiqsualujjuaq
Départ de Montréal vers Kuujjuaq (2h20) où vous rencontrez un membre du personnel des Parcs pour vous aider à faire la connexion vers Kangiqsualujjuaq (vol de 45-50 minutes dans un petit avion de type Twin Otter). L'équipe du parc national Kuururjuaq vous attendra à l'aéroport pour faire un tour de ville, puis vous irez visiter l'épicerie locale afin de faire le plein pour la semaine. Par la suite, nous nous irons à votre hôtel pour votre enregistrement. Vous disposerez de temps libre avant le souper. Si possible, vous serez accueillis chez des résidents de la communauté.
• Repas : boite à lunch avec bagel au poisson fumé et au fromage à la crème, crackers, cookie et fruit / Souper si possible chez les résidents de la communauté
• Hébergement : Hébergement Coop Hôtel de Kangiqsualujjuaq .
Jour 2 | La communauté, ses environs et leurs traditions
C'est le moment de profiter de l'air pur du Grand Nord, de rencontrer vos compagnons de voyage et de découvrir davantage la vie au Nunavik. Kangiqsualujjuaq est niché entre les montagnes, en bordure de la rivière George, à seulement 15 kilomètres de la baie d'Ungava. La communauté est accueillante et vous pourrez vivre une expérience culturelle dépaysante. Vous pourrez profiter d'une journée en bateau pour aller visiter des camps de chasse ou de pêche, aller poser ou vérifier des filets ou encore assister à une chasse au phoque. Si la météo ne permet pas d'aller sur l'eau, vous pourrez aller vers la baie ou encore le long de la rivière Koroc au Nord du village. En fin de journée, vous aurez peut être le temps de faire une courte randonnée sur les montagnes avoisinantes pour profiter de la vue magnifique sur la baie et le village.
• Repas : Déjeuner à la Coop Hôtel type continental (Café, thé, céréales, toast, granolas, fruits), diner sur place (soupe, craquelins, wraps ou sandwichs, bannock) et souper à la Coop Hôtel (saucissons, fromages, gratin, poisson ou viande apprêté, pâtés ou plat de pâte).
• Hébergement : Coop Hôtel de Kangiqsualujjuaq.
Day 1 | Welcome to Pyramid Mountain Camp
On your first day, you will leave Kangiqsualujjuaq to Pyramid Mountain Camp for a 45 minutes flight in a Twin Otter aircraft. Upon your arrival at Pyramid Mountain Camp, park staff will show you around this gorgeous outfitting camp at the foot of Pic Pyramide. You will meet the May family, owner of the outfitting camp since the 1960s and learn more about their unique story on this territory. You will take the time to practice with your guide some mcanoes moves on the river and go hiking the Pic Pyramide.
Jour 4 | Montagne du camp Pyramide et pratique en rivière
Pour votre seconde journée dans le parc, vous prendrez le pouls de l'atmosphère bucolique et historique des lieux. Votre guide d'eaux vive vous amènera de l'autre côté de la rivière pour faire l'ascension du Pic Pyramide (464 m) et avoir une vue superbe sur la rivière George. Sur votre chemin du retour, vous aurez l'opportunité de pratiquer des techniques de sécurité en canot. Pour ceux qui le souhaitent, il y a la possibilité de pêcher au saumon de l'Atlantique guidée par l'équipe de la famille May sur la fameuse rivière George (assurez vous d'avoir en main tous les permis de pêche nécessaire à votre voyage avant votre départ).
- Accommodations: Camp Pyramide
Day 2 | First 29km on the river
Your first day going down on the river will start with beautifull rapids (RI, SW, RII and a short 500m of RIII. The rapids on the Geore River are known to be playfull and mostly waves. Your white water guide will stop before each of them to discuss the best line with you then, open the way so you can easily follow.
Day 4 | Mistintshuk Hill
You will start your day with a 6 to 7km hike from the camp site to the top of Mistintshuk Hill. As you climb, the view is opening on both sides of the spectacular embeded river valley. Upon your return, you will pack to continue your river descent for a short 11km including several RI, RII and 2 RIII rapids. You will set camp on a beautiful plateau meaning you will have to climb 30 meters uphill with your camping gear. All the kitchen will stay on the rocky beach at the bottom of the plateau with the canoes. For the one who wishes, the location offer good opportunities for fishing.
Day 5 | 30km down river to Qijualuit Camp
On day 5, you will leave your camp to Qijualuit. Qijualuit is an island with great camping ground accross the river. The rapids are mostly SW, RI, RII and 2 RIII. This section of the river also has a 5km section of flat water. Yo
Day 6 | 20km down river to Qijualuit Camp
After a few kilometers on the river (SW, RI, RIII) you will stop at a nice rocky beach in front of the Elson's rapids where the fishing enthusiasts will be able to throw some last few cast during lunch. You will then enter Hellen Falls Outfitters operations territory where fishing is not authorized anymore. After lunch, you will then leave for a more technical part of the river starting with SW, a 700m RIII followed with a 850 m RIV that can be passed to the left side to avoid the difficult part of the rapid. The last kilometers to your campsite will be mostly flat waters, swift waters and several RII. You will camp on a nice beach where you will be able to rest and enjoy the view.
Day 7 | Hellen Falls and the old portage route
You will paddle the 11km from your campsite to the begining of the portage route that bypasses the Hellen Falls. Depending of the water level and your group experience, you might decide to line your canoes from the top of the boulders the first RIV, then paddle to a nice sheltered beach. You will be able to organize your portage from there and use the trail which has been maintained by people from Kangiqsualujjuaq for years. The portage trail is 1,6km to 3km depending where you start. Depending of your group, you might want to decide to split the loads in two and carry all your gear on the first day then come back the next to get the canoes. The camp site is a beautiful beach with plenty of space for everyone to set camp. Be cautious for tidal lines: the strong tides of Kangiqsualujjuaq go all the way up to this spot. You will have time to hike back to have a nice view on the Hellen Falls before a well deserved rest.
Day 8 | Panoramic return to the Kangiqsualujjuaq
You will pack up your camp for one last time and paddle the last 5km of flat waters to Hellen Falls Outfitter Camp where you will leave your canoes and wait for your pick up by motor boat or twin-otter plane. You will have a beautiful panoramic return trip (4 hours by motorboat or 30 min by plane). You will follow the rest of the George River and remembering the highlights of your adventure, while you leave this place full of its rich history.
Jour 12 | Voyage de retour vers Montréal
Après le déjeuner vous pourrez faire l'enregistrement de vos bagages à l'aéroport. Il restera du temps pour faire une dernière promenade à Kuujjuaq et, ensuite, prendre votre vol de retour vers Montréal.
What 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. 2 participants 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 Ulittaniujalik. Thus, witness a group of Inuit hunting caribou, ringed or trapping foxes may be part of the Nunavik park experience.
Safety
All the expeditions led by Ulittaniujalik National Park team can be followed day by day through daily satellite positioning. 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 strongly advise visitors to take an insurance policy covering air evacuation costs.