Set off on an adventure discovering vast boreal landscape, including the exceptional meteoritic crater and Pingualuk Lake with incredibly clear blue waters. In summer, the parc national des Pingualuit unveils well-kept secrets : the migration of the caribous the the Crater, the majestic Puvirnituq River Canyon, and the vibrant life in the tundra! We take care of everything: yours flights from Montreal, meals, activities, gear (walking sticks, sleeping bags...), and more!
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.
ITINERARY
Day 3 | Departure to Lake Manarsulik
After breakfast, you will have a short expedition information session, then, 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 oppourtunity 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, canoë or kayak on Lake Manarsulik, or simply relax. If you are planning on fishing in the Park, please contact us to make sure to get all the permits required.
• Meals: Continental-type breakfast at the cooperative hotel (may
include eggs, ham, pancakes, cereal or toast) / lunch and dinner at the
cooperative hotel (may include casserole, prepared meat or fish, pasta,
goose, fish or meat pie, or lasagna).
• Accommodations : Manarsulik full-service camp.
Day 4 | 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 recommand to be prudent, to go to your own pace and to use walking sticks.
Accommodation: Manarsulik Camp
Days 4-5-6-7 | Trekking at the Crater, Sanguammallaaluk & Manarsulik
You will have 4 days in the comfort of Manarsulik full-service camp to discover the spectacular hikes to do in the area. Depending on the weather, you will hike to the crater (2,5 km to the top, 4 km to the water or 17 km to make the full circle). You will also go for a beautiful hike to Sanguammallaaluk and the Puvirnituq River Canyon (10 km) where you will stop by the Sanguammallaluk camp to have tea. During your stay, you will have plenty of free time to relax, explore the area and its archeological sites, go fishing, kayaking or canoeing.
• Meals: Continental-type breakfast at the cooperative hotel (may
include eggs, ham, pancakes, cereal, croissants or toast) / lunch and
dinner at the cooperative hotel (may include casserole, prepared meat or
fish, pasta, goose, fish or meat pie, or lasagna).
• Accommodations : Manarsulik full-service camp.
Days 6 - 7 | 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 mod day on day 5 to go back at Manarsulik Camp.
Accommodation: Sangummaaluk Camp and Manarsulik Camp
Day 8 | Manarsulik and back to Kuujjuaq
Enjoy your time at the Camp and in its surroundings before flying back to Kuujjuaq. A Nunavik staff member will wait for you on your arrival to drive you to your hotel for a nice and cozy rest.
• Meals: Continental-type
breakfast at the Manarsulik full service camp (may include eggs, ham,
pancakes, cereal, or toast) / lunch at the Manarsulik full service camp
(may include casserole, prepared meat or fish, pasta, goose, fish or
meat pie, or lasagna) and supper at Kuujjuaq Coop Hotel (grilled salmon
with rice/ tortellinis / steak with roasted potatoes).
• Accommodations: Kuujjuaq Coop Hotel.
Day 1 | Discover Northern Village of Kangiqsuajuaq
Departure from Montreal connecting in Kuujjuaq (2h20) then to Kangiqsujuaq (60–90 minutes flight via a Twin Otter-type small aircraft). On your arrival at Kangiqsujuaq, you will be welcomed by Kangiqsujuaq adventure or Nunavik Parks staff. You will go for a town tour and get to know better the way of life up north. You will then to your hotel accommodations for check-in and some free time before supper.
• Meal: Lunch box (smoked fish and cream cheese bagel, crackers, cookies and fruits) / Supper with community residents.
• Accommodations: Coop Hotel in Kangiqsujuaq.
Day 9 | Kuujjuaq Northern Village back to Montreal
After breakfast, Nunavik Parks staff will pick you up for some activities in Kuujjuaq: a quick town tour, a tour following the Koksoak River up North in the direction of Ungava Bay to try to spot muskox or some throat singing and story telling activity. It will then be time to board your flight back South to Montreal with your heart full of precious memories.
• Meals: Continental type breakfast at the Coop Hotel and lunch in the plane.
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 des Pingualuit. 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 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.