Parc national Tursujuq offers the perfect expedition at the cross road of adventure, winter sports and Inuit traditional activities. This expedition will make you discover the pleasures of arctic winter yet in the comfort of our rustic camps and well oiled logistic. This beautiful itinerary will take you by skis or snowshoes and snowmobile off the beaten trails on inuit land. You will discover a unique territory accross hills and mountains, snow fields and plateaux, immense frozen land and bucolic forests. For 7 days and 6 nights, you will partake in a nomadic journey through the park in the company of Inuit guides.
ITINERARY
Day 1 | Departure to Billy's Lake
Your day will begin with an igloo-making activity close to the community, on a slope facing Hudson Bay. Following this, a short back-country skiing expedition will be organized northeast of Umiujaq in the mountains, at Billy's Lake. Based on travellers’ previous experience, the day will provide an excellent introduction to cross-country skiing (nordic skiing) or even back-country skiing (alpine skiing). Finally, a traditional activity will be organized, before you retire to sleep in an igloo or in ou shelter design at Billy's Lake.
• Meals: lunch on site (chicken or tuna pasta salad, raw vegetables and dip) / supper in the communal igloo or rustic camp (prepared meat or fish, vegetables en papillote, bannock)
• Accommodations: Igloo or shelter design
Day 2 | Billy's Lake surroundings
Billy's Lake is a famous sector for it's fluffy snow and gorgeous trail following the hill's sides. You may explore the area cross-country skiing or snowshoeing along the many trails that will take you between trees, valleys and breathtaking landscapes. If you wish to bring your alpine back-country skiing equipment, the sector will be perfect to enjoy the abundant snow and steep slopes.
• Meals: Continental-type breakfast (tea or coffee, croissants or toast, fruit, cereal, porridge or granolas) / lunch (sandwiches or wraps, salads, raw vegetables and dip) / supper at the cooperative hotel (bannock and swiss fondue, meat and vegetables en papillote)
• Accommodations: Shelter design
Days 3-4-5 | Sukkuup River Sector
The Sukkuup River sector is cherished locally for it's fishing grounds and picturesque landscapes. You will fall in love with the possibilities offered by the area: following small creeks into the woods, climbing uphill nearby the camp or enjoying the view of the wide open lake surrounded by the majestic cuestas. The group may also decide to follow your guides for a traditional hunt; caribous, foxes and ptarmigans may be observed.
• Meals: Continental-type breakfast at the park visitor centre (tea or coffee, croissants or toast, fruit, cereal, porridge or granolas) / lunch (sandwiches or wraps, salads, raw vegetables and dip) / supper at the camp (bannock and swiss fondue, meat and vegetables)
• Accommodations: Sukkuup rustic camp
Day 6 | From Sukkuup to Two Lakes
Part of the trip will be cross-country skiing accross one uniquely beautiful scenery: Two lakes. The impressive landscape opens on two lakes, nested within the steep cliffs of Hudsonian Cuestas. You will have the opportunity to sleep in a tuppik, a traditional inuit tent, heated with a wood stove. The canevas tent will be a nice way to enjoy the splendid area for a last night in Tursujuq.
• Meals: Continental-type breakfast at the park visitor centre (tea or coffee, croissants or toast, fruit, cereal, porridge or granolas) / lunch (sandwiches or wraps, salads, raw vegetables and dip) / supper at the camp (bannock and swiss fondue, meat and vegetables)
• Accommodations: Tuppik
Days 6 and 7 | The breathtaking landscape of Two lakes and return to the community
In the morning, you will depart from the camp and return to the community. Part of the trip will be cross-country skiing accross one uniquely beautiful scenery: Two lakes. The impressive landscape opens on two lakes, nested within the steep cliffs of Hudsonian Cuestas for a panoramic way back home. Back in the community, you will have the opportunity to visit the Park's Pavillion before saying goodbye.
• Meals: Breakfast at the camp (cereals, porridge or granolas, freeze-dried expedition meals such as cheese, spanish or fines-herbes omelettes / lunch onsite (wraps, sandwiches, cheese, crackers and dry sausage).
What You Need to Know
Throughout your journey, park staff will provide for your comfort and safety. Stops are planned for your convenience and, in particular, to share hot, energizing tea (a traditional drink north of the 55th parallel) and typical snacks with your guides. The meals listed in the itinerary are those normally provided during this expedition. In accordance with northern realities, meals may be adjusted depending on local availabilities. Providing opportunities to sample traditional foods is nonetheless a key goal of your Inuit guides. In Nunavik, the weather is constantly changing. Expeditions may be adjusted to take into account current conditions. The expertise and know-how of your guides will maximize your adventure experience. Flexibility and the ability to adapt to a modified timetable and activities are important prerequisites for travellers in Nunavik parks and an authentic element of your northern experience. Finally, due to the size of Parc national Tursujuq, long distances are normally travelled by snowmobile. An honest personal assessment of your physical condition for this activity is required; snowmobile operation skills are not a prerequisite.
Notes
Price per peson, before taxes. Preferential prices for JBNQA beneficiaries, 2 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 practice their subsistence activities throughout Nunavik, including the parc national Tursujuq. Thus, witness a group of Inuit hunting caribou, ringed or trapping foxes may be part of the Nunavik parks' experience. Your luggage should not exceed 50lbs. The transportation of your gear will be done by snowmobile. Howver, you will be in charge of your bagpack for the day (30L) with your snacks, thermos, water bottle and warm clothing.
Safety
All the expeditions led by Tursujuq 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.