Frequently Asked Questions

Reliable equipment is essential for a comfortable and safe stay in Nunavik parks. Recommendations may vary according to the season and the kind of activities you will be doing during your stay. If you were to book a trip with Parks, the local teams will send you a detailed list with all the required equipment. Here are two examples of summer and winter gear lists for a typical 9-day trips to the parks.

Those The abovementioned lists are not recommended for autonomous visitors who plan an expedition in the parks. Therefore, autonomous visitors should contact our local team for a more detailsed list suited to their type of trip.

The arctic climate features cold temperatures and strong winds. In addition, the open tundra offers little natural protection from the elements. Clothing and equipment should therefore be selected accordingly, especially to prevent the risk of hypothermia or frostbite. In winter, visibility and orientation may be reduced during blizzards while near the coasts, episodes of fog are to be expected.

Kuujjuaq sector:
Average daily temperature in February -23.6 ° C and March -18.3 ° C
Average daily temperature in July 11.5 ° C

Sector of Kuururjuaq National Park:
Average daily temperature in January -28.7 ° C
Average daily temperature in July between 12.7 ° C and 16.3 ° C

Pingualuit National Park sector:
Average daily temperature in January -28 ° C
Average daily temperature in July 5.6 ° C

Tursujuq National Park sector:
Average daily temperature in January and February: -24 ° C
Average daily temperature in July: 10 ° C

Ulittaniujalik National Park sector:
Average daily temperature in January: -24 ° C
Average daily temperature in July: 9.3 ° C

Recommended period of travel:
July to mid-September: This is the best time to plan a summer visit to the parks, ideal for various activities including hiking, canoeing, fishing and bird watching.

Mid-September to mid-February: This period is not recommended for travel as it is characterized by cold temperatures, short daylight and risk of blizzards.

From late February to mid-April: Ideal period for planning a winter visit to the parks. It is Nunavummiut’s favorite season because the territory is accessible everywhere by snowmobile. The temperatures are still relatively cold.

Mid-April to June: This period is more or less recommended because the ground is thawing, thus very humid with high water levels.

Park wardens and local guides come from the community adjacent to the park or from nearby communities. They will share with you their experience of the territory, traditional activities and their modern way of life. Over 90% of Nunavik Inuit speak Inuktitut. English is the second most frequently spoken language, followed by French.

Depending on the community, guides may speak English, French or both. Do not hesitate to ask them the language they feel most comfortable using. During your stays, you will be accompanied by local guides who work seasonally for the parks or by our park wardens who are part of the permanent team both of whom have up to 14 years of experience. They will ensure your safety and comfort during your stay to the best of their ability.

Do not hesitate to ask questions to start a conversation. If you witness a camp malfunction or anything that could be the source of discomfort, report it to your guides so that we can remedy the situation.

We strongly recommend adopting multilayered clothing to manage your body temperature more efficiently in winter as well as in summer. Typical layers are as follows; he a thin base layer against the body, an insulating layer that you can easily remove, a windbreaker and an extreme insulating layer (down type). In addition, you must have boots with good ankle support that will allow you to travel (or hike) on sometimes difficult or unstable terrain

No road goes to Nunavik. The only way to get to Kuujjuaq from the south of the province is by plane mainly from Montréal or Québec city. On the Hudson Bay side, the northernmost road stops at Radisson, while on the Ungava Bay side, the train goes to Schefferville. It is possible to go by car to La Grande or Sept Île, but you will have to take the plane to reach one of Nunavik communities. In all the communities of Nunavik, the streets are asphalted, but the roads located outside the communities are not.

During all-inclusive stays, the parks take care of the meals. While in the community, provisions are made at the cooperative grocery store upon your arrival and sometimes meals are prepared at the community kitchen.

Once in the park, the menus may include freeze-dried meals in order to minimize the weight during transportation. Fresh products are available as much as possible, depending on local availability, unfortunately the weight limits during transporting on hikes or by plane sometimes reduce the quantities.

During your stay It is possible to taste traditional food from hunting, fishing or picking: dried, smoked, raw, cooked or stewed.
You should bring your favorite snacks to stay fuelled during the whole length of your stay.

Finally, if you have some food allergies or restrictions, please contact us and make sure we can accommodate you. If it makes you more comfortable, you can always plan your own menu.

Fishing authorization depends on the park and their different sectors. Please refer to the fishing document of your chosen preferred park t. If you have any question, please contact conservation.education@krg.ca.

Nunavik Parks visitors have the opportunity to stay in different types of accommodations. You can find a hotel in all the communities adjacent to the parks, operated by the Federation of Cooperatives of Northern Quebec (known as the Coop Hotel). In some communities, the Landholding also operates an accommodation service.

In the parks, it is possible to camp in a classic way (in a tent) or in a traditional way (tupik or igloo) or to stay in our rustic camps.

A visit to the parks requires adequate physical training. It is not necessary to be an athlete to visit the parks but a good physical conditon is necessary. Especially considering that the territory is accessible by plane, boat, snowmobile or all terrain vehicle and that the terrain may be difficult.

A " good physical condition" means that all visitors should be able to spend the day outside, sometimes exposed to the elements without the possibility of shelter, to walk with vigour and promptness, without excessive fatigue, with enough energy to enjoy their experience and to face a possible emergency situation.

In order to prepare yourself properly, it is strongly recommended that you exercise for the activity (s) included in your stay: hiking, skiing, snowshoeing, canoeing, kayaking, over equivalent or shorter distances, in order to get your body used to that kind of effort. You can also, gradually, start accomplishing your household chores (walking, cleaning, dishes, laundry, etc.) with a loaded backpack, equivalent to the one you will carry during the trip (day bag from 5 to 10 kg or trekking bag containing all your personal effects from 20 to 23 kg)

Nunavik Parks adheres to the main principles of Leave No Trace Canada.

1. Plan Ahead and Prepare
Know the regulations and special concerns for the area you'll visit.
Prepare for extreme weather, hazards, and emergencies.
Schedule your trip to avoid times of high use.

Visit in small groups. Split larger parties into groups of 4-6.
Repackage food to minimize waste.

Use a map and compass to eliminate the use of marking paint, rock cairns or flagging.

2. Travel and Camp on Durable Surfaces
Durable surfaces include established trails and campsites, rock, gravel, dry grasses or snow.

Protect riparian areas by camping at least 70 metres from lakes and streams.

Good campsites are found, not made. Altering a site is not necessary.
In popular areas:
- Concentrate use on existing trails and campsites.
- Walk single file in the middle of the trail, even when wet or muddy.
- Keep campsites small. Focus activity in areas where vegetation is absent.

In pristine areas:
- Disperse use to prevent the creation of campsites and trails.
Avoid places where impacts are just beginning.

3. Dispose of Waste Properly
Pack it in, pack it out. Inspect your campsite and rest areas for trash or spilled foods. Pack out all trash, leftover food, and litter.

Deposit solid human waste in cat holes dug 15 to 20 centimetres deep at least 70 metres from water, camp, and trails. Cover and disguise the cat hole when finished.

Pack out toilet paper and hygiene products.
To wash yourself or your dishes, carry water 70 metres away from streams or lakes and use small amounts of biodegradable soap. Scatter strained dishwater.

4. Leave What You Find
Preserve the past: examine, but do not touch, cultural or historic structures and artifacts.

Leave rocks, plants and other natural objects as you find them.
Avoid introducing or transporting non-native species.
Do not build structures, furniture, or dig trenches.

5. Minimize Campfire Impacts
Campfires can cause lasting impacts to the backcountry. Use a lightweight stove for cooking and enjoy a candle lantern for light.
Where fires are permitted, use established fire rings, fire pans, or mound fires.

Keep fires small. Only use sticks from the ground that can be broken by hand.

Burn all wood and coals to ash, put out campfires completely, then scatter cool ashes.

6. Respect Wildlife
Observe wildlife from a distance. Do not follow or approach them.
Never feed animals. Feeding wildlife damages their health, alters natural behaviors, and exposes them to predators and other dangers.
Protect wildlife and your food by storing rations and trash securely.
Control pets at all times, or leave them at home.

Avoid wildlife during sensitive times: mating, nesting, raising young, or winter.

7. Be Considerate of Others
Respect other visitors and protect the quality of their experience.
Be courteous. Yield to other users on the trail.

Step to the downhill side of the trail when encountering pack stock.
Take breaks and camp away from trails and other visitors.
Let nature's sounds prevail. Avoid loud voices and noises

Risks are inherent in travelling to remote areas. The resources for rescue can be far, the weather conditions may be extreme, wild animals are present and it can be difficult to navigate the terrains. For all those reasons, travelling in Nunavik carries its share of dangers. Thanks to their extensive knowledge of the territory and their safety trainings, the park wardens are there to ensure your safety during your stay. However, it is your responsibility to arrive in Nunavik with the appropriate equipment, a physical condition adapted to the practice of the activities and a knowledge of the risks inherent in this type of experience.
Here is a list of the risks you may encounter so you can prepare for your adventure:

1. Harsh weather conditions
The climate in Nunavik includes cold, shifting temperatures, strong winds, and the tundra offers little natural protection from the elements.
During winter, visibility can be poor during blizzards. Near the coast, episodes of fog arefrequent.
> Clothing and equipment must therefore be selected accordingly, in particular to prevent the risk of hypothermia or frostbite.
> During episodes of bad weather, it is sometimes preferable to stay put or reconsider your itinerary.

2. Avalanches and debris flows
Near steep walls, rocks can be unstable, mobile and can make any move precarious.
> Pay particular attention to debris flows following heavy precipitation.
> In winter, be ready to recognize and avoid venturing into avalanche terrain.

3. Orientation
It is easy to be disoriented in Nunavik because of the large number of valleys, the size of the territory and the lack of landmarks.
Fog or blizzard can make any visual navigation impractical.
> If you are travelling without a guide, make sure you have your communication, safety and orientation tools with you and know how to use them.

4. Wild animals
Only black bears and polar bears can be a significant source of danger, but the likelihood to encounter them remains low. To find out how to react in their presence, see the section on bears.
> Be wary of animals that are too familiar (such as wolves or foxes) because they can be carriers of rabies.
> Wild animals are always unpredictable, you should stay away from them and not feed them.

5. Biting insects
The presence of biting insects should be considered for people who are allergic to insects.
> Nets and insect repellents are necessary during the months of June, July and August.

6. Hydration
It is usually not difficult to find fresh water in the park. It is recommended to boil or process water before drinking it. It is important to drink enough water to avoid dehydration.

The black bear is called atsak in Inuktitut. It is quite possible to encounter black bears in parks. They are opportunistic and unpredictable creatures. They usually prefer to avoid humans but may be curious and drawn by the smell of food. On rare occasions, they can show aggressive behaviour if they are surprised, feel stuck, or to protect their young or their food. Please refer to the Black Bear Safety Guide for more information.

The polar bear is called nanuk in Inuktitut. It is rare to meet them in parks, but it is not impossible. Please refer to the Polar Bear Safety Guide for more information.

There are a lot of mosquitoes and flies in Nunavik. However, they won't ruin your day if you wear the right clothes and apply mosquito repellent! Their number and the inconvenience they cause vary greatly depending on weather conditions and the time of year. Nunavik is a region where the winds are present and drive away mosquitoes and flies. Mosquitoes and flies can be very unpleasant on a windless, hot and sunny day.

Afin de sécuriser votre place sur un voyage en 2022, un acompte de 30 % sera exigé pour confirmer la réservation de tout séjour. Cet acompte est remboursable jusqu’à 30 jours avant le départ. Après quoi, le montant résiduel sur le séjour sera demandé et le tout ne sera pas remboursable.

Toutefois, si Parcs Nunavik doit annuler un séjour en raison de la COVID-19, un remboursement complet sera effectué. Parcs Nunavik communiquera avec les visiteurs dès que l’organisation aura pris connaissance de toute condition menant à l’annulation d’un départ.

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