For a vacation off the beaten path, check out the amazing Arctic wildlife, the great outdoor activities and vibrant Inuit culture of this northernmost region of Quebec.
If you’re up to exploring some lesser-known parts of Canada this summer, consider a trip to Nunavik.
Not to be confused with Canada’s northern Territory of Nunavut, Nunavik is in Quebec’s Far North, stretching above the 55th parallel. This large expanse of land, covering more than 500,000 square kilometres, makes up one third of the province.
Bordered by Hudson Bay to the west, Hudson Strait to the north, and Ungava Bay and Labrador to the east, this pristine mass of land is an ideal playground for nature lovers in search of a true adventure. Against a backdrop of wild tundra, taiga forest, scenic mountains, untamed rivers, and countless lakes you’ll find an array of mythical Arctic fauna such as polar bears, prehistoric muskoxen, caribou and Arctic wolves.
Late summer and early fall provide the best times to view the tundra colour changes, great caribou migration, and dazzling Northern Lights displays. There are plenty of outdoor activities to enjoy here — from hiking and fishing, to canoeing and sea kayaking. During their stay, visitors get to interact with the local Inuit inhabitants and share in their vibrant culture, making for a true, authentic northern experience.
Top 3 Arctic Wildlife Observation Inuit Adventures
Several tour packages are available offering different types of activities and experiences. The following are offered by the region’s top 3 Inuit-owned tour operators:
The Great Insular and Polar Getaway with Ungava Polar Eco-Tours
For lovers of the great outdoors who relish great indoor amenities and cuisine, this week-long tour package available in August and September fits the bill. Visitors can enjoy the remoteness of the Ungava Bay coast from the comfort of shelter domes “hotel rooms”, while going out daily on hikes or fat bike rides, or boat excursions in the Gyrfalcon Islands from the mouth of the Leaf Basin, home to the largest tides and tidal currents in the world, during which they may encounter polar bears, seals, whales, muskoxen, and other wildlife in their natural habitat.
To learn more, visit ungavapolarecotours.com
A week at the forefront of Arctic life with Nunawild
This Inuit-owned private company offers week-long tours out of Kuujjuaq, the gateway to Nunavik, from mid-August to early October. Visitors stay at a rustic yet comfortable facility out on the surrounding tundra. From there, they can go out on daily hikes to observe Arctic wildlife such as small herds of muskoxen, caribou, the elusive tundra wolves and smaller wild animals like willow ptarmigans (snow partridges), Arctic fox and hare, and various birds of prey. Other activities include hiking to nearby archaeological sites, participating in cultural interpretation tours, paddling the lake by canoe, or enjoying some fishing for trout or landlock Arctic char. Other options include boat tours on the Kuujjuaq River to visit the old Hudson’s Bay trading post across the river at Old Fort Chimo.
To learn more, visit nunawild.com
Inuit Adventures’ Big Three of the Arctic Wildlife
This package is specifically dedicated to the observation and photography of the area’s three prime ambassadors — polar bear, muskox, and migratory caribou. Inuit Adventures offers this week-long journey in the heart of the Northern summer (July and August). Motorized canoe excursions take visitors to the coast of Ungava Bay in search of polar bears; to Diana Island to see muskoxen left stranded there after the thaw; and along the Payne River to witness the great caribou migration swimming across. Each of these activities takes place from an Inuit community, also giving visitors a chance to discover the daily life of the Inuit in their northern villages.
To learn more, visit aventuresinuit.ca
More Wildlife Viewing Opportunities while Out Fishing
Observe the great caribou migration while fishing at Leaf River Lodge
Avid fishermen can enjoy their passion all summer long at Leaf River Lodge fishing outfitting camp. Visitors can try their luck at catch and release for big Atlantic salmon, and at times even fish with Alexis Pageau, a TV show host and reporter and professional fisherman, well-known in Quebec through his involvement with the Hooké Fishing Collective. In September, the area also becomes a great place to observe the great caribou migration across Leaf River and admire the colourful tundra and famed Northern lights, with tips from Quebec wildlife photographer Jean-Simon Bégin to capture these keepsake moments forever on camera.
To learn more, visit leafriverlodge.com
Wedge Hills Lodge’s Golden Peninsula Tours
Spend your nights in a beautiful log cabin and your days flying in a tailor-made seaplane tour to see magnificent landscapes of fjords, icebergs, the majestic Torngat mountains, and awe-inspiring waterfalls. Don’t be surprised if you spot a polar bear, black bears or even a few caribou. Offering week-long tours from the end of July to early September, this package also provides opportunities to hike in the mountains as well as bivouac overnight, and even to pack raft down a river valley or fat bike in landscapes larger than life.
To learn more, visit wedgehillslodge.com
Ready to add Nunavik to your travel bucket list?
Choose which package is for you and book your trip.
