If you’ve ever dreamed of seeing the aurora borealis in one of the best viewing destinations in the world, this is your chance. At the same time, you’ll discover how another culture lives in the Far North. Double the excitement! Experience the adventure of a lifetime this autumn with an Inuit-led trip to unforgettable Nunavik.
Not to be confused with Nunavut, a Canadian territory, Nunavik is the northernmost region of Quebec. Two completely different locations, yet, both are inhabited by Inuit, many of whom are actually related. Nunavik covers 507,000 km2 above the 55th parallel, bordered by Hudson Bay to the west, Hudson Strait to the north and Ungava Bay and Labrador to the east. The expansive landscape is stunning to behold, making up one third of the province of Quebec and almost equal to the size of France.
The friendly Inuit of Nunavik take pride in sharing their unique ancestral heritage and way of life with visitors. You’ll never forget the stories told by their elders, captivating throat songs, and legends coming to life in soapstone. While visiting one of the tight-knit Inuit communities of the region with your knowledgeable hosts as guides, you’ll be swept up in an authentic experience.
Getting There
Not connected to the province of Quebec’s road network, the region is only accessible by plane. But it’s a short flight, only two hours. Air Inuit provides the service with a daily jet flight from Montreal to Kuujjuaq – the gateway to Nunavik. Canadian North also offers the connection once a week on Saturdays from Ottawa.
The Colours of Fall
An autumn journey to Nunavik offers a wealth of unspoiled natural wonders. From September to early October, you’ll see gorgeous colours emerge in the wild tundra of Quebec’s Far North. In the villages south of the tree line, the larch trees of the boreal forest infuse the landscape with a panorama of brilliant yellow. It’s not unusual to find Inuit women out with their children gathering blueberries, black crowberries and bright red lingonberries.
Once night descends, the Northern Lights will take your breath away, especially during the peak observation season from September to the winter solstice and beyond. Called “arsaniit” by the Inuit, the splendid light show can last from a few seconds up to 45 minutes, or even hours on, and takes many forms depending on solar activity. Watch it take the shape of an arch, spanning up to 1000 km, or a strip, a curtain, a veil, a wreath, or a pillar with rays extending up to 100 km. Some are also referred to as “mirror” due to their reflection in bodies of water. Located right on what is called the aurora belt, Kuujjuaq is one of the best places in the world to view this phenomenon, so have your camera ready!
A Weekend to Remember
Inuit Adventures offers trips that immerse visitors into Nunavik communities – a unique way to personally experience and learn about some of the region’s many attractions and get to know the wonderful Inuit people. Booking a weekend package is the perfect way to delight in the amazing Northern lights spectacle in Nunavik, led by experienced Inuit guides sharing their traditional stories. Here is a favourite Inuit Adventures tour to take in the beauty of the Northern lights, while learning about your Inuit hosts’ culture:
Aurora Borealis in Kuujjuaq on Ungava Bay
Fly north to Kuujjuaq for an exciting long weekend adventure, where the focus will be three nights of viewing the aurora borealis, while you spend your days on the colourful tundra, learning about Inuit traditions and their way of life.
Package Includes:
- Return flights from Montreal to Kuujjuaq.
- Hotel transfers.
- Guide services with freighter canoe.
- 3 overnights at the Co-op Hotel in Kuujjuaq, double occupancy.
- All meals.
Trip Highlights:
- A long weekend to view the gracious aurora borealis in Kuujjuaq.
- Visit a former Hudson’s Bay Company fur trading post at Old Fort Chimo and archeological sites.
- Encounters with the local wildlife such as migrating birds, seals and other marine mammals, wolves, musk-oxen and even caribou herds.
- Story telling by Inuit elders reminiscing about their nomadic upbringing on the land.
- A performance by Inuit throat singers, an enthralling art imitating nature’s soundtrack.
- Guided tour of the town to meet local people and get familiar with their day-to-day, learn a few words of Inuktitut, and shop for souvenirs while discovering Inuit art at the village’s Tivi Galleries.
This is a rare bucket-list opportunity to observe the Northern lights, while discovering the Inuit culture, firsthand. An enlightening journey on so many levels.
Learn more and plan your own Inuit Adventures at aventuresinuit.ca or call 1 855 657-3319.
