Imagine a place...
… the size of France, but without highways, shopping malls or cityscapes - just 14 cozy villages with a total population below 12,000. A place that is home to one of the world’s oldest living cultures, the Inuit, who thrive in one of the most spectacular wilderness regions left on Earth.
This is Nunavik, in the north of Quebec, Canada. Its frontier lies only two hour away from Montreal by flight.
In this pristine corner of the Arctic winter brings spectacular displays of the Aurora Borealis and snow-covered tundra that provides a natural roadway for travel across the land by dog-sled or snow-mobile.
In summer, Nunavik bursts with life - herds of caribou wander the tundra, polar bears roam, migratory birds nest, wildflowers carpet the land, and trout, salmon, and char glide through cascading streams and rivers. At this time of year, prepare to enjoy pleasantly warm days and fleece cool nights surrounded by tall mountains, wide-open tundra, and countless freshwater lakes. Share unforgettable experiences with the Inuit, your wonderful, welcoming hosts.




What to Expect:
Accommodation:
There are no big-name hotels in Nunavik, nor condos or time share resorts that boast swimming pools and spas. Instead, each village has a hotel that offers basic comforts where travelers mix freely in the shared guest area to trade travel stories and experiences. Away from the villages, rustic cabins and camping are the norm. In Pingualuit National Park, you can even live in beautiful, environmentally-friendly bungalows that offer spectacular views.
Food and Drink:
These days, Michelin-star rated restaurants throughout the world sing the praises of foraging for wild food whereas this has been the practice of Inuit for centuries. Mussels are harvested throughout the year, even in the winter when pickers venture beneath the ice. During summer, you will taste some of the freshest and tastiest fish you have ever eaten. Summertime also brings cloudberries, blueberries, and other wild berries, enjoyed at the peak of ripeness.
In Nunavik, food is prepared simply, using fresh ingredients and little spice or seasoning – leaving the pure flavors of the food. Farming is not practiced throughout the Arctic region so fresh fruits and vegetables are flown in from points south, along with other goods. Alcohol is served or sold commercially in only a few Nunavik communities. Bottled drinking water is readily obtainable for visitors, although water from the tap is also available - tap water typically comes from surface water.
Transportation:
Nunavik’s “highways” are provided by nature: In winter, the frozen tundra becomes an easy passage for dog-sleds and snowmobiles. In summer, an extensive system of lakes, rivers, and bays provide open waterways to explore the region by boat, kayak, and canoe.
Light aircraft transport links the 14 villages with scheduled flights that make travel easy between airports. Once there, you will travel by motorized vehicle, by foot, or by boat as you explore and experience one of the few regions of our planet yet dissected by highways.
To get to Nunavik, you fly north from Montreal or Quebec City to either Kuujjuaq (YVP) or Puvirnituq (YPX), approximately a two hour flight to either gateway destination. Kuujjuaq is the largest of the two communities, with a population of just over 2,000, and its small but modern airport has a gift shop, a baggage claim area, and check-in booths for connecting flights to other villages in Nunavik. The region is served by two air carriers, Air Inuit and Canadian North.
Entertainment:
In Nunavik, there are no movie theatres, casinos or theme parks. But rather than sitting down to watch a National Geographic TV special about nature and culture, you will experience it for yourself: Elders sharing stories about their history and heritage, performing throat singers who demonstrate their richly vibrant skills inspired by the music of nature, Inuit guides explaining the turn of the seasons and the movements of wildlife. Your senses will awaken to the sights, smells, and sounds of unspoiled wilderness – an increasingly rare experience in today’s world.
Communication:
Nunavik enjoys Canada’s modern telecommunications systems. In the villages, WiFi, and landlines are readily available and in use. Like most remote areas of the world, the national parks and wilderness areas of Nunavik use satellite phones that are a very reliable means of communication. Outside of the villages, your hosts at Inuit Adventures use these phones and serve as your point of contact in case of urgent situations should someone need to reach you from home, or vice versa.
[Note: Text adapted with permission from the Kativik Regional Government, ‘What To Expect’ brochure]
Weather:
The weather in Nunavik is unpredictable and can change quickly at all times during the year. Winter brings temperatures well below freezing so complete winter gear and picking reputable outfitters and guides are a must. During the months of July and August, temperatures of 20°C (70° F) or higher are not uncommon during daytime, dipping lower during the twilight hours of summer nights. In some areas, temperatures near freezing can be expected at night (hiking in the Torngat Mountains, for instance). The most important thing to remember is to be prepared for all kinds of weather – warm sunshine, wind, rain, and maybe even snow.
Insects:
Like the rest of the Northern Hemisphere during July and August, mosquitoes thrive when the breeze is soft or still. Likewise, strong winds help to keep them at bay. Bug repellant works well, and those who prefer not to use repellant can do as the locals who often wear a light mesh jacket or a head net that prevents mosquitoes from biting. We suggest that you purchase either one before leaving for your trip. Long sleeved shirts and pants are also recommended to minimize bites.
What to Bring:
Happy voyagers travel light. Choose the clothing you carry based on weight, comfort, and washability. Being able to add and remove layers is especially important in the variable weather conditions you can expect. Along with comfortable, casual wear, remember to pack long underwear, a fleece jacket, a knit hat and gloves, and a waterproof windbreaker or jacket. Polarized sunglasses and sunscreen are also important, especially during the Spring when days are long and the sun bounces off the bright snow. For hiking and walking, you will need a good pair of sturdy, comfortable, well broken-in walking shoes or light boots.
In addition, you will want to carry some handy snacks, and an ample supply of any medications and copies of the prescriptions. Baggage is occasionally lost or can arrive late so keep an extra set of clothes in your flight bag and make sure to keep valuables such as passport, money, camera, prescription drugs on you.
Health and Safety:
A small personal first aid kit can be handy. Bring items such as Betadine skin cleanser, an antibiotic ointment for minor cuts, sun screen, insect repellent, aspirin, a pain reliever such as Tylenol or Advil, a few Band-Aids, and other basic first-aid supplies.
There are health clinics in each village and local hospitals for emergencies in Kuujjuaq and Puvirnituq. Since there are daily two-hour flights to Montreal, any emergency requiring advanced medical care are flown to Montreal. Emergency air evacuation services are on standby throughout the region.