Page 115 - Travel Guide to Canada 2019
P. 115
QC
111
TORNGAT MOUNTAINS IN KUURURJUAQ NATIONAL PARK • PATRICK GRAILLON
Nunavik: Stretching north of Québec’s 55 th
parallel and covering almost a third
of the province’s area is the vast
Québec’s and wild Arctic region of Nunavik, a
majestic landscape of tundra, jagged
Far North peaks, broad glacial valleys and
spectacular lakes and coastlines.
BY MARGO PFEIFF
Nunavik’s main town of Kuujjuaq—popu- a beluga whale emerge from a block of ARCTIC WILDLIFE
lation 2,700—is easy to reach on a 2-hour soapstone in a carver’s hands. Dogsled over Be sure to pack binoculars and a camera to
fl ight north from Montréal. The region’s total frozen ocean. Sample raw caribou meat. track and capture Nunavik’s Arctic wildlife.
population of close to 14,000 is 90 percent Sleep in an igloo you’ve helped build Board a freighter canoe to watch for seals
Inuit, warmly welcoming visitors for an (www.inuitadventures.com). and whales, including pods of white
authentic experience among their ancient belugas. Spot icebergs drifting off shore.
and vibrant traditions. The 13 other remote ARCTIC LANDSCAPES Search for polar bears prowling their coastal
communities, accessible only by small plane, Nunavik’s diverse topography is a magnet habitat. Trek the tundra to go meet a herd of
boat, snowmobile or dogsled, are cultural for outdoor enthusiasts from beginners to muskox straight out of the ice age, or the
outposts for exploring the wilderness and experts. Trek, stroll or climb; whitewater raft, elusive tundra wolves, Arctic foxes and
wildlife in the company of knowledgeable backcountry ski or snowshoe. Paddle down a hares. Witness the summer migration of
local guides (www.nunavik-tourism.com ). river in a canoe or on an inland sea by kayak one of the biggest caribou herds in the
—an Inuit invention. There are three specta- world. Then end the day with an endless
CULTURE AND TRADITIONS cular national parks to discover including sunset, followed by a technicolour show of
The Inuit are proud of their heritage and Pingualuit, where a perfectly round crater northern lights shimmying across the night
eager to share their legends, stories and from an ancient meteor strike is fi lled with sky (www.inuitadventures.com).
unique traditions such as throat singing, pristine water. Kuururjuaq National Park boasts
drum dancing and Indigenous sports and North America’s highest peaks east of the A fascinating Northern gem with a
games. Meet locals and try char, a delicious Rockies amid the rugged spires of the Torngat wealth of natural and cultural off erings,
Arctic salmon. Go berry picking with ladies Mountains, and in Tursujuq National Park Nunavik is easy-access Arctic, a gateway to
and kids in summer. Learn a few Inuktitut there are inland seas and dramatic cuesta a hospitable, exotic and largely undiscov-
words. Create indelible memories watching ridges to explore (www.nunavikparks.ca). ered corner of Canada. 
