The Far North in all its splendour

Begin your northern adventure with a visit to the Cree nation community, Oujé-Bougoumou, north of Chibougamau. First stop: the Aanischaaukamikw Cree Cultural Institute, which is an excellent way to learn about the people and their culture.

You’ll learn more about the Cree nation through a guided tour of the community of Oujé-Bougoumou, recognized by the United Nations for the unique circular layout of the town and the architecture of its Capissisit Lodge.

Enjoy a unique experience at the Nuuhchimi Wiinuu camp, an ecotourism site on the edge of Lac Scott, between Oujé-Bougoumou and Chibougamau. The owners and elders from the community are eager to share their traditional knowledge.

This is the start of the great adventure to the mythical Northern Québec. It’s a full day’s drive, covering 700 km. Along the way, you’ll want to stop to stretch your legs and admire the beauty of the boreal forest: rivers, bears, wolves...

A boat excursion on the majestic James Bay to Wemindji is unlike any southern cruise; the scenery and wildlife are like nothing you’ve ever seen before. Keep an eye out for caribou, polar bears and seals, and then go for a hike on the islands.

Back on land, go for a guided tour of Wemindji, a small but very dynamic community of over 1,400 residents. Its history is linked with that of James Bay. Take advantage of the long days: the sun sets at about 10:00 p.m. in summer.

You take a plane to Kuujjuaq, Nunavik’s administrative capital, as there is no connecting road. A local guide will greet you and take you on a tour of this northern town south of Ungava Bay, starting with the Tivi Inuit Art Gallery at the airport.

Still travelling by plane, you head to Aupaluk to observe the polar bears in their natural coastal habitat in Ungava Bay and experience the traditional Inuit lifestyle. It’ll feel like you’re actually in a National Geographic report!

It’s Nunavik’s smallest Inuit village, with 150 residents. Aupaluk means “where the earth is red” in Inuktitut, due to the iron-rich soil. It’s striking when you walk on the red sand of Ungava Bay’s beaches.

Taking the plane, you next go to Kangirsuk. If you wanted to experience a culture shock, this is the place for it, listening to the traditional throat singing practised by Inuit women. Breath and rhythm in complete synchronicity.

In July and August, you can witness the migration of thousands of caribou by crossing Rivière Payne in canoe from Kangirsuk. It’s impressive to see this massive movement as well as to discover that the river is a fjord.

With Inuit Adventures guides, you’ll gather feathers from eider ducks, gently, straight from their nests. The Inuit use them to insulate their coats.

Stroll through the village of Kangirsuk and the surrounding area, along Ungava Bay. The rising tide is one of the highest and most powerful in the world. On Pamiok Island, we can see the ruins of a Dorset longhouse.

A short plane ride takes you to Quaqtaq. On the boat to Diana Island you may spot some marine animals and icebergs. Once on the island, there’s no missing the musk-ox, which seem to have come straight out of the movie Quest for fire.