Photo expedition
From caribou migration to the Northern Lights.
Your stay
From Montreal, you'll take a flight to the village of Kuujjuaq, a northern village in Nunavik, located on the banks of the Koksoak River, near Ungava Bay. From there, a Twin Otter aircraft will take you to the Leaf River Lodge camp. It's from this flight that the adventure truly begins. You'll soar over the breathtaking landscape, with the chance to observe flocks of willow ptarmigan, migrating caribou herds, and the vast expanses of the wilderness from low altitude.
Once you arrive at camp, you can finally take the time to breathe in the fresh northern air. The rest of the trip will be divided between salmon fishing, hiking, and, above all, wildlife viewing. The main attraction of the area is the mass caribou migration. We will be able to travel long distances by boat on the Rivière aux Feuilles to explore and discover this territory. As night falls, we will always be on the lookout for clear skies, as this is one of the best places in the world to see the famous Northern Lights.
Your guide:
Jean-Simon Bégin
Jean-Simon Bégin is a painter and wildlife photographer from Quebec City, renowned for his 18-year career and numerous awards, including the title of Canadian Wildlife Photographer of the Year in 2022. After working as a resident artist for prestigious galleries, he went freelance in 2019 and founded his own publishing house, publishing several photographic art books on Quebec wildlife. His books have been very successful, with thousands of copies sold. Jean-Simon is also an influential content creator, reaching millions of subscribers each year. Through his artwork and his sharing, he seeks to raise public awareness of the fragility of biodiversity and the need to preserve it.
The migratory caribou
The migratory caribou of the Leaf River is an iconic species of the vast northern wilderness. Each year, it undertakes a spectacular migration, traveling hundreds of kilometers between its breeding grounds. This migratory phenomenon follows a well-defined route, linking the lush valleys of the Leaf River to the drier plains of the interior. By crossing rivers and dense forests, this herd plays a vital role in the region's ecological balance, fertilizing the soil and maintaining plant regeneration.
The black bear
L'ours noir est un habitant discret mais fascinant du Nunavik. Bien qu'il soit moins associé aux régions arctiques que son cousin l'ours polaire, l'ours noir trouve dans les forêts du Nunavik un habitat idéal, surtout pendant les mois plus chauds. Omnivore, il se nourrit de fruits, de baies, d'insectes, et parfois de petits mammifères. Sa présence est souvent perçue comme un symbole de la résilience de la faune boréale. Les rencontres avec cet animal, bien que rares et furtives, rappellent l'importance de la cohabitation entre l'homme et la nature dans ces vastes étendues sauvages.
Native fruits and plants
In the tundra, a harsh and cold ecosystem, nature provides a wealth of small berries and edible plants that, though often overlooked, play a vital role in the diet of the animals and humans who live there. Among these plants, arctic blueberries and lingonberries stand out for their sweet and tart flavor. Cloudberries and wild raspberries complete the picture, with juicy fruits that grow on low bushes adapted to the extreme conditions of the tundra. In addition to fruits, several wild herbs such as nettle and meadowsweet are also edible.
The Northern Lights
In Nunavik, witnessing the Northern Lights is a magical and unforgettable spectacle. Every winter, as soon as night falls, the skies transform into a living tableau of dancing lights. These luminous phenomena, created by solar particles interacting with the Earth's atmosphere, can appear as verdant veils, colorful waves, or shimmering beams. The region, far from major urban centers and sheltered from light pollution, offers ideal conditions for observing this natural phenomenon.
Inclusions
- Vol aller-retour à partir de Montréal
- Groupe de deux pêcheurs par bateau
- Un guide expérimenté
- Deux personnes par chambre
- Cinq jours entiers sur la rivière
- Repas et collations
Additional information
To confirm your reservation, you will need to pay a 30% deposit. The remaining balance must be paid two months before your departure, in two installments.
Deposits are non-refundable. However, they can be transferred to another traveler or applied to another excursion within the following year.
Because the climate in this region is unpredictable, the Leaf River Lodge cannot be held responsible for expenses and inconveniences incurred by travelers due to flight departure delays.
Tips not included
Suggested tip: $100/day for your guide
$25/day for each cook/helper
A world of possibilities
Willow Ptarmigan
Bald Eagle
River otter
Porcupine
Night in a prospector's tent
