Compare Nunavik: Wildlife & Inuit Culture by Audley Travel vs Best of Eastern Canada & USA 2022 Small Group by Insight Vacations

Day 1 : Montréal

Today you begin your journey by boarding your international outbound flight to Montréal. You will be met upon arrival by your guide and transferred to your airport hotel. The remainder of the day is free to relax after your flight.

Day 2 : Quaqtaq

Fly from Montréal to Quaqtaq. You will be met upon arrival at Quaqtaq by your guide, and transferred to your hotel. There will then be time to freshen up before the group meets for a detailed trip briefing which will focus on your activities over the next few days. After this enjoy an informal walk, with your guide, through the village. You will visit Cape Hopes Advance, the abandoned weather station that operated from 1928 until 1970. From the top of the hill you may be able to spot some splendid icebergs that often drift past at this time of year. This will be followed by dinner at your hotel.

Day 3 : Quaqtaq

After breakfast at your hotel, and at high tide, travel by motorised freighter canoe to beautiful Diana Island. On the way keep a look out for jellyfish, seals or even minke whales. Having landed, you will then take a leisurely walk, of between one and two hours, across Diana Island, which is a landscape of gently rolling hills and dry, spongy tundra. The island is home to a population of musk oxen so do keep a look out for these shaggy, almost prehistoric-looking Arctic beasts. As you walk you may find small tufts of musk oxen hair which is very fine and soft. The terrain will be peppered with a variety of delicate and pretty Arctic flowers which your guides will point out to you. You will also see how the Inuit delicately remove the down from nests of eider ducks that they use to make their warm parkas. A picnic lunch will be served on the island, often in sight of musk oxen, and if you are very lucky you may see beluga whales off-shore. After a day of exploration, return by motorised canoe to Quaqtaq.

Day 4 : Kangirsuk

Fly to Kangirsuk where you will be met and transferred by motorised canoe to Kangirsuk Camp. Your route takes you along the beautiful fjord of Payne River where you are likely to see caribou roaming, or even crossing the river. The exact route will be determined by local tides and times. When you disembark, your guides will set up a temporary camp and light a fire to cook lunch that includes fresh local fish and bannock bread. Afterwards there is time to go for a walk with your guides on the spongy tundra, which is an experience in itself. Musk oxen have begun to return to this area so do keep a look out for them as well as foxes, Arctic hares, wolves, black bears and many species of birds. In the evening, when the wind has subsided, you will marvel at the utter silence and think how precious moments like these are away from everything. You will be transferred to your hotel where, this evening, dinner will be served.

Day 5 : Kangirsuk

After breakfast this morning you will set off in motorised canoes to travel the waterways of the Payne River. Your guides will try to locate the caribou migration routes which provide many superb photographic opportunities. A temporary camp will be made for a traditional Inuit picnic lunch of local fish and meats. After lunch, continue your exploration by motorised canoes whilst looking out for Arctic foxes, musk oxen, Arctic hares, wolves, and caribou. You will return to your hotel in Kangirsuk in time to freshen up before dinner and after this there will be a demonstration of throat singing by local Inuit women.

Day 6 : Tasiujaq

In the morning your guides will take you out for a hike on the spongy tundra. You should have a good opportunity of seeing birds and the fresh Arctic air is intoxicating. Musk-oxen are slowly establishing themselves in this area and you may once again have the chance to see these fascinating animals. Keep a look out for foxes, Arctic hares, wolves and black bears too. You will return to Kangirsuk later in the day to take your flight to Tasiujaq.

Day 7 : Tasiujaq

This morning, after breakfast, your guide will transport you to the dock where, at high tide, your local Inuit guides will be waiting for you with their large open-air motorised canoes. Your full day adventure takes you along the southwest coast of Ungava Bay, an area renowned for its high concentration of polar bears and high tides. With luck you will have good opportunities to see these magnificent bears in this breathtaking and pristine environment. A picnic lunch will be served and then you will continue to explore along the shore, going in and out of bays and fjords by motorised canoe, looking for further polar bear viewing opportunities. Return to your hotel in Tasiujaq for dinner.

Day 8 : Montréal

Fly from Tasiujaq to Kuujjuaq. Upon arrival there is time for a tour of the town and to buy some souvenirs of the north at Tiwi Galleries. All of their items are locally produced, and include Inuit sculptures, 'nassaq' (Inuit hats), mittens, slippers, Ungava cream made with Nunavik algae extract, Ookpik (owl figurines) made of seal skin, prints, jewellery, and Inuit clothing. Lunch will be taken at the Kuujjuaq Inn and you will then be transferred to the airport in time for your flight to Montréal.

Day 9 : International return flight

The day is free to go shopping or explore cosmopolitan Montréal. The city boats a huge range of restaurants and cafés and we suggest you work up an appetite by taking a walking tour of old Montréal with its historic port and warren of cobbled streets. Don't miss a visit to lively Place Jacques Cartier, the spectacular Basilica Notre Dame, the Museum of Fine Arts, and the Parc du Mont Royal. In addition, don't miss a Bateau Mouche cruise on the St. Lawrence River, the Botanical Gardens, the Biodome and the Planetarium. This evening board your onward flight.

Day 10 : International return flight

Arrive home today to complete your journey.

Day 1: Thrilling Toronto

Welcome to Toronto, a vibrant city on Lake Ontario, full of fine restaurants, bars and an eclectic mix of cultures. On arrival at Toronto International Airport, a transfer will take you to your hotel. You’ll meet your Travel Director and fellow travellers for a Welcome Dinner with wine at 18:00.

Day 2: Toronto and the Thundering Falls of Niagara Relaxed Start

Travel up University Avenue to see Queen's Park and the Parliament Buildings, before venturing on to spectacular Niagara Falls. Take in this great natural wonder up-close on a cruise to the base of the falls. Browse quaint Niagara-on-the-Lake before returning to Toronto.

Day 3: Kingston and Ottawa

Journey to historic Kingston, otherwise known as the Limestone City and view the old buildings, churches and fortifications, with many of them being constructed from limestone itself. Continue to the Canadian capital of Ottawa where you’ll join a Make Travel Matter® experience with the culinary experts of C’est Bon at the Just Food community farm.  You’ll learn new culinary skills and discover more about local cuisine. Ingredients include Canadian staples such as maple sugar, haskaps, labrador tea and wild flowers. End the experience with a delicious three-course dinner with wine, before heading back to your hotel.

Day 4: Canada's Capital to Montreal

Get ready for an exciting morning exploring Ottawa, with a tour of the city’s stately boulevards. Then, you'll join your Indigenous Cultural Ambassadors and experience a lively traditional Pow Wow dance. Join this MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience and learn about the Manitobah Mukluks Storyboot Project which aims to revive the traditional arts by creating partnerships with elders and artisans. Continue to the diverse metropolis of Montreal, which is in the French-speaking province of Quebec.

Day 5: Montreal, the Royal Mountain

Today you’ll join a Local Expert who will guide you around Old Montreal, the grand mansions of Mount Royal, and the iconic Notre-Dame Basilica. The rest of the day is free to enjoy as you please.

Day 6: Montmorency Falls Park to Quebec City Relaxed Start

Depart Montreal and head to Montmorency Falls today.Stop at a traditional Sugar Shack and learn how maple syrup is created and harvested.After lunch, continue onwards to Montmorency Falls Park where you will experience that natural wonder that towers 272 feet (83 metres) tall. Walk the full width of the falls on a suspension bridge, or if you're feeling adventurous, you can take the panoramic staircase down along the cliffside.Continue on to Quebec City.

Day 7: Quintessential Quebec Relaxed Start

Discover more of Quebec’s unique European charm with a Local Expert, who will guide you along the city’s quaint cobblestone streets. You'll see the Latin Quarter, Plains of Abraham, City Hall and Palace Royale. You'll also walk past the Citadel, which offers great view of the city and Château Frontenac. In the evening you’ll choose from a selection of top local restaurants on a Dine-Around Evening.

Day 8: Quebec to Bar Harbor

Bid 'Au Revoir' to Quebec City as you cross the U.S. border and travel toward Mount Desert Island on the Atlantic Coast. A tranquil getaway, this large island comes with freshwater lakes, rugged clifftops, forests and striking mountains. Make the most of the serene setting at your hotel, which is situated on the island itself.

Day 9: Explore Acadia National Park

Take in the natural beauty of Acadia National Park, with its dramatic rocky shoreline and rugged nautical charm. You'll witness amazing views of the park from the top of Cadillac Mountain, while guests wanting to explore on foot can join their Travel Director to view well-known spots such as Thunder Hole. You'll have time to explore Bar Harbor on your own. Stop for an ice cream or head to the bustling souvenir stores to stock up on some holiday treats. The evening is saved for a delectable Highlight Dinner with your new friends, as you feast on authentic Maine lobster, a local specialty and one that won't disappoint.

Day 10: Coastal New England to Boston

Follow the rocky Maine shoreline, stopping in picturesque Kennebunkport, a glitzy, New England resort town and the iconic home of the Bush family. The town has a number of fine, well-preserved mansions, many of which have been turned into charming inns.

Day 11: Boston, the Cradle of Liberty

Famous for its American Revolutionary war history, Boston is a place for keen history buffs. Join your Travel Director as they guide you along the Freedom Trail, a route that leads you to several historically significant sites, including the Old State House and the meeting house where the Boston Tea Party of 1773 was planned. The rest of your day is at leisure. Perhaps take a stroll to Downtown Crossing or historic Faneuil Hall. For foodies in search of the city's best street eats, head to Boston's North End. With its large Italian community, this part of town houses some of the best Italian bakeries in the city, as lines of shoppers circle the block to get their hands on fresh cannoli and other treats.

Day 12: A Bite of the Big Apple

Follow the bright lights to New York City. Choose to visit the Top of the Rock Observation Deck with stunning views of the New York skyline. Alternatively, take a scenic bike tour of Central Park and explore its iconic sights.Your hotel is in the heart of Midtown and a short, 10-minute walk from the United Nations Headquarters and just steps away from Grand Central Terminal and the Chrysler Building.

Day 13: A Manhattan Masterpiece Relaxed Start

Explore the City that Never Sleeps with your Local Expert, before heading out on your own. If it's tranquillity you're after, relish the calm of Central Park, an expansive space designed by renowned landscape architect Frederick Law Olmsted.

Day 14: Liberty in Philadelphia and D.C.

Travel to Pennsylvania's largest city, Philadelphia, where the Liberty Bell first chimed and Thomas Jefferson wrote the Declaration of Independence. Explore Independence National Historic Park and visit the Liberty Bell with your Travel Director. Journey to Washington, D.C., the nation's capital. Enjoy the afternoon at leisure. Perhaps join an optional Illuminations Tour in the evening before spending the night at the luxurious Fairmont Washington D.C. Georgetown.

Day 15: Washington, D.C. Sightseeing and Leisure Time

In the morning, immerse yourself on a sightseeing tour and delve into the proud heritage of a nation. View the White House, the striking Washington Monument, and sprawling National Mall. Reflect on the country's most turbulent days at the Lincoln Memorial and the World War II Memorial. The rest of the day is at leisure. Join your Travel Director and fellow guests for a Celebration Dinner and toast to new friends and fantastic memories.

Day 16: Depart Washington, D.C.

A morning transfer at leisure will take you to Dulles International Airport or Reagan National Airport for your flight home. Alternatively, extend your stay at your own pleasure.