Have you ever thought about exploring Canada’s Arctic? I used to dream of it when I was younger but did not expect the chance. Most of my wildlife photography related trips, being on my own or doing my tours and workshops are normally planned way in advance.
a fellow nature and wildlife enthusiast who also enjoys photography. She reached out to share an exciting opportunity: an invitation to travel to Nunavik, the northernmost region of Quebec in Canada. The message sparked my interest and set the stage for an intriguing journey into one of the most remote and captivating landscapes in North America. I am about to visit the remote Wolf Lake camp to assess the region, observe its wildlife, and initiate preparations for leading future groups to experience the area.
Before setting out on my journey, my priority was to gather information about Nunavik. I needed to research my destination, learn about its residents, and understand its unique wildlife and photography opportunities.
Nunavik spans over 507,000 square kilometers and is home to approximately 14,000 people, mostly Inuit. The territory of Nunavik is bordered by the Hudson Bay to the west, Hudson Strait to the North, Ungava Bay, and Labrador to the East.
Nunavik offers an incredible opportunity for wildlife enthusiasts to capture some of the world’s most iconic animals in their natural habitats. One of the most iconic animals found in Nunavik is the muskoxen.
With its vast expanses of untouched wilderness, the region offers a rare opportunity to truly disconnect from the modern world and connect with nature in its purest form. Whether you are gazing up at the northern lights, hiking through the tundra, photographing the muskoxen, or simply marveling at the beauty of the Arctic landscape.
Not only is there Muskoxen, Nunavik is one of the world’s best places to witness the aurora borealis, also known as the Northern Lights. This natural phenomenon produces a dazzling display of colorful lights that dance across the night sky.
Nunavik’s Inuit culture is deeply rooted in traditions that have been passed down for generations. One way to engage in these traditions is by visiting the Tent ring and Eskers. The Tent ring provides insight into the lives and traditions of the Inuit people. Meanwhile, Eskers offer opportunities to explore the natural beauty of Nunavik, as well as the plants and animals that thrive in these formations.
Having learned a little about Nunavik as the gateway to the Arctic, I am now ready to learn about the Inuit people there. According to a 2021census, there is around 155,066 Inuit within the Arctic and Subarctic regions. 70,545 of them live in Canada, including my destination of Nunavik (Northern Quebec). They possess a unique culture, language (Inuktitut), and history of fishing, hunting, and thriving in harsh environments. Inuit means “the people” with “Inuk” being the singular term. Sixty percent of Inuit say that they conduct a conversation in Inuktitut. I was guided by Allen Gorden, a resident of Kuujjuaq and the owner of Wolf Lake Camp. Allen shared important insights about the local Inuit culture. He explained that many elders in the community are concerned about whether younger generations will continue practicing traditional ways. According to Allen, much of this concern is attributed to the influence of social media, which has changed how young people interact with their heritage. As I embark on this journey, I am deeply aware that there is much more to discover about the traditions and people of Nunavik.
It is now time to pack my gear and set out from my home in Prince George British Columbia Canada. What do I need to pack for such an adventure?
To begin, I prioritize packing the camera equipment. Next, I take into consideration the temperature conditions prior to arriving in the Arctic. During my journey to Nunavik, the climate will undoubtedly be warmer. I went with Merino Wool because it is super warm and stylish enough to wear in places such as airports…. just like my Snickers pants, which I picked mostly because they are comfortable for traveling and working in the field. I will explain why I am sharing this information soon. Now, I need to pick good footwear, since it is going to be colder where I am headed. There is going to be a lot of hiking, hopping on and off a boat, and this is no place for running shoes. Gum boots would work, but they are extra weight and I cannot afford to have that weight. I picked warm rain gear from Helly Hanson for comfort and travel style. I am sharing this because weight matters; I avoid extra baggage, especially when flying on bush planes like the DHC-2 Beaver.
My first flight is from Prince George, BC Canada to Vancouver, BC, then on to Montreal, Quebec, where I will meet others joining the tour and workshop. After relaxing at the hotel for the day, meeting other guests for dinner, and getting a good night’s sleep, we are ready to fly with a regional airline to Kuujjuaq qc.
Kuujjuaq, named after the Koksoak River by the Inuit, is a former Hudson’s.
Bay Company outpost located at the river’s mouth on Ungava Bay. It is Nunavik, Quebec’s largest northern village, and regional administrative capital, with a 2021 population of 2,668.
It was not more than 10 minutes after arriving in Kuujjuag, that I met guide and Wolf Lake camp owner Allen Gorden. There was no wasting time; we were off to the float plane business of the famous Johnny May. I knew we were well cared for with a bush pilot that has flown more than 45000 hours in the past 64 years. This is where my packing of gear and clothing comes in; weight restrictions are crucial at this point of the trip, and careful packing is essential. It is best that I skip the hard-shell luggage and bring my soft sided duffle bag.
My flight takes 45 minutes, and it is the most beautiful flight, as we fly low over the Arctic Tunda. Ahead of most North American regions, fall colors are already visible with reds, oranges, yellows, and greens covering the landscape, along with thousands of small lakes below.
Wolf Lake Camp has now come into view, inviting myself and the group to explore this wild, untouched land and witness Muskoxen, the remarkable IceAge survivors, up close in their natural habitat. This is a rare chance for an unforgettable encounter in one of the world’s most remote regions!
As we approach the camp on the plane’s floats, I can already see a herd of Muskox on a nearby ridge and excitement rises one more notch.
The muskox is a survivor… they have survived for over six thousand years and roamed with the woolly Mammoth and the sabretooth tigers. It has an exceptionally long adaptive history in arctic conditions, which shows they are very adaptive to extreme cold. They have some pretty unique features, having a highly effective insulating wool called “Qiviut” under that exceedingly long and shaggy hair.
On top of all that, they have special reproductive traits. The muskox cow responds to her nutritional condition in autumn by not going into heat if she is not feeling healthy enough or has not stored enough fat. Only going into heat early in the rutting season when in excellent condition. This means that cows that are in poor condition can and will wait till the next year.
Calves born early have the best chance to gain enough fat to survive their first winter, since cows must be healthy enough to give birth and produce milk well before the snow melts and vegetation appears. DNA studies reveal muskoxen is more closely related to sheep and goats than to oxen.
Males can weigh up to 400 kg (880 lbs.), females up to 275 kg (600 lbs.). In the wild, males live 10–12 years and females 15–18 years. During the breeding season (mid-August to mid-September), males compete for dominance and mate with multiple females; calves are born in April or May.
The following days included observing and photographing muskox, macro photography, and night sky photography. Accessible by boat, hiking, or just outside my accommodation. On some of the evenings, I was able to see the Northern lights right from the comfort of my cabin.
Daytime hikes, while searching for muskox herds often reveal fascinating Rock ptarmigans. The official bird of the territory of Nunavik
The rock ptarmigan is 34-36 cm long and has a wingspan of 54-60 cm. These birds are camouflaged to match the seasons; their feathers molt from white in the winter to grey and brown in spring and summer.
I have much more to share about Canada, my home country. Its diversity makes me proud to live here. From the rugged coastlines and towering mountains to the endless forests and quiet northern tundra, Canada’s landscape is both wild and humbling. The vast Arctic, especially in places like Nunavut, feels like the last true frontier, raw, powerful, and beautifully untouched.
Our wildlife is just as inspiring. Whether it is an Ice-age surviving Muskoxen, a wolf’s howl on the West Coast, or a grizzly bear roaming the Canadian Rockies, these moments remind me how fortunate we are to share this country with such incredible creatures.
Being Canadian means living in a place where wilderness still breathes freely and that is something I will never take for granted.
In addition to this workshop, I lead immersive photography tours and workshops in Africa, the Canadian Arctic, Northern British Columbia, Canada, and the Canadian Rockies; offering participants the opportunity to experience and capture the wild through expert guidance.
