Your Itinerary:
Day 1: Sept-Îles/Schefferville (Monday, August 17, 2009). For those who will chose to travel by plane with Air-Inuit:
- Departure from Montreal and/or Quebec City to Schefferville
- The flight leaves Montreal at 7:00 am and lands in Schefferville at 10:40
- Welcome at the airport
- Departure possibilities from Quebec City and Sept-Îles
- Charter Flight available.
Day 2: Schefferville/George River (Tuesday, August 18, 2009). Welcoming of the participants by Serge Ashini Goupil and his team, and heading for the Mountain of the Bear. Familiarization and discovery of the premises. The rest of the day is dedicated to a presentation on the Innu People, their history, their culture, and their territory. A presentation done by your host, along with a human occupation specialist.
Days 3–8: George River (Wednesday, August 19-Monday, August 24, 2009). You’re leaving for an expedition with your guides towards the great George River plateaus. Your journey will allow you to take full measure of the sheer size of this tundra territory. You must be proactive in the expedition. Preparation of meals, choice of a campsite location in the evening, pitching of tents, and the path to chose is everybody’s business. You might have to ford creeks and small rivers. You are discovering the North in a trek on the caribou’s trails. It is planned to arrive from Mount Tshiuetin. From this point-of-view, we can grasp the sheer size of the tundra, and its fragility. We can also catch sight of our main site. Length of the expedition: 6 days, 5 nights.
Days 8-10: Discovery of the Innu lifestyle and a day of rest and leisure, Wedge Point (Monday, August 24-Wednesday, August 26, 2009). You arrive at our main campground. You will be welcomed by the Elders of our team. The rest of the day is dedicated to a well deserved rest. For these three days, activities can be organized according to the will of the group or individuals, accompanied by our guides. But we consider important that these days must allow everyone to recharge their batteries and immerse in the very particular atmosphere of an Aboriginal campground. Who knows, a caribou might come and pepper our day, a porcupine might come and visit us, or the grand-father (the black bear) might get curious and come see us squat his paradise. You’ll take part in the setting up of a Meteshan (sweating tent) and a tales and legend night. Makusham in the evening: Great Traditional Feast (scheduled for Tuesday August 25).
Day 10: Last day on the George, Departure towards Schefferville (Wednesday, August 26, 2009). Return towards Schefferville by hydroplane on Wednesday August 26. Free day. Evening meal in an Innu family.
Day 11: Schefferville (Thursday, August 27, 2009). Visit of the town of Schefferville, of Matimekush Lac-John, and of Kawawachikamach. Visit of the ancient mining sites. Charter plane available on request.
Day 12: Schefferville/Sept-Îles (Friday, August 28, 2009). Departure from Schefferville to Sept-Îles by train for a more than 10-hour trip. For those who chose to travel by plane with Air-Inuit: Departure from Schefferville to Montréal and/or Québec City. The flight boards in Schefferville at 2:00 pm and lands in Quebec City at 5:20 pm, and in Montreal at 6:50 pm. Possibility of flying to Sept-Îles. Charter plane available on request.
You are traveling caribou country, a treeless territory. You must be proactive (preparation of meals, pitching of tents, etc.) in an expedition designed for experienced people mastering long run trekking and canoe. More than 100 kilometers of trekking. Difficult and remote environment.
Season: It is during the months of August and September that you can experience your greatest adventures in the Innu territory. Due to the remoteness of the site as well as the great beauty of the George River, whose magnificent waters flow through the area, this time of the year is the most favorable for observations, discoveries, and activities of all kinds. In addition, access to this area is made easier during this period through the use of bush planes.
Meteorological Conditions: The Innu rely on their intuition to feed themselves while traveling around their territory. However, as far as meteorological conditions are concerned, it is better to be careful. Our experienced guides wish to inform you that they will not take any risks when it comes to your safety. Also some excursions, notably on the river, could be delayed or canceled due to the whims of Mother Nature. Delays can also occur in the schedule of activities during the course of your visit. Ashini Adventure declines any responsibility regarding such delays or any other related inconveniences.
Preconditions:
- To be older than 13 years old. Possible exception under certain conditions
- To have filled the risk-acceptation form
- Normal fitness required
- Other clientèles possible with appropriate supervision (physician, special needs assistant, etc.), upon approval from the guide.
Support and leadership team:
- 1 to 4 leader(s)-guide(s) depending on group size
- 1 cook, 1 elder, 1 camp assistant
- All are culture experts and have the skills required to communicate their knowledge to you.
Accommodation (from 4 to 22 persons):
- Under a branch and canvas tipi, double or multiple occupation
- On a fire branch rug
- Wood stove with chimney.
Food:
- Traditional food: caribou, fish, partridge, bannock, fat and marrow, berries, Labrador tea, smoked meat and catches of the day
- Contemporary food: breakfast with eggs, oatmeal, berry purée, cheese, cereals, etc.
Equipment provided:
- Ground mattresses
- Camping pillows.
Hygiene:
- A hot shower inside a tepee. Shared shower
- Access to the lake or to the Meteshan
- Portable chemical toilet inside each dwelling for nocturnal needs
- Shared toilet near the campsite.
Notes:
Airfare is not included in the tour price.
Price Includes:
- From 2 to 3 nights in Schefferville
- Overnight stay under the tent
- All meals (except those mentioned in the next section)
- Activities and excursions mentioned in the program
- All transfers to the sites
- Services of specialized Aboriginal guides
- Mattresses
- Montréal or/and Québec transportation to Schefferville
- Float plane transportation Schefferville-George River.
Price Excludes:
- Sleeping bags
- Personal effects
- Goods and services
- Provincial and federal taxes.
Note: Transportation surcharge (due to fuel cost rise) could be charged. Moreover, considering the general transportation conditions in the North, we now ask our customers to plan a 500$ amount for possible exits by plane if the guests miss the train or if they’re not able to take the regular flights.
Also see tour packages in:
Canada
Quebec
Arctic
Local Culture
Cultural Journey
Multi-activity
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