Visiting the North of our great land should be on the bucket list of every Canadian – spectacular landscapes and cultural experiences await the visitor, and surely every citizen wants to see this unique part of their country.
The region of Eeyou Istchee Baie-James in Northern Quebec has been known to hunters and fishermen for decades – but it is one of North America’s best kept adventure travel secrets.
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This four seasons’ adventure playground is just 90 minutes by air from Montreal. You can also drive the 750 kms from Montreal in 9 hrs – the region has a road network to allow you to move easily between communities both inland and along the coastline of James Bay, and as well as to visit the region’s impressive hydroelectric projects.
Eeyou Istchee Baie-James represents one fifth of the entire province of Quebec. In between the 49th and 55th parallels, Eeyou Istchee Baie-James covers about 600 km from east to west and about 600 km from south to north – making it the size of Germany! To the west lies Ontario and James Bay. To the south is the Abitibi-Temiscamingue region and to the east is Saguenay–Lac-St-Jean. And if you venture even further north you come to Nunavik.
The forest of the Canadian Shield is sprinkled with groves, hardwoods and bushes and is brimming with edible plants and wild berries. A little further north, the undergrowth thins out, the hardwoods gradually disappear and the spruce become smaller in size as the boreal forest gives way to the taiga. This untouched wilderness is home to wolves, lynx, foxes, bears and moose and sees a great Caribou migration every winter. And the teeming bird life includes ducks, snow geese, snowy owls, eagles, falcons, ptarmigans, Canada geese, and loons….
This abundance of wildlife is what draws fishermen and hunters to the region, and there is a well-developed infrastructure of guides, outfitters, camps and accommodations. Areas managed by Sépaq, custodians of Quebec’s National Parks and Wildlife Reserves, provide access to wilderness areas where you can enjoy camping and fishing and access to the most popular lakes such as Lake Mistassini, Waconichi and Albanel.
This same network of roads and accommodations, and a tradition of tourism and hospitality, allow many other outdoor adventures. Motorbike touring, hiking and camping are popular in summer while winter opens up snowshoeing and over 1,100 km of perfectly groomed snowmobile trails. There are also fascinating cultural events and festivals year round.
A pristine yet accessible wilderness of lakes, rivers and Boreal forests, this is a whole different world. A world where you can discover the history of the Cree people whose ancestors lived here as far back as 3500 BC - and where today you are welcome to meet the nine Cree First Nations and learn about their culture and traditions. The cultural mélange also includes Inuit people as well as the Jamesians - whose history goes back to the early days of the Hudson Bay Company.
The Aanischaaukamikw Cree Cultural Institute is located in Ouje-Bougoumou and all nine Cree communities in Eeyou Istchee Baie-James contributed to its development. Aanischaaukamikw is fundamentally different from most other institutions of its kind because interpretation staff, researchers and curators interact and share with visitors. This echoes a philosophy of knowledge transfer that encourages and validates the storytelling traditions of the Eastern James Bay Cree. Come and hear their stories!
If you have ever wanted to visit Canada’s North – here is an offer that is both rare and hard to beat! Take advantage of a weekend getaway that is carefully crafted to provide a unique cultural experience and a chance to meet the Cree people of Eeyou Istchee Baie-James in Northern Quebec.
This package is only available June through August, space is limited - and the price is amazing! Round-trip Air fare from Montreal to Chibougamau - the gateway to Eeyou Istchee Baie-James - is normally about $1200 plus taxes per person. Now for only an extra $71.09 per person, you’ll get 2 nights of accommodation, airport transfers in Chibougamau, 7 meals, a walking tour, admission to the Cree Cultural Institute and a cultural adventure at a Cree camp. That is a savings of almost $1,000 per couple!
To find out more and to book your adventure, call Roch - toll free - at 1.888.268.2682 x 4223. Call Monday through Friday between 9 AM and 4 PM.
Included in the package price of CDN $1,271.09 per person:
- Return air fare between Montreal and Chibougamau (Depart Friday, Return Sunday) with Air Creebec
- 1 night hotel accommodation in Ouje-Bougoumou, based on twin occupancy
- 1 night in tradtiional lodging at Nuuhchimi Wiinuu Cree Culture Camp
- 7 meals (2 breakfasts, 3 lunches, 2 dinners and 1 traditional food tasting)
- A guided walking tour of Ouje-Bougoumou
- Visit and activity at the Aanischaaukamikw Cree Cultural Institute
- Guides and traditional activities at Nuuhchimi Wiinuu
- Transfer from and to the Chibouamau airport and Ouje-Bougoumou
- Taxes and FICAV (Quebec compensation fund for travellers)
Not included:
- Alcoholic beverages (The community is dry; alcohol is not available)
- Tips to the guides of Nuuhchimi Wiinuu
- Transport to Montreal, Quebec