Tailwind Traveler
Quebec: Discover a land beyond the reach of all roads.
The highest Continental mountains east of the Rockies, ocean fjords, abandoned European settlements centuries old, Inuit campsites thousands of years older, home for rare and endangered wildlife. These are the Torngat Mountains. Located between the Ungava Bay and the Labrador Sea, this spectacular Arctic region is a destination that captivates travellers from around the globe. If flying is one of your greatest passions in life and you always dreamed of seeing the spectacular arctic landscape then Arctic Quebec and Labrador must be you're on next flying destination.
Visiting Arctic Quebec & Labrador.
You are probably thinking its way too far to go...! Believe it or not, you can get there in less than a day of flying time from the USA and Quebec border. Arctic Quebec and Labrador has never been more accessible as it his right now. An average of 40 to 60 aircrafts from throughout North America are annually visiting this fascinating Arctic region. You don't have to be a commercial or airline pilot to fly up here…! Most peoples that are flying to this part of Canada are ordinary pilots just like you and me flying a wheel or floatplane like the Cessna 172, 180, 185, and 206. There is also a good deal of smaller aircraft and helicopters. Some pilots are flying even as far as Florida, Colorado, Montana and even British-Columbia. The pilots that have been fortunate to see the Grand Canyon, Alaska, the High Arctic and the western Canada coastal regions, will tell you that the Torngat Mountains are hard to beat in terms of being a spectacular landscape.
The best travel experiences are hard to find on maps.
Over the last fifteen-year all the best scenic attraction in the whole Ungava Bay and Torngat mountains region of Northern Labrador have been put together on the map. To match the scenic air route with the good landing areas for the wheel and float planes was not easy. There was nothing listed in any guidebooks or shown on any maps to use as references. We spent lots of valuable time flying, walking, taking pictures and exploring the region and his particular places. All those best scenic attractions, landing areas, fuel stops and activities have been put together and are now well presented in a guidebook and map.
Exploring with an experienced trip leader.
The best way to go flying in a place far from home is certainly with the company of an experienced resident of the region who has used the fly paths for years. Our leaders know where the best sights and landing areas are, and can fill you in local life and stories. We realise that leaders can make the difference between a trips just being good and a trip being the most memorable and thought-provoking experience of a lifetime.
You may be wondering…
Should I travel as part of a group…
We take a great deal of pride in offering our clients a unique flying experience "off the beaten path". As you can imagine, planning such a trip on your own could be lengthy and somewhat a frustrating task. To all those pilots that are planning to visit the local scenic areas on their own we provide them with the Discovery Tour "travel planner and map" and a good briefing about the landing areas, places to walk, radio contact schedule, etc. This is a really interesting and safe way to visit the region on your own. To decide if you should choose the guided, or the do it on your own tour, really depend of your flying experience skill and the available time you have. Let me reassure you whatever you are a floatplane or wheel plane pilot or want to take a guided or non-guided tour we have it all ready for you on a travel package.
Where do I meet up with the group…?
Depending if you are on wheel or on float, your trip will begin at a designated place, usually the floatplanes will meet in Rapid Lake and the wheel planes at Barnoin River Camp. For peoples wishing to arrive a day or so early, we are happy to request reservations for you at the same place where the trip will be starting.
The Discovery Tour:
The 4 days, 4 nights "Discovery Tour" include the daily fly-out averaging 3 to 4 hours of flying time on each route. That mean flying to the most spectacular coastal and mountain scenic areas, seeing gigantic icebergs, towering waterfalls, hemmed oceanic fjords, mysterious geologic rock formation and seeing polar.
The daily tundra walk are averaging 1 to 3 miles, emphasising the history, culture, geography, flora and fauna of this unique arctic region.
Day-1
The Land's End Scenic Air Route.
On the North Eastern tip of the North American continent at the 60 the parallel there is a place called Killiniq. It means "The Land's End". This is a place where you'll see a high concentration of birds, seals and polar bears.
Day-2
The Torngat Mountains Scenic Air Route.
The stunning Torngat Mountains offers some of the world's most dramatic scenery. The Landscape is striking with hemmed oceanic fjords, gigantic icebergs, precipitous waterfalls, gorgeous canyons and plentiful wildlife.
Day-3
The Kaumajet Mountains Scenic Air Route.
Discover the Labrador's dramatic shoreline unique geological formation. Fly along this exclusive natural coastal amphitheatres features extraordinary stone formation of unparallel grandeur. The Kaumajet's famous Table Lands, Rock Fingers and Arches, provide inspirations for an unforgettable flying experience.
Day-4
Explore some of our local best attractions.
For an extra dash of excitement try fishing for trout and char. Walk through pristine wilderness with views of the entire Tree Line or Nouvoulialuk Range. Be on the look out for roaming Caribou.
At the end of every day all travelers are back at the lodge where they are served with fine food. Our special Grand-Appetizer "Ungava Style" made with our local Arctic char and Labrador tea will be there to surprise you. Dinner at the lodge is always a special highlight of a Rapid Lake Lodge trip and provide everyone with the opportunity to relax, enjoy the company of new friends, and ponder the day gone by.
The "Ungava Discovery Tour" is adventure travel at its best, offering you the chance to visit a country from a whole new perspective. Flying the well-ordered Scenic air routes and knowing where to look for to find a 2000 fleets towering waterfall or the polar bears that are on your route. For further information visit www.rapidlake.com Email: info@rapidlake.com Call tel.: (819) 389-5832 or (418) 949-2549
By Alain Legace