Canada: The Route of Quebec

Overview

Our 8-day "Canada: The Route of Quebec Tour" will introduce you to the cities, traditions, cuisine, natural & cultural heritage of this beautiful province. Quebec is a unique place among North American tourist destinations. Its French heritage sets the province apart from most of its English speaking neighbors. Quebec is also one of the few historical areas in North America to have fully preserved its Francophone culture. With its European feel, history, culture, and warmth Quebec has become a favorite tourist destination both nationally and internationally.

Highlights

• See robust 105-kilometers long Saguenay Fjord, one of the few fjords on the eastern coast of North America.

• Get impressed by Montmorency Falls that are one and a half times higher than the Niagara Falls.

• Discover the rich architectural heritage of Montreal - the second-largest French-speaking (as a mother language) city in the world.

• Watch whales directly from the shore or the boat around Tadoussac.

• Get lost in medieval streets of Quebec City's UNESCO-listed historic center.

Itinerary

Day 1: Montreal

Welcome to Montreal - the second largest city in Canada and the second-largest French-speaking (as a mother language) city in the world, behind Paris. Arrive at any time and meet your travel mates and Tour Leader in the evening: welcome meeting, optional dinner & get-together in one of the local restaurants.

• Accommodation: conveniently located, locally-owned hotel/B&B in Montreal
• Activities: welcome meeting

Day 2: Montreal

Walking tour around the city during the day. Optional dinner & get-together with the rest of the group in the evening.

• Accommodation: conveniently located, locally-owned hotel/B&B in Montreal
• Meals: breakfast
• Activities: walking tour of Montreal

Day 3: Montreal - Le Chemin du Roy - Jacques-Cartier National Park

In the morning, take Le Chemin du Roy ("the King’s Road") - the first road open to vehicles between Québec City and Montréal that was completed in 1737. On the way, fall under the charm of picturesque villages and the historic districts of Trois-Rivières where stately ancestral homes have survived three centuries of history. In the evening, arrive at Jacques-Cartier National Park: accommodation in eco-cabins, BBQ dinner & get-together.

• Transportation: private vehicle
• Accommodation: eco-cabins in Jacques-Cartier National Park
• Meals: breakfast; BBQ dinner
• Activities: orientation walk of Trois-Rivières

Day 4: Jacques-Cartier National Park - Saguenay - Saguenay Fjord

In the morning, explore the park or opt to do some of the available outdoor activities - hiking, kayaking, biking, stand up paddling, wildlife watching, etc. Afterward, go to Saguenay -  a city known as a gateway to Saguenay Fjord, see its main attractions, and have an optional lunch there. In the evening, arrive at our accommodation on the shore of Saguenay Fjord: optional dinner & get-together.

• Transportation: private vehicle
• Accommodation: conveniently located, locally-owned hotel/B&B by Saguenay Fjord
• Meals: breakfast
• Activities: orientation walk of Saguenay

Day 5: Saguenay Fjord - Tadoussac

In the morning, after breakfast, opt to explore the area and do some outdoor activities. Afterward, move to explore the northern part of the fjord and discover its extraordinary terrestrial and maritime environment teeming with wildlife. It’s also dotted with picturesque villages, some of which are designated as Québec’s most beautiful, e.g. Sainte-Rose-du-Nord that we will visit. We will also stop by Baie Sainte-Marguerite - one of the best places in the region to see belugas from the shore. In the evening, after a picturesque hike to beluga watching point in Baie Sainte-Marguerite, you will arrive in Tadoussac - a small lovely village on St. Lawrence River known to be a great point for observing marine mammals. Accommodation, an orientation walk of the village, an optional dinner & get-together with the group.

• Transportation: private vehicle
• Accommodation: conveniently located, locally-owned hotel/B&B in Tadoussac
• Meals: breakfast
• Activities: orientation walks of Tadoussac & Sainte-Rose-du-Nord; beluga watching & hiking in Baie Sainte-Marguerite

Day 6: Tadoussac - St. Lawrence Route -  Quebec City

In the morning, opt to go for whale watching from the boat (extra fee) or join your Tour Leader and try your luck at nearby Cap-de-Bon-Désir, a natural rock with deep waters that attract whales and other water mammals. In the afternoon, after a photo stop at local dunes, we will take a ferry to cross the Saguenay River and take St. Lawrence Route - a 58-km road that goes through picturesque villages and offers magnificent views of the river and nearby mountains.  On our way, before entering Quebec City, we will visit an impressive Shrine of Sainte-Anne-de-Beaupré that welcomes almost a million visitors annually. Afterward, we will go to see Montmorency Falls that are one and a half times higher than the Niagara Falls. Evening arrival in Quebec City: check-in; optional dinner & get-together with the group in one of the local restaurants.

• Transportation: private vehicle
• Accommodation: conveniently located, locally-owned hotel/B&B in Quebec City
• Meals: breakfast
• Activities: whale watching in Cap-de-Bon-Désir; visits of Shrine of Sainte-Anne-de-Beaupré &  Montmorency Falls

Day 7: Quebec City

Explore the city by yourself or join your Tour Leader for an orientation walk of the UNESCO-listed historic center of this marvelous city. Optional farewell dinner & get-together with the group in the evening.

• Accommodation: conveniently located, locally-owned hotel/B&B in Quebec City
• Meals: breakfast
• Activities: walking tour in Quebec City

Day 8: Quebec City - Montreal

Last day of our "Canada: The Route of Quebec Tour". Free time in the morning, check-out & transfer to Montreal in the afternoon.

• Meals: breakfast
• Transportation: private vehicle

Why go with us

• Small groups of up to 13 travelers: closer communication, easier coordination, more adventures & fun!
• Off-the-beaten-track tours with maximum immersion in local nature, culture, and traditions.
• The easy-going atmosphere of our tours is perfect for informal travel & making new friends among co-travelers and locals.

Logistics

• ARRIVAL: This tour does not include airport pick & dropoff. The best way to arrive at our accommodation in Montreal is by taxi/car-hauling services like Uber or public transport (more information on this topic will be sent with trip notes).
• DEPARTURE: Departure from our accommodation in Quebec City to Montreal at noon on Day 8. If you have an early morning return flight from Montreal Airport, you can take an earlier direct bus from the center of Quebec City.
• ACCOMMODATIONS: We will send you an exact list of accommodations together with trip notes 2 weeks before the departure date. All accommodations are centrally located, tourist-class, locally-owned properties with private facilities in each room. We can arrange pre- & post-tour accommodations but not earlier than 2 weeks before the departure when we send you final trip notes. 
  
• ROOMS: Most Triple Rooms have 2 separate beds from which at least one is king- or queen-size and are for 2 people; if Triple Room is not available on a particular day of the tour, you might be provided with 1 double/twin and 1 single room instead (based on availability and cannot be guaranteed). Most Quad Rooms have 2 separate king- or queen-size beds - each for 2 people; if Quad Room is not available on a particular day, you might be provided with 2 double/twin rooms instead (based on availability and cannot be guaranteed).
• PHYSICAL CONDITION: This tour involves a decent amount of walking. Therefore, travelers should have moderate physical fitness condition.
• ACTIVITIES: Participation in all activities is optional - just be sure to be in time for daily departures.
• WHAT TO TAKE WITH YOU: Comfortable clothes & shoes; a small backpack for daily tours; hat/cap, sunglasses & sunscreen; travel insurance; good mood & curiosity.
• PRICING: The price of the tour/person depends on the number of travelers & room option you choose. 
• GROUP VS. PRIVATE TOUR: Group Tour: take a trip with other travelers. Private Tour: take a trip on your own, with friends, couple, or family. While offering more privacy and exclusivity such tours may cost more than group ones. If you wanna take a private tour with a group that is bigger than 4, please contact us and we will send you a personalized offer. For private tours, the dates of departure (and in some cases the itinerary & activities) can be customized to your request.