Self-drive tour.
Day 1 - 2 Montreal
Arrival.
Vehicle pick-up at the airport.
Montreal is the second-largest French-speaking city after Paris: a city of contrasts with its historical Vieux Port and its modern city center.
Explore Old historical Montreal named Ville Marie by the first colonists, this is the most charming part of the city, you will have the opportunity to visit the iconic Place Jacques Cartier and the beautiful City Hall.
Continue downtown and don’t miss the observatory Place Ville Marie with its unique viewpoint of the city, 185 meters above the ground, and another specificity of the city: an underground network of cafes, restaurants and shops.
Two other neighborhoods are particularly recommended: the Latin Quarter and Mont Royal, with its basilica Saint Joseph Oratory and its
park, a magnificent urban green space featuring 200 hectares of natural beauty.
If you have some time left, we recommend a visit of the Olympic Park, where you can enjoy a tour of the botanical garden, the Biodome, the Olympic Stadium, or the Insectarium.
Day 3 - 4 Quebec (255 km)
Quebec City is the capital of the province of Quebec, and the oldest city in Canada. Behind its high stonewalls, admire the star-shaped citadel and impressive fortifications. Make a stop at the Parliament before going on to the Vieux Port, Place Royale and Petit-Champlain.
A lunch or dinner in a traditional sugar shack is strongly recommended. You will be shown the traditional "art" of making maple syrup, and you won’t forget your meal!
Don’t miss the visit of impressive Montmorency Falls, a natural wonder which is higher than Niagara Falls. If you are not afraid of heights, try the zipline to cross the cove of the falls.
Day 5 - 6 Charlevoix (140 km)
Designated a World Biosphere Reserve by UNESCO, the Charlevoix region is where sea and mountains meet: steep cliffs, exceptional parks, impressive villas, and tidy villages nestled at the base of the hills or in peaceful coves.
Start with the visit of baie Baie-Saint-Paul. Founded over 350 years ago, it is one of the oldest and most charming towns in Quebec.
Surrounded by sea, mountains and the great outdoors, Baie-Saint-Paul has long been a popular destination for artists and has managed to largely preserve its cultural heritage including its more than 85 century-old homes. Be sure to take a stroll down its narrow streets lined with quaint boutiques and art galleries.
You can also pay a visit to Baie-Saint-Paul beach. It's a lovely spot for a stroll or a picnic.
Take Route 362. This spectacular stretch of road, called the St. Lawrence Route, is one of the loveliest scenic roads in all of Canada.
You will arrive to La Malbaie. You can stroll along Rue du Quai à Pointe-au-Pic or climb the Chemin des Falaises to discover bourgeois homes of a past century in a charming bucolic setting. Be sure to visit or photograph the iconic Fairmont Le Manoir Richelieu and simply breathe in the sea air on the bicycle path along the river.
The major attraction of the area is Hautes-Gorges-de-la-Rivière-Malbaie National Park is truly one of the most beautiful territories in Quebec.
The park was named after a series of valleys cut deep into a range of high mountains reaching over 1,000 m in altitude. Steep slopes, beautiful natural surroundings, and the unusual course of Rivière Malbaie make this an exceptional and unique site.
Day 7 - 8 Lac St Jean (160 km)
Visit the oldest village in Canada, Tadoussac. Listed as one of the 50 most beautiful bays in the world, Tadoussac is a charming village at the confluence of the Saguenay and Saint Lawrence rivers, but above all this is an internationally-renowned whale-watching site. Hence, accompanied by a naturalist guide, you can’t miss the local signature activity! Whale watching by zodiac is without a doubt the best way to get close to the whales, while keeping a safe distance. It is also the least comfortable, so you may want to think twice if you are prone to seasickness.
You can choose the catamaran option: given the size of the boat, you won't get as close to the whales as you would in a zodiac, but the ride is smoother and more comfortable. Some catamarans even have underwater cameras, offering an interesting view.
Explore the beautiful National Park of Saguenay Fjord, a natural wonder with 100 kilometers of hiking trails to admire this preserved area.
If you want to see more animals, the St Felicien Zoo sauvage is for you. With 4.5 km of pedestrian section, 90 species and 1000 animals, this is one of the biggest zoos in Canada.
It’s now time…to go back in time in Val Jalbert, an authentic company town of the 1920s. This is a unique opportunity to experience life in the 20s with fascinating theatrical shows.
Day 9 - 10 Mauricie (350 km)
La Mauricie National Park is a lush wilderness in one of the oldest mountain ranges in the world, the southern Laurentian Mountains, on the north shore of the St. Lawrence River. With 150 lakes and 536 km2 of forests inhabited by wild animal, this is an amazing playground.
You have numerous activities available: kayaking, canoeing, swimming, hiking, and more. We strongly recommend a guided tour with a professional guide to enjoy a black bear observation in their native habitat or a seaplane tour to discover the natural beauty of the park from the sky.
You can also visit Trois-Rivières. Founded in 1634, it is North America’s second oldest city north of Mexico.
Day 11 Ottawa (340 km)
Mont-Tremblant National Park is the oldest and largest of Quebec's provincial parks.
A vast universe of mountains looming over endless lakes and rivers, the park features more than 400 lakes and 2 major rivers, the Diable and the Assomption.
We recommend focusing on the La Diable Sector during your trip. You will be able to enjoy numerous hikes and via ferratas, from easy to difficult, that will take you past a number of rocky creeks and waterfalls, through forest, and will provide lookouts with spectacular views.
End on a high note with the visit of Mont Tremblant Village, a picturesque pedestrian village on the shores of Lac Tremblant and at the base of Mont Tremblant Resort.
If you want to learn more about Canada’s wildlife, make a stop at Omega Park.
Continue to Ottawa, the capital of Canada. You will enjoy a visit to the Rideau Canal and the government buildings on Parliament Hill.
Many other attractions are recommended: Byward Market, Embassy Row, Gatineau Park.
You will learn more about Canada at the Canadian Museum of History to discover collections that illuminate the human history of the country and the cultural diversity of its people.
Day 12 Thousand Islands (165 km)
Today, you will visit a unique nature wonder, Thousand Islands region. This is a group of more than 1,800 islands in the Saint Lawrence River straddling the border of the United Stated and Canada.
The islands range in size from over 100 km2 to smaller islands occupied by a single small cabin. It’s home to elaborate island mansions such as the German-style Boldt Castle on Heart Island, and Singer Castle on Dark Island, with its Gothic windows and secret passageways.
We strongly recommend to embark on a cruise.
Day 13 - 14 Toronto (290 km)
Visit Toronto's most iconic landmark: the CN Tower, the tallest free-standing structure in the Western hemisphere and considered one of the Seven Wonders of the Modern World. Continue with visits of Chinatown, bohemian Kensington Market, and the Eaton Centre with adjacent Yonge/Dundas Square - one of the busiest and liveliest intersections in Canada.
For shopping lovers, take a stroll on Bloor Street, Toronto's most exclusive shopping district, earning it the name "mink mile."
For culture lovers, enjoy a visit of the Distillery District, considered Canada's premier arts, culture and entertainment destination. The areas 1800's Victorian industrial buildings have been restored and are now home to one of a kind shops, restaurants and galleries.
We strongly recommend a journey to Niagara Falls. You will want to see the famous falls, a multi-sensory experience. It’s one of the seven marvels of the world and perhaps the most captivating of all. Enjoy a trip aboard a Hornblower Cruise for an up-close view of the falls.
Day 15
Departure.
End of tour.
Standard Accommodation
Day 1 - 2 Montreal, Hotel Suites Labelle
Day 3 - 4 Quebec, Hotel Quebec Inn
Day 5 - 6 Charlevoix, Hotel Baie St Paul
Day 7 - 8 Lac St Jean, Hotel Universel - Alma
Day 9 - 10 Mauricie, Hotel Marineau Shawinigan
Day 11 Ottawa, The Business Inn
Day 12 Kingston, Hotel Strata
Day 13 - 14 Toronto, Holiday Inn Toronto Downtown Centre
Superior Accommodation
Day 1 - 2 Montreal, Le St-Martin Hotel Particulier
Day 3 - 4 Quebec, Hotel Royal William
Day 5 - 6 Charlevoix, Hotel & Spa Le Germain Charlevoix
Day 7 - 8 Lac St Jean, Auberge des Battures
Day 9 - 10 Mauricie, Pourvoirie du Lac Blanc
Day 11 Ottawa, Lord Elgin
Day 12 Kingston, Best Western Fireside Inn
Day 13 - 14 Toronto, Le Germain Toronto Mercer