Day 1: Montréal – Arrival
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.
Day 2: Montréal
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.
Suggested excursions: Guided Tour of Old Montreal District, Observatory Place Ville Marie, guided tour of Mount Royal Park
Day 3: Québec
Distance to destination: 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 quarters. 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!
Day 4: Québec
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.
Suggested excursions: Guided tour of Old Quebec, Montmorency Falls, Jacques Cartier National Park
Day 5: Lac St Jean
Distance to destination: 290 km
Leave Quebec City, and a short ride will lead you to Jacques Cartier National Park. The park is host to a beautiful glacial valley, the Vallée de la Jacques-Cartier, a spectacular channel some 600 metres deep through which winds one of Quebec's most beautiful rivers.
It is a real nature-lovers' paradise where you could be able to observe wildlife: moose, caribou, deer, wolves, foxes, river otters and black bears. We recommend a scenic ride in a rabaska canoe.
Explore the beautiful National Park of Saguenay Fjord, a natural wonder with 100 kilometers of hiking trails to admire this preserved area.
Day 6: Lac St Jean
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.
Suggested excursions: Guided tour of Val Jalbert Historic Village, St Felicien Wild Zoo
Day 7: Mauricie
Distance to destination: 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.
Day 8: Mauricie
You can also visit Trois-Rivières. Founded in 1634, it is North America’s second oldest city north of Mexico.
Suggested excursions: Seaplane tour, Black bear and beaver watching tour, Guided visit of Mauricie National Park
Day 9: Ottawa
Distance to destination: 320 km
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 can 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.
Suggested excursions: Guided tour of Parliament Hill, Canadian Museum of History, Omega Park
Day 10: Thousand Islands
Distance to destination: 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.
Suggested excursions: Boat Tour in Thousand Islands
Day 11: Toronto
Distance to destination: 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.
Day 12: Toronto
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.
Suggested excursions: Boat tour in Niagara Falls, CN Tower, Ripley’s Aquarium
Day 13: Toronto – Departure
End of the tour and car drop-off at the airport