Moderate pace with leisurely intermittent walks up to 2 hours on a variety of terrain, including cobblestones and moderate hills. Must be able to climb at least two flights of stairs, negotiate steps without railings and tolerate periods of standing during guided tours. Some days may include 3–5 km of walking over the course of the day.
We depart Toronto by coach. Upon arrival in Montréal, we check-in to our centrally located hotel, and enjoy our Welcome Dinner at a local restaurant.
We proceed to Québec City, where we will enjoy a guided tour, seeing the Place Royale, the Little Champlain Quarter, the Plains of Abraham, and charming Old Port.
This morning, we will take the New France Route along the centuries-old Côte-de-Beaupré, one of North America’s oldest roads. We will check out the famous Sainte-Anne-de-Beaupré Basilica overlooking the St. Lawrence, visit a wood sculpture museum, enjoy a tasting at a winery and take in the breathtaking Montmorency Falls. The afternoon is free to explore old Québec’s enchanting streets, boutiques and cafés.
We depart for Lac Saint-Jean, travelling through the Laurentide Wilderness Reserve—our first opportunity to see local wildlife! We will stop at the historic village of Val-Jalbert, and see Québec’s first pulp mill, located next to the beautiful Ouiatchouan Falls. After lunch, we will take a funicular ride for panoramic views of Lac Saint-Jean, then continue on to Saint-Félicien, our home for the next two nights.
We will learn about the Pekuakamiulnuatsh way of living from local guides and enjoy tea and bannock bread in a traditional camp. Next up is the marvelous Wildlife Zoo of Saint-Félicien, a unique chance to see majestic flora and fauna from the Boreal climate up close.
We will visit the famous Perron cheese factory (dating back to 1895!) to learn about traditional cheddar making techniques (and have a few tastes, of course). Then we head to the lively town of Chicoutimi, first settled by the French as a fur trading post in 1676, where we will visit a museum, the town’s famous “Little White House,” and check into our hotel with some time to explore.
Today we’ll travel along the magnificent “Route du Fjord”, passing by some of Quebec’s most beautiful villages. We will take a river cruise to the picturesque village of l’Anse-Saint-Jean, enjoying amazing views of the Saguenay Fjord along the way. After some leisure time, it’s on to the picturesque “Route du Fleuve,” with delightful river views and colourful Québécois farms. Then we will ferry over to the L’Isle-aux-Coudres, a spot renowned for incredible sunsets and beautiful shingle beaches, where we will enjoy a 2-night stay.
This morning we will take a scenic drive around the island, stopping at a cidery, an old flour mill, and a site for ice canoeing—unique to Québec, with plenty of photo ops in this beautiful region. The rest of the day is free time to enjoy this wonderful Island.
Today we visit Baie-Saint-Paul, a charming artists' town with many galleries to explore. Afterwards marvel at the Canyon Saint-Anne carve into the Canadian Shield over a billion years ago. Then it’s on to Montréal, one of North America’s most exciting cities.
A guided tour of the city will take us through Mount Royal, Sainte-Catherine Street, Notre-Dame Cathedral and quaint Old Montréal. In the afternoon we have free time to do some shopping, go to a museum, or simply enjoy a stroll through Montréal’s lively streets. Tonight is our Farewell Dinner at a local restaurant.
We travel home, bringing with us wonderful memories of “La Belle Province."
You may cancel your tour up to 60 days prior to departure (90 days prior for tours requiring a visa, cruises or rail journeys) for any reason, and receive a full refund of your deposit / payment (less the $75 administration fee).
Cancellation & trip interruption insurance included!
Included in the cost of your tour is our Cancellation Insurance Policy, which provides coverage in case of emergency injury or illness (including Covid), right up to your date of departure (terms and conditions apply).
Our Manulife Out-of-Country Health Insurance Plan covers expenses related to Trip Interruption in case of emergency injury or illness. For tours within Canada, Senior Discovery Tours will cover such expenses (terms and conditions apply to all policies).
