From Niagara to Percé Rock

In the morning, take the boat cruise to the base of the Niagara Falls. A must!

Helicopter flight over the falls possible (expensive: contact us).

Drive to Toronto along the Niagara River, via the charming Victorian town of Niagara-on-the-Lake.

In the afternoon, take a guided tour of Toronto or explore on your own. 

Go up the CN Tower (370m): breathtaking views. 

Even better in the evening with city lights. There is a rotating panoramic restaurant at the top.

Overnight in Toronto.

On the way to Ottawa, stop in Kingston, the former capital of Upper Canada, and visit Old Fort Henry: it feels like a “Bluecoats” comic book.

Take time to discover Ottawa, a human-scale city. 

Overnight in Ottawa.

Meet in front of Parliament to watch the Changing of the Guard with fanfare. A very “British” spectacle. 

For food, ByWard Market offers tasty local products. The magnificent Museum of Civilization showcases First Nations cultures—probably the finest museum in Canada (with a great view from Parliament Hill).

Overnight in Ottawa.

You leave Ottawa and take the river road toward Mont-Tremblant.

Recommended stop at Parc Omega near Montebello, showcasing many Canadian animals. 

Arrive in the beautiful Laurentians region. 

Overnight in the Laurentians.

The Laurentians are fantastic for walks, canoeing down a river, or mountain biking.

Mont-Tremblant National Park is one of the most beautiful parks in Québec—and one of the most rugged.

Plenty of activities: ask the park guides for more info. 

You can also take a night walk with a naturalist guide.

A completely different atmosphere awaits in the nearby ski resort of Tremblant, with cafés, restaurants, music and many activities (mountain luge, climbing...).

Take the gondola to the top of the mountain for great views over the region.

Overnight in the Laurentians.

You head toward the St. Lawrence. In Trois-Rivières, visit the former prison, pure American style! The guide can even lock your kids in a cell...

Follow the St. Lawrence River to Québec City, the only fortified city in North America. Stroll through the lanes of Old Québec.

Overnight in Québec City.

Old Québec City is small, and you have the morning to explore. 

Then take the road along the south shore of the St. Lawrence. To your left: the river and beyond it the Laurentians. To your right: the Appalachians. En route, stop to see the seals at Bic National Park.

Arrival in St-Gabriel-de-Rimouski.

Canoeing or kayaking, mountain biking, walking, fishing, ATV, wildlife and flora watching... the choice is vast!

Drive toward the St. Lawrence and Rimouski. At Pointe-au-Père, visit the small museum about the 1914 sinking of the Empress of Ireland, which claimed over 1,000 lives. Next door, a submarine can be visited... on dry land.

At Ste-Anne-des-Monts, leave the river and head into the mountains, in the heart of Gaspésie.

Overnight in the park.

Visit Gaspésie National Park. You can attempt the ascent of Mont-Albert (900m). From the top, the landscape resembles the Far North. There is also a herd of caribou.

At the interpretation center, you’ll find other excursion ideas or easier walks—still wild and beautiful.

Overnight in the park.

You cross the entire Gaspé Peninsula, with its lakes and mountains.

Then follow Chaleur Bay. Suggested stops: the Loyalist village of New Richmond, the Acadian museum in Bonaventure, and Paspébiac, featuring a reconstruction of an old cod-fishing port.

Overnight in Percé.

Enjoy the day discovering Bonaventure Island and its 70,000 northern gannets, and walk to Percé Rock if the tide allows.

The views from higher ground are beautiful—don’t hesitate to drive up!

Take a boat for a short sea cruise. You’ll see both sides of Percé Rock, then circle Bonaventure Island and land there. 

A short trail walk on the island takes you to where most northern gannets nest. 

Watch their spectacular dives into the ocean! Return to Percé (total duration approx. 1h45 to 3 hours).

Overnight in Percé.

It’s a long stage, but the road is beautiful! First, Forillon National Park, a true gem of pristine nature and cliffs. You can walk to the cape... and maybe spot bears. Whales too, though more rarely.

The road along the north coast of Gaspésie is magnificent, with fishing villages, lighthouses and hills. The St. Lawrence is on your right—more like a sea, as you can’t see the opposite shore. Arrival in Matane.

Overnight in Matane.

Visit the Jardins de Métis in Ste-Flavie. One of the most beautiful garden parks in Canada.

Cross the St. Lawrence to reach the north shore. 

Stroll in Bic Park if you didn’t already.

Legend says that after creating the world, God found a few pebbles in his pocket and threw them here, creating Bic Park with its surprising rocks and sunbathing seals (among other wildlife).

Arrival in Tadoussac.

Overnight in Tadoussac.

Board a boat or a zodiac to go whale watching on the St. Lawrence. The cruise lasts about 4 hours. Chances are very high to see whales, as well as seals and belugas. Visit the marine mammal interpretation center beforehand.

Seaplane flight possible (contact us).

Drive to your accommodation: a beautiful pourvoirie overlooking the cliffs of the Saguenay Fjord (subject to availability).

Walk on the heights of the fjord before hitting the road.

Follow the river to Chicoutimi, then head back down to the river. You pass near the beautiful Grands-Jardins National Park. The flora is different: colorful mosses, fewer trees... and higher chances to see wildlife! You reach the area near Baie-Saint-Paul, a charming artists’ village.

Overnight in Petite-Rivière-St-François.

Enjoy the day with canoeing on a lake or a hike in Hautes-Gorges-de-la-Rivière-Malbaie National Park.

Or choose a river descent by canoe...

The village of Baie-St-Paul is delightful, and Île aux Coudres, just across, is great for a bike ride.

Overnight in Petite-Rivière-St-François.

You follow the St. Lawrence, whose banks draw closer. Before reaching Québec City, stop at Canyon Ste-Anne, or Ste-Anne de Beaupré for its basilica, or the Montmorency Falls.

Enter the beautiful Mauricie region. In Trois-Rivières, visit the old prison or stroll around town.

Overnight in St-Alexis-des-Monts.

Visit Mauricie National Park, perfect for a canoe escape. 

Drive to Drummondville (south of the river) to visit Village Québécois d’Antan, a great historical re-creation. 

Arrival in Montréal, the world’s second-largest French-speaking city.

Overnight in Montréal.

Day to discover Montréal: Mount Royal, Old Montréal, the Olympic Stadium, the Botanical Garden, the Biodome, the underground city…

If you wish, stroll through Chinatown.

Overnight in Montréal.

A shorter day to deepen your discovery of the city and do some shopping.

Everything can be done on foot or by bike (Montréal is an island). Or of course by tourist bus...

Late afternoon or evening (depending on flight schedules), drive to Montréal airport. 

Return the car and fly back to Europe (arrival the next day).