Trails of Modern Explorers
- Duration
- 15 Days
- Prices From:
- US$ 2,023
MODERATE | SELF-DRIVE: Spanning Canada’s two most populous provinces, this urban adventure lets you experience the very best of two distinct cultures. From metropolitan Toronto, you will travel to the majestic Niagara Falls and then onward to the magnificent scenery of Algonquin Provincial Park. Following the St. Lawrence River, you will enter historic Québec City and then head northward to explore the natural treasures of the province of Quebec. The cosmopolitan cities of Montréal and Toronto will bring this multi-cultural itinerary to a fitting conclusion.
This is a 15-day trip that includes both wondrous nature and fascinating urban experiences.
After arriving in Toronto, you can check out the engaging shops and restaurants that line the cobblestone streets of the Distillery District, or explore the lovely Art Gallery of Ontario.
The next day your route leads through the lush vineyards of the Niagara Peninsula and into historic Niagara-on-the-Lake. Check out the quaint shops, then head to Niagara Falls for the ride of a lifetime. The Niagara City Cruises by Hornblowers - Voyage to The Falls Boat Tour will take you past the American Falls before stopping in front of the thundering waters of Horseshoe Falls.
From Niagara it’s on to the pine and granite landscape of Muskoka cottage country, where you can visit the Muskoka Pioneer Village. Today’s destination is Huntsville, located in Ontario’s coveted “cottage country.” Look for spectacular waterways and rocky landscapes dotted with pines, birch and maple trees.
Huntsville has a lively downtown and is surrounded by pretty lakes. It’s busy when the fall colours are out, but try a trip to the top of the fire tower in the nearby village of Dorset for superb views.
The following day you’ll continue through Algonquin Park, where you can explore the park’s natural beauty before arriving in the small town of Pembroke. After that you can enjoy a scenic drive along the Quebec-Ontario border, passing towns such as Renfrew and Anrprior, as you make your way to Canada’s capital.
Ottawa has wonderful national museums and trendy neighbourhoods to explore, including Wellington Village and Hintonburg. You also can take a boat ride along the Rideau Canal, a UNESCO heritage site.
It’s a short drive from Ottawa to Montreal, which has an elegant old town and thriving new neighborhoods, including Little Italy and Griffintown. Try a bike ride along the Rideau Canal to the wonderful Atwater Market.
Departing Montréal, you’ll follow the shores of the St. Lawrence River to Québec City, the only walled city in North America. Stop and admire the town of Trois Rivieres on your way, or take a short detour through the rolling landscape and small villages of the Eastern Townships.
The next day is yours to explore Québec City. See Canada’s oldest city from the deck of a cruise boat on the St. Lawrence River as you take in spectacular views of the Chateau Frontenac and the Ile d’Orléans, then sample the city’s wonderful restaurants and nightlife.
On your way to bucolic Charlevoix, stop at the spectacular Montmorency Falls for great photos. Enjoy the artsy village of Baie St. Paul before you take a ferry across the mighty St. Lawrence River to the tree-shrouded beauty of Ile-aux-Coudres.
On your way to Chicoutimi in the scenic Lac-St-Jean region, stop in Tadoussac, a UNESCO Heritage Site at the confluence of the Saguenay Fjord and the St. Lawrence River. This section of the St. Lawrence is famous for whale watching in summer.
The following day you can discover Quebec’s wild nature in St. Alexis-des-Monts, part of the Mauricie region in the heavily forested Laurentian Mountains. Guests staying at Hotel Sacacomie and Lac à l'Eau Claire can go hiking, canoeing or relax on the resort’s private beach. For an extra fee you can try an ATV tour or a scenic seaplane flight.
Leaving St. Alexis-des-Monts, make your way to Belleville, Ontario. Along the way you can explore the beautiful Thousand Islands. Continue to Belleville on the shores of Lake Ontario, and then take a leisurely drive to Toronto.
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- Duration
- 15 Days
- Prices From:
- US$ 2,023
Itinerary
Arrival in Toronto
Arrive at Pearson International Airport, Toronto, and transfer independently to your downtown hotel. The Roadbook you received will have all the information needed for your holiday/trip/journey. The Remainder of your day is at leisure, perhaps shopping at the Eaton Centre or sampling the fine cuisine and nightlife of Toronto.
Overnight Toronto
| Duration | 2 Nights |
|---|
Toronto / Niagara Falls Excursion (260 km / 162 miles)
Today’s route leads south, skirting the Niagara Escarpment and traversing the orchards and vineyards of the Niagara Peninsula. You will discover the historic village of Niagara-on-the-Lake proudly displaying its 19th-century heritage. Take some time to browse through the quaint shops and boutiques before continuing along the scenic Niagara Parkway to Niagara Falls. Once in Niagara Falls, put on your rain jacket and step aboard for the ride of a lifetime! The Niagara City Cruises by Hornblowers - Voyage to The Falls Boat Tour will take you to the American Falls before sailing past massive rock formations to the magnificent sight of the thundering Horseshoe Falls. Be sure to take advantage of unsurpassed photo opportunities.
Overnight Toronto
Toronto to Huntsville (227 km / 141 miles)
Travel north through charming rural villages to the pine and granite landscape of Muskoka cottage country, where we suggest a visit to the Muskoka Pioneer Village. Today’s destination is Huntsville, situated on the edge of Algonquin Provincial Park and Ontario’s coveted ‘cottage country’, known for a gracious lifestyle, endless summer days spent on a multitude of freshwater lakes and rivers and spectacular natural beauty.
Overnight Huntsville
| Duration | 2 Nights |
|---|
Huntsville
The vast wilderness of Algonquin Provincial Park is particularly renowned for its network of hiking trails and waterways that invite you to discover the diverse beauty of the park’s flora and fauna. You may want to visit the 22-hectare Muskoka Pioneer Village, a “living” outdoor history museum recreating the lives of the area’s pioneers. Take a walk to marshland and forest ecosystems and you might be able to see beavers, porcupines, and raccoons.
Overnight Huntsville
Huntsville to Pembroke (233 km / 145 miles)
Today you will continue through Algonquin Park, stopping to explore the visitor center before arriving in the small town of Pembroke.
Overnight Pembroke
| Duration | 1 Night |
|---|
Pembroke to Ottawa (147 km / 91 miles)
Enjoy a scenic drive along the Quebec-Ontario border, and pass typical rural towns, such as Renfrew and Arnprior.
Overnight Ottawa
| Duration | 1 Night |
|---|
Ottawa to Montréal (199 km / 124 miles)
Leaving the Capital Region, you will travel eastbound towards the border of Ontario and Quebec following the south shore of the Ottawa River. Crossing the border, you will soon reach the thriving metropolis of Montreal, a city of cultural contrasts and urban elegance.
Overnight Montréal
| Duration | 1 Night |
|---|
Montréal to Québec City (255 km / 158 miles)
Departing Montréal, you will travel further into the French-speaking province of Québec. Following the shores of the St. Lawrence River, you will reach Québec City, the only walled city in North America. The remainder of the day is at your leisure to explore this historical city.
Overnight Québec City
| Duration | 2 Nights |
|---|
Québec City
Today is yours to explore what lies behind the impressive walls that ring Québec City. See Canada’s oldest city from the deck of a cruise boat on the St. Lawrence River. As you cruise along the shoreline, a guide relates the story of “New France” and tells you about the origins of Québec’s most famous landmarks. Relax and take in the spectacular views of the Chateau Frontenac, Cap Diamant, Ile d’Orléans and Montmorency Falls. Partake in Québec City’s nightlife and sample some of the wonderful restaurants.
Overnight Québec City
Québec City to L’île-aux-Coudres (121 km / 75 miles)
Stop at the spectacular Montmorency Falls, the beautiful Ile d'Orleans and the shrine at Ste. Anne-de-Beaupré before you traverse the beautiful mountainous area of the Charlevoix Region. Travel for a short distance by ferry across the mighty St. Lawrence River to the tree-shrouded beauty of Ile-aux-Coudres.
Overnight L’île-aux-Coudres
| Duration | 1 Night |
|---|
Îleaux-Coudres to Saguenay Region (via Tadoussac)
On your way to Chicoutimi in the scenic Lac-St-Jean region, you should stop in Tadoussac, a UNESCO Heritage Site at the confluence of the Saguenay Fjord and the St. Lawrence River. As you continue inland along the shores of the Saguenay, take a stroll at Sainte-Rose-du-Nord on one of the lovely trails.
Overnight Saguenay Region
| Duration | 1 Night |
|---|
Saguenay Region to St. Alexis-des-Monts / Mauricie Region (391 km / 243 miles)
Discover Quebec’s wild nature at the forest lodge, travelling through dense terrain, where trees and animals outnumber towns and people.
Overnight St. Alexis-des-Monts or Mauricie Region
| Duration | 2 Nights |
|---|
St. Alexis-des-Monts / Mauricie Region
Guests staying at Lac à l'Eau Claire are offered a wide variety of activities during their stay: hiking, access to the resort’s private beach, boating, canoeing, and kayaking on the tranquil lake. Also available, but at a surcharge, are seaplane flights, ATV-tours, fishing, and horseback riding.
Guests staying at Le Baluchon Eco Villegiature are offered the following complimentary activities during their stay: hiking, mountain biking, canoeing, kayaking, tennis, archery, volleyball, geocaching, indoor and outdoor pools, gym, farm visit. Also available, but at a surcharge, are horseback riding, fly fishing, and hydroplane sightseeing.
Overnight in Saint Alexis-des-Monts or Mauricie Region.
St. Alexis-Des-Monts to Belleville/ Mauricie Region (493 km / 306 miles)
Skirting Montréal, you will leave the Québec heartland and travel across the provincial border into rural Ontario. Along the route, we suggest a stop at Upper Canada Village, an impressive "living" re-creation of a 19th-century Canadian pioneer village. Near Kingston, you can explore the beautiful Thousand Islands, where lushly forested islands lie amid beautiful lakes. Continue to Belleville on the shores of Lake Ontario.
Overnight Belleville
| Duration | 1 Night |
|---|
Belleville to Toronto (189 km / 117 miles)
Take a leisurely drive along Lake Ontario to return to Toronto’s Pearson International Airport to check in for your return flight, or your hotel if you plan to extend your stay.
Other Information
DEPARTURES:
Daily departures: May 30 - October 17, 2023
PRICE INCLUDES:
- 15 days Intermediate Car Rental with unlimited mileage (Toyota Corolla or similar)
- Customized Self-Drive Roadbook (Digital version)
- 2 nights moderate accommodations in Toronto
- 2 nights moderate accommodations in Huntsville
- 1 night moderate accommodations in Pembroke
- 1 night moderate accommodations in Ottawa
- 1 night moderate accommodations in Montreal
- 2 nights moderate accommodations in Quebec City
- 1 night moderate accommodations in Ile-aux-Coudres
- 1 night moderate accommodations in Saguenay Region
- 2 nights moderate accommodations in Saint-Alexis-des-Monts
- 1 night moderate accommodations in Belleville
- Shared Niagara City Cruises by Hornblower - Voyage To The Falls Boat Tour
- Shared 1.5 hour Quebec guided cruise
PRICE EXCLUDES:
- Car rental insurance
- Travel insurance
- International and domestic airfare & airfare taxes
- Entrances fees to sites not explicitly listed as included
- Meals and beverages not mentioned
- Road tolls
- Gratuities
- Items of a personal nature
- Visa fees if applicable
TERMS AND CONDITIONS:
Prices are "from" per person based on twin/double share accommodation and for travel in low season. Seasonal surcharges and blackout dates may apply. Limited seat/spaces and all pricing is subject to change and availability. Rates for single or triple travellers are available on request. Additional terms and conditions apply for car rental - please inquire.
10 Oct 2023
