Splendid Nature of Quebec | A Fly Drive Holiday in Quebec

Day 1

Montreal

Fly into Montreal from the UK and transfer to your downtown hotel.  The remainder of the day is free to relax and begin to explore the city of Montreal.

1 night in Montreal.

Day 2

Montreal to Quebec City

Today take a guided 1.5 hour cruise on the St. Lawrence River seeing the Old Port, Ste-Henel’s Island and much more.  Collect your car and drive to Quebec City.

2 nights in Quebec City.

Day 3

Quebec City

You have a full day to explore North America’s only walled city. Relive the days of General Wolfe and the Plains of Abraham, visit the Parliament buildings and the Notre Dame Basilica. Meander the pedestrian friendly streets stopping to savour the many restaurants, bars and boutiques.

Day 4

Quebec City to Riviere du Loup

Today’s drive takes you along the St. Lawrence River to Rivière-du-Loup, a major administrative and service centre set on a terrace above the coastal plain with an appealing and distinctively Québécois atmosphere. The prosperity of the early 19th-century and the early 20th-century is reflected in its splendid homes and public buildings, including city hall and St. Patrick’s Church and Presbytery. From the Park of the Luminous Cross, you will enjoy a wide-reaching view of the town’s centre, the St. Lawrence and the five islands called Les Pèlerins, home to thousands of seabirds and shorebirds.

1 night in Riviere du Loup.

Day 5

Riviere du Loup to Baie-des-Chaleurs

Uncover the scenery and maritime lore of the Gaspé Peninsula as your route today takes you to Baie des Chaleurs at the inlet of the Gulf of St. Lawrence between northern New Brunswick and eastern Quebec. Discovered and named by Jacques Cartier in 1534, Baie des Chaleurs is a famous fishing ground for cod, herring, mackerel, and salmon, with many Acadian fishing villages on its shores.  There are a lot of Scottish place names here mixed in among the French!

1 night in Baie-des-Chaleurs.

Day 6

Baie-des-Chaleurs to Percé

As you travel along the coast you’ll pass Port-Daniel, a community of Scottish, Acadian and Irish descent. Take the Capitaine Fournier road which provides a good view of a railway tunnel that crosses Cap de l’Enfer – Cape of Hell. The tunnel measures 190 m in length and is the only one of its kind in Quebec. From the ‘Côte de Surprise’  Surprise Coast) highway by the small fishing port of L’Anse-à-Beaufils you’ll have a magnificent full on view of Percé Bay and Percé Rock.

2 nights in Percé.

Day 7

Percé

Once the largest fishing port in the Gaspé Peninsula, Percé is now the gem of the entire Gaspé region as a resort and tourist town, and renowned for the extraordinary beauty of its surroundings. Its prominent geological feature is a great rock pierced with a hole, from which the community derived its name. The town has a terrific selection of restaurants and cafes, some of the best in the region. There is a summer theatre and a boardwalk that stretches along the south beach. At the wharf you can watch the fishermen cleaning their daily catch. Highly recommended is a discovery cruise of the majestic Percé Rock and the seabird sanctuary on Bonaventure Island. The cruise boat allows you to get up close to the rock and the island to admire the scenic beauty and observe the fascinating wildlife. You will have the opportunity to visit Bonaventure Island and experience the 150,000 gannets from up close.

Day 8

Percé to Parc de la Gaspésie

As you pass the eastern most tip of the peninsula, take some time to visit Forillon National Park, Apart from its towering vertical cliffs, the area’s most prominent landmark is the lighthouse at Pointe-au-Pere National Historic Site, which rises 30m above the St. Lawrence. See the many wild rose bushes which lend the nearby community of Cap-des-Rosiers its name and make a photo stop at Gros Morne with its magnificent cliffs and lovely bay area. Continue on to the heart of the Gaspé Peninsula where a wondrous mountainous spectacle awaits you in the Parc de la Gaspésie.

2 nights in Parc de la Gaspésie.

Day 9

Parc de la Gaspésie

With peaks of over 1,000m, the park is the only place in Quebec where caribou, moose and white-tailed deer co-exist. Enjoy 140km of hiking trails with far-reaching views or take a guided nature tour (not included). In addition to hiking, the park also offers mountain biking, canoeing, fishing and picnicking. An Interpretation Centre houses a permanent exhibit and souvenir shop. Audio-visual displays and special activities also provide opportunities to learn more about the park’s flora and fauna and its geological history.

Day 10

Parc de la Gaspésie to Tadoussac

Today you will leave the Gaspé Region and drive to Tadoussac, a tremendous destination for those interested in marine wildlife, particularly whales. Some of the small towns along the way feature local art galleries displaying some of the finest artwork from eastern Quebec, an area known for its magnificent wood carving. You have several choices of ferry crossings: Matane to Baie Comeau/Godbout; Les Escoumins to Trois Pistoles; or Saint Simeon to Riviere Du Loup. Keep an eye out for whales and other wildlife as you cross the mighty St. Lawrence.

1 night in Tadoussac.

Day 11

Tadoussac to Saguenay

Today, we strongly recommend you take a whale-watching from Tadoussac before taking a short but scenic drive into Saguenay. An excellent view of the waters below the Saguenay Fjord can be found at the town of L’Anse-de-Roche. A stop at L’Anse-Saint-Jean, sometimes called Quebec’s ‘Little Switzerland’ because of the steep mountains flanking the town, offers a look at well-preserved traditional local fieldstone and log architecture. A covered bridge that was built in 1929 and spectacular views of the Saguenay River can also be found.

1 night in Saguenay.

Day 12

Saguenay to Lac St Jean

Explore Saguenay Provincial Park which preserves strips of land along the north and south shores of the Saguenay Fjord. The 105 km long fjord is up 250m deep, resulting in dark amber to black coloured water. Cold salt water from the St. Lawrence pushes under warmer fresh water from the Saguenay, resulting in amazingly diverse marine life. Visit the park’s interpretative centre and learn about the formation of the fjord and its physical, hydrographic and oceanographic characteristics.

1 night in Lac St Jean.

Day 13

Lac St Jean to Saint-Alexis-des-Monts

You will have more time to enjoy this impressive area of the Sagueney Region. The region around the lake is known for its mining and lumbering, and nature and recreation enthusiasts will enjoy boating, hiking, climbing, fishing for landlocked salmon, and horseback riding around this uniquely circular lake. End the day with a drive through Quebec’s wild nature and dense terrain as you make your way to Saint-Alexis-des- Monts.

2 nights in Saint-Alexis-des-Monts.

Day 14

Saint-Alexis-des-Monts

You will have access to a wide variety of activities during your stay: forest walks and mountain biking on well-marked trails, access to the beach, boating, canoeing, windsurfing and sailing on the tranquil lake. Also available, at a surcharge, are river canoeing, seaplane flights, ATV-tours, fishing, waterskiing, diving and golf.

Day 15

Saint-Alexis-des-Monts to Montreal

Drive back to Montreal, drop off your hire car and take your return flight to the UK.