Splendid Nature of Québec
SELF DRIVE TOUR
MONTRÉAL | QUÉBEC CITY | RIVÈRE-DU-LOUP | BAIE DES CHALEURS | PERCÉ | PARC DE LA GASPESIE | TADOUSSAC | SAGUENAY | LAC ST. JEAN | SAINT-ALEXIS-DES-MONTS
Let Quebec charm you with its diversity and romanticism on this programme which combines the exciting pace of urban touring with the natural beauty of provincial parks set amidst tranquil waterways. From cosmopolitan Montréal and heritage-rich Québec City to the scenic coastal routes of the Gaspé peninsula, you’ll find yourself immersed in this unique and beautiful province where cultures meet and enchantment abounds in its attractions, attitude and all-season appeal.
HIGHLIGHTS:
- Explore the worlds second largest French speaking city - Montréal
- Montréal city cruise
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Your Itinerary
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Day 1
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Day 2
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Day 3
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Day 4
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Day 5
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Day 6
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Day 7
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Day 8
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Day 9
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Day 10
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Day 11
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Day 12
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Day 13
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Day 14
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Day 15-16
Day 1 : UK -Montreal
Arrive at Montréal Trudeau International Airport and transfer independently to your downtown hotel. Pick-up your Jonview Canada Roadbook at the front desk as you check-in. The remainder of the day is at leisure to explore this unique and vibrant French-Canadian city. Overnight in Montréal
Day 2 : Montréal - Québec City (259 KM)
Get to know this French-speaking city on a cruise. Accompanied by a guide, discover the many facets of Montreal from the comfort of a cruise boat on the St. Lawrence River. Pick up your car hire and you will explore 25 km of history and attractions along the St. Lawrence River: Old Port, Ste-Helen’s Island, the unspoiled landscape of the Boucherville Islands and much more! Overnight in Québec City.
Day 3 : Québec city
Enjoy a full day exploring North America’s only walled city. Not to be missed are the Plains of Abraham, the Citadel, the Upper and Lower towns, the Notre Dame Basilica, and the National Assembly and Parliament Buildings. In the evening, stroll through the city’s pedestrian-friendly streets and savour the European feel that gives Québec City such special distinction. Overnight in Québec City.
Day 4 : Québec City - Rivière-du-Loup (210 KM)
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. Overnight in Rivière-du-Loup.
Day 5 : Rivière-du-Loup - Baie Des Chaleurs (298 KM)
Uncover the scenery and maritime lore of the Gaspé Peninsula as your route today takes you to Baie des Chaleurs which lies at the inlet of the Gulf of St. Lawrence between northern New Brunswick and eastern Québec. 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. Overnight in Baie des Chaleurs.
Day 6 : Baie Des Chaleurs - Percé (250 KM)
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. Overnight 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. Overnight in Percé.
Day 8 : Percé - Parc de la Gaspésie (231KM)
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 30 m 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. Overnight in Parc de la Gaspésie.
Day 9 : Parc de la Gaspésie
With peaks of over 1,000 m, the park is the only place in Quebec where caribou, moose and white-tailed deer co-exist. Enjoy 140 km 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. Overnight in Parc de la Gaspésie.
Day 10 : Parc de la Gaspésie - Tadoussac (320 KM)
Today you will leave the Gaspé Region and drive to Tadoussac, a choice 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 Québec, an area known for its magnificent works of 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. Overnight in Tadoussac.
Day 11 : Tadoussac - Saguenay (126 KM)
Today, take 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’Ansede- Roche. A stop at L’Anse-Saint-Jean, sometimes called Québec’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. Overnight in Saguenay.
Day 12 : Saguenay - Lac St. Jean (126 KM)
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 250 m 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. Overnight in Lac St. Jean.
Day 13 : Lac St. Jean - Saint-Alexis-Des-Monts (273 KM)
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 Québec’s wild nature and dense terrain as you make your way to Saint-Alexis-des-Monts. Overnight in Saint-Alexis-des-Monts.
Day 14 : Saint-Alexis-Des-Monts
If staying at Sacacomie Lodge or Lac à l'Eau Claire, 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. Overnight in Saint-Alexis-des-Monts.
Day 15-16 : Saint-Alexis-Des-Monts - Montreal (139 KM) - UK
Return to Montréal Trudeau International Airport and drop off your car then check in for your return flight back to the UK.
