DAY 1 - MONTREAL AIRPORT
 Welcome to the world's second-largest French-speaking city after Paris. For your first night we have chosen a comfortable downtown hotel, conveniently located at the heart of the city's action. You will receive your Authentik travel book, with all the details of your adventure including a road map indicating your route, a personalised roadbook, a host of practical tourist information, a toll-free assistance number, vouchers, etc.
A
comfortable night at your hotel,
the Best
Western Montreal ***, is
just what you need to get over your jet-lag...
DAY 2 & 3 - MONTREAL / MAURICIE NATIONAL PARK (196 km/2 hrs 25 mins)
 After breakfast, spend the morning exploring the great metropolis of Montreal, with its diverse and friendly atmosphere. Pay a visit to the city's main attractions: the business district, Mont Royal, the old port, the Olympic Park Observation Tower, and an educational and fascinating trip to the Biodome, where you will discover Canada's ecosystems, wildlife, vegetation, etc.
You will pick up your RV in the early afternoon, between 1:00 and 3:00. And then you are off to explore the land of lakes and rivers! Your first destination: the legendary Mauricie National Park, about 2 hours from Montreal. Covering an area of 536 km², the park gives off an air of serenity throughout its gently contoured terrain. Here only the changes of the seasons mark the passage of time, retouching the landscape with subtle strokes.
You will be spending 2 nights here in the middle of Canada's vast wilderness, in Mauricie National Park where a wide range of activities awaits you...
DAY 4 & 5 - MAURICIE NATIONAL PARK / LAC ST-JEAN
(253 km/3 hrs 29 mins)
 Last moments to enjoy your majestic surroundings before setting out for Lac St-Jean, a veritable inland sea. You will be following a magnificent route along the historic St-Maurice River, used in the olden days by raftsmen for transporting wood.
What better way to discover Canadian wildlife than through a visit to a very special zoo, the St-Félicien Wild Zoo, where the animals roam free and the visitors are caged... A truly unique concept!
For the next two nights you will be staying at a campground located right in the Historic Village of Val Jalbert, where you will be able to visit several buildings of historical interest, collections of historical artefacts, a reconstructed loggers' camp, a herbarium, the enchanting Ouiatchouan Falls,...
DAY 6 & 7 - LAC ST-JEAN / SAGUENAY FJORD (152 km/2 hrs 24 mins)
After breakfast, your adventure continues in the direction of Saguenay Fjord. Wild and untamed are two words that come to mind when we think of the Saguenay Fjord. For how else can we describe this immense glacial valley, well entrenched in the Laurentians' rocky massif, where a cold river flows with marine depths of up to 275m!
Optional activity along the way
New France Village
Don't miss the hiking trails of Saguenay National Park, among the most beautiful in Quebec, offering breathtaking views of the great Canadian wilderness.
You will spend the next two nights in Eternity Bay, at the heart of this grandiose glacial landscape.
DAY 8 - SAGUENAY FJORD / TADOUSSAC (129 km/2 hrs 37 mins)
This morning you set out for Tadoussac. We recommend taking the south shore of the fjord, through the Petit Saguenay River Valley, one of the most beautiful routes in Quebec.
Optional activity along the way
Via Ferrata
 Upon your arrival in Tadoussac, experience the thrill of a whale-watching safari, either by Zodiac, by boat or by sea kayak. You will be accompanied by a naturalist guide, who will help you to identify various species including rorqual whales and whitecoats (baby seals). At the head of the Laurentian Channel, in the St-Lawrence River Estuary, where deep, cold Arctic waters rise to the surface, marine mammals abound and can be observed for eight months of the year, making the Tadoussac region a whale-watching site of international renown.
You will spend the night on the banks of the majestic St-Laurence River. Not far from your campground, at Cap-De-Bon-Désir (3 km away), you will find activities for land-based observation of marine mammals and nature and history interpretation. And in the evenings, theatrical presentations are offered in the campground's community hall.
DAY 9 & 10 - TADOUSSAC / GASPESIE PARK (360 km/5 hrs 50 mins)
You set out this morning in a light morning fog to pursue your course along the north shore of the St-Lawrence River, through one picturesque village after another, until you reach Baie-Comeau. Here you will take an unforgettable ferry ride across the majestic river, to the south shore and the beautiful Gaspésie region. Your destination: Gaspésie National Park, where you will spend the next two days.
 Gaspésie National Park is a veritable sea of mountains located in the heart of the Gaspé Peninsula. Its varied climates and unusual geomorphology attract a diversity of plant and animal species that are unique to Quebec. A permanent exhibit will allow you to go from one end of the park to the other and to have an initial contact with the one-of-a-kind natural elements found here. This new exhibit is a must-see for anyone interested in discovering all the treasures of Gaspésie National Park. And when you sign in at the park, ask for the topics of the evening seminars.
Hiking is, without a doubt, the favourite activity within Gaspésie National park. A variety of trails lead to breathtaking views! Hike up Mont Jacques-Cartier for a taste of the Far North; you may even surprise some caribou grazing at the summit. Ask about the shuttle service and the discovery hike "Vivez le Grand Nord". Enjoy your hike!
You will spend two nights in Gaspesie National Park.
DAY 11 & 12 - GASPESIE NATIONAL PARK / FORILLON NATIONAL PARK
(200 km/2 hrs 22 mins)
The adventure continues towards the point of the Gaspé Peninsula, where mountains thrust brutally into the Atlantic Ocean, forming the incredible cliffs of Forillon National Park. The park encompasses 244 square kilometres of sea, hilly forest land, rugged cliffs and majestic coastline, including a protected zone containing part of the Mégantic and Notre-Dame mountain ranges, as well as part of the coast of the Gulf of St-Lawrence. The presence of ten different rock formations, colonies of sea birds, and enigmatic Arctic-alpine plant life gives the Park its unique character.
To learn more about this internationally renowned park, you can choose among the many educational nature and history activities. Just ask for the Visitor's Guide, then plan your day! In addition, the sea kayak expeditions will open up a whole other world to explore, to understand, and to love. A day packed with adventures!
You will spend these two nights in Forillon National Park.
DAY 13 - FORILLON NATIONAL PARK / PERCÉ (76 km/55 mins)
 You say goodbye to Forillon Park and head towards the renowned Percé Rock and Bonaventure Island. Sculpted by time and the sea, at the tip of the Gaspé Peninsula, Bonaventure Island and Percé Rock National Park can boast of a rich historical and natural heritage, a surprising geological past, and unusual plant and animal life including the famous colony of Northern Gannets, known all over the world. An extension of the Appalachian Mountains into the Gulf of St-Lawrence, this rocky city has Bonaventure Island for a fortress; the majestic Percé Rock, symbol of Quebec tourism, is its flagship. On the island, the fragrance and colour of the wildflowers and the fresh sea breezes will intoxicate you. And while you are here, take an educational excursion to Bonaventure Island, where you will make some amazing discoveries.
You will be spending the night in the picturesque village of Percé, where a variety of evening entertainment is offered.
DAY 14 - PERCÉ / CHALEUR BAY (208 km/2 hrs 32 mins)
An early departure this morning to discover the southern part of Gaspésie, known as Chaleur Bay ("Baie des Chaleurs") because of its warm waters. Along the way, take a trip down one of Quebec's most beautiful rivers, the Bonaventure, with its jade-green, limpid waters - an unforgettable open-air experience!
Optional activities along the way
Biopark (perfect for families)
Descend the river by canoe (4 hours)
Canoe-camping excursion (3 days)
In the late afternoon you will reach Rivière Nouvelle Campground. There you will discover a river with crystal clear waters originating high in the Chic-Choc Mountains and winding its course down to Chaleur Bay. The river has a worldwide reputation for sea trout fishing, and is also an excellent spot for catching the king of our waterways, the Atlantic salmon. This is the perfect place to relax, or to stroll amidst the bucolic scenery. An easy mountain climb on Mount St-Joseph will lead to panoramic views and spectacular photo opportunities.
DAY 15 - CHALEUR BAY / KAMOURASKA (406 km/4 hrs 46 mins)
Today you set out for Matapedia Valley. The spectacular route through the valley will lead you to the Navigator's Route, along the south bank of the St-Lawrence River in Bas St-Laurent.
Activity along the way
"Arbre-en-Arbre" Treetop Course
 In the Bas St-Laurent region, along the St-Lawrence Estuary, villages are scattered among the many capes, bays, coves, islands and mountains that are the emblems of the region's renown. Think of the sounds and the smells of the sea, the caress of the ocean breeze... Imagine a sunset in Kamouraska, where, according to National Geographic, you will find "the second most beautiful sunsets in the world, after Hawaii". And it is true that, as the sunset hour approaches, you really can't help sitting down to marvel at the splendour of it all.
You will be spending the night at Rivière Ouelle Camground, close to Kamouraska, considered to be one of the most beautiful villages in Quebec.
DAY 16 & 17 - KAMOURASKA / JACQUES-CARTIER PARK
(216 km/2 hrs 20 mins)
At morning's first light, your first reflex will be to look outside and admire the natural beauty of your surroundings. Departure this morning for the Quebec region, following the immense St-Lawrence River along one of the most beautiful routes in the province. Why not stop in the charming village of St-Jean-Port-Joli, to take a look at the magnificent wood sculptures that have made this typical Quebec village famous.... Then continue on your way to Jacques-Cartier Park, a magnificent nature park just 40 km from Quebec City.
 Jacques-Cartier Park's remarkable landscape is characterized by contrasts: mountainous uplands fractured by steep-sided valleys. A multi-faceted river winds through the most spectacular of them, the Vallée de la Jacques-Cartier, a trench more than 550 m deep. You will have many outdoor activities to choose from, including canoeing and hiking, with or without interpretation of the wildlife, vegetation and history of this glacial valley. Be sure to ask for the activities schedule when you arrive at the park.
Your next two nights will be spent right in Jacques-Cartier Park at the heart of this majestic valley.
DAY 18 - JACQUES-CARTIER PARK / QUEBEC CITY (50 km/40 mins)
 After waking up in these magnificent natural surroundings, enjoy another morning in the park before setting out for North America's first French-speaking city, Quebec.
Spend the day exploring this historic city, a recognized and protected UNESCO Heritage Site. From Place Royale and Petit Champlain to Dufferin Terrace and Château Frontenac, follow winding alleys that will lead you to hidden places where you will have the impression that you are the first to discover them. Try the unique sensation of drifting over the Quebec City region in a hot air balloon! And on your way back to the campground, we suggest stopping off for supper at the Sugar Shack, an authentic Canadian tradition!
You will spend the night in a comfortable campground not far from Québec City... and less than a 15-minute drive from the attractions of Old Quebec.
DAY 19 & 20- QUEBEC CITY / MOUNT ORFORD (256 km/2 hrs 40 mins)
 After breakfast, you will set out for the Eastern Townships. This region is known for the beauty of its undulating landscapes, its fine cuisine and its picturesque villages. This is a very different side of Quebec for you to explore.
Experience a viticulture adventure along the Route des Vins ("Wine Route"). Follow part of the route and discover the local wineries and their products while enjoying the unique scenery.
You will spend the last two nights of your trip in Mount Orford National Park.
DAY 21 - MOUNT ORFORD / MONTREAL (148 km/1 hr 32 mins)
After an early breakfast you return to Montreal to drop off your RV (before 10:00 am). A short drive to the airport, where you board your return flight.
And you leave the land of lakes and rivers, your heart full of beautiful memories that will last a lifetime! |
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