DAY 1 - MONTREAL AIRPORT (P.E. Trudeau Airport )
ACTIVITIES: EXPLORE THE CITY & SHOPPING

Welcome to Canada! You will be met at the airport by your friendly "Authentik" guide, who will take you downtown. The ride will also serve as an introductory tour of the world's second largest French-speaking city after Paris, Montreal. For your comfort while you get over your jet-lag, we have chosen the Fairmont Queen Elizabeth*****, in the heart of the city.

Downtown Montreal is home to the world's largest underground city, lined with thousands of shops, ideal for last-minute shopping for winter gear. Once you are settled into your room, you are invited to enjoy a welcome cocktail while your guide presents the details of your trip. After dinner, you have the evening to yourself.

Sports lovers can seize this opportunity to attend a Montreal Canadiens hockey game!

AUTHENTIK ADVICE: Do not transfer on to another destination directly after your arrival. After a long flight (7 or 8 hours from Europe) and the time difference (with a 6-hour time difference, 5 pm in Canada will feel like 11 pm back home), you deserve a good night's sleep in Montreal before pursuing your snowmobile adventure.

DAY 2 - MONTREAL / LAURENTIANS (125 KM)
ACTIVITY: SNOWMOBILE (185 KM)

After breakfast at the hotel, you will set out for St-Donat-de-Montcalm, in the beautiful Laurentian region, a real snowmobilers' paradise. Upon your arrival you will be given your 4-stroke snowmobile, a Yamaha 120 CV, and specialized "extreme cold" clothing (boots, ski pants, jacket, gloves and helmet with heated visor for the pilot), that will protect you from the harsh Quebec winter conditions. Your guide will explain snowmobiling driving techniques and safety tips before you set out to discover the vast white wilderness in the most "VIP" snowmobile tour in Quebec!

Your tour starts out on a marked trail across a large frozen lake before turning onto the winding Black Mountain trail, that will take you to the top of the mountain (height of 450 metres). The view from the lookout at the top of the mountain is breathtaking! Take the time to take a few photos before your descent towards a typical snowmobile rest stop, where a hearty meal awaits you. In the afternoon, you will commence your exploration of the panoramic trails of the legendary Mont Tremblant National Park. The trails are wide enough to allow you to enjoy the spectacular views while navigating the curves. Surrounded by majestic mountains, frozen lakes and pine forest as far as the eye can see, you will know that you are in the heart of Canada's great northern wilderness.

You will arrive at the imposing Auberge du Lac Taureau**** just before nightfall. Today's 185 kilometres provide a good warmup for the rest of the tour. You will have time to get settled into your room and take a shower before cocktail hour at the bar. A sumptuous 5-course dinner, featuring local specialties, will be served in the main dining room.

DAY 4 - LAURENTIANS / MASTIGOUCHE WILDLIFE RESERVE
ACTIVITY: SNOWMOBILE (200 KM)

After a buffet-style breakfast, you take the reins of your iron steed and head towards the village of Saint-Michel-des-Saints. While your guide refuels the snowmobiles, you can visit the Bellerose aboriginal gift shop, which works closely with the Atikamek community. This is a great opportunity to pick up some special souvenirs for your loved ones.

1, 2, 3 go! Set out on the panoramic trail of Taureau Reservoir, more than 100 kilometres long. At the far end of this inland sea, you will reach the impressive hydroelectric dam, built to regulate the water level during the spring thaw. You will be surprised to find that the snowmobile trail passes directly over the dam; here you will stop for a break before heading towards the rest stop for lunch. In the afternoon you will follow the winding trails of the Mastigouche Wildlife Reserve, where you are likely to encounter moose or deer. At the end of the day you will find yourself at the luxurious Auberge Sacacomie****. On the menu this evening, a 5-course table d'hôte in the sumptuous dining room, featuring local dishes. A comfortable night in your room overlooking the lake.

DAY 5 - MASTIGOUCHE WILDLIFE RESERVE / LAURENTIANS
ACTIVITY: SNOWMOBILE (190 KM)

Following a hearty breakfast at Auberge Sacacomie, the tour continues towards the immense territoiry of Mastigouche Outfitter. There you will meet an experienced trapper, M. Roland St-Jean. Get ready to spend a memorable day in the company of this great man, who has so many stories to tell of his life in the forest that it would take more than a week to hear them all! You will leave the trail behind, travelling through powder snow to traditional trap sites. Here you will have the chance to try some more sporting manoeuvres on your snowmobile, or just enjoy this opportunity to contemplate nature in all its untamed and pristine beauty.

For lunch, you make your way to the extremely authentic Mastigouche Outfitter, setting for many films including "Grey Owl". It also served as a well-known private hunting and fishing club from 1875 - 1930. You are sure to have a good time with Roland, the trapper, at your table!

The time passes quickly and before you know it the daylight starts to fade... you will need to be vigilant for the last 90 kilometres, illuminated only by the discreet headlamp of your snowmobile, as you make your way to the distinguished Auberge de la Montagne Coupée****. Perched on the top of Montagne Coupée ("Cut Mountain"), this renowned country inn offers a cuisine of the highest quality, which it will be your pleasure to experience. After a day full of adventures and discoveries, a good night's sleep is in order, in your comfortable suite.

DAY 6 - LAURENTIANS / MONTREAL (125 KM)
ACTIVITY: SNOWMOBILE (160 KM)

This morning, some of you may wish to sleep in before tackling this last day of the tour. After all, you are on holiday! After a very hearty breakfast, you set out for the final leg. You will be impressed by the quality of the trails in this region, referred to as the Mecca of snowmobiling by several specialized snowmobiling magazines. From village to village you will make your way to St-Côme for lunch in a typical village restaurant. If you visit in February, you will be able to admire the ice sculptures lining Main Street, created by local artists.

On the return trail to St-Donat-de-Montcalm, you will discover the magnificent Ouareau Forest, and cross a hanging bridge over the tumultuous Ouareau River. This bridge, nicknamed the "Golden Gate" by American visitors, is an excellent place to stop and take some photos. After the bridge, only 30 more km to go on your unforgettable tour! Once you have returned your equipment, your guide will drive you back to civilization.

You will be staying at the chic Fairmont Le Reine Elizabeth***** in downtown Montreal. As the dining options in Montreal are so innumerable, tonight's dinner is left up to you. Your invaluable guide will be able to advise you on the various options: restaurants, bars, nightclubs, etc... You will have a hard time choosing!

And there you have it, a real "VIP" snowmobile tour!

AUTHENTIK ADVICE: Note that you will arrive in Europe on the day following your departure from Canada. For example, if you leave on the evening of Day 8, you will arrive in the morning of Day 9. The return flight is 6 or 7 hours, to which you must add the time difference of 6 hours. If you leave at 15:00, you will arrive at 3:00 the next morning, local time.