Wildlife of Quebec

Day 1 - Fly to Montreal

Arrive in Montreal and transfer to your chosen hotel. Spending the rest of your day at leisure.

Day 2 - Explore Montreal

Spend today exploring the city of Montreal! Built on an island on the St Lawerence River Montreal is home to a wide variety of shops, fashion boutiques and restaurants to explore. Visit the renowned Montreal Botanical Gardens, home to beautiful collection of flowers which are all presented in themed gardens. No visit to Montreal is complete without visiting Notre-Dame Basilica Montreal, this gothic style church was the first built in Canada of this design in 1891.

Day 3 - Montreal to Mont Tremblant (132km/82 miles)

Pick up your car hire and begin your journey to Mont Tremblant.

Mont Tremblant is divided into three zones the downtown area rue de Saint-Jovite, the village Lac Mercier and Mont-Tremblant Resort. The downtown area is home to a variety of local stores, boutiques and restaurants many which are located in heritage buildings. Parc National du Mont-Tremblant is a mixture of natural and historical heritage, it was the first national park to be created in Quebec and is home to 40 mammal species including wolves. Mont-Tremblant is the prefect location for outdoor enthusiasts who enjoy hiking, canoeing, fat biking and more!

Day 4 - Mont Tremblant to Saint Alexis des Monts (173km/110 miles)

Today continue your drive to Saint Alexis des Monts.

There is lots of great wilderness areas to explore around Saint Alexis des Monts! La Mauricie National Park entrance is near Wapizagonke Lake, an approx. 56 km long panoramic road winds through the hilly and lake-rich La Mauricie National Park. Along the drive you will come across some very beautiful vantage points the views from the viewpoint of the Ile-aux-Pins is particularly picturesque. From here, a short hike offers more breathtaking views. At Wapizagonke Lake, you can rent canoes and explore the lake as hunters, trappers and Native Americans did hundreds of years ago. Other hiking trails and picnic spots invite you to linger. In St-Jean-des-Piles you can get more information about the park at the visitor centre.

Day 5 - Saint Alexis des Monts

Nestled in the heart of Québec’s Mauricie region, Saint-Alexis-des-Monts offers the perfect blend of natural beauty, outdoor adventure, and authentic Quebecois charm. Surrounded by pristine forests, rolling hills, and sparkling lakes, it’s an ideal destination for those looking to unwind and reconnect with nature.

A stay at the award-winning Le Baluchon Eco Resort takes this experience to another level. This sustainable retreat sits on over 1,000 acres of protected land and offers a wide range of activities year-round. In the summer, you can paddle down the Rivière du Loup by canoe or kayak, hike or cycle along more than 35km of scenic trails or enjoy horseback riding through meadows and forests.

For those seeking relaxation, the resort’s Eco Spa provides Nordic baths, riverside massages, and serene spaces designed to recharge body and mind. Culinary experiences are another highlight Le Baluchon’s restaurants showcase gourmet farm-to-table cuisine, with a focus on fresh local produce and regional flavours.

Nearby in Saint-Alexis-des-Monts, you’ll also find opportunities to explore charming villages, discover traditional Quebecois culture, or head to one of the region’s many lakes for fishing, boating, and wildlife spotting.

Day 6 - Saint Alexis des Monts to Quebec City (220km/137 miles)

Continue your drive to Quebec City. As you are in one of the most unique North American cities you should take advantage of its culture and flavour, it can best be enjoyed on foot. One of the focal points of the "Old Town" is the Chateau Frontenac, this is one of the many hotels that the Canadian railways built to provide passengers first class accommodations, as they travelled across the country. Stroll along Dufferin Terrace and enjoy the magnificent panorama of the mighty St. Lawrence with the Laurentian Mountains in the distance or visit the Citadel and Battlefields Park to understand the pivotal role Quebec played in the history of North America. You may reach the lower portion either by the Funicular or steps, the heart of Lower Town is the Place Royale with its historic Notre-Dame-des-Victoires church. There are a great variety of restaurants for you to enjoy some of the traditional Quebec cuisine.

Day 7 - Explore Quebec City

Today we have included a guided walking tour of Quebec City. 

Follow your guide off the beaten track and be captivated by the charms of Old Quebec, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Our period characters will bring 400 years of history, rich in twists and turns, to life! During this tour, you'll admire various historical monuments and landmarks in Quebec City's historic district.

Day 8 - Quebec City to Saguenay (265km/165 miles)

Today’s drive takes you to Saguenay. At the tip of a majestic fjord where the waters of the Saquenay and Saint Lawrence Rivers meet lies the charming village of Saguenay. With a decidedly French atmosphere and a touch of the Old World, visit the district of Chicoutimi, and learn about the areas cultural, historic and natural history. Visit La Baie along the Saguenay Fjord to discover the beauties of the fjord, the Fjord-du-Saguenay National Park with is hiking, sea kayaking, camping, and beluga whale watching. Discover the importance of the fjord, deeply chiseled in the Laurentian Mountains, as a natural trading route for the first Nations people of the area. In the 1600’s, France established its first fur trading post and colonization of the area soon followed.

Day 9 - Saguenay

One of the biggest draws of the Saguenay region is its incredible wildlife spotting opportunities. The fjord is part of the Saguenay St. Lawrence Marine Park, one of the best places in the world to observe whales. From La Baie, excursions take you onto the water where you can see beluga whales, minke whales, and even the mighty blue whale during the summer months. Along the fjord and surrounding forests, keep an eye out for moose, black bears, beavers, and countless bird species, including majestic birds of prey.

If you would like a more contained environment for wildlife viewing, visit the Zoo Sauvage, which offers natural habitats as immense as they are magnificent for animals from the boreal and cold regions of the world. It is considered one of the 10 most beautiful zoos in the world. There are more than 85 species, including exotic and native animals. Red pandas are among the most popular.

Day 10 - Le Baie / Saguenay to Tadoussac

The drive from La Baie / Saguenay to Tadoussac is one of Québec’s most scenic routes, following the edge of the dramatic Saguenay Fjord. Along the way, you’ll pass forested hills, sweeping viewpoints, and may even spot wildlife such as moose or eagles. A highlight is the free ferry crossing at Baie-Sainte-Catherine, where the Saguenay meets the St. Lawrence keep watch for belugas and other whales. Arriving in Tadoussac, you’ll find a charming village famed as one of the world’s top whale-watching destinations.

Day 11 - Tadoussac Whale Watching

Climb aboard our Zodiacs with our experienced captains for an exhilarating and sporty experience in the heart of the world's best whale-watching site. This expedition in the Saguenay St. Lawrence Marine Park is a unique opportunity that you must experience at least once in your lifetime!

First, you will set out to encounter the giants of the sea, with the most frequently observed species including minke whales, fin whales, humpback whales, porpoises, harbor seals, and belugas. You will then conclude your excursion with a venture into the majestic Saguenay Fjord.

Day 12 - Tadoussac to Riviere du Loup (425km/264 miles)

Your drive today takes you to Riviere du Loup. Riviere du Loup's main attraction is the 33-meter-high waterfall in the middle of the town. A walk through the city takes you past Victorian houses, churches and parks. The Musee Du Bas St. Laurent gives a good insight into the history of the city. In the Parc de la Croix Lumineuse, an illuminated cross overlook the St. Lawrence River, which is about 14 miles wide here. Boat tours go to the islands: Ile aux Lievres, Iles du Pot a L'eau de Vie and Les Pelerins.

Day 13 - Riviere du Loup to Sherbrooke (411km/255 miles)

Sherbrooke is the primary economic, political, cultural and institutional centre of Estrie, and was known as the Queen of the Eastern Townships at the beginning of the 20th century. With its New England charm and French flair, Sherbrooke, the heart of Quebec’s Eastern Townships, is the perfect hub when visiting the lovely Eastern Township region of Quebec. One of the province’s most popular tourist destinations, the “Heart” (as the locals call it) abounds with wide open green spaces in the Coaticook Valley, lakes and mountains in the Memphrémagog region, all topped off with the naturally urban charm of Sherbrooke. Explore outdoor urban art galleries (both murals and garden sculptures) or lavender fields in bloom. Enjoy gourmet outings on a tourist train or a cruise boat and visit one of Canada’s most beautiful religious sites. And in the fall the Townships boasts some of the brightest maple colours in the world!

Day 14 - Explore Sherbrooke

A full day to explore Sherbrooke.

Day 15 - Sherbrooke to Montreal. Fly from Montreal

Your Quebec adventure comes to an end today, make the drive to Montreal Airport returning your car hire before your onward flight.