Day 1
Montreal, QC
Check into your hotel in downtown Montreal and enjoy a relaxing day exploring the city. You might want to take a peaceful stroll at one of the world’s best botanical gardens. The Montreal Botanical Garden showcases over 22,000 plant species and cultivars, as well as a planetarium, biodome, an insectarium, themed greenhouses and gardens, including the popular Chinese Garden.
Day 2
Montreal, QC - Quebec City, QC (159 miles)
This morning get a different perspective of The City of Saints by taking a guided cruise (included) along the St. Lawrence River where you’ll see sights like the Old Port. Ste-Helen’s Island and the Boucherville Islands. Then it's time to depart Montreal, so pick up your rental car and head out along the open road following the route of the St Lawrence River, to the historic city of Quebec.
Day 3
Quebec City, QC
Wake up in North America’s only walled city and enjoy a full day of exploration. Stroll the cobblestone walkways in Old Town, gazing up at the well-preserved 17th-century architecture, stopping at the Citadel where you might see Canadian troops staging a military ceremony. Other must-visits include the Plains of Abraham, the National Assembly and Parliament Buildings, the Notre Dame Basilica, and the Upper and Lower towns. In between, do like the locals do and snack on poutine, French fries with gravy and cheese curds.
Day 4
Quebec City, QC to Riviere Du Loup, QC (128 miles)
Follow the south shore along the St. Lawrence River to Rivière-du-Loup. We suggest you stop en route for a picnic along the coast. From the Park of the Luminous Cross, enjoy the expansive view of the town centre, the St. Lawrence and the Les Pelerins Islands. Afterward, take time to view the historic homes and buildings in Rivière-du-Loup, like St Patrick’s Church and City Hall.
Day 5
Riviere Du Loup, QC - Baie des Chaleurs, QC (255 miles)
Today you’ll travel to the spectacular Gaspe Peninsula and Baie des Chaleurs, with the stunning marine seascape highlighted by a gorgeous mountain backdrop. Make your way to the top of Mont Saint-Joseph, on foot or by car, to admire the panorama of the sea and the mountains from the over 1,820-foot-high summit, and visit the Oratoire Notre-Dame, a Brittany chapel famous for its stained-glass windows and mosaics.
Day 6
Baie des Chaleurs, QC - Perce, QC (75 miles)
Journey to the tip of the peninsula, passing Port-Daniel, a community of Scottish, Acadian and Irish descent. By taking the Capitaine Fournier Road, you’ll get an excellent view of the railway tunnel that crosses Cap de l’Enfer, “Cape of Hell.,” the only one of its kind in the entire province. From the Surprise Coast Highway, ‘Côte de Surprise,’ near the small fishing port of L’Anse-à-Beaufils, you can soak up a full view of Percé Bay and Quebec’s most popular attraction, Percé Rock, which rises dramatically from the Gulf waters.
Day 7
Perce
In the morning, explore the charming village of Percé, which was once the largest fishing port on the peninsula. Take a walk along the boardwalk that stretches along south beach, and then enjoy the bustle of activities in the village, lined with a wealth of restaurants and cafes, art studies and boutiques with colourful facades. Visit the geopark to admire the view of Perce from a glass platform that’s suspended 660 feet above ground. Afterward, join a discovery cruise to view Perce Rock up close, and the seabird sanctuary on Bonaventura Island, the most accessible northern gannet colony on the planet. Along the way, keep an eye out for the whales that can often be seen along the Gaspesie coast.
Day 8
Perce, QC- Parc De La Gaspesie (174 miles)
Today’s adventure will take you to the heart of the Gaspe Peninsula, with a stop at Forillon National Park with its rugged cliffs, pebble beaches and tranquil coves home to the area’s most prominent landmark, the lighthouse at Pointe-au-Pere National Historic Site. See the wild rose bushes in Cap-des-Rosiers, and stop for a lovely photo-op at Gros Morne. Overnight in Parc de la Gaspesie.
Day 9
Parc De La Gaspesie (78 miles)
Enjoy a full day at Parc de la Gaspesie, home to 25 mountains that are more than 3,300 feet high, and an abundance of wildlife, including a large moose population, caribou, wild-tailed deer and hundreds of bird species. Get out on the nearly 87 miles of hiking trails, take a guided nature tour, or paddle across the water in a canoe. Be sure to check out the exhibit at the Interpretation Centre, which is also a great place to pick up a souvenir and learn more about the park’s flora and fauna as well as its geological history.
Day 10
Parc De La Gaspesie - Matane, QC (77 miles)
It's just a short drive today to the Matane on a beautiful locatation on the St Lawrence estuary, where you can enjoy a relaxing day exploring the local area. Perhaps start at the lighthouse for some lovely views and then you can also visit the tourist office which is next door. You could also take a stroll around the pretty Jardins de Doris and later in the day visit the Wildlife Reserve where you may spot moose early evening.
Day 11
Matane - Saguenay, QC (237 miles)
First thing you'll be taking the ferry from Matane across the St Lawrence river, then its a beautiful a scenic drive to Saguenay. Lovely places to stop along the way are Tadoussac - a pretty whaling town and L'Anse-Saint-Jean, known for it's steep mountains that flank the town. Spectacular views of the Saguenay River can be found as well as local fieldstone and log architecture. Overnight in Saguenay
Day 12
Saguenay- Lac St. Jean, QC (79 miles)
On your way to Lac St. Jean, spend time exploring Saguenay Provincial Park, which protects land along the north and south shores of the 65-mile-long Saguenay Fjord. Witness the movement of icebergs that moulded these jaw-dropping landscapes and the fjord, and then learn more about its formation at the park’s interpretive centre.
Day 13
Lac St. Jean - Saint Alexis Des Monts, QC (169miles)
Your final two nights of the adventure will be spent in Saint-Alexis-des-Monts, with overnights at Lac à l'Eau Claire, where you’ll have access to a wide range of complementary activities like sailing and windsurfing on the picturesque lake, or just relaxing on the beach and enjoying the view. You can also choose to paddle the river in a canoe, take an ATV tour, golf or even an unforgettable seaplane flight.
Day 14
Saint Alexis Des Monts, QC
Enjoy a full day of outdoor activities at Lac a l'Eau Claire as your holiday comes to a close
Day 15
Saint Alexis Des Monts- Montreal (93 miles)
Today your self-drive holiday in Quebec comes to an end, you’ll head back to Montreal Trudeau International Airport to check in for your return flight.
