East Canada Road Trip
Itinerary
Days 1-3 – Canada’s Big Smoke
Toronto is known to be the most multiculturally diverse city in the world, and it’s the perfect place to start you Canada adventure! The city offers a lively harbour front, bustling streets and plenty of international charm. In addition to the buzz that comes from Toronto, the city also has a calm side where you can look for tranquillity on the water.
We’ve arranged a boat tour for you, with a flexible ticket along Lake Ontario where you’ll have plenty of fantastic views of the city skyline. You can get off at Centre Island for a walk or to hire a bike and cycle around. When you hit solid ground again, you can walk to the iconic CN tower or take a trip to St Lawrence Market and try some delicious local food.
Days 3-4 – Thundering Waters of Niagara Falls
Today you’ll make your own way to the airport in Toronto to pick up your rental car. From here you’ll make your way to Niagara-On-The-Lake to see the thundering falls. Your journey will take around 1.5 hours. You’ll spend 2 days at the famous Niagara Falls, staying in a cosy 130-year-old B&B. You’ll take a boat across the falls on the well-known ‘Hornblower’, formerly known as Maid of the Mist, sailing since 1846. Once you’ve hopped on the boat and been handed your blue poncho the boat will sail calmly towards the waterfall. You’ll have a view of the impressive and powerful waterfalls whilst hearing how and why these falls are so special. The closer you get, the less dry you are, and the sound of the thundering water gets louder and louder.
If you want to see the raging waterfalls in addition to the Hornblower Tour from a different perspective, then we recommend a walk behind the falls or walk to Table Rock Centre for a beautiful view over the Horseshoe Falls. Oh, and a top tip – after dinner, take a look at the waterfalls again in the evening – at night they become illuminated in many colours, and if you’re lucky you might even find a firework display there!
Days 4-6 – Wildlife & Wilderness of Algonquin
Next up you’ll head to the wilderness, your journey will take around 3.5 hours. Spend the next 3 days staying in a small, local style bed and breakfast, immersing yourself in the tranquillity of the Canadian wilderness. Algonquin National Park leaves you spoiled for choice, with over 20 well-signposted trails of varying lengths and difficulty levels. One moderate trail, known as the ‘Mizzy Lake’ is a beautiful path that leads through forests, lakes and gives you an excellent chance to see some diverse wildlife.
If you want to challenge yourself, you can take the ‘Booth’s Rock’ trial which follows an abandoned railway for breath-taking views of the sweeping lakes and forests. You can also explore the park the ‘Canadian way’, by joining a local guide on a 3-hour canoe tour, where you’ll explore the most scenic and stunning lakes in the park. Or if you’re feeling independent, you can rent canoes and explore the lakes your own way.
Days 6-7 – Elegant Ottawa
Swapping the Wilderness to Canada’s dynamic Capital, you’ll journey 4 hours to Ottawa. Once you’ve settled in, it’s time to discover the city. Get yourself to Parliament Hill and wander around the Peace Tower, or take a stop at the ByWard market, a perfect place for a bite to eat and browse the mini stalls featuring local arts and crafts. You’ll find plenty of bars and restaurants in the area, where you can spend your evening, some even overlooking the canal.
After breakfast the next day, you’ll board an amphibus (a bus that transforms into a boat) that’ll drive you by land and over water through the picturesque capital. The 1-hour journey takes you along a scenic, entertaining and educational journey, where you’ll learn about the unique history and see over 50 different significant sites that the city has to offer.
Days 7-9 – French Flavours of Quebec
Today you’ll head further East to Quebec City, the drive will take around 4.5 hours. The next few days will be spent exploring Quebec City, where French culture thrives. The day of your arrival is yours to explore, you can visit some of Quebec’s top sights, including the famous Museum of Civilisation and the Le Chateau Frontenac. After a night in your modern hotel located a 10 minute drive from Old Quebec, you’ll spend the afternoon dedicated to the history and cuisine of the city.
You’ll be joined with a guide discovering picturesque Old Quebec; immerse yourself into the city’s fascinating history along with your guide. You’ll stop at 4 different tasting places, that include ciders, ice cream and smoothie samples. On the third day, you’ll still have plenty of time this morning to explore, take a stroll to the historic harbour on the S. Lawrence river and hop on the ferry to enjoy the view of the city.
Days 9-11 – Whales of the Atlantic Coast
After your time in Quebec City, you’ll meander the 3.5-hour drive to Tadoussac. In Tadoussac, you’ll stay in the centre of the village, just a 5-minute walk from the beach and ferry terminal. The first day is free for you to explore, you can visit the marine centre that gives you excellent information on local sea creatures. There are also four different hiking paths that take you around the village, giving you the best chance of spying for whales at the shore.
The next day you’ll wake bright and early and head out into sea by Zodiac, a large rubber boat, in search of the whales living in the area. St Lawrence river is one of the best places in the world for whale watching, due to its rich waters, high production of phytoplankton and the fact that 13 species of whale can be found here! After the 2-hour trip is up, you’ll head back to shore. You can enjoy a coffee at the local café, and if you still have energy in the afternoon, make a trip to the Sand Dunes of Tadoussac, which is an ideal place for a walk on the beach along the fjord. You’ll spend another night at the hotel, before heading to your next destination.
Days 11-12 – Lighthouse on St. Lawrence
After spotting whales in the ocean, you’ll drive to Riviere-Du-Loup, where you’ll leave your car in a safe location and board a ferry to the island. Today you’ll make your way to Riviere-Du-Loup, on the banks of the St. Lawrence River where you’ll spend the night in a restored lighthouse. You’ll hop on a ferry to cross the water, leaving your car at the harbour and, with a little luck, you may even see a beluga whale swimming past. Once you arrive at the lighthouse, you’ll have the rest of the day to explore the island. There are plenty of hiking trails, some with views of the seals sunbathing below.
After discovering secluded coves you’ll return to your cosy accommodation for a tasty dinner at your unique accommodation. The next morning, take a stroll or relax at the lighthouse before catching the ferry back to the mainland in the afternoon to continue your Canadian adventure.
Days 12-14 – Magnifique Montreal
Today you’ll leave the island and drive 4.5 hours to your final destination, Montreal, where you’ll first drop your hire car off at the airport. You will arrive in one of the largest French-speaking cities in the world, Montreal. You’ll spend your first day exploring the city, you can take a trip to Mount Royal, located in the heart of the city, it’s a mountain that gives you breath-taking views of the skyscrapers in the city or adventure down the cobbled streets of Old Montreal. Your second day will include a guided bike tour. You’ll pass neighbourhoods, must-see attractions and the cities secret places, discovering the 400 plus years of history, architecture and urban vitality of the city. You’ll also stop at Montreal’s most famous bagel bakery, so you can see for yourself what all the hype is about. You’ll spend 2 nights in your cosy hotel.
Today it’s time to say goodbye to Canada and make your way to the airport to catch your flight home.
Accommodation
