Quebec, Hiking Paradise

Unbowed rocky caps at the vertical of the Saguenay Fjord, rorquals and belugas (whales) in the St. Lawrence, Montreal and their Supper club... So many moments which make The Belle Province unforgettable!

Day 1/ Arrival in Montreal
Day 2/ Montreal - Baie Saint Paul (Saint Paul's Bay)
Day 3/ Parc des Grands Jardins (Great Gardens park)
Day 4/ Montagne blanche (White Mountain 1,870 feet)
Day 5/ Tadoussac: a date with the Whales on Saint Lawrence's river
Day 6/ Cap de la Boule
Day 7/ Hautes-Gorges National Park (The high gorges of Malbaie River)
Day 8/ Cap Tourmente National Wildlife Reserve (Cape Tempest)
Day 9/ Parc de la Jacques-Cartier, Montréal
Day 10/ Visit Montreal, depart from Montreal

Quebec abounds with landscapes to discover. Its shaded spruce woods, which are like a playground to black bears, depict a vivid contrast with the blazing red of its maple trees, as with the silver of its lingering lichen. The latter is found at heights, where you can eat those blueberries which Quebec is so famous for, and maybe catch a glimpse of Caribou. Quebec is also a region of lakes and rivers. Saint Lawrence's river is so impressive that it is sometimes mistaken for the Ocean. Its waters are like a summer house for whales, rorquals and seals, and we will pay them a visit during our tour. We will visit the French city of Quebec and then start on a memorable journey where nature and French-Canada make a unique portrait.
Our journey comes to an end in Montreal, where the mix between American and French culture can be surprising.

Day 1/ Arrival in Montreal
Arrival in Montreal during the day; meet and check in at the Inn, "Hotel Jardin d'Antoine", located in the famous Quartier latin, the heart of French Montréal. First glance at the city and first supper .

Day 2/ Montreal - Baie Saint Paul (Saint Paul's Bay)
Heading to Saint Paul Bay, at about 50 miles East from Quebec, by going along the north shore of Saint-Lawrence's river, in the Charlevoix area. Right in front of the little Ile aux Coudres, this village is a muse for many artists and painters. Night in the village in prestigious Inn, "Auberge grande maison".

Day 3/ Parc des Grands Jardins (Great Gardens park)
We visit and walk through the Great Gardens park, a perfect sample of Quebec's Northern forest, with its wildlife (caribous, wolves) and its subarctic flora. Hiking in Swan's lake mountain (3 150 feet) where we can embrace the view of Saint Paul's Bay valley, of Saint Lawrence's river, and of a landscape created by a meteor impact. Heading to Anse Saint Jean (124 miles). Night spent in chalet, "Gîte du Fjord".
Ascent 1,968 feet - 4 to 5 H walk

Day 4/ Montagne blanche (White Mountain) (1870 feet)
We are in Saguenay Park to climb the highest point of the area, from where we can see the Saguenay river's fjord and the small village of Saint John's cove down below. Night spent in chalet, "Gîte du Fjord".
Ascent 1,968 feet - 6 H walk

Day 5/ Tadoussac: A date with Whales on Saint Lawrence's river
Heading to Tadoussac (2 hours on the road). Zodiac boat outing to meet the whales (3 hours). Hump-back whales, blue whales, mink whales, fin whales, belugas, and many others (a total of 13 different cetacean species) stuff their bellies with plankton all summer long in the cold waters of the Saint Lawrence river. An experience you will never forget!
Optional visit of the Interpretation Center of Marine Mammals (extra-fee).
Rest for the night at 4 stars, Hotel Tadoussac.

Day 6/ Cap de la Boule
Hiking in the Fjord from Cap de la Boule (Bowl Capel) to Tadoussac. This road is known as one of Quebec's most beautiful trails... Night at the same Hotel.
Ascent 1,772 feet - 5 H walk.

Day 7/ Hautes-Gorges National Park (The high gorges of the Malbaie River)
Head to St-Aimé des Lacs, then on to the High gorges of Malbaie River park, at the heart of the Charlevoix Biosphere Reserve. This trail takes us from elm woods to mountain tundra as we can gaze at breathtaking views of the Malbaie river. Night in an inn located in the wilderness, "Auberge le Relais". The chef is well known all over the province of Québec for his great talent and will be pleased to serve you!
Ascent 2,296 feet - 6 hours walking

Day 8/ Cap Tourmente National Wildlife Reserve (Cape Tempest)
Head to Cap Tourmente National Wildlife Reserve. The bulrush of the Saint Lawrence's tidal marsh is a favored dwelling for the unique worldwide population of the greater snow geese that we will be able to observe during their time of migration (October). From the tidal marsh and the Cliff observatory, we will bird watch (mainly waterfowl and species of forest birds). We spend the night in Quebec city at an eco-hotel where the profits go to a international fair trade organization, "Auberge l'Autre Jardin".
Ascent 1,837 feet - 3 to 4 H walk

Day 9/ Parc de la Jacques-Cartier
Exploration of the Parc National de la Jacques-Cartier (25 miles north of Quebec) which used to belong to the Parc des Laurentides. Strolling in the woods, we might hear the moose's cry. We spend the night in Quebec in the same accommodation.
3 to 4 H walk

Day 10/ Montréal..., depart
Transfer to Montreal (3 hours on the road). Arrival at Montreal early afternoon.
Free time in Montreal before your flight back home.
Depending on your return flight, one of many suggestions would be to visit the Biodome. This natural science museum gathered living species, plants and animals, of four ecosystems: the Tropical Forest, the Laurentian Forest, the St. Lawrence marine and the Antartic and Artic world. It is worth to mention that we traveled through two of those ecosystems during our journey.

Note: your international flight must take off after 5pm. If scheduled earlier, you have to spend one more night in Montreal.

- The walking time schedules are given only as an estimate.
- For different reasons involving trip organization, daily schedules and planned altitude gains (ascent or descent) may be modified without any prior notice.

All of your belongings will be divided into two bags: a back-pack that you will be carrying while walking, and a traveling bag that will be carried by the logistics team following us.

An experienced Mountain World Travel English speaking professional guide, passionate by this beautiful province.

Ground transportation by large air conditioned private van, driven by a driver/guide.

Prestigious Hotels and Inns, Chalets.
Due to our goal of providing quality accommodations, we seek charming and reputable places located in the middle of the most beautiful landscapes, on the most beautiful view-points or close to the departure of the excursions.
We choose these hotels and lodges, not only for the excellent price/quality ratio, but also for their cordiality and hospitality.

The names of accommodations (hotels, lodges, etc...) when they are indicated, are only indicative.
Depending on availability, accommodations (hotels/Lodges, etc...) may be replaced by another equivalent type.
It is possible that accommodations may change without prior notice due to a number of factors.

Breakfast and dinner taken at the accommodation or in other restaurant
Lunch, as a picnic, taken on site or lunch in restaurant depending on the day and circumstances.

Although we are an experienced adventure travel company doing our best to respect the itinerary schedule as presented on this detailed itinerary, there is always the possibility that we may need to modify it for different reasons beyond our control. Please read the Registration Conditions: Terms and Booking conditions - Limitations of Liability.

• International flights in/out Montreal
• Transfer airport - hotel round trip in Montreal
• All services mentioned in Services +/extensions /options
• Personal medical & Travel Insurance
• All items not expressively mentioned in "What's included".

• Drinks
• Personal expenses
• All items not expressively mentioned in ‘What’s included”

As airfare is NOT included in our adventures, please check if your trip is "a guaranteed departure" before confirming your own airline travel arrangements. You can check your trip status at the Mountain World Travel website or contact the Mountain World Travel office at 1 888-MWT-TREK (698-8735).

Our preferred airlines to fly to Montreal:
-      Air Canada
-      all the American airlines.

Formalities for US, Canada, Australia, NZ passports travelers: a valid passport.
For US citizens, please check with
US Government Travel Entry Exit Requirements
For other nationalities, please contact the Canadian embassy of your country.

Vaccines
No vaccine is obligatory. We advise you, however, to be up date for traditional vaccinations: Diphtheria - Tetanus - Poliomyelitis, Typhoid fever. Vaccination against hepatitis A and B is recommended.

Dentist and doctor
A check up before departure is recommended.

Our advice
Although present in Canada from June 15th to mid-August, mosquitoes are less numerous than in Lapland or in Alaska and they do not carry any disease. Your guide will advise you upon your arrival of the most effective products to buy on the spot.

LEVEL 2
2 months prior:  Hike 7 to 9 miles every weekend or on two consecutive days.  

Basic equipment
- A warm fleece hat
- A cap or a hat to protect from the sun
- Sun glasses (minimum index 3 or 4 for high mountain)
- Thermal top and bottom, short and long) underwear (fast drying).
- Fleece turtle neck top
- A warm fleece jacket (light weight/well insulated).
- A waterproof/breathable shell jacket (Gore-Tex).
- A pair of gloves
- A rain poncho
- Hiking shorts
- Lightweight hiking long pants
- A Camelback or a water bottle.

Shoes and technical material
- Hiking socks
- Light ventilated hiking shoes with a good traction on different type of terrain, for people with fragile ankles: waterproof ankle hiking boots and a sole offering good traction.
- A pair of telescopic walking poles

Luggage
- A back pack equipped with broad straps, with an adjustable anatomical back reinforcement, and a capacity of 7 to 9 gallons, for your daily belongings
- A soft travel bag, which can hold between 18 to 23 gallons that will be transported by the porter team or by vehicle during the day.

Miscellaneous
- A change of clothes.
- A pair of replacement shoe laces
- A dop-kit and a bath towel.
- Toilet paper.
- A pocket knife (not in carry on luggage).
- Some plastic bags to protect your belongings.
- A bathing suit.
- A small pocket anti-theft protection device, to always keep on yourself, along with your identity papers, money, certificate of insurance.

 
Some advice
During your flight your back pack should contain fragile and useful items that you might need while on the plane (camera, memory cards, jacket, books, magazines, medication, dop-kit etc).