Québec Family Escape

DAY 1 | ARRIVAL IN MONTREAL

Arrival at Montreal’s Pierre-Elliott-Trudeau International Airport. Pick up your car (car rental not included) and transfer to your downtown hotel. Your travel itinerary will be waiting for you at the hotel reception. You’ll have the rest of the day to explore the city at your own pace. Discover the skyscrapers of the business district, the underground city, Sainte-Hélène and Notre-Dame islands, the Latin Quarter, Chinatown, Sainte-Catherine Street with its bustling commercial activity, Old Montreal, and Notre-Dame Basilica. Alternatively, take a trip to Mount Royal and its large park, known as “the mountain,” proudly standing in the heart of the city. There are plenty of options in this dynamic and cosmopolitan city. Accommodation in Montreal.

DAY 2 | MONTREAL TO SAINT-SAUVEUR (85 KM)

Family activities in Montreal are so varied and numerous that you’ll have trouble making choices! Two particularly interesting areas offer plenty to fill your days. You can take your family to explore the Espace pour la vie. Located in the east of the city, in the Olympic Park area where the Olympic Stadium and its famous inclined tower are located, Espace pour la vie brings together the largest concentration of natural science museums in Canada. From the natural beauty of one of the world’s largest botanical gardens to the newly redesigned ecosystems of the Biodôme, the fascinating world of insects at the Insectarium, and the splendors of the cosmos at the Rio Tinto Alcan Planetarium; you’ll discover the countless facets of nature on our planet… and beyond! Alternatively, you can spend the day at the Old Port of Montreal. Here you’ll find the Montreal Science Centre with its Imax cinema, the clock tower and beach, the Grande Roue, the starting point for several cruises on the river, a giant maze, Bonsecours Basin where you can rent a pedal boat, rental services for quadricycles, bikes, and Segways, an urban zip line, a climbing wall… and much more! In the late afternoon, head to the Laurentians, a beautiful region of mountains, lakes, and vast spaces, which has long been a premier resort area and one of the favorite playgrounds of Quebecers. Accommodation in Sainte-Adèle or Saint-Sauveur.

DAY 3 | SAINT-SAUVEUR

Today, take a stroll through the charming village of Saint-Sauveur. You’ll be charmed by its vitality and the variety of sports and cultural activities available: bike paths, a water park, a ropes course, art galleries. For shopping enthusiasts, head to the “outlets” right in the heart of the village to enjoy numerous bargains. You can also take the day to head north in the region, towards the tourist resort of Mont-Tremblant. Explore the picturesque pedestrian village at the foot of Mont Tremblant, ride to the summit aboard the panoramic gondola to discover breathtaking landscapes. Accommodation in Saint-Sauveur.

DAY 4 | SAINT-SAUVEUR TO SAINTE-ÉMILIE DE L’ÉNERGIE (85 KM TO 110 KM)

Today, you’ll head towards the beautiful Lanaudière region. With its vast and wild open spaces, numerous lakes and rivers, waterfalls and cascades, plains and mountains, the region is undoubtedly an outdoor paradise! You’ll stay for two nights surrounded by nature at the Auberge du Vieux-Moulin. You’ll be charmed by its warm welcome and high-quality, comfortable, and colorful accommodation, where you’ll feel right at home. While the kids have fun on the playground or in the lake on the giant trampoline, you can relax on the beach. Dinner1 included. Accommodation in Sainte-Émélie-de-l’Énergie.

DAY 5 | SAINTE-ÉMILIE DE L’ÉNERGIE

Many activities will be available to you to fully enjoy your day at the Auberge du Vieux-Moulin. You’ll have the choice among swimming in the lake or indoor pool, mountain biking, canoeing, pedal boating, rowing, or kayaking, hiking in nature, volleyball, pétanque, cricket, badminton, or horseshoes, relaxing in the hot tub or sauna. Other paid activities ($) will also be offered on-site: relaxation or spa treatments, quad biking, trout fishing, horseback riding, jet ski rental, etc. From morning to night, you’ll find plenty of activities for the whole family! Breakfast and dinner1 included. Accommodation at Auberge du Vieux-Moulin.

DAY 6 | FROM SAINTE-ÉMILIE DE L’ÉNERGIE TO SAINTE-CATHERINE DE LA JACQUES-CARTIER OR VALCARTIER (210 KM TO 275 KM)

Breakfast. Leaving Lanaudière, you will partly cross the Mauricie region, pass through the city of Trois-Rivières and the Chemin du Roy if you wish, and follow the Saint Lawrence River to reach your next destination. Accompanied by children, you won’t be able to resist planning a day at the Village Vacances de Valcartier. The outdoor water park boasts nearly 35 water slides, 2 themed rivers, wave pools, beach volleyball, and entertainment. There is also the Bora Parc, a vast indoor water park annexed to the Valcartier Hotel. Accommodation in Sainte-Catherine-de-la-Jacques-Cartier or Valcartier.

DAY 7 | SAINTE-CATHERINE DE LA JACQUES-CARTIER OR VALCARTIER (210 KM TO 275 KM)

Whether you have chosen accommodation in ready-to-camp at the park or not for your stay, exploring the Jacques-Cartier National Park deserves at least one day. The park hides one of the most beautiful glacial valleys in Quebec. The valley has a drop of over 550 meters where a river winds, sometimes calm, sometimes turbulent. On the high plateaus, coniferous forests dominate, while hardwoods settle in the bottom of the steep valleys. You will surely find inspiring nature here, exuding peace. A variety of activities are offered in the park, for free practice or guided excursions or workshops, ensured by quality equipment and infrastructure. Accommodation in Sainte-Catherine-de-la-Jacques-Cartier or Valcartier.

DAY 8 | SAINTE-CATHERINE DE LA JACQUES-CARTIER OR VALCARTIER TO SAINT-FÉLICIEN (280 KM TO 295 KM)

Today you enter the Lac Saint-Jean region. The lake itself is a true inland sea of ​​1350 km², surrounded by agricultural lands. Play amateur speleologists at the Parc de la caverne du Trou de la fée; relive the era of the first trading post of Métabetchouane in 1676, a time when everything was to be discovered, explored, and built. A visit (included) to the Saint-Félicien Wildlife Zoo is a must. You can observe several animal species from the Boreal region there. On board a caged ride train, you travel through the Parc des sentiers de la nature. Comfortably seated and safely, you can then see several animals in semi-freedom, feeding, walking, resting, such as wolves, bison, muskoxen, black bears, and moose. Don’t miss the walking part of the zoo, which offers integration with boreal biodiversity and consists of six sectors: the Arctic, Asia, mixed forest, Mongolia, mountain, and small farm. Accommodation in Saint-Félicien.

DAY 9 | SAINT-FÉLICIEN TO SACRÉ-COEUR (235 KM)

In the Saguenay region, several producers open their doors to the public to pick juicy field strawberries, raspberries, or blueberries that make the region famous. In fact, the inhabitants of Lac-Saint-Jean are affectionately nicknamed “The Blueberries”. In season, it’s a fun family activity. You will then access the spectacular Saguenay Fjord, one of the longest in the world, but also the most southern. It presents an ecosystem of unique complexity and diversity in the world. Rocky cliffs up to 457 meters high plunge into the dark waters of the fjord. It’s a fantastic place to observe whales and marine life in the region. Allow yourself a little detour to visit the Fjord Museum, which will reveal to you the importance of the natural and historical heritage of this fjord, or plan a black bear observation activity at Okwari Aventures. Then head to Sacré-Cœur at Ferme 5 Étoiles. Located about fifteen minutes from Tadoussac, on the north shore of the fjord, the farm is a real vacation center, nestled in the middle of a wooded area. Accommodation in Sacré-Cœur.

ENJOY YOURSELF
Black bear observation at Okwari
Aventures Fjord Museum

DAY 10 | SACRÉ-COEUR

This morning, you will participate in animal care, a unique and essential experience. Accompanied by a guide for over an hour, you will feed the animals and be involved in the farm’s daily tasks. The privileged contact you will have with the animals guarantees beautiful moments with the children. The rest of the day will be free to enjoy the activities available on-site. You can cool off with a swim in the pool, explore the surrounding hiking trails, or visit the many animals on-site that you had the chance to encounter in the morning during your participation in animal care. Other paid activities ($) will also be offered on-site: whale watching cruise by boat or zodiac, sea kayaking on the fjord, ATV, wolf encounter, black bear observation, horseback riding, and massage therapy. Accommodation in Sacré-Cœur.

DAY 11 | SACRÉ-CŒUR TO QUEBEC – EXCURSION IN CHARLEVOIX (230 KM)

Leaving the Saguenay region to reach Quebec, you will cross the beautiful Charlevoix region, which combines culture and nature. For decades, the beauty of the landscapes has attracted many painters and artists of all kinds, and the number of art galleries and shops found there testifies to this. The region is a mine of opportunities for discovering and tasting Quebec’s local products, and there are many offers to visit local producers. Charlevoix also has two spectacular national parks that are definitely worth a visit: Parc national des Hautes-Gorges-de-la-Rivière-Malbaie and Parc national des Grands-Jardins. Parc des Hautes-Gorges has the privilege of being one of the central areas of the Charlevoix Biosphere Reserve. The deeply carved valleys in the high mountains, the beauty of the landscapes, and the particular course of the Malbaie River make this site enchanting. Accommodation in Quebec.

ENJOY YOURSELF
Self-guided kayak descent Discovery cruise at Parc national des Hautes-Gorges-de-la-Rivière-Malbaie

DAY 12 | QUEBEC

Québec City, the capital of the province and a jewel of UNESCO World Heritage, has much to offer. Its main historical sites include the Plains of Abraham, the ramparts, Place Royale, the Citadel, and the Petit Champlain district. You will enjoy strolling on the Dufferin Terrace, a bustling spot. Let yourself be charmed by the streets and alleys of Old Quebec, with its undeniable charm, and take the ferry to Lévis, simply to enjoy an exceptional view of Cap Diamant and the Château Frontenac. Or, take a trip to Parc de la Chute-Montmorency or Canyon Sainte-Anne. These two sites house impressive waterfalls, which can be pleasantly visited on foot along trails and viewpoints, but also offer soft adventure experiences such as zip lining.

ENJOY YOURSELF
Canyon Sainte-Anne Zip lining at Parc de la Chute-Montmorency
Guided tour of the Citadel of Quebec and museum admission

DAY 13 | QUEBEC TO MONTREAL / END OF PROGRAM (225 KM)

Departure for Montreal’s Pierre-Elliott-Trudeau International Airport for your return flight.

ENJOY YOURSELF
Extend your stay…

Add an extension: Thousand Islands and Niagara Falls, Southern Quebec, or Authentic Quebec Add one or more nights in Montreal at the beginning or end of the program.