Eastern Discovery

Let the adventure begin! Toronto is Canada’s largest city and one of the most cosmopolitan and multicultural cities in the world. Upon arrival at Toronto International Airport, make your way to your downtown hotel. Enroute, let the city on Lake Ontario welcome you to your great Eastern Canada adventure.

You have many transportation options for your trip, ranging from guided private transfers, driving on your own with a rental car, or sitting back as you accompany your group in a motorcoach. Whatever you choose, you can rest assured that Canadian Travel Partners will be there with you every step of the way.

We recommend to explore Toronto’s many highlights on a guided city tour, either by bus or in the company of a private guide. See the Parliament Building at Queen’s Park, the modern skyscrapers of the business district, the impressive Old and New City Hall buildings, Chinatown, Casa Loma, and the colourful Queen’s Quay Harbourfront. No visit would be complete without a visit to the most famous landmark and national icon, the 553 meter high CN Tower, the tallest free standing structure in the Western Hemisphere, and the World’s Tallest Building until 2007. Visit Toronto Island with lots of leisurely biking opportunities and voyage on a stunning ferry ride as you take in views of Toronto’s city skyline.

Distance: 265 km

Today you drive to Kingston. We recommend taking a scenic route through the rural Bay of Quinte region, known for its beautiful Sandbanks Provincial Park with dunes and sandy beaches. This region with its small villages and big farms is filled with many wineries and trendy culinary places.

Your overnight city awaits you in the historic and charming town of Kingston. Take a look at Canada’s historic roots with a visit to Fort Henry to experience 19th-century military and civilian life, musical performances, military demonstrations, and its museum.

Or take a scenic one-hour boat tour through the picturesque Thousand Islands, a myriad of small forested and rocky islands, surrounded by the waters of the St. Lawrence and Lake Ontario. 

Distance: 553 km

Today, is an intensive travel day as you head towards Quebec City. Travel along the beautiful northern shore of the St. Lawrence River, the scenic route Chemin du Roi follows through Trois-Rivières all the way to Quebec. Quebec is Canada’s oldest city that fascinates visitors with a distinct European heritage. It is the only walled city in North America, with restored old city gates, cobblestone streets, horse-drawn carriages and many well-kept 18th-century buildings.

Explore the many sights of Quebec City, take a guided walking tour with a local guide and see the Terasse Dufferin overlooking the St. Lawrence River, marvel at the impressive hotel Chateau Frontenac and visit the Old City with its Place Royal. In the afternoon, take a visit to the beautiful Montmorency Falls just outside of Quebec City. As a special and authentic culinary experience, we recommend to enjoy a typical maple sugar shack dinner with traditional musical entertainment.

Distance: 215 km

As you drive East towards Tadoussac, make sure you visit the historic Basillica St. Anne de Beaupre, or afterwards visit the scenic Canyon Sainte Anne which boasts a 74m high waterfall and 3 suspension bridges over its rocky canyon. Afterwards, carry on through the Charlevoix region towards Tadoussac. Along the way enjoy beautiful views of the St. Lawrence River, and visit villages like Baie St. Paul or La Malbaie as you enter the heart of Quebec culture with it’s quant villages and rustic charm. 

With a full day to explore Tadoussac and it’s surrounding area, we suggest starting the day with an amazing whale watching tour. Here you have the chance to see 13 different species of whales, and of course the most iconic type being Beluga whales. The town itself is beautiful and offers a rich history through its monuments and some education as well through the Marine Mammal Interpretation Centre. 

Distance: 251 km

Today you get to explore the beautiful Saguenay Fjord as you drive towards Saint-Félicien. The fjord was created 10,000 years ago during the last ice age by colossal glaciers. There are plenty of hiking trails that take you to the top of cliffs with beautiful vantage points, or you can explore the fjord from the water by renting kayaks. You can also explore the fjord or the scenic Lac Saint-Jean by boat on one of the many offered boat cruises. If you want to learn more about the marine life of this region, then visit the Musée du Fjord, and if you are curious what life was like in this region 100 years ago, then visit the Val-Jalbert Historical Village.

Distance: 173 km

A shorter driving time today allows you to see anything in the Saguenay area that you didn’t have time for the day before. We suggest also visiting the impressive Zoo Sauvage de Saint-Felicien. With a dedication to conservation and welfare, the zoo is host to over 80 species of different animals that get to live in large expansive enclosures. In the afternoon you travel through densely forested wilderness with over 150 lakes to the small community of La Tuque. Nearby is the Parc des Chutes de la Petite Rivière Bostonnais which is a small park that offers a walking trail and views of the beautiful waterfall.

Distance: 290 km

Today,  you travel to Montreal but not before visiting Trois Rivières, the second oldest city in Canada where an impressive number of historic buildings and monuments can be admired. Afterwards, travel west along the historic River Route to Montréal, the largest French-speaking city in North America. It’s a city of great diversity and vitality and the commercial pulse of Québecois culture.

Explore the many city highlights include McGill University, one of Canada’s oldest universities, St. Catherine Street, a shopping paradise, the Mount Royal, a beautiful mountain park within the city with its impressive St. Joseph’s Oratory, the twin-towered Notre Dame church, particularly famous for its richly decorated interior, the Biodome, a unique natural science museum housing several eco-systems under one roof, and the Montreal Tower, built for the 1976 Olympic Games.

Distance: 205km

Today you drive towards Ottawa, Canada’s capital.

In Montebello, visit the beautiful Omega Wildlife Park, a giant park that you can drive through and witness Canada’s most iconic animals as they roam freely through the park. Or visit the legendary Hotel Chateau Montebello, known for its refined cuisine and beautiful historic ambience.

From here it is only a short drive to the capital. A green city with a provincial charm, Ottawa is home to an impressive number of museums, galleries and parks. See the iconic Parliament buildings, walk along the picturesque Rideau Canal, and enjoy the “Changing of the Guards” ceremony during the summer months. Visit the Byward Market and visit the stunning National Museum of History across the Ottawa River in Hull.

Distance: 342 km

Leaving Ottawa, Follow the Route of the Voyageurs through the heart of Ontario’s wilderness as you travel towards the southern part of the Algonquin Park.

Shortly before leaving Ottawa, a possible adventure awaits if you opt to take a whitewater rafting trip on the Ottawa River, another truly Canadian wilderness experience.

As you continue West, stop for a short hike at the Visitor Centre at the Eastern gate of park before you continue your journey through deeply forested areas all the way to Huntsville.

Algonquin Park is a paradise for nature lovers and home to many hiking trails and waterways. It is also the perfect place to experience a truly iconic Canadian adventure to explore the Canadian wilderness on a scenic canoeing trip. Many outfitters in the park rent canoes or kayaks by the hour. For a more enhanced experience, we recommend to explore the park wilderness on a guided half-day trip. If you’re travelling with a small or large group, the voyageur canoes are a truly Canadian experience as you work together with up to 10 people in a canoe.

Distance: 390 km

Departing Huntsville, head to Midland and step back into history exploring the fascinating museum village Sainte-Marie among the Hurons, an impressive reconstruction of the first European settlement in Ontario.

Aftewards, continue on to Niagara Falls and experience one of the world’s great natural wonders. From the top of the Skylon Tower to the foot of the Horseshoe Falls, Niagara Falls is simply spectacular. Enjoy a Voyage to the Falls boat tour cruise to get up close as the powerful falls spray mist towards you, or marvel at the illuminated Falls at nighttime when everything shines in a special light. For a truly unique perspective, ask us about booking a helicopter flight.

Distance: 135 km

This morning, as you drive from Niagara Falls to Toronto, unfortunately your trip will be coming to an end. Let us know how we can assist you in your travels back home. We thank you for trusting us to plan your vacation, and hope we get the chance to show you more of Canada again soon!