Welcome to Hooked on Walking holidays and our wonderful fly drive hike holiday in Quebec. Come with Hooked on Walking to travel in the most beautiful regions of the province of Quebec. The adventure begins in Montreal and then up to Québec city, the only fortified city in North America. We then head out into the charming Charlevoix region for hikes and discoveries. Then the Lac Saint Jean region, where wilderness and everlasting forests are kings! Visit the Saguenay fjord, sail with the whales in Tadoussac and learn about these sea mammals at the interpretive center of Grande Bergeronne. All this in Québec’s French charm and beauty. Along the way natural parks and fauna reserves will greet you and please you with everlasting nature. Welcome to Quebec region and this fabulous province.

Daily departures from June 1st to September 30th 2007
13 days / 12 nights
Fly-Drive-Hike - level 2
Québec / Charlevoix / Lac Saint Jean

Hiking Highlights
- Discovery of Québec’s nature
- Cruise - Whale watching
- Visit of the Grands Jardins
- Hike in Parc des Hautes Gorges
- Hike in Saguenay park
- Visit of the lac Saint Jean region
- Visit of the Saguenay Fjord
- Montreal and Quebec City

Day 1: Arrival in Montreal
Most UK-Montreal flights arrive in the mid-afternoon. Pick up your rental car and transfer to your downtown Montreal hotel.

Day 2: Trip to Québec city / visit.
After a hearty breakfast, we head East to the beautiful city of Québec, a monument to North-American history, perched high above Cap Diamant and overlooking the Saint-Lawrence River. Having prospered as a fur trade outpost in the early 1600's, Quebec City now has a dynamic port, a thriving research and technology sector and is home to the Provincial Parliament, which is well worth the visit. The Old Town has been designated as a UNESCO heritage site in 1985 and is the only fortified city in North America. Choose your own restaurant and spend a night out on the town. Overnight in a Quebec City hotel. Drive 162 miles 260km

Day 3: Hiking sentier des Caps / Baie Saint Paul.
A short drive east takes you to the Charlevoix region. As we set foot in Charlevoix, we understand why it has attracted so many artists. The landscape of this region is overwhelming. Stop today at Sentiers des Caps de Charlevoix for a great hike overlooking the Saint Lawrence river. In May and September, wild geese stop here while migrating. You can actually observe more then 200000 of them! Even in summer, when geese are not around, the views and beauty of this landscape will astonish you. Transfer to Baie Saint Paul a quiet village full of boutiques and art galleries. The artists of the region are all inspired by the beauties that nature has given them. Restaurants and terraces are all very welcoming. Night in a local B&B.
Hike: 8 km – 2.5 hours – 250 M. elevation gain Drive 93 miles 150 km

Day 4: Baie Saint Paul to Grand Jardins Park.
Transfer from Baie Saint Paul into Grands Jardin Park. Upon arrival the beauty of this park shows the real back country of Charlevoix. We ascend Mont du Lac des Cygnes and spend a good part of the day on its summit, from where we overlook the Charlevoix region in its entirety. Upon our return later in the day, take some time off to relax, set out on the lake or try your luck trout fishing. Other hikes of different levels are available.
(Also look into visiting Parc des Hautes Gorges for some canoeing and Hiking)
Night at the same B&B.
Hike: 12 km / 3.5 Hours – 480 m elevation gain.
Drive 22 miles 35 km

Day 5: Baie Saint Paul to Hautes-Gorges Park.
From Baie Saint-Paul transfer into Grand Jardins sister park, Le Parc des Hautes Gorges. The park features one of the most impressive valleys in Québec, where the Malbaie river meanders slowly between the highest vertical rock faces in Canada east of the rockies.
The park is a genuine ecological treasure, with a grove of maples and elms in a northern location that should be dominated by spruce and fir, and a clear stratification of vegetation noticeable on some hiking trails. Most types of forest found across Québec are encountered here, within 5 km of each other, as the altitude rises by 800m. We suggest the hike of L’Acropole des Draveurs! Optional excursions are a cruise on the Malbaie river. Their are also canoes, sea kayaks and mountain bikes for hire. 20$ a day. At the end of the day, check-in a local B&B located not too far from the park.
Hike:11 km – 4 hours – 600 m elevation gain
Drive 46 miles 75 km

Day 6-7: Hautes-Gorges Park to Saguenay park.
Transfer to Baie Éternité, the entrance to Saguenay park wonders. The Saguenay fjord is a valley gouged by glaciers where the sea rushed in. Eons ago huge glaciers furrowed the entire surface of the globe creating a contrast of relief of deep rivers that flow at the bottom of abrupt cliffs and numerous bays and coves. When it reaches St.Fulgence the Saguenay river changes into a fjord that is 100 kilometers in length. It has an average width of 2 kilometres and reaches depths of close to 270 meters in places. The fresh and relatively warm surface water virtually glides over a deeper, much colder Artic layer that produces impressive natural phenomena. From this area it is possible to attack numerous hikes from 1 hour to 8 hours. The Rivière Éternité park welcome office can direct hikers to the best spots, depending on desired landscapes and observations. Nights will be spent in local B&B!
We have prepared hike suggestions:
Day 6: 8 km / 2.5 hours / 200 m
Day 7: 15 km / 6 hours / 450 M
Drive 92 miles 150 km

Day 08: Chicoutimi / Lac Saint Jean / Saguenay Fjord.
From Baie Éternité the transfer up to lac Saint Jean is quite quick! People in this region are known for there great charm and hospitality. Visit Chicoutimi a quiet town on the banks of the Saguenay fjord. Then head to Saint Fulgence for a visit of the bird sanctuary, before choosing an exciting activity such as sea kayaking, hiking, fishing or relaxing. Night in Saint Fulgence at a local Inn.
Suggested hiking: 8 km , Sea kayaking: 10 km
Drive 44 miles 70km

Day 09: Parc des Monts Valins / Parc du Cap Jaseux.
From the inn, it’s a 5 minute drive into Parc des Monts Valins. Discover the remoteness by going on the Fantom valley hike. Another option is to stay around the fjord and visit Cap Jaseux Park. The Saguenay fjord opens into a wonderful picture of dramatic landscapes and pure beauty. Return to the inn in the afternoon. How about a dinner in Sainte Rose du Nord, a beautifull quiet little village in the middle of the fjord.
Hike: 12 km – 3.5 hours – 425 m elevation gain.
Drive 14 miles 25 km

Day 10: Transfer to Tadoussac.
From Saint Fulgence, we head south along the fjord towards Tadoussac. Along the way stops at Sainte Rose du Nord, Sainte Marguerite – to observe Beluga ( when possible), stop in Sacré Coeur and then arrive in Tadoussac. We suggest a visit of this village which was the first fur trading post in North America. The highlight in Tadoussac is really the Whales. We suggest you head to Grande Bergeronne for a visit at the whale interpretive center. Night in a local B&B in Grande Bergeronne.
Drive 46 miles 75 km

Day 11: Tadoussac.
Whale watching at it’s best. Hop on a zodiac or bigger boat for an incredible observation of the Saint Lawrence whales. Free time in the afternoon. Night in B&B.

Day 12: Tadoussac / Québec city
Early in the morning, we'll descend upon Quebec City. Free time in the animated and cheerful streets. Night in local hotel.
Drive 156 miles 250 km

Day 13: Québec city / Montreal
Transfer from Québec to Montreal , extend your stay maybe head to the Gaspe Peninsular or south to the Eastern Townships
Drive 162 miles 250 km

An additional night in Montreal can be provided , see price table below.
Accommodation:
N1: Hotel downtown Montreal
N2: Inn or B&B in Québec.
N3-4 : Inn or B&B in Baie Saint Paul
N5: Inn or B&B near Hautes Gorges
N6-7: Inn or B&B near Saguenay park
N8-9: Inn or B&B in Saint Fulgence.
N10-11: Inn or B&B in Grande Bergeronne.
N12 : Inn or B&B in Québec.

Prices 2008

How to get there
British Airways, daily non-stop from London Heathrow
- Air Canada, twice daily non-stop from London Heathrow in the summer (May to October) and once daily in the winter
- KLM, daily non-stop from Amsterdam Schipol, with excellent connections from various UK regional airports
- Thomas Cook Airlines weekly from London Gatwick & Manchester from May to October
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