Hiking, Kayaking, and Whale Watching in La Belle Provence

Discover Quebec

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Majestic Saguenay Fjord, where the fresh waters of the Saguenay River flow into the salty St. Lawrence River Estuary, is a phenomenally scenic setting of granite cliffs rising 1,500 feet from deep blue waters. Sixty miles long, the fjord is also a wonderland for wildlife—up to nine species of whales, including belugas, use it as their summer feeding grounds. On our active adventure, we explore on hikes, by sea kayak, and by Zodiac for thrilling whale watching. Along the way, we relish the intriguing history of French-speaking North America and the 400-year-old European heritage of beautiful Quebec, La Belle Provence. Our journey begins and ends in romantic Quebec City, one of the oldest cities in North America, founded in 1608 by the French explorer Champlain.

Below is an Itinerary-in-Brief. To view a complete Detailed Itinerary, Download Full Itinerary or Email our Area Specialist

Itinerary-in-Brief

Days 1-2
Quebec City / Saguenay Fjord / L’Anse St. Jean

From charming Quebec City, we head up to Quebec’s beautiful fjord country, stretching our legs en route with a hike in forested Sainte-Anne-du-Nord canyon. We enjoy an afternoon of spectacular sea kayaking in Saguenay Fjord, where the towering cliffs of Cap-Trinité soar a thousand feet above us from water’s edge (no previous kayaking experience is necessary). The only true fjord in North America, Saguenay has near-vertical walls of solid rock. The next day, a panoramic hike brings us along the cape and cliffs for grand views across the fjord. Our descent brings us back to the shores of the fjord at L’Anse St. Jean, one of “les plus beaux villages du Quebec” (“the prettiest villages in all Quebec”) for lunch in a charming rural bistro overlooking the fjord. Overnights are in the country hamlet of Petit-Saguenay on the shores of the fjord.

Day 3
Sea Kayaking / Tadoussac

By sea kayak, we explore the cobalt-blue waters of Saguenay Fjord crossing to Baie Ste. Marguerite, a sanctuary for belugas, where we hope to see these fabled white whales as well as seals and seabirds. In the afternoon we head to charming Tadoussac on the shores of the mighty St. Lawrence River. The St. Lawrence is six miles across here, a mix of fresh and salt water, making it a rich feeding ground for marine life. Each year from May to October, minke, finback, humpback, blue, and occasionally even sperm whales come to Tadoussac Bay’s waters to feed. Once a French trading post, Tadoussac is now a summer retreat and whale-watching center. We stay in the grand and historic Tadoussac Hotel, right on the shore.

Day 4
Whale Watching / Tadoussac

By Zodiac, we head out to see the whales that use this nutrient-rich region as their summer feeding grounds, with spectacular up-close viewings of minke and fin whales as they breach and sound. In the afternoon, we hike along the coast at Tadoussac Bay, enjoying glorious views of the river and fjord.

Days 5-6
Quebec City

Quebec City is an extraoardinary piece of old Europe in the New World. Our afternoon walking tour explores the cobbled streets of enchanting Vieux-Quebec, a World Heritage Site and the only walled city north of Mexico. The city sprawls across cliffs above the St. Lawrence River with fantastic panoramas from its promenade. Depart on Day 6.

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Tour Costs $2995 (11-12 members) $3195 (9-10 members) $3395 (6-8 members) Single supplement: $650 *Prices are for 2008 dates only **Airfare is not included in Tour Cost unless indicated

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