Compare Charms of Charlevoix: Québec Self-Drive by Audley Travel vs Canadian Rockies by Train by Tours of Distinction
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| Trip |
5 | Excellent
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5 | Excellent
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| Duration | 11 days | 7 days |
| Price From | $ 2,894 | $ 3,700 |
| Price Per Day | $ 263 | $ 529 |
| Highlights |
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| Trip Style | Private guided tour | Small group tour |
| Lodging Level | Standard | Premium |
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| Flights & Transport | Ground transport included | Ground transport included |
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| Meals Included | N/A |
6 Breakfasts, 5 Dinners |
| Description |
Bear watching in coastal rainforests, glacier-strewn mountains, chasing the northern lights… On a tailor-made holiday to Canada with Audley, you’ll see the highlights — and much more — your way. We’ll design your ideal trip with you, paying close attention to your interests, your travel style and your budget. Our Canada specialists know the country inside out and can lead you to experiences you won’t find in a guidebook. |
A leisurely journey that traverses the dramatic beauty of the Canadian Rockies – tour snow covered mountain peaks glisten amid glacier blue lakes where ever present wildlife roams free. Ride a “snow coach” to a glacier, cruise on a crystal clear lake, and take a quiet water raft trip to watch the pristine landscape glide by. Alpine villages, ice-fields, pounding waterfalls, and the great outdoors… await. |
Day 1 : Québec City
Today you begin your journey by boarding your international outbound flight to Québec City. On arrival in Québec City make your own way to your downtown hotel. The remainder of the day is free to relax.
Day 2 : Québec City
Begin your day with a small group guided walking tour of Québec City's highlights, including its walled Old Town, Citadel and Place Royale. You'll have the rest of the afternoon at leisure to continue exploring the city's winding cobbled streets and scenic viewpoints.
Day 3 : Québec City
Enjoy a full day at leisure in Québec City; we recommend taking a scenic cruise along the St Lawrence River, learning more about Québec's history at the Plains of Abraham, or visiting the impressive Musée national des beaux-arts.
Day 4 : Baie St Paul
Make your own way to Québec City airport, where your hire car will be ready and waiting for you. Your car hire package includes all insurances and a GPS navigation system.Departing the city, pass the mighty Montmorency Falls as you follow the ever widening St. Lawrence River towards welcoming Baie St Paul, in the heart of Québec's picturesque Charlevoix region. You may wish to stop and admire the magnificent Basilica at Ste. Anne de Beaupré en route.
Day 5 : Baie St Paul
Enjoy the day exploring the delightful town of Baie St Paul, or drive out to the nearby Parc National des Hautes Gorges de la Riviere Malbaie.
Day 6 : Tadoussac
Travel from Baie St Paul northwards to Baie Sainte Catherine, where you take the short ferry crossing the mouth of the Saguenay Fjord to Tadoussac.
Day 7 : Tadoussac
Join a thrilling 2 and a half hour whale watching trip in the St. Lawrence River - this is one of the best places in Canada to observe humpback, minke, beluga and blue whales. Watch and listen as these magnificent mammals spout water and breech the surface.
Day 8 : Chambord
Leaving the mighty St. Lawrence River behind, travel inland following the beautiful Saguenay Fjord. You may wish to visit the Site de la Nouvelle France, the place where Samuel de Champlain first landed in 1509. Your destination is Chambord, a little village that lies on the shores of Lac Saint Jean.
Day 9 : Chambord
The claim to fame of this little village is the reconstruction of the 1920s village of Val Jalbert. Here you can wander around the reconstructed houses, village shops, church and school and learn about the former inhabitants and the lives they led here. You may also wish to drive along the shore of Lac Saint Jean to visit the highly reputed zoo at Saint Felicien.
Day 10 : International return flight
Today, drive through the large expanse of the Laurentides Wildlife Reserve, keeping a look out for moose, black bears and white tailed deer. This route takes you past the beautiful Jacques Cartier National Park which is a great place to break your journey back to Québec City. Drop off your hire car at the airport prior to boarding your onward flight.
Day 11 : International return flight
Arrive home today to complete your journey.
Day 1 - Arrive Vancouver, Canada
Transfer to the airport for your flight to Vancouver. Upon arrival, we check into our hotel for an overnight stay, then enjoy a welcome dinner at a local restaurant. (D)
Day 2 - Vancouver - Kamloops, BC
We begin our day with a city tour of Vancouver which includes the beautiful Stanley Park, Chinatown, Gastown including the world famous steam-powered clock, the 2010 Olympic torch and village. In the Afternoon we journey to Kamloops, BC and check into our hotel for the night. (B, D)
Day 3 - Rocky Mountains
This morning its all-aboard VIA Rail Canada as we depart Kamloops bound for Jasper. Our relaxing daytime journey will take us past snowcapped mountains, glacial lakes, rushing rivers, and perfectly pristine Canadian wilderness, “oh what a journey!” Our train arrives in Jasper late afternoon, we check in our hotel for a two night stay. (B, D)
Day 4 - Jasper
Oh! What a day we have today! To start- we begin with a very mild float/rafting tour on the Athabasca River, the same route once used by “Fur Traders” years ago. Our adventure continues, this afternoon as we take a walk into Maligne Canyon to enjoy its natural beauty. Then it’s on to Maligne Lake for a relaxing cruise and a brief stop at “Sprite Island”. This evening after dinner we embark on a wildlife safari in search of Moose, Bear and Caribou. (B,D)
Day 5 - Jasper - Banff, AB
Our journey today will take us south on the Columbia Icefields Parkway…with snowcapped mountains and rushing rivers, impressive cliffs – this is truly one of Canada’s most scenic motorways. We stop at Athabasca Falls to wonder at the sheer beauty and power. Then we to board our special “snowcoach” for a ride onto the glacier where you will be able to get out and walk around atop a glacier. After our snow coach ride we continue on the Icefields Parkway always being on the lookout for wildlife as we make our way to visit Bow Falls and Peyto Lake. Today’s journey ends as we check into our hotel for a 2-night stay. (B)
Day 6 - Banff
Banff and the best of Yoho National Park . Today we will visit Moraine and Emerald Lakes both beautiful and different. We take a walk to the Lower Johnson Canyon Waterfall - what a sight! No visit would be complete without a stop at Lake Louise where we will have the opportunity to walk the paved path along the edge of the lake, relax on one of the many benches and savior the peaceful beauty. Return to Banff by mid-afternoon remainder of the day to explore on your own. This evening we gather for our farewell dinner. (B, D)
Day 7 - Depart Banff
Our adventure comes to a close this morning as we transfer to Calgary Airport for our homebound flight. The tour is over but the memories are yours to keep! (B)
