HELENE’S TRIP

TO QUEBEC, CANADA

15 NIGHTS/7 STOPS

Majestic Lakes, Breath-Taking Landscapes, and Pristine Wildlife.

Helene created a beautifully 15-day family road trip with 7 stops for her husband, their twin boys Edouard and Cedric , and their daughter Julie in August. The purpose of this trip was to discover natural parks, the wildlife and the countless lakes while avoiding touristy paths. They wanted to experience Quebec’s pristine locations and hike in the magnificent surroundings. To compliment their time in the wilderness, their last destination was in Quebec City. Unique locations, road trip, authenticity and minimum comfort were key points when planning this 1,600 km road trip. They stayed an average of two to three nights per location and spent 24 hours on the road in total. Their budget for the whole trip was around $ 1900 per person for 15 nights (excluded food and activities).

15 nights and 7 stops
$$
1600 km
from May to October
road trip & nature discovery

ours

ours

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Trois-rivieres

trois-riv2

riviere1

quebec lac

gr jardins1

bleuets

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baleine

Matane

Rimouski

quebec city

Photo ©helenedwds

ABOUT HELENE: Hélène is from Belgium. She has three children, two twin boys and a daughter. Her passions include hiking in nature and observing wildlife and scenic landscapes. However, Helen is not a fan of camping and avoids this activity during her travels.Hélène always plans her own trips, spending hours on the Internet and in travel guides trying to find destinations off the beaten path. She prefers traveling in remote locations.

ABOUT HELENE: Hélène is from Belgium. She has three children, two twin boys and a daughter. Her passions include hiking in nature and observing wildlife and scenic landscapes. However, Helen is not a fan of camping and avoids this activity during her travels.Hélène always plans her own trips, spending hours on the Internet and in travel guides trying to find destinations off the beaten path. She prefers traveling in remote locations.

WHAT HELENE LOVED ABOUT THIS TRIP

Our stay in Mattane National park & moose watching
Canoe & camping on the Mattawin river
Majestic lakes

Panoramic views on St Laurent river

St Alexis des Monts

Trois-Rives

Parc des Grands Jardins

Sacré-coeur

Matane

Rimouski

Ville de Québec

Montreal

HIGHLIGHTS OF THE TRIP

Sacacomie

Canoeing & kayaking
Hiking
Swimming in the lake

NEW YORK – MONTREAL

1h30 direct flight from NY

RENTAL CARS

1600 km in 15 days
24 hours on the road – 7 stops

AVERAGE BUDGET PER PERSON

$1900 / pp for 15 nights excl food + activities
$1500 /pp for 15 days (without breakfast)
$100 /pp
$300 /pp

MONTREAL TO
SACACOMIE

140 km/1h45

Sacacomie

Sacacomie

Lake

2 NIGHTS

ST-ALEXIS-DES-MONTS TO
TROIS-RIVES

120 km/2h

Matawin River

Matawin River

Canoe

3 NIGHTS

Where we stayed?
What we did?

The first morning we met our guide and prepared everything for our canoe-camping trip. We put everything in the canoes and kayak and then the adventure began ! After paddling a few hours we made a first stop to lunch, the kids enjoyed playing in the river. Then we continued to our camping spot. There we build up the tents and made a fire, enjoyed a delicious meal prepared by our guide and watched shooting stars.We were there in August during the Perseid meteor shower. Magical.

The next day we enjoyed our camping spot and the river before going back in our canoes, this time it was easier as we went river down ! We arrived at the end of the afternoon after 2 incredible days in the middle of the nature without crossing any other human being.

We spent the next 2 nights in an eco-chalet, we hiked the Mattawin trail, picnicked on the river and played in the water with the kids.

TROIS-RIVES TO
PARC DES GRANDS JARDINS

315 km/4h

Parc des Grands Jardins

Parc des Grands Jardins

Blueberries

2 NIGHTS

Where we stayed?
What we did?

The first afternoon, after dropping our stuff at the cabin, we went hiking on the sentier La Chute (and saw our first black bear !) and finished the day swimming and rowing on the lake in front of our cabin.

On the second day we hiked the Mont-du-Lac-des-Cygnes trail, it is a very well maintained 8,5 km trail that is easily accessible despite the 500 m elevation gain. The view on the top of the mountain is stunning. In August there were also plenty of blueberries, perfect snack when you are climbing !

PARC DES GRANDS JARDINS TO
SACRÉ-COEUR (SAGUENAY)

150 km/2h15

Saguenay

Saguenay

Whale watching

2 NIGHTS

Where we stayed?

In a cottage at Ferme 5 étoiles in Sacré Coeur (close to Tadoussac). It is a nice place to stay with kids, with the discovery of domesticated and wild animals. The farm is a refuge for wounded or abandoned wildlife found in nature. It is, therefore, possible to observe a diversity of representative animals of Canadian wildlife. Every morning, take part in the care of animals. Our kids helped bottle-feed a orphan baby moose, it was a unique experience.
What we did?

The first afternoon we stayed at the farm, the kids enjoyed watching the animals (the farm animals as well as the rescued wildlife).
 
The second day we hiked a part of the fjord trail (starting in Tadoussac) and enjoyed grandiose scenery along the summits of the capes. After lunch, we walked around in the village of Tadoussac before embarking on a zodiac to watch the whales on the St-Lawrence River. Magical !

SAGUENAY TO
RESERVE DE MATANE

+

370 km/5h30

Reserve Matane

Reserve Matane

Fauna & wildlife

3 NIGHTS

Where we stayed?
What we did?

On our way to Matane we took the ferry (Traversier) from Baie-Comeau to Matane to cross the St Lawrence River. It is a 2h20 very relaxing trip with nice views of the river. When you arrive in Matane, don’t forget to go to the supermarket to pick up enough groceries for your stay in the park (breakfast-lunch-dinner and enough water and drinks) as there is no grocery store in the park. Stop at a fishmonger on the harbor to buy some “Matane shrimp” (crevettes de Matane), they are delicious !

The entrance of the park, Accueil John, is at 40km south of Matane. They gave us the key of our cabin and a map of the park and then it was a 1-hour drive on dusty roads through the park to Etang-à-la-Truite where our cabin was. After getting installed, we took a tour on the lake on the rowing boat and enjoyed some S’Mores (marshmallows grilled on the fire). Such a peaceful place !

The next day we started our day by visiting the Interpretation Center on moose at Etang-à-la-truite, after this visit we knew everything about moose ! Then we went hiking and finished the day with a moose safari. This guided activity takes place at the end of the day. A trip by minibus is planned in the most suitable locations in the reserve for moose observation. We saw about 10 majestic moose.

The next day we went for a little hike in the morning and enjoyed swimming in the lake in the afternoon. At the end of the day we went to a special outlook to watch black bears. The guide helped us understand the biology and habits of this fascinating species. Again we were very lucky as we saw 7 black bears.

RESERVE DE MATANE TO
RIMOUSKI

130 km/1h30

Rimouski

Rimouski

St Lawrence River

1 NIGHT

Where we stayed?
What we did?

RIMOUSKI TO
QUEBEC

320 km/3h20

Quebec

Quebec

Old city

2 NIGHTS

Where we stayed?

We stayed at the Palace Royal Hotel, in the heart of downtown Quebec City, at a 150-metre distance from the city’s historic district and fortifications. It is a luxurious yet modern environment where coziness meets high standards. The hotel provides many on-site amenities including an indoor garden with swimming pool and palm trees, a restaurant, and an indoor parking lot.
What we did?

We explored Quebec’s Old City. Quebec was founded by the French explorer Champlain in the early 17th century. It is the only North American city to have preserved its ramparts, together with the numerous bastions, gates and defensive works which still surround Old Québec.

The last day it was time to say goodbye to this lovely Canadian Province and make the trip back to New York.

GOOD TO KNOW

August is the perfect time to go to Quebec. Weather is usually warm which made swimming in the lakes a lot of fun.
The Quebecois are very nice and helpful people (especially if you speak French with them).
Be mindful and aware of the wildlife and especially the bears and moose in the parks. Don’t forget to keep an eye out but remember to be respectful of their environment!
Be prepared for your hikes with picnics and plenty of water/drinks. Plan to stop at a grocery shops before leaving for a hike or before entering a reserve/national park.
Bring warm clothing as it can be chilly during the evenings.

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