Region: Quebec Duration: 9 Days 2021 Dates Double Single August 21 $3,475 $4,375
2022 Dates July 2 $3,775 $4,775
Gaspé Hiking Fitness Scale: H Difficulty: H3 Gaspé is derived from a Micmac word meaning “Land’s End”.
Tour Starting Point: This tour is set in La Belle Province along the south shore of the Québec City, QC
St. Lawrence River and around the entirety of the Gaspé peninsula, which is basically a mountain range that drops into Highlights the sea on both sides. • Charming Québec City Many people visiting Gaspé for the first time are astounded at • Gaspésie National Park the rugged beauty and powerful landscapes everywhere they • Percé Rock/ Bonaventure Island look. For example, the Mont Albert region hosts the only high • Bic National Park alpine habitat (i.e., above the tree line, complete with caribou) • Pointe-au Père Maritime Museum and Paspébiac south of the St. Lawrence River. Fisheries Museum Why This Tour Is Great • Whale Watching & Exploramer Aquarium Gaspé is Really BIG • Jardin de Métis There’s no way to get around the long distances on Gaspé (this tour totals Price Includes more than 1400 km). As such, there’s no question the best way to explore the entirety of the Gaspé Peninsula is by deluxe motorcoach. • Private coach transportation • 8 nights of accommodation The Widest Variety of Hikes Meals: 8-B, 3-L, 5-D. This tour includes a vast array of hiking environments: across an island, • Local professional guides and all along the coast, traversing tidal flats, through forest access roads, over entry fees and passes technical single-track trails, and even up a mountain path. • Services of DeLuxe Hiking Tour Director Fresh Seafood and Québecois Cuisine Prices are in Canadian dollars, they Québecers care a great deal about their food and how it is prepared. In are per person, and include HST & addition to group meals, guests have several opportunities to sample the TVQ. local fare, and indulge their epicurean passions.
1-888-716-5523 Travel Industry Council of Ontario www.deluxehiking.com Registration Numbers: 500009376 and 500009377 Revision Date: April 8, 2021 [email protected]
DAY-TO-DAY ITINERARY
Gaspé Hiking
Day 1 Day 3 Day 5 Guests will arrive on their own at We will begin with a visit to Pointe- After a couple of days in the the Hotel Manoir Victoria in Old au-Père Maritime Museum in mountains, this will be an easy day Québec City, where they will be Rimouski. Attractions include a travelling to the seashore with the greeted by their DeLuxe Hiking tour historic lighthouse, a World War II first stop being the Fisheries director. After a guided walking tour submarine and a museum Museum in Paspébiac. After a tour of the Old City, guests will enjoy a commemorating the Empress of of this former fish plant and a Welcome Dinner in a charming Ireland. Upon arrival in Gaspésie leisurely lunch, our tour will move Québecois restaurant. National Park after lunch, we will on Percé to visit the Geopark to Stay: Hotel Manoir Victoria, enjoy an easy hike to Lac-aux- learn about the geology of the Québec City (1 night) Americaines. Gaspé region. Meals: D Stay: Gite du Mont-Albert Hotel, Stay: Hotel le Mirage, Percé Mont-Albert (2 nights) (2 nights) Day 2 Meals: B, D Meals: B, D After driving east from Québec City in the morning, we will enjoy our Day 4 Day 6 first hike in a Québec National Park On this day, guests will be offered 2 On this day, we will travel by boat along the St. Lawrence River. This or 3 hiking options. The most rather than motorcoach. After a hike is not difficult but requires challenging will be a Level 5 hike up tour of the Percé harbour and rock, mobility and dexterity to get over Mont Albert. For those wanting we will spend the rest of the rocks and fallen trees. something a little less daunting, morning exploring Bonaventure Stay: Hotel Rimouski, Rimouski (1 there is another significant hike up Island and investigating one of the night) Mont Olivine and numerous less largest Northern Gannett colony in Meals: B difficult trails in the valley. the world. After returning to town Meals: B, L, D by boat, guests will have a free afternoon and evening. Meals: B
1-888-716-5523 Travel Industry Council of Ontario www.deluxehiking.com Registration Numbers: 500009376 and 500009377 Revision Date: April 8, 2021 [email protected]
DAY-TO-DAY ITINERARY Gaspé Hiking (continued)
Day 7 Day 8 Day 9 After an early start, the group will On this day, we round the tip of All good things must end, and so head to sea on a whale watching Gaspé and begin our journey back the group will return to Québec City tour in Forillon National Park. After towards Québec City. Fortunately, with drop-offs at the airport, train lunch, there will be a moderate hike there are a couple of fascinating station and city centre in the early to the lookout at Cap-Gaspé stops along the way. First, the afternoon. Lighthouse, followed by a visit to group will enjoy a private tour of Meals: B the Micmac Interpretive Site of the Exploramer Aquarium and see Gespeg. first-hand what kinds of fish Stay: Hotel Baker, Gaspé populate Atlantic Canada. Next,
(1 night) guests will get an unexpected treat Meals: B, L at the Jardin de Métis (Reford Gardens). Stay: Hotel Rimouski, Rimouski (1 hight) Meals: B, L, D
1-888-716-5523 Travel Industry Council of Ontario www.deluxehiking.com Registration Numbers: 500009376 and 500009377 Revision Date: April 8, 2021 [email protected]
LIST OF HIKES Gaspé Hiking
HIKES & WALKS 1. Québec Lower & Upper Town Walking Tour (H1/Easy – 3.0km/100m) Departing from the hotel, this tour will introduce guests to Québec City with a focus on the colonial history and more recent social development that created this unique city. https://www.quebec-cite.com/en/what-to-do-quebec-city/summer 2. Dufferin Promenade to Plains of Abraham Walking Tour (H1/Easy – 3.5km/100m) A local guide will lead this walk to the Upper Town, past the Chateau Frontenac, and along the Dufferin Terrace to the Plains of Abraham and fortified Citadel. https://www.quebec-cite.com/en/what-to-do-quebec-city/historic-sites?list=categories 3. Le Grand Tour Trail, Bic National Park (H2/Moderate – 8.9km/250m) This hike follows the circumference of the peninsula and includes stretches along the shore and through the woods. Great viewpoints of the St Lawrence. Proper footwear is recommended. https://www.alltrails.com/explore/trail/canada/quebec/le-grand-tour--4 https://www.sepaq.com/resources/docs/pq/bic/bic_guide_visiteur_en.pdf 4. Le Lac-aux-Americaines Trail, Gaspésie National Park (H1/Easy – 2.9km110m) This trail is more a stroll than a hike and is really all about the destination - lovely Lac- aux-Americaines. Upon arrival at the shore, there are plenty of spots to sit down and drink in the quiet beauty of this place. https://www.alltrails.com/explore/trail/canada/quebec/lac-aux-americains https://www.sepaq.com/pq/gas/ 5. Lac Diable & Mont Olivine Trail, Gaspésie National Park (H3/Difficult – 10.5km/650m) This challenging 6-hour hike takes guests to two destinations. First, we will summit and enjoy a picnic lunch on Mont Olivine overlooking the Gaspésie Valley. Afterward, the group will detour to see the mountain beauty of Lac Diable. https://www.alltrails.com/explore/trail/canada/quebec/lac-du-diable https://www.sepaq.com/pq/gas/ 6. OPTIONAL - Mont Albert Trail, Gaspésie National Park (H4/More Difficult – 14.3km/960m) This 8 hour hike is for serious enthusiasts only, as there is a relatively brisk pace and lots of climbing. This hike summits in the high alpine above the treeline, where the only herd of caribou can be found south of the St Lawrence River. https://www.alltrails.com/explore/trail/canada/quebec/sentier-du-mont-albert-face-nord 7. OPTIONAL – Various Hiking Trails in the Valley, Gaspésie National Park (H2/Moderate – 3.2km/110m) For those not inclined to climb a mountain, there is also an extensive network of well-marked trails surrounding the Park Discovery Centre (200m from our hotel) perfect for self-guided hikes, including to the beautiful Sainte Anne Falls. https://www.alltrails.com/explore/trail/canada/quebec/chute-sainte-anne-via-sentier-de-la-lucarne
1-888-716-5523 Page 1 of 2 Travel Industry Council of Ontario www.deluxehiking.com Registration Numbers: Revision Date: April 8, 2021 500009376 and 500009377 [email protected]
LIST OF HIKES Gaspé Hiking
8. OPTIONAL – La Grive Trail, Percé Geopark Pavilion (H2/Moderate – 4.3km/220m) This trail goes up the hill behind the Geopark Pavilion and provides a wonderful view of the sea and Bonaventure Island. https://www.alltrails.com/explore/trail/canada/quebec/la-grive 9. Colonies Trail, Bonaventure Island (H1/Easy – 4.8km/170m) This trail crosses the island through a boreal forest, but the big attraction is the birds. Specifically, there are more than 300,000 migratory birds on the island, including gannets, puffins, razorbills and kittiwakes. Our expert guides will explain the appeal of this special place and guests will get so close to the birds they’ll want to hold their noses! https://www.alltrails.com/explore/trail/canada/quebec/sentier-des-colonies--2 https://www.sepaq.com/pq/bon/index.dot?language_id=1 10. OPTIONAL – Loop of Bonaventure Island (H2/Moderate – 7.6km/330m) This hike begins on the Colonies Trail, but after the main group who will go out and back, this option completes a loop around the island, providing great views along the shore. https://www.alltrails.com/explore/trail/canada/quebec/island-loop 11. Cap-Gaspé Trail, Forillon National Park (H2/Moderate – 8.0km/380m) The trail to Cap-Gaspé is mostly along a gravel roadway, with a couple of short detours along the sandy shore. The scenery through overgrown meadows is lovely and the pace is relaxing. The real payoff, however, is the view at the lighthouse, which is simply spectacular. https://www.alltrails.com/explore/trail/canada/quebec/cap-gaspe https://www.pc.gc.ca/en/pn-np/qc/forillon 12. Walking Tour of Jardin des Métis (H1/Easy – 1.6km/15m) This guided walking tour takes guests through the lovely Jardin des Metis gardens. https://www.alltrails.com/explore/trail/canada/quebec/jardins-de-metis https://jardinsdemetis.com/en/
1-888-716-5523 Page 2 of 2 Travel Industry Council of Ontario www.deluxehiking.com Registration Numbers: Revision Date: April 8, 2021 500009376 and 500009377 [email protected]
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION Gaspé Hiking
Accommodations
Hotel Manoir Victoria, Québec City (1 night) Located in the heart of historic, Old Québec, Hotel Manoir Victoria offers old world charm for the start of our tour.
Hotel Rimouski, Rimouski (2 nights) Given the lollipop route of this trip, guests will enjoy the unusual experience of staying at the same hotel in Rimouski on the way out and back.
Gite du Mont-Albert Hotel, Sainte-Anne-des-Monts (2 nights) Located in the mountains, in the heart of the Gaspé National Park, enjoy an espresso coffee near a cozy fireplace or to spend a gourmet evening exploring the renowned table d'hôte.
Hotel le Mirage, Percé (2 nights) This is the “establishment of distinction” in Percé, offering breathtaking views of Rocher Percé and Bonaventure Island
Hotel Baker, Gaspé (1 nights) With an interesting and storied history, Hotel Baker will be a welcome destination after a full day of activity. Important Info for This Tour This tour covers a lot of ground, as the Gaspé Peninsula is almost 400 km long, and includes a large number of cultural elements. In terms of hiking, Gaspésie National Park is the highlight, providing a rare opportunity in eastern North America to reach the high alpine (above the treeline) to see caribou. Guests should bring foul weather clothing and suitable hiking footwear, as the weather at elevation can change quickly. Highlights
Québec City Before we head towards the Gaspé Peninsula, we will spend one night in a charming boutique hotel in downtown Québec City, and enjoy a welcome dinner and two walking tours of Old Quebec and the Plains of Abraham.
Gaspésie National Park For serious hikers, our two days in Gaspésie Park are likely to be the highlight of our tour. We will begin with an easy hike to the shores of Lac-aux-Americaines, followed by our most challenging offering the next day on Mont Albert.
Percé Rock and Bonaventure Island The most famous site in Perce is the rock, but the most amazing thing we will see is Bonaventure Island, the place where more than 100,000 Northern Gannett’s nest each summer (and we’ll get close enough to smell them).
1-888-716-5523 Page 1 of 2 Travel Industry Council of Ontario www.deluxehiking.com Registration Numbers: Revision Date: April 8, 2021 500009376 and 500009377 [email protected]
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION Gaspé Hiking
Bic National Park Guests may be surprised how much the south shore of the St. Lawrence River feels like the seaside. We will hike along the shore, over the rocks and sand to get a sense of Québec’s geological and topographical history.
Pointe-au-Père Maritime Museum and Paspébiac Fisheries Museum DeLuxe Hiking tours also feature local cultural landmarks. Our visits to these two museums will give guests a great overview of the traditional lifestyles and economies of rural Québec.
Whale Watching and Exploramer Aquarium No visit to Canada’s east coast would be complete without a whale watching tour. Best of all, there are 7 types of whales in the area, including the world’s largest, the Blue Whale. Guests will also enjoy a visit to the Exploramer Aquarium where they will get a ‘hands-on’ experience with local marine life.
Jardin de Métis (Reford Gardens) Nobody expects to find refined gardens in such a northern location. However, due to a favourable micro-climate and the dogged efforts of Elsie Reford between 1926 and 1958, the Jardin de Metis offers a calming respite of delicate beauty tucked into the powerful Gaspé landscape. Optional Additions This tour starts and ends in Québec City. Guests can join this tour from anywhere in the world! Please contact us to discuss your airfare and pre-and post-tour accommodation options.
1-888-716-5523 Page 2 of 2 Travel Industry Council of Ontario www.deluxehiking.com Registration Numbers: Revision Date: April 8, 2021 500009376 and 500009377 [email protected]