Canada: Whale Watching in Quebec
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Beaver Lake and Downtown ©Photo Hélico Inc - Tourisme Montréal
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Old Port and Old Montréal from the Grand Port de Montréal ©Eva Blue - Tourisme Montréal
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Old Port of Montréal ©Eva Blue - Tourisme Montréal
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Saint Joseph's Oratory of Mount Royal in Montréal ©Réjean Ménard - Tourisme Montréal
This tour is a fantastic mix of city exploration and natural wonders as you journey around eastern Canada in search of whales. Starting in Montreal and travelling across Quebec to Tadussac, situated on the Gulf of St Lawrence and is home to a variety of whales in the summer months. This 7 night tour gives you a chance to see the beauty of rural Canada whilst also spending time in the bustling cities of Montreal and Quebec City.
Dates
Dates on request
Suggested Itinerary by Air
Day 1
Arrival Montreal
Make your way to London Heathrow in time for your direct flight to Montreal International Airport. On arrival you will be met by a guide and transferred to your hotel. The rest of the day is at leisure for you to relax and enjoy the hotel facilities.
Day 2
Montreal
This morning enjoy a guided tour of Montreal. This fascinating city has grown from a small 17th century French colony into a thriving metropolis and is the 2nd largest French speaking city in the world. The tour will pass the main sights of the Notre Dame Basilica (visit included) which rests on the remnants of the original chapel dating back to 1673, the downtown business district with it’s cobbled streets and outdoor restaurants, the old port, McGill University, Mount Royal viewpoint, St Joseph Oratory and more. The afternoon is yours to explore the city on your own.
Day 3
Montreal – Tadoussac
Today you leave Montreal and head towards Quebec City and then into the Charlevoix region, which owes its rugged topography to the impact of an immense meteorite that collided with the area some 350 million years ago. The greater part of the region was designated a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve in 1988. The destination today is Tadoussac, a village at the confluence fo the Saguenay & Saint Lawrence rivers. Tadussac is one of the most beautiful whale watching sites in the world. This exceptional environment is teeming with rich food for marine mammals, making it a privileged destination for an unparalleled experience with nature. Overnight in Tadussac.
Day 4
Tadoussac
The Beluga whales come to this area every year in the beginning of May and stay here for the summer. The work to preserve their environment and clean up the fjord and the river has been a long term goal of the dedicated people working with the Beluga whales. Enjoy a 3-hour whale watching cruise – you will have a front row seat for this natural, larger-than-life production featuring spectacular leaps and pods of hungry whales seeking to find enough krill to satisfy their enormous appetites.
Thee afternoon is free for independent sightseeing – perhaps visit the Marine Mammal Interpretation Centre and encounter the giant skeleton of the sperm whale. The garden at the centre is beautiful and feature five life-size sculpture of the beluga whales. Overnight in Tadussac.
Day 5
Tadoussac
Full day excursion into the Manicougan region of Quebec with its capes and dramatic cliffs and it’s crowning jewl the Saguenay-St. Lawrence Marine Park of hte Fjord Saguenay. Les Bergonnes and Les Escoumins is a whale watching paradise – 13 species of marine mammals can be observed from its shores and through sea excursions. First stop is the Cap de Bon-Desir Interpretation and Observation Centre where Parks Canada welcomes you to discover an exceptional lookout for observing whales, seals and birds as they approach the shore. Onto Les Escoumins where you embark on an afternoon whale watching cruise in a beautiful area where pristine nature meets the Parc marin du Saguenay. Return to Tadoussac.
Day 6
Tadoussac – Quebec City
This morning is at leisure in Tadoussac you head to Quebec City, the only fortified city in North America, with close 4.6km of walls and imposing gates to explore. As the cradle of French civilization in North America, it ia a living history lesson with a remarkable mix of architecture, heritage, art and culture. Check-in at the hotel and rest of the day is at leisure.
Day 7
Quebec City
In the morning you will enjoy a sightseeing tour in Quebec City, designated a world treasure by UNESCO. See the historic walled city, extraordinarily well preserved after 400 years, the fort, the Dufferin Terraces overlooking the river and the surrounding area, the Chateau Frontenac (the world’s most photographed hotel), the old port and the Quebec parliament buildings. There is free time in the afternoon to explore more of the city.
Day 8
Quebec – Montreal
After breakfast, you will have free time before being transferred back to Montreal in time for your return flight to London Heathrow.
Day 9
Arrive UK
You will land in the morning and then make your way back home after an interesting and informative holiday.
When To Go:
High Season (Jun–Aug): Sunshine and warm weather prevail; far northern regions briefly thaw. Accommodation prices peak (up 30% on average). December through March is equally busy and expensive in ski resort towns. Shoulder (May, Sep & Oct): Crowds and prices drop off. Temperatures are cool but comfortable. Attractions keep shorter hours. Fall foliage areas (eg Cape Breton, Québec) remain busy. Low Season (Nov–Apr): Places outside the big cities and ski resorts close. Darkness and cold take over. April and November are particularly good for bargains.
Things To Know:
Etiquette
Canadians are a fairly relaxed crowd and don’t offend easily; however, some rules of etiquette do apply.
- Politeness Canadians value their please and thank-yous. Bumping into someone without apologizing or not thanking someone for holding the door will earned shocked looks.
- Patriotism Commenting that Canadians and Americans aren’t much different is considered highly offensive.
- Language In French-speaking areas, always attempt to speak French before English (regardless of how poor your French is).
- Lining up While Canadians usually tut rather than speak out, jumping ahead in line is an exception and can cause a full-blown argument.
History
The human story of Canada begins around 15,000 years ago, when Aboriginal locals began carving thriving communities from the abundant wilderness. Everything changed, though, when the Europeans rolled in from the late 15th century onward, staking claims that triggered rumbling conflicts and eventually shaped a vast new nation. Much of this colorful heritage is accessible to visitors, with more than 950 national historic sites covering everything from forts to battlefields to famous homes.
Stats
Currency: Canadian dollar, Primary Language: English, French, Primary Religion: 43% Roman Catholic, Population: 34.6 million, Time Zone: see below.
Newfoundland Standard Time (GMT/UTC minus 3½ hours)
Atlantic Standard Time (GMT/UTC minus four hours)
Eastern Standard Time (GMT/UTC minus five hours)
Central Standard Time (GMT/UTC minus six hours)
Mountain Standard Time (GMT/UTC minus seven hours)
Pacific Standard Time (GMT/UTC minus eight hours)
Visa Requirements:
British citizens are required to apply for a Canada eTA visa to enter Canada on a short term basis (under 90 days) for general tourism, business, transit or medical purposes. … It is advised that British citizens complete their eTA application 72 hours prior to their departure date.
For more information please visit the link below:
