Northern Quebec: Winter Lodge Escape

Arrive at any time to Montreal — Quebec’s economic and cultural capital. Attend a welcome meeting in the evening and afterwards choose to have an optional dinner together as a group. Stay: Best Western Ville Marie

Enjoy breakfast on your own this morning in Montreal before beginning the transfer to your lodge accommodations northeast of the city in Saguenay. Travel along the Saint Lawrence River towards the charming Quebec City area, the only fortified city in North America. Have lunch at a nearby local favourite spot for a sweet taste of traditional meals in this province, and where you will learn more about maple sap processing for syrup. Arrive to the lodge in the early evening. Set off on a short orientation tour of the property before an included, cozy group dinner amid wintry surroundings. Stay: Auberge Cap au Leste (L/D)

Have breakfast at the lodge before spending a lovely winter day outside in the fresh, cold air. Start with a guided CEO-led hike with snowshoes on a nearby trail down to the lighthouse where you’ll be met with magnificent views along the Saguenay fjord. Sip on some hot chocolate to help you warm up a bit while enjoying the scenery before hiking back up to the lodge. After lunch, the group will be invited to learn about forest survival at the nearby lake and be guided in an ice fishing demonstration by your CEO. Afterwards, enjoy free time back at the lodge to relax before a delicious dinner and a camp fire featuring S’mores and storytelling. Stay: Auberge Cap au Leste (B/L/D)

Immerse yourself in winter activities today and start the morning with another guided snowshoeing hike along new trails by the fjord. As you walk, your CEO will teach the group about the region’s ecosystems, including the different flora and fauna of the Saguenay fjord. Return to the lodge for lunch and to warm up a bit before spending the afternoon partaking in two typical Canadian winter activities; hockey and sliding. The group will split into two and play against each other with sticks on the hard snow without skates. Later, hop on a tube and slide down the nearby hills for some forgotten fun in the snow. Tonight, after dinner the group will head back out to snowshoe along the trails by torch light and enjoy some stargazing, which if clear, will be stunning with the lack of nearby light pollution. Stay: Auberge Cap au Leste (B/L/D)

Please be aware that from mid-January to early March, your CEO can lead an excursion during this afternoon to the village of Ste-Rose-du-Nord for a visit to the ice fishing village located on the fjord. Stay: Auberge Cap au Leste (B/L/D)

Bid farewell to your winter excursion in the Saguenay region as you leave the lodge after breakfast. Travel back to beautiful Quebec City and have lunch on your own with many local spots to choose from. The remainder of the afternoon is free for you to explore the old town of this UNESCO World Heritage site as you wish. Tonight, choose to attend an optional group farewell dinner. Stay: Les Lofts Charest (B)

Travel back to Montreal in the morning, where your tour ends upon arrival to the airport. Please do not book onward travel prior to 2pm.