"There is a very deep river with a strong current that is the river and the road to the Saguenay Kingdom and lands, as was said by our two men of the country. This river is between high mountains of bare stone, where there is little soil, where a large number of trees grow in spite of this, and several species, that grow on the said bare stone as if on good soil"  
                             – Jacques Cartier 1535

Inn Notes:                

We have selected inns of the highest possible standards, and endeavour to secure rooms with private bathrooms for all guests. On one night (sometimes two) on this adventure, there are no inns with private washrooms for each room, in which case we try to reserve the entire inn for your exclusive use. You may have to share a bathroom with other Freewheeling guests. If you are uncomfortable with this, we will try to make alternative arrangements for you. Please discuss this with us when booking.

This is a moderately challenging trip, predominantly on paved roads and pathways with a few un-surfaced (fine crushed stone) sections. This trip is best suited to hybrid bikes, and can be managed on road bikes with care. The full day hike on day five is challenging; bring stout footwear and lots of energy.  The optional kayaking will take you at a leisurely pace through usually calm waters - no previous experience is required.

Highlights:  

Watching beluga whales from your room in Tadoussac. Hiking L’Anse aux Boule.  Taking your bike on the tiny ferry in Pointe Taillon.

Quebec: Saguenay and Charlevoix Multisport

Seven days. Easy cycling, challenging hiking, and optional easy kayaking. Cycling is on quiet rolling paved roads and bike paths around Lac St-Jean, with one day in the more hilly Charlevoix region. This is a great choice for families.

This trip takes you through two of Quebec’s most beautiful regions. The Saguenay & Lac-Saint-Jean region is so vast that for generations, people have called it “the Kingdom”. A unique sanctuary of culture and breathtaking beauty, it is rich with discoveries and warm, welcoming people. Starting with the gentle landscapes around Lac St-Jean, you will pedal the shores of the freshwater lake that feeds the Saguenay River.  With views of Mont Valin to the north and the Laurentians to the south, this route provides surprising panoramas. Following the Saguenay’s flow as it leaves the lake, you will follow the fjord, one of the world’s longest, to where its fresh waters blend with those of the tidal Saint Lawrence River. This confluence is rich in nutrients, and is the summer hangout for numerous species of whales. Most notable are the pure white belugas that make whale watching, hiking, and sea-kayaking here a fantastic experience.

Charlevoix is sandwiched between craggy Laurentian Mountains and the Saint Lawrence River. It encompasses a relatively smooth and flat meteorite impact crater that accommodates dairy farming and great cycling!  The wildlife and exceptional richness of its flora have warranted its classification as a UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve, comprising agricultural, tidal marshland, and even mountain tundra ecosystems.

We invite you to come and enjoy the natural beauty, unique culture, and regional cuisine with us. Whether you are a nature lover, a whale watcher, a music fan, a history buff or an adventurer, you are promised memorable moments in this most fascinating region of ‘la belle province’.

The Plan:

Day 1: Quebec City to Desbiens
10:00 pick up in Quebec City for a transfer to Lac Saint-Jean in time for lunch. After lunch and bike familiarization, speleologists can follow a steep path up to explore the Fairy’s Hole cave, the northernmost show cave in the Americas. Others can discover the history of life at the mouth of the Métabetchouane River, through archaeology, at a rebuilt Hudson's Bay Company trading post at the Métabetchouan Archeological Centre. The next two days will take you through many interesting sites and villages as you explore the shores of Lac Saint-Jean.  LD (Meal inclusions provided for guided trips. Self-guided trips include breakfast only)
Gîte Chez mes 2 Fils, Desbiens, www.gitescanada.com/chezmes2fils or Auberge Les Iles, Saint Gédéon, www.aubergedesiles.com

Day 2: Desbiens to Saint-Félicien 56km (35mi)
Follow the gorgeous lakeshore to Val-Jalbert. Visit the Historical Village, then follow the Route Verte towards Mashteuiatsh (Pointe-Bleue). This has been a meeting place for Quebec First Nations for over a thousand years, and the Pekuakamiulnuatsh will warmly invite you into the only aboriginal community in the region. Later, at the exceptionally interpreted Zoo Sauvage in Saint-Felicien, you can see regional wildlife on a free range while you are caged on a train through their domain. BD
Gîte à Fleur d’Eau, Saint-Félicien, www.giteafleurdeau.com; or
Maison Banville, Saint-Félicien, http://www.bbcanada.com/12290.html?showpage=1

Day 3: Saint-Felicien to Dolbeau-Mistassini 40km (25mi)
Start the day with a visit to our wild friends at the exceptional Zoo Sauvage in Saint-Felicien, where you are caged on a train and the animals run free. The bilingual interpretation on this ride is exceptional. Afterwards, ride from Saint-Felicien to the “top” of Lac Saint-Jean. In Normandin, visit La Magie du Sous-Bois to learn more about Lac Saint-Jean’s famous blueberries. Normandin is also home to beautiful gardens. BLD
Gites Jardin des Quatre Saisons, Dolbeau-Mistassini

Day 4: Dolbeau-Mistassini to Pointe-Taillon National Park 40km (25mi)
Today’s highlight is the ride around the lakeshore perimeter of Pointe-Taillon Park, an immense delta formed by the Peribonka River at the end of the last ice age. The park is home to beavers and moose.  In Sainte-Monique, just outside the park, see the Sainte-Monique Footbridge and the Wooden Promenade, then explore the delightful coastal trails in the park. End-of-day transfer to Tadoussac, at the far end of the Saguenay Marine reserve. BLD
Hotel Tadoussac, Tadoussac, www.hoteltadoussac.com

Day 5: Hiking 15km (9.5mi), or (optional) sea kayaking in the Saguenay fjord
Spend a full day hiking along breathtaking cliffs and steep slopes, with the Saguenay National Park on one side and the Zec Chauvin Forest on the other. Finish in Tadoussac, where the mouth of the Saguenay Fjord meets the St. Lawrence River, and marine mammals congregate to feed and mate each summer. If you prefer, you can spend the morning kayaking in the Saguenay fjord near Tadoussac, where the Saguenay and Saint Lawrence rivers meet.  Here you will paddle alongside capes, sheer cliffs and beaches, and you may spot grey seals and white beluga whales, one of six resident species of migratory whales! Later in the afternoon, a 10km (6 mi) bike ride will take you to some fantastic sand dunes on the shore. BL
Same lodging

Day 6: La Malbaie to St-Joseph-de-la-Rive 60km (37mi), optional island ride +23km (14mi), transfer to La Malbaie
Transfer to La Malbaie, known as “the first vacation spot in Canada”. You will ride around the interior of a 54km diameter meteor crater formed 350 million years ago.  Enjoy Quebecois hospitality at a café in Notre-Dame-des-Monts and take in a panoramic view of the Saint Lawrence as you approach your inn at the centre of the crater.  Don’t worry, meteors rarely strike twice in the same place! This afternoon you can take a 15-minute ferry ride to l’Île-aux-Coudres and explore its solitude by bicycle (23km).  You can also visit a windmill museum or an award-winning orchard to taste their rare ice cider. BD
La Maison sous les Pins, St-Joseph-de-la-Rive, www.maisonsouslespins.com; or Maison de Campagne Le Nichouette, Les Éboulements, www.maisondecampagnelenichouette.com  

Day 7: Return to Quebec City, visiting Montmorency Falls
Following breakfast, you will be transferred to Quebec City, arriving by noon in time for an afternoon of exploring the Old City, or afternoon flights home. On the way, stop at the spectacular Montmorency Falls, or in Baie-St-Paul to taste chocolate, visit galleries, and see one of Canada’s top and tastiest cheeses being created. B

The Details:

All details are subject to change without notice.  5% sales tax applies, but 50% refund will be applied for non-Canadians.