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6-Nights Northern Quebec: Winter Lodge Escape - Classic from $1,999
G Adventures
OFFER ID 1688213
Northern Quebec: Winter Lodge Escape
Winter in Quebec’s boreal forests and along the dramatic cliffs of the Saguenay Fjord might not be on your radar — but this seven-day adventure will have you falling hard for Canada’s most underrated season. After a quick stop in Montreal, head into a snowy wilderness where you’ll stay in a cozy chalet lodge, snowshoe to a panoramic lighthouse, and learn how maple syrup goes from tree to table at a classic sugar shack. Try your hand at ice fishing, dog sledding, winter survival skills, and snow tubing — then wind down with stargazing and marshmallows by the fire. Who says summer gets all the fun?
Highlights
Embrace the magic of Canada’s winter wonderland, Snowshoe along the stunning Saguenay Fjord with sweeping views, Try your hand at mushing on a dog sled ride through snowy forest trails, Stay cozy in a chalet tucked atop the Saguenay cliffs, Stargaze beneath the clear dark winter sky, Learn winter survival basics with an ice fishing demo on a frozen lake
Accomodation
Carved by glacier forces thousands of years ago, the Saguenay fjord is located in the stunning Saguenay–Lac-Saint-Jean region of Quebec. This location is a true gem for outdoor enthusiasts looking to encounter breathtaking scenery. Stretching over 100 km, surrounded by steep cliffs, the fjord is so deep, it attracts whales at its mouth to the river. Located right next to the cozy Auberge du Cap au Leste, this unique microclimate of abundant snow offers a variety of winter activities that create an unforgettable experience. From snowshoeing to backcountry skiing, your stay at this property allows you to enter the peace and quiet of a Canadian winter wonderland in a serene setting.
Group Leader
This G Adventures group trip is accompanied by one of our group leaders, otherwise known as a Chief Experience Officer (CEO). The CEO will be the group manager, leader and driver - this person is experienced in the routes travelled and will organize and lead the meal preparations and has experience in cooking a variety of local and international dishes for large groups.
As the group coordinator and manager, the aim of the CEO is to take the hassle out of your travels and to help you have the best trip possible. While not being guides in the traditional sense, you can expect them to have a broad general knowledge of the countries visited on the trip, including historical, cultural, religious and social aspects. They will also offer suggestions for things to do and to see, recommend great local eating venues and introduce you to our local friends.
We also use local guides where we think more specific knowledge will add to the enjoyment of the places we are visiting - we think it's the best of both worlds.
Group Size Notes
Max 18, avg. 14
Meals Included
4 breakfasts, 4 lunches, 4 dinners
What's Included
Your Welcome Moment: Meet Your CEO and Group.
Sugar Shack Lunch Experience. Orientation of Auberge du Cap au Leste. Snowshoeing Fjord Lighthouse Hike. Winter Survival Skills & Ice Fishing Demonstration. Winter Campfire & S'mores. Snowshoeing Along Saguenay fjord Trails. Afternoon of Canadian Winter Activities. Nighttime Snowshoe & Star Gazing. Dog Sledding Excursion. Free time at the lodge & Quebec City. All transport between destinations and to/from included activities.
6 nights from $1,999 per person
G Adventures: Northern Quebec: Winter Lodge Escape
Day 1: Montreal
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.
Day 2: Montreal/Saguenay
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.
Day 3: Saguenay
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.
Day 4: Saguenay
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.
Day 5: Saguenay
This morning get ready for an unforgettable winter pastime in Quebec; dogsledding! After breakfast there will be a short transfer to the kennel where you’ll hear the dogs barking in excitement for their outing with you. A local musher will give a brief lesson on dogsled driving before you hop on your sled and out into the snowy wilderness you go. Enjoy the experience as both a passenger and driver of the sled, and witness how strong these amazing animals really are. Return to the lodge in the afternoon and take advantage of time to sweat it out in the sauna and dip in the heated pool, complete with impressive views of the fjord. Enjoy a final evening at the lodge with your group and swap stories over dinner.
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.
Day 6: Saguenay/Québec
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.
Day 7: Québec/Montreal
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.
Vacation Details
* This departure has been designated a guaranteed departure by the operator, meaning that the minimum number of guests has been met, although still subject to weather and other conditions.
Moderate facilities have modest enhancements to amenities and décor. These hotels or resorts are dependable, comfortable and some may offer standard features, such as select business services, Continental breakfast or coffee service and may have a swimming pool or small fitness center on-site. Guestrooms are comfortable, moderately spacious, in-room telephones, televisions and limited amenities. Moderate establishments provide suitable accommodations and service for budget-minded travelers.
The information in this trip details document has been compiled with care and is provided in good faith. However it is subject to change, and does not form part of the contract between the client and the operator. The itinerary featured is correct at time of printing. It may differ slightly to the one in the brochure. Occasionally our itineraries change as we make improvements that stem from past travellers, comments and our own research. Sometimes it can be a small change like adding an extra meal along the itinerary. Sometimes the change may result in us altering the tour for the coming year. Ultimately, our goal is to provide you with the most rewarding experience. Please note that our brochure is usually released in November each year. If you have booked from the previous brochure you may find there have been some changes to the itinerary. VERY IMPORTANT: Please ensure that you print a final copy of your Trip Details to review a couple of days prior to travel, in case there have been changes that affect your plans.
Itinerary Disclaimer
While it is our intention to adhere to the route described below, there is a certain amount of flexibility built into the itinerary and on occasion it may be necessary, or desirable to make alterations. The itinerary is brief, as we never know exactly where our journey will take us. Due to our style of travel and the regions we visit, travel can be unpredictable. The Trip Details document is a general guide to the tour and region and any mention of specific destinations or wildlife is by no means a guarantee that they will be visited or encountered. Aboard expedition trips visits to research stations depend on final permission. Additionally, any travel times listed are approximations only and subject to vary due to local circumstances.
All fares are quoted in US Dollars.
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Swain's Travel, Inc.
35 Old South Road
Nantucket, MA 02554
USA
(508) 228-3201