Wildlife of Québec self-drive

Flying into Montréal, you’ll make your way to your city centre hotel. Then, over two days, you’ll explore a city whose summertime festivals and culinary delights above ground are matched by a huge complex of shopping malls and plazas below, created to combat Québec’s icy winter storms. There’s some wonderful architecture too, with the skyscraping modernism of the city centre contrasting with the Gothic-Revival grandeur of the old town.

Spend more time exploring Montreal before collecting your hire car and heading to Saint-Alexis-des-Monts, located in the heart of Quebec, and bordering Mastigouche Wildlife Reserve. The rest of the day is at leisure to relax at beautiful Hotel Sacacomie or take part in one of the many outdoor activities that the Lodge offers, i.e. hiking, mountain biking, swimming, canoeing, kayaking, fishing, rabaska rafting, motor boat rentals, pedal boat rentals, ATV tours. Relax with spa treatments and gourmet dining at your remote lakeside lodge.

Today is your longest drive, covering 206 scenic miles from Saint-Alexis-des-Monts to Saint Félicien on the shores of Lac Saint Jean. Spend the day exploring Lac Saint Jean, a vast freshwater lake that dates back to the Ice Age. Here, among the region's forests, rivers and hills, you'll have the chance to indulge in a variety of outdoor activities as well as a number of fascinating cultural attractions, such as the charming 1920s village of Val-Jalbert, with its original period buildings and dramatic setting beside a cascading waterfall.

Stay: Hotel du Jardin, Saint-Felicien (Superior)

After a lazy breakfast, you will have the opportunity to visit the famous Zoo of Saint Félicien. In the afternoon depart for Tadoussac, located along the shores of the St-Lawrence River. Tadoussac is very popular for its whale watching opportunities. Take time to explore one of the province’s most scenic areas, Charlevoix, the beauty of which has inspired generations of artists.

Stay: Hotel Tadoussac (Superior)

Heading out on a cruise along Saguenay Fjord, an experienced naturalist will explain the habits of the finback, minke and beluga whales that frequent the waters during the warm summer months; humpback and blue whales are also regularly spotted Then, for your final stop, you’ll swap the beauty of Québec’s great outdoors for the historical charms of its unassuming capital.Indeed, Québec City truly is the heart of French Canada, where winding cobblestone streets lead to a grand, hilltop chateau and 17th-century houses and soaring church spires provide a backdrop for European-style bistros, pavement cafés and elegant town squares.

Stay: Hotel Manoir Victoria, Quebec City (Superior)

Depart Quebéc City for the drive down to Montréal and your overnight flight home, arriving in the UK on Day 11.