Untouched Quebec: Escape to the Laurentian Mountains

Bienvenue au Quebec. Once you arrive in Montreal, a private transfer will be waiting to take you to your hotel. One of the oldest cities in North America, Montreal boasts a vibrant mix of European and Canadian influences, while exuding a unique Québécois spirit to boot. From its blossoming restaurant scene to the Old Port, you’ll feel its cultural richness at every turn – one of the reasons why writers, musicians and artists all thrive here. Meet your fellow travellers and guide at the hotel, then it’s over to you to explore Montreal’s many excellent dining options.

Today is all about indulging on the best of Montreal’s cuisine. Delve into the cobbled streets of Vieux-Montréal, where you’ll uncover a mix of North American and traditional French gastronomy, enjoyed alongside colonial European architecture. You’ll pause to admire the splendour of Notre-Dame Basilica and Mount Royal Park, before eating your way down to St. Paul – the oldest street in one of the continent’s oldest cities. Your food stops could include anything from beet-infused salmon to a contemporary twist on poutine (Canada’s signature dish of French fries heaped with cheese curd and gravy). Feeling full and sated, it’s then time to swap the city for the Laurentian Mountains. Lush, green valleys dusted with pine-tree forests give way to rivers, gentle hillsides and majestic peaks. You’re heading for Mont-Tremblant, a colourful Swiss-style town nestled by Tremblant summit and Lake Tremblant. After checking into your hotel spend the evening as you wish: unwind in a nearby spa, or find a Mont-Tremblant bar for a locally-brewed ale.

This morning will see you canoe down the Diable River, coursing through Mont-Tremblant National Park – an area of protected natural beauty spanning 500 square miles of forest, lakes and the Laurentian peaks. It’s also a wildlife sanctuary for over 40 mammals, including bears, wolves and moose. No experience is needed for this gentle river ride, so sit back and absorb the magnificent views as you glide past secluded beaches, silver maple forest and the incredible cliff wall of the Vache Noire. After a good few hours on the waterways, enjoy lunch with your group, before continuing with a guided hike through woodland, streams and waterfalls. Keep an eye out for native fauna, including the golden eagle and white-tailed deer. After a day in the wilderness, return to Mont-Tremblant, where you’ll sample the very finest of Franco-Canadian cuisine in a boutique restaurant, and say “santé” to your fellow travellers.

First thing this morning, you’ll head up into the mountains and set forth on a thrilling flight over the forest canopy – yes, it’s time to zipline. After warming up with a hike through maple forest, you’ll attach yourself to cables that weave between mountain crests. There’s nothing like the feeling of gliding through thin air, with woodland, hills and lakes unfolding beneath you. After a thrilling morning, head to the town of Saint-Sauveur for lunch and a farewell drink. Then it’s time to bid farewell to this lovely country and your fellow travellers, as we drive you to the airport for 3pm.