Canada's East Coast Summer Tour - 10 Days

Day 1: Arrive in Montréal, Ride the Observation Wheel

Welcome to Canada! Pick up your rental car from Montréal Airport to begin your self-drive adventure. Settle into your hotel and then head out to explore, starting with a ride on La Grande Roue de Montréal (Montréal's Big Wheel), Canada's largest observation wheel at 200 feet (60 m) high. Set on the banks of the St. Lawrence River, the wheel offers views of Old Montréal and beyond; step into a climate-controlled pod to soar above the city and savor panoramic views.

Day 2: Old Montréal Walking Tour & Little Italy Food Tour

Discover Montréal, Canada's second-largest city, which offers French-soaked history, a famous food scene, and cultural attractions. Stroll through the lively downtown, stopping for poutine (fries smothered in cheese curds and gravy), and head down to the St. Lawrence River, where you'll find market stalls, the Old Port, boat trips, and the observation wheel.

Get to know the birthplace of Montréal with a guided walk through the historic district, which sprawls over several blocks near the St. Lawrence River. Traverse cobblestone streets lined with 17th-century landmarks, markets, and bustling streets like Saint Paul. Highlights include the City Hall, Place Royale, and the Gothic-Revival Notre-Dame Basilica, which was the first of its architectural style in Canada and lies in the Place d'Armes square.

The day ends with a food tour of Jean-Talon Market in Little Italy. As one of the largest outdoor markets in North America, there's plenty to discover, from seasonal produce to fine meats and cheeses, fresh flowers, and gourmet cookbooks. After the market tour, you'll continue into the heart of Little Italy to learn about the area's vibrant community and taste some local specialties.

Day 3: Drive to Mont-Tremblant, Panoramic Gondola & Tonga Lumina Trail

Pick up your rental car and start the day with a picturesque drive north to Mont-Tremblant, a famous ski and summer resort in the Laurentian Mountains. The village is one of Canada's top ski resorts, with 102 trails stretching over 50 miles (80 km). Visitors flock here for summer hiking and boating adventures on Lake Tremblant. You can also explore the surrounding national park, which has plenty of stellar hiking trails through forests to mountain viewpoints over glistening lakes.

The town of Mont-Tremblant itself offers a thriving shopping, dining, and bar scene, as well as classy spas and hotels. Capture aerial views of the Laurentians on the Panoramic Gondola. Ride to the 2,871-foot (857 m) summit of Mont Tremblant, which showcases views of the Laurentians, Lake Tremblant, and lush valleys peppered with villages. Disembark at the top to marvel at summit-top vistas, then hike forested trails and spend some time at the observation tower.

Enjoy a sensory forest experience on the Tonga Lumina this evening, a one-mile (1.5 km) illuminated night trail. The themed walk centers around the legend of a giant who protects Mont-Tremblant; as you journey along the trail, you'll uncover the giant's story, guided by a magical amulet. Start at the bottom of the Flying Mile chairlift and ride to the midway station, where the trail begins. Follow a stone dust path that weaves down a hill through the woods, crossing a stream.

Day 4: Ziptrek Tremblant & Scandinavian Spa

Get your adrenaline pumping at Ziptrek Tremblant. Strap into a harness and whiz along this five-zipline course, which leads from the Mont Tremblant summit to the village. You'll reach up to 62 miles per hour (100 km/h), taking in never-ending views of the mountainous scenery. Along the course, there are six viewing decks and explanations of the area's ecology. The longest zipline of the network is a staggering 3,500 feet (1,066 m), and there's the option for side-by-side ziplining if you're traveling in a pair.

Decompress this evening with a session at the tranquil Scandinave Spa Mont-Tremblant after your ziplining tour. Wallow in steaming Scandinavian baths nestled in the Laurentian Forest along the shores of the Diable River and book a decadent massage.

Day 5: Drive to Québec City, Visit Montmorency Falls

Today, make the four-hour journey to Québec City. The route will take you through Montréal and along Autoroute 40. Stop to visit the popular town of Trois-Rivières, which has an array of eateries, museums, and attractions like the Forges du Saint-Maurice National Historic Site, the first iron mine and refinery in North America. 

Upon arrival, explore the streets of Old Québec independently. Wander the narrow alleys of this UNESCO World Heritage Site, the only walled city north of Mexico. Absorb the 17th and 18th-century architecture, which features European-style church spires, hilltop citadels, and stone buildings that now house French-style bistros. Learn about European influences at Place Royale, where Québec City was officially founded.

Next, head just outside the old town to Montmorency Falls, which at 272 feet (83 m) is 100 feet (30 m) higher than Niagara and accessible from various viewpoints. Take the cable car to the clifftop or cross a dramatic suspension bridge with the roar of the water beneath you. The via ferrata, a collection of three climbing and hiking routes, takes you on a challenging adventure to viewpoints, while the double zipline offers an extra dose of adrenaline. After admiring the falls, learn about their history at the interpretation center and then relax with a meal or drinks at the Manoir Restaurant and Terrace, which has photo-worthy views of the falls.

Day 6: Jacques-Cartier National Park & Evening Cruise

Today you'll discover the natural wonders of Jacques‑Cartier National Park, a 259 square-mile (670 sq km) mountainous plateau crisscrossed by deep valleys and rivers. The winding glacial valley was established as a national park to protect the Laurentians' landscape and diverse wildlife, ranging from moose and beavers to deer, foxes, and over 130 bird species. In winter, it's a top destination for snow sports.

Classed as a natural, historic monument, Jacques‑Cartier has over 62 miles (100 km) of hiking and biking trails that show off the mountains, forests, and valleys. The scenery changes throughout the year from shades of green in summer to blazing fall foliage and frosted winter snowscapes. Book a walk with a naturalist or take to the river for a kayaking adventure along 16 miles (26 km) of boating trails.

Head back to Québec City, where you'll drop off your rental car and spend the evening taking in views of the glittering metropolis from the water. You'll board a boat for a relaxing cruise along the St. Lawrence River, watching the city's lights pass you. Look out for key landmarks like the Château Frontenac, illuminated at night.

Day 7: Whale Watching Boat Cruise

Explore by boat today with a whale watching or zodiac cruise. You'll board the AML Grand Fleuve, which is known as one of the best observation boats in Canada, with an outdoor terrace, observation platform, and glassed-in decks that provide supreme views of marine life. The expert naturalist guides on board will be ready to spot some of the 13 species of whales and marine mammals that inhabit the waters and tell you all about the surrounding landscape and aquatic ecology.

Day 8: Train to Charlevoix, Grands-Jardins National Park

Travel by scenic rail today on the Train de Charlevoix. Created by a meteorite that crashed here over 400 million years ago, Charlevoix is known for its rolling hills that shadow the St. Lawrence River. Here, you can sip coffee in pretty villages on the mountainside or in the hollow of peaceful coves and enjoy farm-to-table cuisine. A vacation spot par excellence, Charlevoix combines quality hotels and an impressive range of outdoor activities and cultural events all year round.

The train journey takes around six hours, and refreshments are available to purchase on board. Along the way, you'll have the option to stop at Baie-Saint-Paul, known for having the most art galleries per capita in Canada, earning it the title of Cultural Capital of Canada in 2017. La Malbaie is another possible stop with world-class golf, the castle-like Fairmont Manoir Richelieu, and a flourishing restaurant scene.

Next, head to Grands-Jardins National Park in the Charlevoix Biosphere Reserve. This protected area lies just outside Baie-Saint-Paul and spreads over 120 square miles (310 sq km), home to four mountains belonging to one of the world's oldest ranges, the Laurentians. The most well-known peaks are Mont du Lac des Cygnes and Mont René-Richard, the highest at 3,261 feet (994 m). Hike through heather-and-lichen-spotted forests of balsam, fir, and black spruce, spotting wildlife such as moose, marmots, beavers, and muskrats. The park also has over 120 bodies of water, including lakes where you can kayak and paddleboard. 

Day 9: Hiking in Hautes-Gorges-de-la-Rivière-Malbaie National Park 

Spend today hiking in Hautes-Gorges-de-la-Rivière-Malbaie National Park, which was named after a series of valleys cut deep into a range of high mountains. Also belonging to the Charlevoix Biosphere Reserve, the park has some of the highest rock faces east of the Rockies. As you hike, enjoy views of the steep slopes that rise from the river valley—boat trips along the river provide ant-eye views of the peaks. There are trails for all hiking abilities, including the challenging L'Acropole des Draveurs.

Day 10: Train to Québec City, Depart

Today your Canadian adventure comes to an end. Board the train at either La Malbaie or Baie-Saint-Paul for the six-hour return journey to Québec City, where your catch your onward flight. Safe travels!

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