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?
Travel Style
Classic
Service Level
Standard
Physical Grading
3 - Average
What's Included
Your Welcome Moment: 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.
What are the main highlights of this trip?
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
How large will the group be?
Max 18, avg. 14
What meals are included in this trip?
4 breakfasts, 4 lunches, 4 dinners
What are the modes of transportation on my trip?
Private Vehicle, Snowshoeing, Dog Sledding
Is there an extra cost for travelling solo?
We believe solo travellers should not have to pay more to travel so our group trips are designed for shared accommodation and do not involve a single supplement. Single travellers joining group trips are paired in twin or multi-share accommodation with someone of the same sex for the duration of the trip. Some of our Independent trips are designed differently and solo travellers on these itineraries must pay the single trip price.
Where will we stay during the trip?
Hotel (2 nts), Lodge (4 nts).
Itinerary
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Is travel insurance required for my trip?
Travel insurance is compulsory in order to participate on any of our trips. When travelling on a group trip, you will not be permitted to join the group until evidence of travel insurance has been sighted by your leader, who will take note of your insurance details. When selecting a travel insurance policy we require that at a minimum you are covered for medical expenses including emergency evacuation and repatriation. A minimum coverage of USD200,000 is required. We strongly recommend that the policy also covers personal liability, cancellation, curtailment and loss of luggage and personal effects. Some tours include adventure activities that require extra coverage (e.g. crampon use); please review your itinerary and make sure that you are covered for all included activities. If you have credit card insurance we require proof of purchase of the trip (a receipt of credit card statement) with a credit card in your name. Contact your bank for details of their participating insurer, the level of coverage and emergency contact telephone number.
Terms, conditions and restrictions apply; pricing, availability, and other details subject to change and/ or apply to US or Canadian residents. Please confirm details and booking information with your travel advisor.
