Eastern Canada in the Fall

ITINERARY

Day 1 – Flight to Montreal

Our adventure begins with a flight from London to Montreal. Transfer to our hotel for a 1-night stay.

Day 2 – By Train to Quebec City

We take a leisurely VIA Rail train journey along the St. Lawrence River to Quebec City where there is time to explore the historic quarter on its cliff-top position overlooking the river. Stay here for 2 nights.

Day 3 – Along the St. Lawrence to La Malbaie

The riverside rail line beyond Quebec City was closed to passengers for many years and so today’s full day journey is something rather special. We have a coach transfer to Montmorency Falls station just outside the city from where the train departs for La Malbaie and return.

Day 4 – Return to Montreal

The afternoon train back to Montreal takes just three hours and we will arrive in this cosmopolitan city in time for a leisurely evening and a 2-night stay.

Day 5 – Explore Montreal

Montreal is a charming city – very French in atmosphere – and we have a free day here. A good public transport system, including a metro modelled on the Paris style, makes getting around easy and there is an excellent value day ticket for these services. The hill behind the city (Mont Royal) is now a large public park from which there are superb views of the city and river beyond. This is easily accessed by public transport.

Day 6 – The “Abitibi” Train to Senneterre

We now head north through remote forest and lake scenery to Senneterre for a 1-night stay. The Fall colours should hopefully be at their best. The train is a lifeline to the local communities and many of the passengers will be taking supplies home for the winter following their half yearly shopping trip to Montreal.

Day 7 – By Coach to Cochrane

A private coach will take us on the next leg of our journey to Cochrane in Northern Ontario. Although a small town, Cochrane is very important, acting as the main distribution centre for the region. Our hotel for the next 2 nights is attached to the railway station.

Day 8 – North to Moosonee

We continue north on the Polar Bear Express to Moosonee. This is not usually a tourist route except for a few short weeks in the high summer. The railway is an essential part of life as Moosonee is 150 miles north of the nearest main road. The town is situated on James Bay (part of Hudson Bay) and has a population of just 1360, mostly First Nation Cree. We have three hours here before the return to Cochrane. There is catering on the train in both directions.

Day 9 – Polar Bears

This morning, we visit the Polar Bear sanctuary which is close to our hotel followed by an afternoon coach transfer to Timmins Airport for a domestic flight to Sault Ste Marie via Toronto. Stay here for 2 nights.

Day 10 – The Agawa Canyon

Sault Ste Marie is on the “neck” of land between Lakes Superior and Huron and a tourist train operates from here along the former Algoma Central Railway to Agawa Canyon. This line is famed for its glorious Fall colours and the canyon itself is spectacular with sheer walls a mere 50ft apart.

Day 11 – Fly to Toronto

We fly from Sault Ste Marie to Toronto, our next destination, where we stay at the fabulous Fairmont Royal York Hotel for 2 nights.

Day 12 – Niagara Falls

A 2 hour train journey brings us to the breathtaking Niagara Falls and there is ample time for sightseeing before our return, also by rail. We include a sightseeing pass which covers the local WEGO bus service and many of the available attractions.

Day 13 – At Leisure

Free day to explore Toronto. If life in the city is not to your taste, why not take the ferry to the nearby islands out on the lake? From here there are stunning views of the city skyline. We take the UP Express train to the airport for an evening flight to London.

Day 14 – Home Again

We arrive in London this morning.