Wildlife lovers rejoice – this safari tour shows off the best of Canada’s nature
When you think “safari,” Quebec may not be the first place that comes to mind, but this tour will change your mind! On this 14-day guided safari tour, you’ll be immersed in the wilderness of eastern Quebec and all the amazing wildlife that call it home.
Arrive in historic Quebec City and explore it via a guided city tour the following morning. Then your group will set off on your eastward journey to Bic National Park. A day of hiking along the shoreline offers expansive views of the broad Saint Lawrence River, with sunbathing seals watching you go. The next three nights are spent in Gaspésie National Park. Summit mountains to search for caribou, then set off on early morning walks through the woods to spot the magnificent moose. Continue even further along the Gaspé Peninsula, reaching the coastal town of Percé. Spend a day on Bonaventure Island just offshore, where thousands of seabirds mingle with the seals. Then it’s just north to Forillon National Park, learning about First Nations communities and embarking on a zodiac boat tour along the shores. Turn back to the west and cross the river on a scenic ferry, reaching the north shore of the Saint Lawrence and the historic trading port of Tadoussac. A fascinating whale-watching expedition awaits – keep your eye out for humpbacks and belugas! Your final day of hiking in the unique Charlevoix region offers mountaintop views and perhaps a sight of the resident black bears. Return to Quebec City for a final evening of fun.
The flora and fauna of Quebec represent Canada’s best, and your expert guide will immerse you in this beautiful environment.
Highlights of the Quebec Safari Tour
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Quebec Safari Tour Itinerary
Day 1 Arrival in Quebec
Arrive in Quebec City and transfer to your hotel in the heart of downtown. Meet your guide and group for a casual dinner where the guide will review the journey ahead. The rest of the evening is at your leisure.
Overnight Location: Hotel in Quebec City
Distance: None
Meals: None
Day 2 Walk Quebec City
Spend the morning exploring Quebec City on foot with your guide and group. The rich history of the city comes to life as you stop at the Chateau Frontenac and Dufferin Terrace, ambling through the Petit Champlain district and the Plains of Abraham.
After a delicious lunch, hop in the minibus and head out on the three-hour drive to Bic National Park on the southern shores of the Saint Lawrence River. A prospector tent is your home for the evening – welcome to the woods!
Overnight Location: Tent in Bic National Park
Distance: Flexible
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Day 3 Bic National Park
An excellent hike awaits after breakfast, exploring the best of Bic National Park. Views of the massive river accompany your every step as you walk along the shore. Keep your eye out for sunbathing seals on rocks that dot the coastline during low tide.
After lunch, hop back in the minibus for the journey out to Gaspésie National Park. A cozy inn nestled with the park will be your home for the next three nights.
Overnight Location: Chalet in Gaspésie National Park
Distance: 1 hour, 3.4km, minimal elevation
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Day 4 Mount Jaques-Cartier and Caribou
It’s time to dive right into the treasures of this national park! Head for Mount Jacques-Cartier, the highest peak in southern Quebec. At over four thousand feet, there is no shortage of spectacular views. Reaching the top, a plateau unfolds where a herd of caribou roam, which is very rare this far south and a special sight indeed.
Overnight Location: Chalet in Gaspésie National Park
Distance: 4-5 hours, 8.3km, 465m elevation gain
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Day 5 Moose Watching
It’s an early start today as your guide takes you on a mission to spot the massive moose! The best time to spot these breathtaking animals is early or late in the day, so your timing is important. Whether you manage to see one or not, your hike is sure to satisfy.
Overnight Location: Chalet in Gaspésie National Park
Distance: 4 hours, (up to) 12.6km, 365m elevation gain
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Day 6 East to Percé
In the morning, make a visit to the serene Lac aux Américains before hopping in the minibus for the 3 ½ -hour drive east to Percé. Situated on the very tip of the Gaspé Peninsula, few places in Quebec are as scenic as this.
Take some time to explore the charming village, then head to the Mount Ste-Anne observation point. There’s no better place to watch the sun go down!
Overnight Location: Hotel in Percé
Distance: Flexible
Meals: Breakfast, lunch
Day 7 Day on Bonaventure Island
A fun adventure awaits as you spend today exploring the island. Take a boat out to nearby Bonaventure Island and spend the day walking around its shores. There’s an amazing array of wildlife here – huge colonies of sea birds are impossible to miss, with gannets numbering in the hundreds of thousands. You might also spot some seals frolicking just offshore.
Overnight Location: Hotel in Percé
Distance: 2 ½ hours, 8.2km, minimal elevation gain
Meals: Breakfast, lunch
Day 8 True Canadian Culture
Head north to nearby Forillon National Park today, stopping along the way at the MicMac Museum. This is an excellent place to learn about the culture and traditions of the First Nations groups who lived in the region long before Europeans first came to the continent.
After reaching the park, hike up Mont Saint-Alban and enjoy panoramic views from the summit. In the early evening, your guide will show you to a local beaver colony where you can watch the national animals hard at work!
Overnight Location: Tent in Forillon National Park
Distance: 3 hours, 7.2km, 275m elevation gain
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Day 9 Zodiac Cruise
Another exciting day of wildlife viewing is on tap today. Hop in a zodiac and cruise just off the shores of the Forillon National Park. All sorts of marine birds make their homes in the cliffs overlooking the water.
Back on shore, walk along the coast all the way to Cap Gaspé, the far end of the peninsula. The views out over the Gulf of Saint Lawrence are nothing short of spectacular! On your way back, stop by a cod fishing village for stories of the local communities that embody this region.
Overnight Location: Tent in Forillon National Park
Distance: Flexible
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Day 10 Crossing the River
Today is a scenic travel day as you turn back west and drive to the town of Matane. Here, you’ll board a ferry to cross the Saint Lawrence River, a journey of 2 ½ hours. Arriving in Baie Comeau, hop back in the minibus for the final leg of the journey into the historic trading post of Tadoussac.
Overnight Location: Hotel in Tadoussac
Distance: None
Meals: Breakfast
Day 11 Whale Watching Expedition
Back in the zodiac boat today – although you’ll be searching for something bigger than birds this time! Start with a visit to the nearby Interpretation and Observation Centre, where expert marine biologists paint a picture of the region’s flora and fauna.
Then it’s off to spot the whales! Humpbacks, porpoises, belugas, and even the legendary blue whales are all known to frequent these feeding grounds. Back on land, stroll to a viewpoint near the mouth of the Saguenay fjord for another chance to see belugas and minke whales.
Overnight Location: Hotel in Tadoussac
Distance: Flexible
Meals: Breakfast, lunch
Day 12 Exploring Charlevoix
Start with a drive southwest into the Grands-Jardins National Park, deep in the heart of the Charlevoix region. Its unique geography stems from a prehistoric meteorite impact. Hike up Mont du Lac does Cygnes, with wonderful views of this breathtaking landscape along with possible black bear sightings.
After the hike, head to Baie Saint-Paul, your home for the evening. This lovely village is a treat to visit, with plenty of art galleries and shops to peruse.
Overnight Location: Hotel in Baie Saint-Paul
Distance: 4 hours, 8.6km, 480m elevation gain
Meals: Breakfast, lunch
Day 13 Return to the City
Transfer back to Quebec City today and enjoy a free day to explore the city’s various neighbourhoods any way you wish. With amazing cuisine and culture, there’s no shortage of possibilities.
Overnight Location: Hotel in Quebec City
Distance: None
Meals: Breakfast
Day 14 Depart Quebec
After a final delicious breakfast, check out from your accommodations and depart Quebec City via your own arrangements.
Overnight Location: None
Distance: None
Meals: Breakfast
Quebec Safari Tour Price and Dates
This guided wildlife watching and hiking tour in Quebec is run as a custom tour for your group and the price depends on the number of participants.
Important: This tour is not available for the 2024 summer season. Please contact us for 2025 availability.
Prices below are per person, sharing a double or a triple room:
- Guided solo travellers: $12,325 USD
- Guided groups of 2: $6,950 USD per person
- Guided groups of 3: $5,150 USD per person
- Guided groups of 4: $4,175 USD per person
- Guided groups of 5: $3,525 USD per person
- Guided groups of 6: $3,050 USD per person
- Guided groups of 7: $2,895 USD per person
- Guided groups of 8: $2,725 USD per person
- Guided groups of 9: $2,595 USD per person
- Guided groups of 10: $2,495 USD per person
- Guided groups of 11: $2,425 USD per person
- Guided groups of 12: $2,375 USD per person
You can upgrade to single rooms (only available in hotels) for $850 USD.
Book NowAccommodation on the Quebec Safari Tour
This tour is based in comfortable 2-4-star hotels, chalets, and prospector tents. Each property offers warm rooms with daily breakfast, provided either by the property or your guide. Tented properties do not have washrooms inside the tents, but they are close nearby. Some accommodations offer shared, dormitory-style rooms.
Single Rooms and Solo Travellers
Rooms are double or triple occupancy. If you prefer a single room where available (only in the hotels) you can pay a supplement of $850 USD.
Hotels on Standard Tour
Hotel Royal William in Quebec City ★★★★
This excellent hotel is set in the trendy Saint-Roche district, only steps from the Old Port. Spacious rooms offer comfort and style in equal measure. You’ll enjoy timeless standards of service mixed with modern furnishings and feel.
Huttopia Tent in Bic National Park
These ready-to-camp tents require zero set-up and are a perfect home for your first night in the woods. Tents are triple occupancy.
Chalet in Gaspésie National Park
These shared chalets deep in the heart of the park are a cozy, authentic forest home for your Gaspé adventure. Group dinners will be cooked by your guide.
Hôtel Le Mirage in Percé ★★★
This charming property offers clean rooms and service with heartfelt warmth in the lovely village of Percé.
Otentik Tents in Forillon National Park
Another set of ready-made tents provide a cozy forest home infused with the true spirit of exploration. Tents are triple occupancy.
Hotel Le Beluga in Tadoussac ★★
Clean and cozy rooms in the center of town are a perfect complement to your wildlife adventures.
Hôtel Baie Saint-Paul in Baie Saint-Paul ★★★
This comfortable hotel offers a lovely place for a much-needed rest after a long journey through the Quebecois wilderness.
Hotel Royal William in Quebec City ★★★★
This excellent hotel is set in the trendy Saint-Roche district, only steps from the Old Port. Spacious rooms offer comfort and style in equal measure. You’ll enjoy timeless standards of service mixed with modern furnishings and feel.
What’s Included on the Quebec Safari Tour?
Meals
13 breakfasts, 10 lunches, and 6 dinners are included.
Accommodations
Accommodations for 13 nights are included.
Transportation during the Tour
Transportation to and from every hike is included on the tour. Transport between all accommodations along the tour is also included. A minibus with a luggage trailer is used for transport. Airport transfers can be added as a supplement.
Also Included
- Expert driver/guide throughout the trip
- All national park entrance fees
- Bonaventure Island cruise
- Entrance to MicMac Museum
- Zodiac tour on Day 9
- Ferry tickets on Day 10
- Whale watching activity on Day 11
- Canadian taxes
Not included
- Flights
- Tips for servers, driver, or guides
- Travel insurance
- Visas if required
- Fees for any activities not listed above
- Meals, drinks, or snacks not previously mentioned
Optional Extras
- Additional nights before or after the tour
- Single room upgrades
- Airport transfers
Frequently Asked Questions about Quebec Safari Tour
The origins of Windigo date back over four hundred years to the hunt for the Northwest Passage. Sir Martin Frobisher was a principal figure in these early adventures, making several trips to the Arctic. While he didn’t find the Passage, he did bestow his name on today’s Frobisher Bay, where Iqaluit meets the sea. Little did Martin know that his descendent Charles Frobisher would start an adventure travel company many centuries later!
Since 1996, Windigo has been operating group adventure tours throughout North America. They’re proud to show off the very best of this magnificent land, from its highest snow-capped peaks to its longest roaring rivers and everything in between. A team of expert guides bring unrivalled passion to each and every adventure. Traveling with Windigo provides memories for a lifetime!
Learn MoreMap of Quebec Safari Tour
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