Winter Highlights of Ontario and Quebec Self-Drive Tour

Winter Highlights of Ontario and Quebec Self-Drive Tour

Winter Highlights of Ontario and Quebec Self-Drive Tour

Prices

From $1,250USD

Difficulty

Self-guided

Hotels

Start Your Booking

Highlights

Discover the beauty of a Canadian winter on a road trip through Ontario and Quebec

Discover the icy beauty of Niagara Falls and explore the lively attractions on Clifton Hill.

Visit Ottawa, Montreal, and Quebec City to witness the magic the snow brings to these historic cities.

Enjoy the winter activities available in the Laurentian Mountains, including skiing, snowshoeing, and hiking.

Spend two nights enjoying the convivial atmosphere in the pedestrian village of the Mont Tremblant ski resort.

Instead of hibernating, the historic cities of Ontario and Quebec truly come alive during the winter months. The Winter Highlights of Ontario and Quebec Self-Drive Tour is a 12-day self-drive adventure that combines your favourite winter sports with exploring the unique cities on your route.

This diverse itinerary includes downhill and xc skiing in the beautiful Laurentians, visiting the most powerful waterfall in the world, and sightseeing in Toronto, Ottawa, Montreal, and Quebec City. You’ll love the contrast of exploring the beautiful snow-covered streets of these vibrant cities and then escaping to the wilderness. The self-drive itinerary covers from as far west as Niagara Falls to Mauricie in the east and includes all the delightful stops in between for a winter adventure you’ll never forget!

Winter Highlights of Ontario and Quebec Self-Drive Tour Itinerary

Day 1 Arrive in Toronto

When you arrive at the airport in Toronto, you can pick-up your rental vehicle and drive downtown to check into your hotel.

Spend the afternoon exploring the city, visiting museums, and enjoying the many restaurants. You can choose to take an optional tour to the observation deck of the CN Tower.

Overnight Location
Hotel in Toronto
Meals
None

Day 2 Day Trip to Niagara Falls

Take the drive to Niagara Falls to visit the most powerful waterfall in the world. Take in the majestic Horseshoe Falls and then walk along the cliffs to see the American falls as well!

Spend the afternoon taking in the carnival-like atmosphere of shops, restaurants, and haunted houses at Clifton Hill, or take the boat ride to the base of the falls.

Overnight Location
Hotel in Toronto
Meals
None

Day 3 Explore the National Capital

Start your drive to Ottawa early so you can spend the whole day exploring this historic city. Rent some skates and see downtown and the beautiful parliament buildings from the Rideau Canal Skateway, the world’s largest skating rink. Visit the Bytown market or some of the amazing museums including the Canadian Museum of Civilizations.

Overnight Location
Hotel in Ottawa
Meals
None

Day 4 Arrive in Mont Tremblant

In the morning you’ll drive into Quebec and the Laurentian Mountains. Enjoy the quiet drive to the ski resort village at Mont Tremblant. You’ll have a hard time deciding what to do during your stay, but this is a good thing! Choose between alpine or cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, or hiking in the national park.

After a busy day, you can enjoy the lively atmosphere at one of the many restaurants and pubs in the pedestrian village.

Overnight Location
Hotel in Mont Tremblant
Meals
None

Day 5 Choose Your Own Adventure in Tremblant

You have a second day in Tremblant to ski, hike, and explore. You can also have a more relaxing day shopping or visit the outdoor pools at the Scandinavian-style spa. Take a stroll through the pedestrian streets of the charming ski village and see where it leads you!

Overnight Location
Hotel in Mont Tremblant
Meals
None

Day 6 Country Roads to Montreal

If you’re in a hurry you can take the highway to Montreal, but you’ll miss all the little villages and beautiful winter scenery along the backroads, so we recommend starting early and stopping often along the way.

Check into your Montreal hotel when you arrive, then go out to explore this metropolitan city.

Overnight Location
Hotel in Montreal
Meals
None

Day 7 Explore the Sights of Montreal

Enjoy your morning coffee in a local café and wander the cobbled streets of Old Montreal. Visit the Notre-Dame Basilica, Mount Royal, or the shops on St Catherine Street.

End your day with dinner in one of Montreal’s many exceptional restaurants.

Overnight Location
Hotel in Montreal
Meals
None

Day 8 Discover the Mauricie Region

The road ahead leads to the beautiful Mauricie region and Saint-Alexis-des-Monts. The forests and lakes that surround you will be a sight to behold under their blanket of snow, and they are yours to explore.

The hotel offers many outdoor activities for you to choose from and a sauna to warm you up when you come in for the day.

Overnight Location
Hotel in Saint-Alexis-des Monts
Meals
None

Day 9 Another Day of Mauricie Adventures

Spend a second day enjoying all the activities from your hotel. Take out the cross-country skis to explore the beautiful forest trails, or go snowshoeing, hiking, skating, or even swimming in the indoor pool.

In the afternoon, you can book a visit to the kennels to meet a team of sled dogs and take an exciting dog sled ride out on the trails.

Overnight Location
Hotel in Saint-Alexis-des Monts
Meals
None

Day 10 Winter Drive Along the St Lawrence

Once again you’ll be leaving the tranquil forests as you drive towards the city. Enjoy the drive as you pass pristine frozen lakes and charming towns. You may want to stop for lunch in Deschambault to get a feel for an authentic French-Canadian village and its hearty cuisine.

Continue your drive along the St Lawrence River to the beautiful historic walls of Quebec City.

Overnight Location
Hotel in Quebec City
Meals
None

Day 11 Enjoy Historic Quebec City

Allow yourself to be swept away by the romantic atmosphere of the snow-covered stone buildings and cobbled streets of Quebec City. Visit the historic battlegrounds at the Plains of Abraham or explore the shops and cafes in the Old Town district.

Overnight Location
Hotel in Quebec City
Meals
None

Day 12 Tour Concludes

Your tour finishes when you return your rental vehicle to the airport. At the time of booking, you can choose to leave from Montreal or Quebec City and coordinate your rental to be returned with your flights.

Overnight Location
None
Meals
None

Winter Highlights of Ontario and Quebec Self-Drive Tour Price and Dates

This self-guided tour of Ontario and Quebec is run as private tour for your group only, and the price per person depends on how many people are in your group.

Prices below are per person:

  • Self-guided groups of 2+: $1,150USD per person
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Accommodation on the Winter Highlights of Ontario and Quebec Self-Drive Tour

This tour is based in hotels. Hotels on this trip are 3-star with comfortable rooms and great locations.

In some cases, the accommodation listed below may need to be substituted for other comparable accommodations.

Single Rooms and Solo Travellers
Rooms are double occupancy. Single rooms, including those for solo travellers, are by request and may incur an additional fee.

Bond Place Hotel in Toronto

Enjoy the modern decor and great location of this downtown hotel. In Yonge and Dundas Square, shopping, restaurants, and theatres are at your doorstep.

Night 3

Hotel in Ottawa

Enjoy a room close to the attractions of Ottawa once you arrive.

Night 4-5

Hotel in Mont-Tremblant

This world-class ski resort town turns into an outdoor paradise in the summer. Mont-Tremblant is a charming town where you can relax or have an extreme adventure.

Night 6-7

Hotel in Montreal

Stay in a standard 3-star hotel in a great location. Walk around downtown, Old Montreal, Mile End, and Plateau Mont-Royal to peek into city life in different areas.

Night 8-9

Hotel in Saint-Alexis-des-Monts

Surrounded by the Laurentian Mountains, this quaint parish will be your tranquil home. Make sure to stroll the old town and visit the lake.

Night 10-11

Hotel in Quebec City

The only fortified city in Canada! The historic district is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Stroll the streets to admire the cobblestone roads and European architecture.

Hotels on Standard Tour

What’s Included in the Winter Highlights of Ontario and Quebec Self-Drive Tour?

Meals

There are no meals included in this tour.

Accommodations

Accommodations for 11 nights are included. Accommodations before the tour in Toronto and after the tour in Quebec City or Montreal are not included but can be added as a supplement.

Transportation during the Tour

This is a self-drive tour, so you’ll need to rent a vehicle for the duration of the itinerary.

Also Included

  • Canadian taxes
  • 24/7 access to helpline
  • Snowmobile equipment, including helmet, cold weather gear, mittens, and boots

Not included

  • Guide services
  • Flights
  • Meals, drinks, or snacks not previously mentioned
  • Travel insurance
  • Visas if required
  • Personal expenses
  • Optional activities
  • Entrance fees to national parks
  • Gratuities for tour guides or other staff if desired
  • Ski equipment rental in Mont Tremblant and Mauricie
  • Skate rentals
  • Vehicle rental

Optional Extras

  • Additional nights before or after the tour
  • Single occupancy
  • Optional activities or excursions:
    • Entrance to CN Tower in Toronto
    • Admission to Canadian Museum of Civilization
    • Dog sled excursion in Mauricie

Frequenty Asked Questions about Winter Highlights of Ontario and Quebec Self-Drive Tour

How hard is the Winter Highlights of Ontario and Quebec Self-Drive Tour?

We rate this tour as a 1/5. This tour has a flexible itinerary that allows you to choose whichever activities you prefer so that you can tailor them to your fitness level.

Do I need a visa to travel to Canada?

Check with your local country about visa requirements. You could also try this website, though you should verify with your government.

Are meals included on the Winter Highlights of Ontario and Quebec Self-Drive Tour?

There are no meals included in this tour.

Do I need insurance?

Yes, it is mandatory to have health and medical insurance to join this trip, and your insurance should cover all the activities you intend to do. Get your Travel Insurance.

How do I get to Toronto to start this tour?

Fly into Toronto Lester B Pearson International Airport (YYZ). You’ll pick up your rental vehicle at the airport.

Is the Winter Highlights of Ontario and Quebec Self-Drive Tour in English?

This is a self-guided tour, and the route guide, maps, and programs will be supplied in English.

Where does the Winter Highlights of Ontario and Quebec Self-Drive Tour end?

This tour ends in Quebec City at the Quebec City Jean Lesage International Airport (YQB), however, you can request to return your car rental to the Montreal Pierre Elliott Trudeau Airport (YUL) if you prefer.

Can I rent ski equipment and skates during the tour?

Yes, winter sports equipment will be available to rent. Ski rentals are available in Mont Tremblant and Mauricie, and you can rent skates at the Rideau Canal in Ottawa.

Can I bring my own skis and skates?

Yes, you can, but please make sure that your car rental is fit of carrying skiing equipment. You are welcome to bring your own skates, however, rentals will be available.

Do I need special vaccines to travel to Canada?

Check with your family doctor.

Are there any travel restrictions for Canada?

Please check with your local government about travel restrictions before you book your tour. This map from the US Department of State provides an overview of the current status in countries around the globe. The UK‘s Foreign Office and Government of Canada also provide advice on foreign travel. Note that the travel advice may change depending on your nationality.

When is the best time to travel to Canada for this tour?

The best time to travel to Quebec and Ontario for a winter tour is between December and March when there’s enough snow to enjoy activities like skiing, dog sledding, and snowshoeing.

Reviews

All tours on 10Adventures are operated by highly vetted local tour operators and guides.

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Details of the local tour operator will be listed on your booking invoice. If you have questions about the local operator prior to booking, please click the “Ask a Question” button below.

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Prices

From $1,250USD

Difficulty

Self-guided

Hotels

Start Your Booking

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Rated 4.9 on Google Reviews

Tour Difficulty

We rate this tour as a 1/5. This tour has a flexible itinerary that allows you to choose whichever activities you prefer so that you can tailor them to your fitness level.


Read about our scale for Tour Difficulty Ratings.

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