“Our trip down the Saguenay Fjord was awesome. We were fortunate to meet Beluga whales. They nudged our boats, swam among us, rolled on their sides to look at us and they spouted and trumpeted and called to us as they headed down the fjord. Truly a once in a lifetime experience. Cathy guided us expertly, and is a gourmet cook as well. Both Cathy and Bob challenged and suppoted me paddling. it was exciting AND I felt safe. I look forward to my next trip paddling, traveling, dining, and learning with H2O!”
— J. Kiewel, Chester, VT
A true wilderness experience offering panoramic views of one of the few natural North American fjords. Edged with towering cliffs of 1000 feet, this 70 km voyage along the river Saguenay is a journey worth undertaking. This point-to-point trip begins at St. Rose du Nord, a picturesque village situated on the fjord's northern shore, and ends at Tadoussac, the site of the first trading post in the early 1600s. It is here that the Saguenay mixes with the arctic waters of the mighty St. Lawrence, yielding a nutrient-rich eco-system that supports four to five species of whales, including the much loved and endangered Beluga, Minke, Fin, Humpback and even the gigantic Blue Whale. As we travel down the fjord, we'll encounter breath-taking views both ahead of us and behind us. The well-maintained and thoughtfully planned campsites located perioidically along the way, offer fresh water, tent platforms, and privies, basic comforts you're sure to appreciate at day's end. This is indeed a unique trip well worth the drive.
$2295 per person. Sea kayak rental available for an additional $150
Price includes lodge-based accommodations for the first and last night of the trip, camping fees fees for the six nights we are on the river, Provincial park entrance fees, group cooking and safety equipment, all camping meals, and leadership/instruction with H2Outfitters; Head Honcho, Cathy Piffath.
Saguenay Fjord Itinerary
Exploring Quebec's Saguenay Fjord
General Plan:
We will be traveling to our put-in destination on Friday, staying in a quaint guesthouse in St.Rose du Nord that evening and heading off on our trip on Saturday morning. We will be staying at a different site each night as we make our way down the Saguenay River to the St. Lawrence. We will get off the river Friday afternoon and enjoy our final evening at a lovely hotel in Tadoussac soothing our tired muscles under a hot shower, exchanging our camp clothes for casual wear, and then gathering at one of the local restaurants for our final dinner together sharing highlights from our trip down the fjord. A more specific itinerary detailing the route down the fjord will be included in our final correspondence 2-3 weeks prior to the trip start.
ITINERARY
Friday
Travel day. We'll meet up this evening at a wonderful Inn in the heart of the small village of St. Rose du Nord, located on the north shore of the Saguenay River. Once everyone has arrived and settled in, we'll walk to the nearby restaurant/cafe for some authentic Quebec food, maybe a blueberry beer, and entertainment. This is a great opportunity to see first-hand our launching spot for the start of our journey down the river and discuss the plan for the following day.
Saturday - Friday
We begin our six and a half day journey down the Saguenay river through the fjord, averaging 8-10 miles a day. We'll enjoy breathtaking views each day, keep our eyes peeled for seals snoozing along the river's edge, and of course, the Beluga whales as we get closer to Arctic waters of the St. Lawrence seaway. Each night we'll stay at one of the Provincial Park's established campsite as we make our way down the Fjord and end in the old trading village of Tadoussac early afternoon on our final day. Once we've landed, we'll run the shuttle back up to the put-in to pick up vehicles left there, drive back down to Tadoussac to load boats and check into our cozy hotel just up the road. A hot shower awaits as well as a delicious local meal at a nearby restaurant to wrap up the trip. (All camping meals are included - meals eaten out are the responsibility of each person)
Saturday
This is your travel day but feel free to spend some time walking around Tadoussac, especially if you are looking for a few souvenirs or want to visit the aquarium. It’s an interesting village with little cafes and eateries, gift shops, and a lot of history as it was once a major trading route.
