“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.
$1995 per person. Sea kayak rental available for an additional $150
Price includes fees for private campgrounds and Provincial park fees (7 nights), group cooking equipment, and all camping meals. We will meet at the campground in St. Rose du Nord on first date listed (no paddling this day) and depart the morning of the last date listed.
Saguenay Fjord Itinerary
Exploring Quebec's Saguenay Fjord
General Plan:
We will be traveling to our put-in destination on Friday 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 Thursday afternoon and plan to camp at a private campground located on the St. Lawrence, Tursday evening, offering spectacular views and with any luck sightings of whales from shore. Friday morning will find us heading home. A more specific itinerary follows as well as notes on additional items you may wish to bring, notes on the campsites and notes in general that may be helpful for you in planning for the trip.
ITINERARY
Friday
Travel day. We'll meet early evening at the campground in St. Rose du Nord, located on the north shore of the Saguenay River. Once everyone has arrived, we'll walk to the nearby restaurant/cafe for some authentic Quebec food, maybe a blueberry beer, and entertainment. This will be our starting point for the trip.
Saturday - Thursday
We begin our five 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 around noon on our final day. Once we've landed, we'll run the shuttle back up to the put-in to pick up our vehicles, load up the kayaks and head north along the St. Lawrence for approximately 12 miles for our final night of the trip. We'll stay at a campground located on the St. Lawrence, in the heart of whale country. After setting up camp, getting a much- awaited hot shower and clean clothes, we'll head to a nearby restaurant for a local meal. (B, L, D, as noted on itinerary)
Friday
Keep your fingers crossed and hopefully when you wake up today you'll be able to spot not only Beluga whales and Minke whales but hopefully see Humpbacks and Fin whales feeding along the shore. The water just offshore here is deep, rich with plankton, and very cold, all ingredients that attract the whales. The smooth granite ledges that slope down to the water surface provide great viewing spots to watch the whales as you sip on your morning's cup of coffee and admire the view. At your leisure, pack up and head for home.
