The Lac-Saint-Jean Raid

During this fabulous winter adventure you will conquer, while riding a powerful snowmobile, the wild territories the Upper Mauricie and Lac-St-Jean regions feature. An expedition intended for those looking for an intense experience. Among other things, you’ll have the opportunity to discover a gigantic lake which actually looks like a frozen desert during the winter months, some dramatic Nordic sceneries as well as the immensity of the Mauricie’s  back country. To top it off, you will be invited to visit the famous Saint-Félicien Wildlife Zoo where the animals stroll freely while the visitors are caged!

Itinerary

  • Day 1 Montreal

    Montreal Arrival in Montreal. Transfer on your own towards downtown. Night at the Roberval in standard or at the Gouverneur Place Dupuis in Superior.

    Accommodation : Hotel

  • Day 2 Saint-Michel-des-Saints / trois-Rives (130km)

    Saint-Michel-des-Saints / trois-Rives (130km) Bienvenue au pays de la motoneige, l’activité hivernale la plus répandue au Québec! A deux par motoneige, nous partons pour un raid en direction du Lac Saint Jean. Cette première journée, nous parcourons la forêt boréale du Parc National de la Mauricie.

    - 4 à 6 heures d'activités
    - Hébergement : Hôtel Marineau ou similaire

  • Day 3 Trois-Rives - Lac Édouard

    Trois-Rives - Lac Édouard After breakfast, a shuttle will pick you up directly at your downtown hotel. You’ll then head towards the Mattawin Adventure Center which is located in the heart of the Mauricie region’s wild territories. After a two hours journey, much of which runs along the scenic St. Maurice Valley, a guide will welcome you upon your arrival at the Adventure Center. He will then proceed to the technical training to make sure that your snowmobile adventure is safely conducted with the utmost respect for the environment. Towards the end of the morning, you leave by snowmobile in direction of the Upper Mauricie’s wild territories. Here the Canadian cliché of an endless forest sparkled with isolated lakes becomes a reality. Dinner and night at the Pourvoirie du Lac Édouard. (B, L, D)

    Accommodation : Outfitter

  • Day 4 Hébertville

    Hébertville The first part of this exciting day will allow you to travel at high speed through a pristine forest territory. Depending on the rhythm of the group, we might then make a stop on the shores of the majestic Lake St. Jean which looks like a white desert in winter. At this point, you will be back in the civilization as several quaint villages are built around the lake. Dinner and night at the Auberge Presbytère. (B, L, D)

    Accommodation : Hotel

  • Day 5 La Tuque

    La Tuque It’s time to ride back towards the wild territories of the Upper Mauricie region which features endless pine forests that are followed by a maze of mountains and valleys where frozen rivers are peacefully laying. All this will lead you to an authentic and charming forest inn. Dinner and night the Pourvoirie Club Odanak. (B, L, D)

    Accommodation : Outfitter

  • Day 6 Saint-Félicien

    Saint-Félicien With its thousands of miles of trails and 22 weeks of snow every winter, the Lac-Saint-Jean region is a true snowmobile paradise. The journey now takes you to the town of Saint-Félicien where you’ll have the privilege to observ the animals of the Boreal forest at the famous Wildlife Zoo. Dinner and night at the Auberge des Berges. (B, L, D)

    Accommodation : Lodge

  • Day 7 Trois-Rives - Montreal

    Trois-Rives - Montreal Since all good things come to an end, you conclude your adventure at the end of the day, you’ll return to the Adventure Center at the end of the day and you’ll be called upon to raise your glass in honor of your exploits before the transfer to Montreal. Night at the Roberval in standard or at the Gouverneur Place Dupuis in Superior. (B, L). Instead of returning to Montreal, you can opt for a transfer to Quebec City (see the details in the « Stay in Quebec City » box.

    Accommodation : Hotel

  • Day 8 Montreal

    Montreal Those who returned to Montreal the previous night have some free time to discover the city before returning to the airport. (B)


"Stay in Quebec City" Option: 
Rather than returning to Montreal on day 6, you now have the opportunity to be transferred in Quebec City where you will also spend the night on day 7 before taking the train back to Montreal on day 8. The package then becomes an 8 days / 7 nights.
For more information, please contact us.

Dates & prices

Departures for French-speaking groups:

No departure for now

Trip code: UCAMO2

Included

  • R/T transfer from Montreal to the Adventure Center
  • Services of a certified snowmobile guide
  • Recent Bombardier 4 stroke engine, 600cc snowmobile for 5 days
  • Unlimited mileage, gas and oil for 5 days
  • "Extreme Cold" clothing : snow-suit, boots, helmet and gloves
  • Face-mask
  • Waterproof bag for your personnal items
  • Accident insurance for snowmobile (*Deductible 2000$-**Security Deposit 500$)
  • Snowmobile trail permit
  • Visit of the St-Félicien Wildlife Zoo
  • 6 nights accommodation
  • 15 meals (see abbreviations)
  • 1 snack
  • Applicable taxes

Not included

  • Air travel· Airport transfers
  • Personal expenses
  • Drinks (excluding coffee and tea with meals included)
  • Credit card security deposit
  • Tips for guide

International flights

On request, ask your advisor at canada@altaibasecamp.com

Insurance

On request, ask your advisor at canada@altaibasecamp.com

Practical info

Food

Not all meals are included in your stay, especially in cities. You can prepare picnics for lunch and go to the restaurant in the evening. Enjoy all the restaurants and snacks you will come across during your stay.

Transportation

We can offer you our services for transfers and provide you with a rental vehicle (contact us)

Budget & exchange

Visa and Mastercard are accepted almost everywhere. You can also change euros. 1 Euro = CAN $ 1.50 to 11/04/2019

Tips

In the United States and Canada, the service is never included in the price. In bars, restaurants and all places where a service is provided, it is expected that you leave a tip between 15 and 20% of the total amount. Know that many employees in the service trades are paid only with tips. It would be very badly perceived to give nothing, or not to give enough. Even when paying by credit card, you will indicate the amount of the tip you want to leave. On this type of trip, it is customary to leave $ 6 per person per day for the driver guide and $ 20 per group for city guides.

Vital equipment

From head to toe

  • A pair of warm shoes or a pair of padded boots
  • Slippers or light sneakers for the chalet
  • Pair of wool socks
  • Anorak
  • Warm trousers
  • Warm sweaters or fleece furs
  • Underwear made of fine technical fibres
  • Swimsuit
  • Gloves, hat, scarf (depending on the season)

Material

  • Toilet bag
  • Pair of sunglasses
  • Sun protection cream (face and lip)
  • Pocket knife
  • Flashlight or front light with spare batteries
  • 1.5 litre minimum flask, light and isothermal.
You can also provide a 2-litre water bag. The latter has the advantage of allowing direct consumption thanks to its pipette. So you don't have to drop the backpack to grab the flask. This way you drink more regularly and in small quantities, which is recommended for a good hydration. Tip: having two containers allows you to consume one while the other is being processed.

Helpful equipment

  • Waterproof pocket for your passport and/or identity card
  • Your driver's license, your vaccination record
  • Your travel insurance brochure
  • Your currencies
  • Your credit card and personal papers
  • Plastic bags to guarantee the waterproofness of your belongings
  • Cameras and clothing Dirty laundry bag
  • Earplugs
  • Notepad and pen Book, card game....
  • Walking sticks (optional). They are a precious help to save your knees during the descent (up to 30% of your weight + that of your bag are supported by the poles) and support your effort during the ascent (the arms help in addition to the legs)
  • Pair of binoculars
  • Camera and battery charger
  • Adapter for electrical plug

Luggage

Plan:
A flexible travel bag with side zipper giving easier access to its contents than a sailor bag, it will contain the things you will not use during the day a small backpack (capacity about 40L) for your daily stuff such as sweaters, spare tee shirts, water bottles, glasses, lunch picnic etc. In case of delay in your checked baggage (toothbrush, t-shirt, walking shoes, etc.), please bring something to the cabin to "survive" the first few days.

Passport

Consular formalities for Europeans and Swiss nationals: 

Upon your registration, please transmit your passport information (name, first name, passport number, date of issues and expiration). Currently, to stay as a tourist for less than six months, a visa is not mandatory and a valid passport is sufficient with a validity exceeding by one day your stay in Canada.

Travelers must imperatively have an electronic travel authorization (eTA) to enter Canada. You will have to fill the form online and individually (one application per person) on http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/visit/ave.aspIt is essential that you have a valid email address. The 7 CAD fees are payable by Visa, Mastercard or American Express credit cards. The eTA is granted in just a few minutes but we advise you to apply for it as soon as your trip is confirmed. The eTA is an electronic document linked to your passport and stays valid for 5 years or until the expiration of the passport, depending on the first of these eventualities to occur. You must then travel with the passport used to apply for it. 

CAREFUL: for French women, the eTA must be filled with your maiden name. Hence, to facilitate the check-in at the airport, we ask travelers in Canada to indicate their maiden name for the booking of their tickets.

You travel with children:
Children and adults are submitted to the same obligations regarding passports and visa described above. Registration of minors on parents’ passports is now impossible; children must hold an individual passport. It is compulsory to apply for an eTA for each child individually. 

CAREFUL, from January 15th 2017 onwards, for all French minors traveling abroad alone, an authorization to leave the country is compulsory.
The child will have to submit the three following documents:
- The minor’s valid passport
- A photocopy of the signatory’s identity card, valid or expired for less than 5 years and the birth certificate
- The form, signed by one of the legal guardians, available online on https://www.service-public.fr/particuliers/vosdroits/F1359 

Concerning other nationalities, seek the Canadian consular authority of your country.

ARRIVAL IN CANADA VIA A TRANSIT THROUGH THE UNITED STATES :
CAREFUL, we can exceptionally use American airlines for travels bound for the American continent (North and South). 
They stop over in the US: you must possess an electronic or biometric passport which is still valid 6 months after your departure from the US (under ‘’passport’’, a rectangle under a circle meaning a secure symbol). 

You must also apply for an electronic travel authorization (ESTA) on the official website https://esta.cbp.dhs.gov. Valid for a duration of two years or until the expiration of the passport, this authorization must be requested at the latest 72h before your departure: we advise you to apply to it as soon as your trip is confirmed. It has to be paid for (14 USD online by credit card). The name you put on the form must be the same as the one that figures on your plane tickets and must of course appears on your passport. If the name used on the ESTA form is different from the one on your tickets, the airline can deny your boarding. Minors must also fill out an ESTA authorization. 

The Visa Waiver Program allows French nationals to enter the American territory without a visa, either via transit or for a stay of 90 days to the maximum. A visa is nevertheless necessary if you only have an emergency passport. Furthermore, travelers who went to Iran, Iraq, Syria, Somalia, Yemen or Soudan since March 11th 2011 and people who are national of Iran, Iraq, Syria or Soudan cannot benefit from the Visa Waiver program anymore: more information on http://www.diplomatie.gouv.fr/fr/conseils-aux-voyageurs/conseils-par-pays/etats-unis/

ARRIVAL IN THE US OR TRANSIT THROUGHT THE US :
Upon your arrival, the immigration service will take your photo and fingerprints. You’ll have to wait behind the yellow line and not cross it unless you’re told to, it can take some time. Customs controls will take place at the first access point to the territory (in case of a transit through a Canadian airport, it will be considered as a first access point to the US and the following process must be applied). Once you’ve been through the immigration service, you’ll get your luggage back from the conveyer belt and go to the customs. In case of a continuation of your trip, you’ll have to get your luggage back and bring them the baggage conveyer which serves.

Health information & recommendations

Pharmacy :
It is suggested that participants bring their own medication:
  •  Aspirin
  • Intestinal antiseptic
  • Small scissors
  • Tricosteril
  • Sun protection cream for face and lips
  • Mosquito repellent cream or lotion

Also think of your feet : elastoplast, eosin etc.

Recommendations : No vaccination required.

Hygiene : Tap water is safe to drink.

Weather

In Quebec, in summer, weather conditions are very changing and unpredictable and have a considerable influence on the level of the circuits. On average, in winter, the temperature is -10 degrees and -19 degrees at night. A trip indicated as easy will therefore require more effort if the appropriate weather conditions are not met. You must be ready to face the snow, the wind and even the blazing sun... Some activity may change due to conditions and lack of snow.Spirit of the trip: This trip is participatory: your help will be requested to load and unload the equipment necessary for the smooth running of the trip as well as for its cleaning; on itinerant tours, you must regularly set up and dismantle the camp. All this will not take much time on your entire journey, your guide knows the circuit well, but your involvement helps to create a climate of mutual support and establish links between you and your guide, for a friendly and peaceful atmosphere. 

For more information: https://www.meteomedia.com/ca

Electricity

As everywhere in the US, voltage runs at 110 Volts/60 cycles. New electric devices can be adapted o the current. It’s preferable to check whether or not your device is equipped with a current transformer. In general, it is a black box located between the electric plug and your device. If your device isn’t compatible with the 110-volt current, you’ll need to get a current transformer sold separately. As electrical plugs are flat, you’ll also need an adaptor to plug your device in. you’ll find it easily on the spot or before departure in a shop specialized in travels. A waterproof Zip Lock bag is a good way to keep your equipment in a dry place.

Sustainable tourism

Since the outset, Altai works for an eco-tourism and an organization of trips that respects equitable and sustainable principles.  

The harmonization of practices assures:
  •  A fair economical repartition
  • The improvement of local teams’ working conditions and their awareness of the protection of the environment
  • The information of travelers about respecting the local population and environment and the collection of their feelings at their return. 

You can also act in favor of an eco-tourism by adopting simple green gestures during your trips:
  • Avoid letting waste out, throw it in the trash can or bring it with you
  • Use potable water sparingly (take a shower instead of a bath and report any leaks) and avoid wasting it (use biodegradable soap to wash yourself)
  • Avoid damaging cultural sites: don’t touch the statues, don’t move the stones and objects
  • Exchange instead of giving (too Important gifts can destabilize the local economic stability of the country depending on their living standards)
  • When taking a walk, especially in some fragile ecosystems, observe the fauna from afar, do not go beyond beaten roads, limit stamping and do not bring any souvenirs: give up picking rare flowers picking fossils...
  • In some hotels, you can have  individual air conditioning. It is advised to systematically switching it off when you’re out of the room to avoid energetical overconsumption and greenhouse gas emission.
Request a quote
Region
Eastern Canada
Activity
Nature - Adventure Winter
Duration
8 days
Group
4 to 8 people
Code
UCAMO2
Price
From C$3,195
Level
3/5
Comfort
3/5
Language(s)
French

Strengths

-


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