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We've given each of our tours a comfort rating and a tour pace, walking or cycling grade to give you a general idea about the level of activity on each tour and the standard of accommodation you will be staying in at the end of your day's adventure.
Often you'll stay in different styles of accommodation during your tour; so we make an average rating across the entire tour. For more information on where you'll stay each night, please refer to the day by day tour itinerary.
Back to topPlaces visited and routes may vary depending on the local weather and trail conditions and on the decision of our mushing guides. Night stops may also vary depending on our route and this will determine the number of kms per day during the sledding days. A flexible attitude, a good level of fitness and an appreciation of Mother Nature are key to getting the most from this adventure.
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The following excursions and/or activities are usually available and may be arranged locally. Estimated costs are provided below for guidance only, are on a per person basis unless shown otherwise, and may depend on the number of participants. Prices quoted are correct as of the date these trip notes were originally issued but may change at any time due to currency fluctuations.
Back to topQuebec City - Snowmobiling CAD$180 (for 3 hours), Snowshoeing CAD$20 (2hours), Cross-country Skiing CAD$20 + equipment (25$) (for 2 hours), Spa CAD$45 (with access to hotpools, steam bath and sauna), Massage CAD$90, Downhill Skiing CAD$50 (full day), CAD$40 (half day), equipment CAD$35.
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Tour Leader: At your discretion you might also consider tipping your Tour Leader in appreciation of the efficiency and service you receive.
Back to topLocal Staff: Although entirely voluntary, tipping is a recognised part of life. Some local staff will look to members of the group for personal recognition of particular services provided. A minimum of 15% tipping is expected in restaurants. Please allow CAN$40 for tipping.
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Local Currency: Canadian Dollars.
Recommended Currency for Exchange: Bring your money in Canadian dollars or US$ cash or Travellers Cheques which can be used almost everywhere, although local stores are not keen to change anything over $50.
Where to Exchange: Banks or ‘Forex’ offices in main towns/cities. Your tour leader will advise you on arrival.
ATM Availability: There are ATMs in the towns.
Credit Card Acceptance: Major credit cards are widely accepted.
Travellers Cheques: Canadian Dollars Travellers Cheques are most convenient.
Back to topUp-to-date information re:global exchange rates can be obtained at https://www.currency-express.com/explore/
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| UK | Canada | |
|---|---|---|
| Tea/Coffee | £1.50 | CA$1.80 |
| Soft Drink | £1.50 | CA$1.70 |
| Bottled Water | £1.50 | CA$1.70 |
| Bottle of Beer | £3.50 | CA$5.20 |
| 2 Course Meal* | £15.00 | CA$25.00 |
| 3 Course Meal** | £20.00 | CA$45.00 |
| Bottle of Wine | £14.50 | CA$25.00 |
| Breakfast | £5.00 | CA$12.00 |
*Cheap local fare in a small cafe or restaurant.
**Typical food in a simple, reasonably comfortable mid-range restaurant.
Please note also that, although your Explore travel insurance covers snowmobiling in terms of medical costs incurred by you as an insured person, (check your own policy if not covered by Explore travel policy) an excess of 1200GBP (approx) will be payable in the event of any damage to your snowmobile; this excess will not be covered by the Explore's travel insurance policy (or any other policy probably). You are also not covered by travel insurance for 3rd party liability (damage to someone else or someone else’s property whilst driving a snowmobile). If you have your own travel insurance policy please check that your policy does not exclude medical expenses arising from accidents involving snow mobiling.
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It is a condition of joining any of our tours that you must have valid travel insurance. It must indicate that you have cover for (at least) medical expenses and emergency repatriation in the event of illness or injury. We also strongly recommend your policy includes cancellation protection as all deposit paid are non-refundable.
If you require travel insurance for your tour, Explore Worldwide is an appointed representative of Campbell Irvine Limited, who is authorised and regulated by the Financial Services authority. Our travel insurance policy is specially tailored to the needs of the adventure traveller and will cover you for any included activity on any Explore trip. You can either purchase this at the time of booking or call us 0844 499 0901 after you have booked.
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Please note: Please note that flights on the tour may transit through the USA. According to US law, passengers will have to disembark, collect luggage and clear immigration before re-boarding for the onward flight.
Holders of the UK, AUS, NZ, CAN and several EU country passports can enter the United States without a visa under the Visa Waiver Program (VWP) if they hold a machine readable passport. They must also be entering the country by sea or air on a carrier participating in the visa waiver scheme, holding a return/onward ticket. As well as being machine readable, if your passport was issued on or after 26 October 2005, it must contain both a digital photograph of the holder and also an integrated circuit chip that stores biographic information.
All passengers travelling to the USA under the Visa Waiver Programme must provide their details online no later than 72 hours prior to travel. British travellers who have not registered before their trip are likely to be detained and sent home. In addition to passport information, you must also supply the full address of your first night’s accommodation in the USA. This information can be obtained from your joining instructions which are sent out approximately 3 weeks before travel.
Anyone applying for ESTA (Electronic Travel Authorisation) to travel under the Visa Waiver system will be charged a fee of 14USD (9GBP).
For more information, and to apply online, please visit the following website at https://esta.cbp.dhs.gov. Once obtained, the application will be valid for a period of two years, or for the validity of your passport (whichever is shorter).
For more information about who is eligible for the VWP, or any other questions you may have regarding your eligibility, or machine readable passports, please contact your local consular office, or visit www.usembassy.org.uk
Other nationalities should consult the relevant consulate.
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All visa information is subject to change. You should confirm all visa related issues with the relevant Embassy prior to departure.
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Visas are not required by UK, AUS, NZ, USA, or CAN citizens. Other nationalities should consult the relevant consulate.
Back to topNothing compulsory, but we recommend protection against tetanus, typhoid, infectious hepatitis and polio.
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The above is not an exhaustive list. Further information regarding vaccinations and travel health advice can be found by following the NHS and NaTHNaC links at http://www.explore.co.uk/Travelhealth/ and from your local healthcare provider.
Visa and vaccination requirements are subject to change and should be confirmed before departure.
Back to topWe strongly recommend that you check your government’s travel advisory for up-to-date information and advice about your destination: safety and security, entry requirements, health, local laws and customs, including advice re: the legality of and local attitudes towards same-sex relationships. For UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office Advice follow the link at http://www.explore.co.uk/Traveladvice/
Back to topAround the Great Lakes and along the St Lawrence River the climate is generally characterised by warm summers and long, cold winters, with the temperatures being moderated by the surrounding water. Many areas can receive up to 300cm of snow and winter temperatures in this region tend to average between -5°C to -15°C during the day, dropping to -20°C to -30°C at night – although more extreme temperatures are possible.
Back to topAdditional information and climate charts can be accessed at http://www.explore.co.uk/ weather. Seasonal weather patterns can be unpredictable. Up-to-date information on the weather worldwide can be found by following the BBC weather link on this page.
Back to topTo assist with packing for your tour, we have detailed some of the essential items you should take with you.
Back to topUnfortunately it does occasionally happen that luggage does not always reach its destination on the same flight as its owner, or possibly it may be damaged in transit. If you are unlucky enough for this to occur, it is important that you file a PIR (Property Irregularity Report) with the airline before leaving the airport. This is essential when you come to make a claim either against the airline or from your travel insurance company
Back to topNo hard suitcases. Bring only the bare essentials—one backpack or holdall plus a smaller holdall for personal items carried with you inside the sled. Bring a smaller soft bag for your clothes during the safari (your other clothes will stay with your luggage at the lodge). Bring plastic bags to keep things dry. Total allowance: 44lbs/20kgs. The total luggage limit during the dogsledding safari is 10kgs per person – additional clothing and kit can be left at base camp while we are on the safari.
Back to topPack for ‘All Tours’ plus ‘Cold Conditions’. You are best to bring in multiple layers of clothes that can be added or removed according to your level of activity. 2 sets of thermal underwear are essential, as are warm jogging bottoms or similar, fleece jacket, woollen jumper, ski pants and a warm, wind and waterproof ski-type jacket and a change of clothes for the cabins. Also bring good quality gloves/mits, warm hat and a snood (fleece pullover for your neck) and several pairs of woollen socks. Winter clothing (consisting of thermo-overalls and boots) will be provided locally for the duration of the safari and is recommended.
Back to topHiking boots or winter boots (if you have them). Bring comfortable shoes for relaxing in. Winter boots are provide locally.
Back to topWe recommend taking a thermos flask, high factor sun cream (oil-based rather than water based) and good quality sunglasses or goggles. A torch is also recommended. Please note that a normal driving licence is required for the snowmobiles, so please remember to bring one with you if you wish to partake in the snowmobiling in Quebec. All dogsledding equipment, sleeping bag and liner are provided locally.
Back to topThen we suggest you contact Nomad Travel, our equipment partner, who specialise in kitting people out for adventurous travel. You receive a special 10% discount in-store or online. Visit one of their stores, phone 0845 260 0044, or visit their website www.nomadtravel.co.uk/explore for further information.
Back to topArea: 9,984,670 sq km.
Population: 33.39 million.
Language: English, French and 53 native languages.
Religion: Roman Catholic 43%, Protestant 23% and minorities from most of the world's major religions.
Local Time: GMT -5.
Electric Supply & Plugs: 110v. North American style plugs.
Back to topFor comprehensive information regarding voltages and plug types in use in the countries visited, follow the relevant link at http://www.explore.co.uk/Traveladvice/
Back to topRecommended Books: Lonely Planet: Montreal & Quebec City, Insight Guide: Montreal & Quebec City, Rene Chartrand: Quebec, 1759, Matthew C. Ward: The Battle for Quebec 1759.
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