01/06/2025
The Snow Geese of Quebec May 1 - 4, 2025
Explore Quebec City and witness the annual migration of Snow Geese along the St. Lawrence River!!!
$749 per person (double occupancy)
$979 (single occupancy)
$679 per person (triple occupancy)
Back by popular demand! RAVEN has not offered this trip for several years, and we are happy to have it on the schedule again for this spring. We have enhanced our itinerary and added a day to our schedule, ensuring a comfortable pace and a rewarding experience.
Join Chris Lewey as we journey north of the border for an adventure you won't want to miss. Our destination is Quebec City, a cultural jewel set on the banks of the St. Lawrence River. As winter gives way to spring, and the landscape shifts from white to muted colors, the snow geese stop here before the final leg of their northward migration. Thousands of these stately white birds cover the St. Lawrence River and its banks, their biannual staging grounds.
While we will have a chance to witness this spectacle and see these birds up close, we will also have ample opportunity to experience the culture and history of Quebec City, a UNESCO World Heritage site brimming with charm, history, and culture.
We depart early on Thursday (5/1) morning from North Conway, NH, and travel by motor coach to Quebec City. We’ll cross the St. Lawrance River via ferry arriving at our destination that afternoon and check into our hotel before a relaxing evening.
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Our accommodations will be at the beautiful Manoir Victoria, an elegant hotel located in the heart of Old Québec. This historic property combines classic European charm with modern amenities, offering comfortable rooms, an indoor pool, a spa, and a gourmet restaurant. Situated within walking distance of many attractions, it provides the perfect base for exploring the cobblestone streets, quaint shops, and historic landmarks of this enchanting city.
Our schedule may shift some to allow for the best weather and tides for viewing snow geese, but the plan will look something like this:
On Friday (5/2), we’ll begin our day with an included breakfast and leave the hotel for a locally guided sightseeing tour of Old Quebec City. Your guide will take us on a fantastic tour of historic Quebec City; pointing out the famed Citadel, the Plains of Abraham, St. Louis Gate, THe Provincial Parliament Buildings, the Lower Town, and Church Notre-Dame-des-Victoires. After your tour, the afternoon and evening are yours to explore the city and enjoy dinner on your own.
On Saturday (5/3), we will visit Cap Tormente National Wildlife Refuge to observe the geese and possibly some other early migrants. Situated at the junction of the Canadian Shield, the St. Lawrence Lowlands and the Appalachians, the wildlife area also lies at the confluence of the Upper and Fluvial estuaries of the St. Lawrence. The territory offers contrasting landscapes shaped by the meeting of the river, large coastal marshes, plains, and mountains, and features a multitude of habitats that are home to a very wide diversity of animal and plant species. The wildlife area is home to more than 180 bird species, 30 mammal species, 22 types of forest stands and 700 plant species. Many of these species are at risk, including the Peregrine Falcon and the Bobolink. In spring and fall, migratory birds congregate in the narrow corridor framed by the river and the cape's escarpment and invade the mosaic of habitats in the wildlife area. The area is renowned for the awe-inspiring spectacle of the Greater Snow Geese gathering at the site by the tens of thousands during migration. In addition to ducks and geese, there are of birds of prey and many species of warblers.
After the morning at Cap Tourmente, we will tour the famous Basilica of Ste. Anne de Beaupre, one of the six national shrines of Canada. It has been credited by the Catholic Church with many miracles of curing the sick and disabled. It is an important Catholic sanctuary, that receives about a half-million pilgrims each year.
In the evening we will savor some of the cultural and culinary delights of Old Quebec. (Farewell Dinner included at the Aux Anciens Canadiens, famous for their wonderful Quebecois cuisine. )
Join us for an early bird walk along the heights of the old city or pursue your own interests. Maybe you would like to indulge in lunch at the famous Chateau Frontenac, walk the Plains of Abraham, or perhaps you would like to visit the quaint shops of Vieux Quebec. Visit the lower city and waterfront via the Funiculaure de Vieux-Quebec.
On Sunday (5/4) after included breakfast we will head home with many memories and stories to tell of our spring adventure to Quebec City!
Our pace is easy, yet productive, and there are numerous possibilities for exploration and new adventures! We hope that you'll join us for this fantastic adventure of culture, birding and fun.
• Pricing:
$749 per person (double occupancy)
$979 (single occupancy)
$679 per person (triple occupancy)
• Includes:
• Deluxe Motor Coach transportation
• 3 nights accommodations at the Manoir Victoria Hotel
• 4 meals: 3 breakfasts, one dinner
• Guided sightseeing tour of Old Quebec City
• Visit Cap Tourmente National Wildlife Refuge during the snow goose migration
• A visit and self-guided tour of the Basilica of Saint Anne de Beaupre
• Local birding for glimpses of some northern residents as well as some returning migrants.
• All entrance fees
For those wishing to stay in North Conway on the night(s) before and/or after the trip we have arranged for a discounted room to be available at The White Mountain Hotel and Resort (our departure/return location) located off the West Side Road at Hale's Location. Inquire about details.
Don’t miss this opportunity to experience the beauty and romance of Old Québec! Spaces are limited, so book soon!
How to register:
We'll require a prompt response to ensure your participation in this popular trip. Please email [email protected] to confirm your place or with any questions. Don’t miss this fantastic adventure of birding and cultural exploration! Detailed joining instructions and further information will be sent to registered participants prior to trip date. Deposit of $150pp due at time of registration and final payment due March 1, 2025.
We need to know right away if you plan to participate in this popular trip so that we may hold the rooms we have reserved.
There are a limited number of single rooms available. If you are a single traveler and would like a roommate, we will attempt to accommodate you. If you have any questions about the trip or the area, please send an email to [email protected].
