Transfer Option:

Sunday
Arrive in the evening at Mont-Joli. Transfer (not included) to the Inn Une Ferme en Gaspesie where riders will be served their evening meal after 6 p.m.

Monday
Today we will descend the Tartigou River Valley with its steep sides and bewitching landscape. The rider will be treated to The Evergreen Trail which derives its name from the majestic conifer trees hugging the rider on either side, creating an illusion of riding through an evergreen tunnel. On this day you will also ride through numerous meadows filled with an abundance of wild flowers in season, where cattle graze and the typical farms of the area dot the landscape. You will see sparkling lakes with many panoramic views. Enjoy lunch today at a maple syrup cabin.
Late afternoon you will arrive at Lac Malcolm, where the rider can relax with a refreshing beverage served either in the beautiful dining and lounge area overlooking the lake or on an outdoor patio, or partake in one of the many activities offered there.

Tuesday
Today’s route begins by following some of the rural roads where years ago many colonists lived. Here the rider can imagine how life used to be in olden days when the area was filled with an abundance of families. Lunch will be at the Auberge de la pente abrupte. The afternoon takes you through lushly forested areas. As shadows lengthen reach tonight's destination Hotel Belle Plage on the St Lawrence RIve, an oasis of comfort and good taste.

** RIDE ITINERARY MAY VARY DUE TO WEATHER OR OTHER UNFORESEEABLE CIRCUMSTANCES. **

The average temperatures in April are 45° F (8° C) during the day, and 25° F (-1° C) at night. During the summer months the daytime temperatures are generally in the upper 70’s during the day (25° C), cooling down to the mid 50’s (13° C) at night. In October the average daytime temperature is 52° F (11° C), dropping to 36°F (2° C) at night.

Our season commences in June with the debut of tender soft greens of spring, which turn into a glorious abundance of wildflowers, and it extends throughout the warm vibrant days of summer, and comes to spectacular finale mid October, when the hardwood forests are ablaze with colour, competing easily with other areas in the world, known for their beautiful fall foliage. The average fall foliage season is mid September through mid-October.

Sunday Night - The Auberge (Inn) Une Ferme en Gaspesie  (A farm in Gaspesie) is the base for the ride. Here you will find the host is a true Innkeeper, exuding warmth and hospitality. He cooks wild fowl, meat and fish dishes in the fine tradition of the best French cuisine. There are six lovely bedrooms to choose from, with shared bathrooms, as well as room in his personal home next door if extra space is required. When weather permits, there is also a lovely fire pit area outside, where guests can enjoy bonfires, as well as horseshoe pits and swinging glider chairs, in which you can sit and spend some very pleasant moments.

Monday & Thursday Nights are spent at a very unique spot called Lac (Lake) Malcolm  which is the location for an outdoor activities outfitter. Here you will find a huge recreation center, with an outdoor pool, volleyball court, canoes and paddleboats for rent. There is also trout fishing available for those that desire. This is a beautiful center built literally right on the scenic shores of Lac Malcolm. Here the rider will stay overnight in the newly built accommodations which are on the edge of the lake.

Tuesday and Wednesday nights are spent at Hotel Belle Plage. The Roux family acquired Hôtel Belle Plage on October 1, 1953, and progressively transformed it into the first-class establishment it is today.  The City of Matade has a Museum which has 50 paintings of the collection "Les Couleurs de la Gaspésie"

Friday Night - The farewell night is once again spent at the Inn Une Ferme en Gaspesie where Pierre will serve a special good-bye dinner.

Single Accommodations: You can reserve a single room in advance (limited availability), but we prefer for you to reserve a half double room. This means that we will try to room you with another rider of the same gender. Single supplement to be paid locally.

Subject to change

This trip includes and can accommodate special dietary requests.

HORSES AND TACK
Pierre owns different breeds of horses, with the majority being Quarter Horses, as well as the Canadian horse breed. They are all well trained and willing. The tack is Western, Western Endurance (light weight without the horn), as well as three English Endurance saddles available upon request. All tack is in fine condition and very comfortable.
Riders should be capable of controlling a horse at the walk, trot and canter, and be able to spend five to six hours per day in the saddle. Pierre, a qualified riding instructor, sets a good pace with lots of long trots and canters.

Tack:		Western Endurance and Wintek English Endurance
Horses:		Canadian, Arab and Quarterhorse
Pace:		Moderate with lots of trots, canters, gallops - 20 to 35 miles/day | Walk | Trot | Canter | Gallop |
Level:		(4 out of 5)    Strong Intermediate
Age:		Min 12
Weight:		Max 190 lbs
Riders:		Min 2 riders	Max 6 riders

HORSES AND TACK
Pierre owns different breeds of horses, with the majority being Quarter Horses, as well as the Canadian horse breed. They are all well trained and willing. The tack is Western, Western Endurance (light weight without the horn), as well as three English Endurance saddles available upon request. All tack is in fine condition and very comfortable.
Riders should be capable of controlling a horse at the walk, trot and canter, and be able to spend five to six hours per day in the saddle. Pierre, a qualified riding instructor, sets a good pace with lots of long trots and canters.

Passports
Passport valid for at least one day beyond the intended departure date from Canada required by all nationals referred to in the chart except the following:
(a) 1. Canadian citizens holding a Canadian Certificate of Identity, Canadian birth certificate or a certificate of Canadian citizenship;
(b) permanent residents of Canada with proof of status, ie Permanent Resident Card, Record of Landing, Returning Resident Permit or a Refugee Travel Document issued by the government of Canada to refugees who have been resettled in Canada;
(c) 2. citizens of the USA holding proof of citizenship (eg US birth certificate or US naturalisation papers).
Note: As of 23 January 2007 all persons, including US citizens, travelling by air between the USA and Canada, Central and South America, the Caribbean and Bermuda are required to present a valid passport or other approved document when entering or re-entering the USA. Similar requirements for those travelling by land or sea will be introduced as early as 1 January 2008. For further details about the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative, visit the website of the US Department of State: http://travel.state.gov/travel/cbpmc/cbpmc_2223.html.
(d) persons entering from St Pierre & Miquelon or the USA who are legal permanent residents of the USA and hold a US alien registration card (Green Card);
(e) 3. citizens of France who are residents of and entering from St Pierre & Miquelon.
Note: (a) Children under 18 years must have information with them on the people responsible for their welfare, if travelling alone; this includes a letter of permission to travel from guardian(s), and also a letter from the custodian in Canada. (b) Depending on circumstance and nationality, certain applicants may need to undergo a medical examination in order to receive their visas; this must be carried out by a physician on Canada's list of Designated Medical Practitioners.
Passport Note
Visitors to Canada must satisfy an examining officer at the Port of Entry that they are genuine visitors, in good health, with no criminal convictions, and have sufficient funds to maintain themselves during their stay in Canada and to return to their country of origin, as well as evidence of confirmed onward reservations out of Canada. Persons under 18 years of age who are unaccompanied by an adult should bring with them a letter from a parent or guardian giving them permission to travel to Canada.

Identity/travel documents issued to non-national residents of the country of issue, refugees or stateless persons are recognised for travel to Canada.

Visas
Not required by all nationals referred to in chart above (visitor or transit) for stays of up to six months except the following:
(a) 4. holders of passports endorsed ‘British Subjects’ and ‘British Protected Persons’;
(b) 5. nationals of Bulgaria and Romania;
(c) those visiting Canada who, during that visit, also visit the USA or St Pierre & Miquelon (a French Overseas Territory) and return directly to Canada as visitors within the period authorised on their initial entry (or any extension thereto).

Note: Nationals not referred to in the chart above are advised to contact the high commission to check visa requirements (see Contact Addresses).
Visa Note
The Government of Canada refuses admission to: (a) holders of passports issued by the UK Government entitled 'British Temporary Resident's Passport'.

(a) A single-entry visa is still valid if used to visit the USA. (b) Persons wishing to attend a course of six months duration or less, at any level, do not require a study permit. However, if there is the possibility that you will extend your period of study in Canada, or if you are a full time student and wish to work on campus, you may apply for a study permit.
Types of Visa and Cost
Visitor: C$75 (single-entry); C$150 (multiple-entry). Family: C$400 (for families of six or more persons). Transit: free. Transit visas are necessary for all nationals who require a visitor visa. Although transit visas are not required by British citizens, they may be required by foreign nationals with British passports; check with the embassy or high commission for details. For further information on payment methods, contact the high commission. Prices are subject to frequent change.
Validity
Up to six months depending on circumstances of individual applicant. The determination regarding length of stay in Canada can only be decided by the examining officer at the port of entry, but visas cannot exceed the validity of the passport and cannot be longer than five years. If no actual departure date is indicated within the visitor’s passport, then the visitor will be required to depart within three months from the date of entry. Visitors must effect their departure from Canada on or before the date authorised by the examining officer on arrival. If an extension of stay is desired, an application must be made in writing to the nearest Canada Immigration Centre at least three weeks before the expiry of the visitor visa. Multiple-entry visas cannot be valid longer than passport. Transit visas are only allocated if a national's flight/onward journey is continuing within 24 hours. Single-entry visas can be used multiple times by nationals of St Pierre & Miquelon and the USA.
Applications to:
Consulate (or consular section at embassy or high commission)
Working Days Required
10 days are required from receiving applications, but applications should be made at least one month prior to the intended date of departure. Certain nationals are subject to longer processing times. For urgent applications it is advised to apply in person. Same-day processing is available for applications made in person and 24-hour processing for those using the drop-in service.