Parc Massif du Sud Ride

Introduction
Quebec Canada

Ride through forests, cross rivers and enjoy the vast backcountry of Parc Massif du Sud in Quebec on this six-day equestrian adventure. You will cross many streams, and ride through beautiful maple forests where the famous Quebec Maple syrup is made.  Along the foothills of Montagne La Tour and Montagne Chocolate you have many opportunities to trot and canter. Enjoy breathtaking vistas from the mountain tops over fast woodlands and with the St Lawrence in the distance. There is time for fishing, swimming, canoeing and gold-panning. Enjoy creek side lunches and wonderful home cooked meals at night. You will overnight in remote cabins and chalets deep inside the park with the first and last night at the ranch.

Accomodation

You will overnight in remote cabins and chalets deep inside the park with the first and last night at the ranch. Alcohol is available for purchase at the ranch.

All meals are traditional and plentiful. Enjoy the sumptuous breakfast. Lunch is served picnic-style out on the trail. A soup usually accompanies the deliciously prepared dinner. Meals are usually prepared at the ranch and taken to the cabin/chalet. Riders usually help out with cleaning dishes etc.

This trip includes and can accommodate special dietary requests.

Riding

Itinerary

Day 1: Pick up from Quebec City at 7 PM and transfer to the Ranch for overnight (no meals included today).   Or by drive-in, arrive between 6– 8 p.m.
Day 2: Enjoy a big breakfast and start the ride at approximately 10 a.m.. You will ride through beautiful maple forests in the Valley du Milieu and along the foothills of Montagne La Tour and Mont Chocolate (with some opportunities to trot and canter) until you reach the mountain top of the famous ski area "Massif du Sud". Enjoy a leisurely lunch at a viewpoint overlooking the St Lawrence River. In the afternoon the ride takes you to the "Buckland House", a comfortable lovely five- room farm house; your home for the night. Dinner will be prepared in the big cozy kitchen. Afterwards sit around the campfire and enjoy the starry nights of beautiful Quebec.  5-6 hours of riding
Day 3:  After a big, healthy breakfast prepare your horse and you ride across the mountain to the other side of the Park Regional Massif du Sud.  Lunch will be at a spectacular view point overlooking the park. During this day you will cross many creeks before you arrive at the little "St-Luc" lake. Weather permitting and depending on water levels you will have a chance to swim with your horse in the lake.  Your overnight stay will be at Chalet St Luc or Butcher Camp St-Luc, a beautiful little place with six chalets at a supreme remote wilderness setting.  Help feed the horses this night with special hay brought in with your luggage by truck. Enjoy an already prepared hearty meal in the small chalet's kitchen before a good night sleep. 5-6 hours of riding
Day 4: The group returns from St-Luc via a new route to the ‘plateau’ with many opportunities for long trot and canters. Near Monts Notre-Dame you can enjoy lunch with a beautiful panoramic view. Through forest trails your ride back to "Buckland House". Tonight you can enjoy a traditional "cowboy" dinner. 5-6 hours of riding
Day 5: After breakfast you ride pass the tranquil village, tie you your horse up in front of the local bank or store and explore Main Street and its colorful old houses and ancient wood-frame church.  Back on your horse you ride along a rural road where years ago some colonists lived and then pass through "Pain Sec" and stop for lunch at a hunting camp at the "Beaver Dam" or "Buckland Land". With a bit of luck you will see a moose at the edge of this peaceful pond. If you are in the mood, you can pan for gold in the nearby river or try your luck fishing for trout – your hostess will even prepare it for dinner (license required).
Day 6: Return ride to the ranch along a cattle farm, in seasonal wild-flower filled meadows. Riding through a large Maple forest you stop at the local "sugar shack" to see how the syrup is harvested. Lunch today is alongside the river overlooking its rapids and small waterfall called "the basin". The afternoon offers you the discovery of the old trail of the butchers or at your choice, the visit of the rok at the top mountain behind the ranch. Ride through forests and across rivers finishes at the ranch where the ride ends with a farewell dinner.
Day 7: After breakfast transfer back to Quebec City. Drop off is at approximately 11 a.m.