Transfer Option:

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.

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.

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

Your luggage is transported by car to your lodgings country house with a cozy kitchen or chalet, with common shower.

For Fall trips, please make sure you dress in layers as cool, wet weather is possible.  If the weather is too cool or wet the tour operator reserves the right to make adjustments to the riding schedule.

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.

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 recognized 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.