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Highlights
Discover the adorable harp seals of the Magdalen Islands during an amazing winter visit.
Spend a night at the Huron Village traditional site to learn about the history and culture of this First Nations tribe.
Take a helicopter to the ice floes to visit the harp seal colonies and see their adorable white pups.
Enjoy exploring the winter scenery on the archipelago of the Magdalen Islands.
Discover the charms of winter visits to the historic districts of Montreal and Quebec City.
East of Prince Edward Island lies a beautiful chain of islands with gorgeous beaches and dramatic sandstone cliffs. During the winter months, the ice that surrounds the islands becomes the nursery for thousands of fluffy white harp seal pups. This is where the Ice Floes and Harp Seals of the Magdalen Islands tour takes place!
The highlight of the Ice Floes and Harp Seals of the Magdalen Islands tour is an epic adventure out onto the ice to observe seal colonies with their adorable babies. When you aren’t wildlife watching, you can explore the Magdalen Islands, which are just as stunning in the winter as they are during the summer months. You’ll also have the chance to experience the charming snow-covered streets of historic Montreal and Quebec City on this unique winter adventure.
East of Prince Edward Island lies a beautiful chain of islands with gorgeous beaches and dramatic sandstone cliffs. During the winter months, the ice that surrounds the islands becomes the nursery for thousands of fluffy white harp seal pups. This is where the Ice Floes and Harp Seals of the Magdalen Islands tour takes place!
The highlight of the Ice Floes and Harp Seals of the Magdalen Islands tour is an epic adventure out onto the ice to observe seal colonies with their adorable babies. When you aren’t wildlife watching, you can explore the Magdalen Islands, which are just as stunning in the winter as they are during the summer months. You’ll also have the chance to experience the charming snow-covered streets of historic Montreal and Quebec City on this unique winter adventure.
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Ice Floes and Harp Seals of the Magdalen Islands Itinerary
Day 1 Tour Begins in Montreal
When you arrive in Montreal, you’ll be taken to your hotel downtown to settle in. You have the evening to explore the city and enjoy dinner at one of the city’s many excellent restaurants.
Overnight Location: Hotel in Montreal
Meals: None
Day 2 Visit the Ice Hotel and Huron Village
Enjoy your morning strolling the cobbled streets of Old Montreal before you head to the train station to catch your train to Quebec City. A shuttle will meet you at the station and take you to the amazing Ice Hotel where you’ll take a tour of this glistening palace. Next, you’ll be transported to the outskirts of Quebec City and back in time to the Huron Village of Wendake.
Spend the evening immersed in the culture of this Native American community.
Overnight Location: Hotel in Wendake
Meals: None
Day 3 Fly to the Magdalen Islands
In the morning you’ll be transferred to the Quebec City Jean Lesage Airport for your flight to the Magdalen Islands. You’ll receive a warm island welcome when you arrive, and you’ll meet the shuttle that will bring you from the airport to your accommodations.
Enjoy a relaxing evening at your seaside hotel.
Overnight Location: Hotel in Magdalen Islands
Meals: Dinner
Day 4 Explore the Magdalen Islands
Spend the day soaking up the incredible beauty of the endless sandbanks that stretch to connect the islands of the archipelago. Take a half-day walking tour around the east end of the island to discover the surprising contrast of the snow against the dramatic red cliffs.
Overnight Location: Hotel in Magdalen Islands
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Day 5 Adventures on the Ice
This morning you’ll gear up in your cold weather expedition wear before you climb into the helicopter to fly out onto the ice. You’ll be dropped off on the ice floes that surround the islands to visit the breeding grounds of the harp seal. You’ll be able to watch the colonies and look for the adorable baby seals, known as “white coats” for their famous white fluff.
Overnight Location: Hotel in Magdalen Islands
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Day 6 Return to Quebec City
You’ll have the morning to continue enjoying the hospitality of the Madelinots before you catch your transfer to the airport for your flight back to Quebec City. A transfer will bring you to your hotel downtown, and once you’re settled you can go out and explore the city.
Overnight Location: Hotel in Quebec City
Meals: Breakfast, lunch
Day 7 Explore the Wintery City
You have the whole day to explore Quebec City, which becomes even more charming when the historic streets are decorated with snow. Visit the snow sculptures on the Plains of Abraham and take a walk along the picturesque frozen river.
Overnight Location: Hotel in Quebec City
Meals: None
Day 8 Tour Ends in Quebec City
Today your tour comes to an end. Enjoy a leisurely morning stroll in the beautiful neighbourhood of Old Quebec before you take your transfer to the airport to catch your flight home.
Overnight Location: None
Meals: None
Ice Floes and Harp Seals of the Magdalen Islands Price and Dates
This guided wildlife tour in Quebec is run as private tour for your group only, and the price per person depends on how many people are in your group.Prices below are per person:
- Self-guided groups of 2+: from CAD6850*
Accommodation on the Ice Floes and Harp Seals of the Magdalen Islands Tour
This tour is based in hotels. This tour includes unique 3 and 4-star hotels with comfortable rooms and modern conveniences.
In some cases, the accommodation listed below may need to be substituted for other comparable accommodations.
Single Rooms and Solo Travellers
Rooms are double occupancy. Single rooms, including those for solo travellers, are by request and may incur an additional fee.
What’s Included in the Ice Floes and Harp Seals of the Magdalen Islands Tour?
Meals
There are 3 breakfasts, 3 lunches, and 3 dinners included on this tour.
Accommodations
Accommodations for 7 nights are included. Accommodations before the tour in Montreal and after the tour in Quebec City are not included but can be added as a supplement.
Transportation during the Tour
This tour includes all transfers between your hotel and the airport as outlined in the itinerary. Your flights mid-tour to the Magdalen Islands are not included.
Also Included
- Airport transfers
- Guided tour of Huron Village in Wendake
- Tour of the Ice Hotel
- 3-hour seal watching excursion, including helicopter transportation, and Mustang Survival cold weather gear
- Half-day guided tour of the West Island
- Half-day guided tour of the East Island
- Seal interpretation centre visit
- Canadian taxes
- 24/7 access to helpline
Not included
- Flights to Montreal
- Flights from Quebec City
- Flights to and from the Magdalen Islands
- Meals, drinks, or snacks not previously mentioned
- Travel insurance
- Visas if required
- Personal expenses
- Optional activities
- Entrance fees to national parks
- Gratuities for tour guides or other staff if desired
Optional Extras
- Additional nights before or after the tour
- Single occupancy upgrades
- Optional activities or excursions
- How hard is the Ice Floes and Harp Seals of the Magdalen Islands tour?
- Do I need a visa to travel to Canada?
- Are meals included on the Ice Floes and Harp Seals of the Magdalen Islands tour?
- Do I need insurance?
- How do I get to Montreal to start this tour?
- Is the Ice Floes and Harp Seals of the Magdalen Islands tour in English?
- Where does the Ice Floes and Harp Seals of the Magdalen Islands tour end?
- Is it safe to be on the ice during the harp seal excursion?
- Do I need special vaccines to travel to Canada?
- Are there any travel restrictions for Canada?
- When is the best time to travel to Canada for this tour?
We rate this tour as a 1/5. This itinerary includes some walking tours where the terrain may be icy. Please note that the tour includes a helicopter trip and a visit to an ice floe where conditions will be rugged. Other than this, it is not a physically demanding tour.
Check with your local country about visa requirements. You could also try this website, though you should verify with your government.
There are 3 breakfasts, 3 lunches, and 3 dinners included in this tour.
Yes, it is mandatory to have health and medical insurance to join this trip, and your insurance should cover all included activities. Get your Travel Insurance.
Fly into Montreal Pierre Elliott Trudeau Airport (YUL). The transfer to your Montreal Airport is included.
Yes, the guided portions of this tour are available in both English and French.
This tour finishes in Quebec City, you can fly out of the Quebec City Jean Lesage International Airport (YQB).
Yes, you will be accompanied by an ice guide who will give you a safety briefing. You will also be outfitted in special marine safety gear.
Check with your family doctor.
Please check with your local government about travel restrictions before you book your tour. This map from the US Department of State provides an overview of the current status in countries around the globe. The UK‘s Foreign Office and Government of Canada also provide advice on foreign travel. Note that the travel advice may change depending on your nationality.
The best time to travel to Quebec if you want to see harp seal pups is between February and April, which is their breeding season. Dress warmly!
Customer Ratings
In the two decades since Toundra Voyages Inc. was founded in 1998, the company has become North America’s go-to travel agency in customized independent and group tourism.
Tounda takes a flexible, responsive approach to developing adventure travel tours. By listening to the wants and wishes of travellers, they’ve been able to create memorable, affordable tours complemented by impeccable service.
Toundra’s mission is to create and organize tailor-made travel. They select, adapt, and personalize travel experiences in North America for each and every guest, ensuring your adventure is one you’ll never forget.
Meeting your expectations is just the beginning of what Toundra aims to accomplish. Exceeding them by providing exceptional experiences in beautiful North America is their standard, and their track record of knockout customer service and customized tour planning speaks for itself.
