Get deep into Algonquin’s backcountry on this Classic 7-Day Algonquin Park Canoe Trip and discover the best of the northwest corner of Algonquin Park. Canoe trip moves through a mix of large lakes and meandering rivers as we canoe from Algonquin Park Access #1 across the top of Algonquin to Cedar Lake and the old town of Brent.
Our pace is relaxed with lot’s of time to explore, fish and photograph wildlife. Don’t worry about experience. As long as you can be active for up to 4 hours a day and have a hunger to learn, you will enjoy yourself. Come by yourself or bring a friend. These canoe trips feature a small group with a maximum group size of 6.
Paddle, portage , dip, feast, unwind. Repeat. Life on trip is simple beauty.
All your camping equipment, park permits, and tasty meals and guide.
Enjoy the simple pleasures of a swim and sleeping on a bed of moss with a gentle breeze. Top quality tents, thermarests are included to ensure a comfortable sleep.
It is recommended that you can be active at a walking pace for up to 4 hours at a time.
Feast on a delicious menu filled with unexpected delights. Why does everything taste better outside - especially if cooked over a fire?
We'll provide canoes, paddles, life jackets, tents, sleeping pads, food and cooking equipment, plus lots more. You bring all your personal items such as clothing, toiletries and a book.
May – October
Arrive at Voyageur Quest Outfitting, located at Algonquin Park Access Point #1. Meet your guide and your group and spend the afternoon getting to know each other. After some trip preparations and a canoe lesson, enjoy a floating sauna, BBQ dinner, and good night’s sleep.
Push off from Kawawaymog Lake, head down the Amable du Fond River, and into North Tea Lake to begin your journey. Spend the next week in the heart of Algonquin Park’s northwestern backcountry. Learn to paddle, portage, and connect with the beauty of the park. Enjoy paddling the deep lakes, swimming in the clear, fresh water, and sleeping under the stars at spectacular wilderness campsites. Feast on delicious backcountry cuisine. Keep your eyes open for moose, great blue herons, loons, and beavers.
Finish up the adventure on Cedar Lake at the old town of Brent and shuttle back to Voyageur Quest Outfitting for a farewell lunch.
The above itinerary is an example – the exact programming is subject to weather and group preferences.
“I just finished a fabulous 7-day canoe trip with Voyageur Quest. Thanks to Heather, our guide, for making it a most memorable experience. She was incredible, demonstrating endless grace, patience, and kindness.”
CB
“I have been on several trips with Voyageur Quest and I will certainly travel with them again in the future. I am an experienced paddler and do trips on my own but sometimes I’m happy to let someone else do the planning and preparation and Voyageur Quest has always provided excellent service.”
T
Backcountry camping refers to camping in Algonquin Park’s interior campsites. On our canoe trips, the guide finds the best campsite for the group. Each campsite has tent sites, a firepit, and a “thunderbox” (ie: toilet). We provide the tents, stoves, tarps, and any other equipment required to make a backcountry campsite into a backcountry palace. Water is taken from the lake and purified for drinking. All backcountry travel follows leave-no-trace principles as directed by the guide.
For our Algonquin Canoe trips which are longer than 5 days we recommend our guests have some level of camping and canoeing experience.
Voyageur Quest’s guides are skilled outdoor professionals who ensure your canoe or cabin trip is an adventure of a lifetime. On top of being well versed in the natural and cultural history of Algonquin Park, our guides are warm, personable, and service-oriented. Most are gradates of post-secondary programs related to outdoor adventure and all possess industry certification in wilderness first aid, life-guarding, and canoe instruction.
You only need to bring your personal items: clothing, toiletries, and cameras. We provide all of the equipment. A complete list of what to bring will be emailed to your after booking. You can rent sleeping bags and mattresses for a small cost. If you forget anything, do not worry: we can rent, lend, or retail whatever you need from our fully stocked outfitting store.
Voyageur Quest canoe trips are participatory by nature. This includes learning how to paddle, portage (carry canoe overland
between lakes or around rapids). The longest portage on a 3-day trip is 350m. Depending on the trip, you will paddle, portage and
camp each day while our professional wilderness guide provides leadership and instruction on all aspects of living and traveling
in the wilderness. You will be encouraged to participate in as far as you are comfortable doing so. This includes: learning how to
paddle and portage a canoe, camping comfortably, preparation and creation of delicious meals, learning about the
natural world, and the enjoyment of living in the outdoors.
Solo travelers are welcome! Our groups have up to eight guests per trip. Everyone becomes fast friends while canoeing and camping!
For canoe trips, there will be as many as eight guests plus your guide. This guest to guide ratio is an industry standard for warm, flat-water canoe trips. Our guests range in age and nationality. We do our best to sort our guests into like-demographics (ie: families together; adults together). It is not unusual for guests to be trading emails at the end of their trips – it is easy to make friends when you are having so much fun!
We provide fresh and mostly whole-foods meals that are prepared with care and skill. Whether you are in the backcountry or in our Algonquin Log Cabin, you will be served appetizers, main courses, and desserts. Our guests are consistently impressed with our elevated cuisine. Please explain in detail any special dietary needs or allergies you might have during your booking. Kid-friendly foods are added to Family Trips.
We are happy to accommodate any dietary requirement. For special diets such as vegan, gluten free or lactose free we do charge a small fee in order to properly accommodate your needs. Please be sure to describe your requirement in detail when making your booking. For severe allergies, it is recommended that you bring at least two EpiPens with you.
Absolutely! (and enjoy responsibly!)
For canoe trips: best advise is to bring liquor and/or wine. Decant glass bottles or cans into plastic containers. It is forbidden to bring glass or cans into Algonquin Park.
Nearest locations to buy alcohol:
-Voyageur Quest’s Broken Patio. Located at Algonquin Park Access Point #1
-Magnetewan Distillery. Locally made craft spirits. Located in Sundridge
-Highlander Brewery. Locally made craft beers. Located in South River. Products sold in most local LCBOs and BeerStores
-LCBO and BeerStore. South River
-General Store. Trout Creek. Small selection
We recommend all of our customers purchase CANCELLATION INSURANCE from their preferred suppliers. Please read the payment and cancellation policies below based on the adventure or product you are booking.
Voyageur Quest – Guided Trips (Canoe, Kayak, Winter Camping, Private & DOE) and Lodge-Based Adventures – Log Cabin, Cottages and Island and all Cottage and Cabin Rentls
Payment Policy. A 25% deposit with “to book” form information confirms the booking. The balance is due 30 days before the trip. Full payment is due for trips booked within 45 days of the trip date. Please note a 2.4% credit card fee is applied. We encourage e transfer or bank wire transfer wherever possible.
Cancellation Policy. Cancellation received 60 days or more prior to the trip – Full refund minus a $75.00 admin. fee. Cancellation received less than 60 days – Loss of initial deposit. Cancellation received less than 30 days – No refund will be issued without the purchase of cancellation insurance, purchased at the time of booking from your travel insurance provider.
