You arrive on the North Shore after a short ferry ride across the mouth of the Saguenay that brings you to the pretty village of Tadoussac. We recommend a visit to the CIMM (Centre d’interprétation des Mammifères marins) followed by lunch at your own convenience, after which you will make your way to the dock of Bergeronnes (26km) for a whale-watching excursion aboard a safe zodiac (starting at 1:00 PM or 4:00 PM, included in your package). You will have a chance to observe these magnificent mammals in a portion of the Saint-Lawrence river considered to be one of the best places for whale-watching. After this impressive experience, you can settle in for your first night on the coast, in Essipit (next to the municipality of Les Escoumins), in a condo with a magnificent view. Enjoy dinner at your own convenience in one of the many restaurants of Les Escoumins or take advantage of your condo's fully equipped kitchen. Accomodations: Condos Natakam, Essipit

A long day on the road awaits, during which you will discover the beauty and reality of the coast. After your breakfast, head towards Baie-Comeau. When you arrive, we suggest you settle in at the cozy Hôtel le Manoir where you will enjoy a great view on the Saint-Lawrence river. While in Baie-Comeau, we invite you to visit the acclaimed Jardin des Glaciers. The Seashell Valley is a unique place in the heart of the Manicouagan-Uapishka Biosphere Reserve. Witness the result of over 10,000 years of seashells stacking, layer upon layer. You can keep the discovery going with a multimedia experience that will take you well into prehistoric times, long before the first humans set foot on the North-American continent; the boreal experience, 20,000 years under the ice. In the evening, we encourage you to discover the first North Shore craft brewery, The Microbrasserie St-Pancrace.  Taste their local beers at the pub in Place Lasalle, and/or visit the factory to learn more about the brewing process. Meals on your own. Accomodations: Hôtel Le Manoir 4*

After your included breakfast, head East towards the Minganie region. Shortly after Godbout, you will see the Pointe des Monts. site, where you will visit the famous lighthouse and museum. In the summer, you can visit the Vieux Phare museum, the small historic chapel, and a reconstitution of a First Nation seal hunters camp that was used until the end of the 1800s. It’s the perfect place to encounter a wild and wonderfully untouched nature. After the visit, continue towards Sept-Îles (around. 150 km). When you arrive in this industrial city built in the far end of a beautiful bay, you should visit the Vieux-Poste, in the innu First Nation community of Uashat to learn more about the development and population history of a North Shore you’ve just begun learning about. Then, keep going East on the Route des Baleines towards Rivière-au-Tonnerre (125 km). You’ve just entered the Minganie Minganie region. We invite you to stop at the Rivière Manitou site to admire the cascades and the impressive waterfall (hiking trail with steps to compensate for steep inclines). You will also grab a copy of the CD audioguide that will guide you on the road from Havre-Saint-Pierre to Natashquan. After entering Rivière-au-Tonnerre, you will be greeted with a complimentary regional cocktail at l’agence coopérative Voyages CoSte. A guide will then take you on a visit of the only Norman-style historical church in Quebec, built by over 300 volunteers. We also recommend a hike to the magnificent waterfalls that gave the village its name. Installation à l’Escale Lam-Air pour une nuitée. Dinner at your own convenience. Accomodations: L’Escale Lam-Air 2*

After your continental breakfast (included), head east. On your way, a short to visit the peaceful village of Magpie  will be sure to delight you. We recommend that you stop at the observation platform overlooking the Gulf and/or at the site of the hydro-electric dam. The church could also be of interest if you are looking for local arts and craft. You will then travel through the village of Rivière-Saint-Jean before stopping in Longue-Pointe-de-Mingan with a possibility of visiting the Mingan Island Cetacean Study (guided tour of MICS at 9:30). Then, take a boat tour (approximately 3-hour long) to some of the exceptional sites for observing marine birds and mammals in the Mingan Archipelago, with short stops on Île aux Perroquets and Île Nue. Upon your return, enjoy a guided tour of the Maison de la culture innue d’Ekuanitshit (Innu cultural centre) in Mingan. Continue driving east while listening to the CD audioguide as it takes you from Havre-Saint-Pierre to Natashquan, “The little village with a big name”, Natashquan was made famous thanks to the notoriety of the singer-poet Gilles Vigneault, who was born and raised in this village where, today, First nations and Acadians harmoniously live. Stop to take a few photographs at the site of the “Château” in Baie-Johan-Beetz , a historical site held dear by the residents, and take a stroll along the footbridges of this charming village. Continue to Natashquan and make yourselves comfortable at l’Auberge Le port d’Attache 2* for 2 nights. Accomodations: Auberge Le port d’Attache 2*  Meals: continental breakfast included, lunch and dinner on your own.

After your continental breakfast (included), you are invited to visit “la Vielle École” (Old Schoolhouse). This museum highlights several local characters from the works of Gilles Vigneault. You should also plan a visit to the interpretation centre “le Bord du Cap”; inside a reproduction of the general store, you will find 35 thematic areas about the history of this village that was founded in 1855 by Acadians from the Magdalen Islands.  Also, take a drive (44km), along the newest section of road, to the end of route 138 for a visit to the charming community of Kégaska : the first village of the Lower-North-Shore, recently linked to the Quebec road network (autumn 2013), 17 years after Natashquan was connected to the network. Walk through this small village of 125, most of which are English-speaking (most of the residents are of Newfoundland descent). After your lunch, it is time to head back to Havre-St-Pierre for new experiences. Take the time to admire or enjoy the villages on the way. When in Havre-Saint-Pierre, visit the Maison de la culture Roland Jomphe and the Maison des artisans to learn more about the history and skills of these people whose ancestors came from Havre-aux-Maisons, on Magdalen Islands to found this village formerly known as Pointe-aux-Esquimaux. Take a seaside walk before enjoying a seafood or local flavours dinner in one of the local restaurants. Accomodations: l’Hôtel du Havre 2*  Meals: continental breakfast included, lunch and dinner on your own.

In the morning, rendez-vous at the Les Vagues kiosk for a 3-hour stand up paddle activity in the beautiful Minganie region, during which you will look at breathtaking landscapes near Île au Marteau. After this activity, time for a bit of grocery shopping; at 1:00 PM, a boat will take you to Île Quarry, in the Mingan Archipelago,  where you will spend the night in an Otentik tent. Be at Portail Pélagie Cormier at 12:30, to be ready to leave the marina at 1:00 PM and cross the Mingan Archipelago towards Île Quarry. While there, you can admire the monoliths that inspired many poets and painters. Meals: included continental breakfast. Lunch and dinner on your own. Accomodations: Otentik tent. Pack a sleeping bag and some groceries for your short stay on the beautiful Île Quarry.

The transport back from Île Quarry to Havre-Saint-Pierre in taxi-boat leaves at 9:00 AM, so be up early. For the trip back home, many options are available. Come back on the south shore of the Saint-Lawrence river with the Baie-Comeau – Matane ferry (2 hours 20 minutes) or the Forestville – Rimouski (55 min.), or keep going towards Tadoussac and the Charlevoix region. On your way back, you can stop for lunch at the lobster cage on the Sept-Îles pier We also suggest a visit of the Musée régional de la Côte-Nord. The selected exhibitions will facilitate your comprehension of the social and human adventure started on the North Shore around 7,000 years ago, as well as offer a more critical and modern vision of regional history. Your stay will therefore end with a very rewarding cultural activity. If you wish, your Voyages Coste counselor can check the ferry schedules, and book in advance for you.