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The
Gaspé
Ride offers a chance to move through beautiful wild
scenery with some good gallops and trots as well as
quiet walks, which provides an opportunity to see
splendid views. The mighty Gulf of St. Lawrence is
glimpsed far off at times from the crests of hills
and closer up as one rides along the coast where
ducks and seals gather. Ride through maple and pine
forests along old logging roads, past rushing rivers
and sparkling lakes. All of the overnight stops are
attractive country inns and are built and decorated
in the style of old France.
We
have designed the trip, to let the rider experience
great horseback riding adventures, while visiting
many different Inns and local homes, allowing you to
encounter firsthand a very distinctive country and
culture, along with excellent
Quebecois
cuisine.
 IRPQ01
Rates: Include all meals,
lodging in country inns 5 riding days
7
days/ 6 nights $ 1,545
Single: +$190
... add $50 for
Fall Foliage Rides
Dates 2008:
06/01-06/07 06/08-06/14
06/15-06/21
06/22-06/28 06/29-07/05
07/06-07/12
07/13-07/19 07/20-07/26
07/27-08/02
08/03-08/09 08/10-08/16
08/17-08/23
08/24-08/30 08/31-09/06
09/07-09/13
09/14-09/20
09/21-09/27 09/28-10/04
10/05-10/11
see availability
Taxes:
2.5% GST
(5% for Canadian residents)
Gratuities: 10-15%
suggested
Meeting: Les Boules near Mont
Joli.
Airport: Mont Joli, Quebec City, Montreal
Transfer:
take a taxi from Mont Joli
Good
flight connections from Montreal to Mont Joli (Air
Canada-Tango) or take the Bus from Quebec to Mont
Joli is ~$70 return.
Tack: Western, Western Endurance, and 3
English Endurance (pre-reserve !)
Horses: Quarter horse and Canadian horse
Pace : Moderate, long trots & canters,
5-6
hours daily
Level: Strong Intermediate
Min/Max Riders: 3-6
Notes: you can
book half double rooms as a single traveler.
The ride has a good pace with lots of long trots,
canters and short gallops.
Single Rooms: no surcharge if you are
willing to share, otherwise +$190 to pay locally
(limited availability)
Itinerary
Sunday
Arrive
in the evening at Mont-Joli. Transfer to the
Inn «Une Ferme en Gaspesie » where riders will be
served their evening meal after 6 o’clock p.m..
Monday
Today we will
descend the Tartigou River Valley with its steep
sides and bewitching landscape. The rider will
be treated to The Evergreen Trail which derives its
name from the majestic conifer trees hugging
the rider on either side, creating an illusion of
riding through an evergreen tunnel. On this
day you will also ride through numerous meadows
filled with an abundance of wild flowers in season,
where cattle graze and the typical farms of the area
dot the landscape. You will see sparkling
lakes with many panoramic views. Enjoy lunch
today at a maple syrup cabin.
Late afternoon you
will arrive at Lac Malcolm, where the rider can
relax with a refreshing beverage served either in
the beautiful dining and lounge area overlooking the
lake or on an outdoor patio, or partake in one of
the many activities offered there.
Tuesday
Today’s route
begins by following some of the rural roads where
years ago many colonists lived. Here the rider
can imagine how life used to be in olden days when
the area was filled with an abundance of
families. Lunch will be at the
Auberge de la pente
abrupte. The
afternoon takes you through lushly forested areas.
As shadows lengthen reach tonight's destination
which is an oasis of comfort and good taste.
Here riders are treated to warm hospitality
and a sumptuous Gaspesien seafood meal.
Wednesday
Begin the
ride today by traversing the Petchedez River.
Next you will have an opportunity to ride through a
truly magnificent maple forest which in the autumn
is ablaze with color. Continue on to a trout
hatchery where riders will fish for their
evening meal. Here you will be served a hearty
lunch. Rest beside a waterfall on the
Petchedez River, where weather permitting, swimming
is possible. In the afternoon, ride over vast
rolling farmland where you will have many glimpses
of the sea in the distance. See gigantic
windmills built in the area dotting the landscape in
the distance. Head back to the Ranch to
spend another night, where Bonnie will cook your
freshly caught trout to perfection.
Thursday
The route today
climbs to the highest point of the Chic Chocs
Hills,400m. (approx. 1350 feet above sea level)
allowing the rider to enjoy a truly magnificent view
of the surrounding countryside with its forests,
lakes, villages, fields and the ocean in the
distance. Here the rider will partake in a
delightful picnic lunch while sitting literally on a
mountainside bluff. After lunch we ride to the
Auberge Lac Malcolm for dinner and overnight.
Friday
On this final day of riding the trail leads us
across rolling meadows, through woodland and we will
be crossing through the Tartigou River, all the
while heading towards the « Beaulieu » organic
farm located at Baie Des Sables (Sandy Bay), where
Lise will prepare a hearty, delicous meal from
products of the farm, in the irresistible country
charm of a century-old home. After lunch, we
are off to visit the charming little town of
Les Boules, with a panoramic view of the
seaside and the three large rock formations in the
water after which Les Boules is named. It is a
lovely town with its old houses and quaint gardens.
Ride for 4 miles along the beach and, if one is
lucky, discover seals sunning themselves on the
rocks and eider ducks and comorons, rising and
falling with the ocean waves. Here is also
where you will do the famous Bonzai canter.
The canter is in a very flat field right beside the
beach. It is about 2 km. long with perfect
footing for the horses, no matter what the weather.
As the route continues, riders will move away
from the coastline, going to the Inn « Une Ferme en
Gaspesie », where Pierre will make a special
farewell dinner.
Saturday
Depart after a hearty breakfast.
** RIDE ITINERARY MAY VARY DUE TO WEATHER OR OTHER
UNFORESEEABLE CIRCUMSTANCES**
Horses and Tack
Pierre owns different breeds of horses, with the
majority being Quarter Horses, as well as the
Canadian horse breed. They are all well trained and
willing. The tack is Western, Western Endurance
(light weight without the horn), as well as three
English Endurance saddles available upon request.
All tack is in fine condition and very comfortable.
Riders should be capable of controlling a horse at
the walk, trot and canter, and be able to spend five
to six hours per day in the saddle. Pierre, a
qualified riding instructor, sets a good pace with
lots of long trots and canters.
ACCOMMODATIONS AND MEALS
Sunday Night - The Auberge (Inn) « Une Ferme
en Gaspesie » (A farm in Gaspesie) is the base
for the ride. Here you will find the host is a true
Innkeeper, exuding warmth and hospitality. He cooks
wild fowl, meat and fish dishes in the fine
tradition of the best French cuisine. There are six
lovely bedrooms to choose from, with shared
bathrooms, as well as room in his personal home next
door if extra space is required. When weather
permits, there is also a lovely fire pit area
outside, where guests can enjoy bonfires, as well as
horseshoe pits and swinging glider chairs, in which
you can sit and spend some very pleasant moments.
Monday and Thursday Nights are spent at a very unique spot
called Lac (Lake) Malcolm which is the
location for an outdoor activities outfitter. Here
you will find a huge recreation center, with an
outdoor pool, volleyball court, canoes and
paddleboats for rent. There is also trout fishing
available for those that desire. This
center is built literally right on the scenic shores of
Lac Malcolm. Here the rider will stay overnight in
the newly built accommodations which are on the edge
of the lake.
Tuesday and Wednesday nights
are spent at Petchedetz House dating back to
1915. It was the home and "atelier" of Claude
Piché, a well known Painter around the worl.
The City of Matade has a Museum which has 50
paintings of the collection "Les Couleurs de la
Gaspésie" The two bathrooms are shared by the
riders.
Friday Night - The
farewell night is once again spent at the Inn «Une
Ferme en Gaspesie » where Pierre will serve a
special good-bye dinner.
Climate
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. |
Autumn colors
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