Algonquin Winter Wilderness Escape: Discover the Frosted Wilds

Day 1: Arrive in Toronto

Arrive in Toronto, collect your rental car and check in to your city centre hotel accommodation. Toronto is Canada's fashionable and fast-paced city that attracts people from around the world. This results in a multicultural flare for dining at restaurant patios and perusing the many markets for foods and mementos. Torontonions have great pride in their city as street parties break out for hockey and basketball moments. The numerous museums each have a unique focus or feature like European Chateaus (Casa Loma), Islamic civilizations (Agha Khan), and even shoes (Bata Shoe Museum). Locals also cherish the natural areas to escape to such as the Toronto Islands

Overnight: Toronto

Day 2: Toronto to Algonquin Park

This morning drive 325 kms (3.5 hrs) to the northwestern section of Algonquin, the first Provincial Park in Ontario. Algonquin Park has a large variety of natural, cultural, and recreational features, and, as one of the largest provincial parks in Canada, offers something for nearly everyone. Located on Surprise Lake and 30 minutes from any major road, the Algonquin Log Cabin is the ultimate wilderness retreat. Unlike the Park’s busy Highway 60 corridor, the only way into Algonquin Park from this corner is by foot or canoe. Up here there are fewer people in the pristine wilderness. The Algonquin Log Cabin is located off-the-grid and does not have electricity, which adds to its cozy and unique character. Enjoy lunch at the Algonquin Log Cabin at the northwest corner of Algonquin Park. Relax in a cozy cabin or start the trip by learning how to snowshoe or cross-country skiing to a beautiful forest lookout. Pass over frozen lakes, wildlife tracks, and experience stunning forestry. Look out for wildlife as you trek through waist-deep snow and learn about Algonquin area in the wintertime. Return to the Cozy Log Cabins and warm up in front of a stone fireplace, while snacking on appetizers and a hot drink as you wait for dinner. Later in the evening, enjoy the cabin at leisure or take a hand at a torch-lit broom ball or an evening skate on the lake. These cabins are a true escape from the fast-paced world.

Overnight: Algonquin Park

Meals: Lunch, Dinner

Day 3: Algonquin Park

Wake up to the smell of a hearty Canadian breakfast served by the fire in the snug log cabins. Today, there is the option to go on a guided cross-country ski tour once again. Slide and glide across the Kawawaymog Lake and feel the crisp winter air awaken you. Look around as you will quickly realize the totally disconnected from civilization, in this off-the-grid winter wonderland. Once done with the guided tour, head back to the log cabin for a hot lunch and freshly baked dessert. After dinner, enjoy an evening of relaxation at leisure.

Overnight: Algonquin Park

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 4: Algonquin Park

Once again, the day will begin with a hearty breakfast, and then the final adventure begins. Enjoy another morning of cross country skiing or snowshoeing. For the adventurers at heart, add on a dog sledding excursion. This includes demonstrations on how to harness a dog, the expressions used to communicate with them, and the opportunity to mush a dog through the beautiful, groomed winter trails. Around lunchtime, depart back from a morning of adventure to return back to the cozy cabins.

Overnight: Algonquin Park

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 5: Algonquin Park to Toronto

On the return you can choose to make a stop at the Algonquin Park Visitor Centre which opened in 1993 to celebrate the 100th anniversary of Algonquin Provincial Park and the entire Ontario provincial park system. The Algonquin Park Visitor Centre has world-class exhibits on the Park's natural and human history, a relaxing restaurant and an excellent bookstore. A theatre presentation sums up the Park story and then takes you out to the viewing deck from where you can admire a breathtaking panorama of wild Algonquin scenery. This diversion adds approximately 2 hrs to the return drive. Please return your rental vehicle and head to the airport to catch your incoming flight.