Comfort
At your hosts, you will spend the night in one of 6 double rooms with a private bathroom. You will have your dinner and breakfasts under a glass-roofed dining room and you can relax on the terrace with a view across Gaspe bay.
While camping on the banks of the Dartmouth River, you will spend the night in a 2-man tent near to a salmon pit. The tents have solid poles and are free standing. There will be no access to hot water. Dry toilets.
During your night in the dormitory cabin on the banks of the Patewagia River you will have access to a shared bathroom with hot water for a shower. You will be able to swim in the lake.
On the site at Lake Ross, you will spend the night in either a 2-man tent or in a chalet on the banks of this wild lake.
Meals
Breakfast will be traditional Quebecois: eggs, crêpes, cereals and fried broad beans, hot drinks.
Lunch will be picnics
Dinner - traditional and local products : meat, fish (wild salmon), seafood, etc.
Please let us know any allergies or dietary requirements you may have in advance.
Climate
The multitude of terrain and altitudes in Gaspésie means that the climate is unpredictable and varied; the climate is however considered boreal, meaning subarctic. Temperatures here are higher on the seacoast and the precipitation (rain and snowfall) are more significant at altitude.
The climate in Gaspesie is harsher than that found in other areas of Quebec due to the influence of the gulf of Saint-Laurent. In winter, the temperature fluctuates between -15° and -5°, in spring between 5° and 15°, in summer between 10° and 25°, and in autumn between 5° and 10°.
Guide and local team
Your guide for the ride through Gaspesie is Serge, with over 40 years experience he knows the region like the back of his hand and his enthusiasm to share it with newcomers to the area has never wavered. Serge describes himself as 'nice after one glass of wine and jolly after two'!
Serge’s second-in-command is Mélissa who has accompanied him along the trails for the past 7 years. Welcoming and attentive, Mélissa will do her upmost to make sure your stay in Gaspesie is truly unforgettable.
Tips
In Quebec, it is customary to leave a tip - primarily in restaurants and other service-based establishments. Expect to leave around 10-12% of the bill.
Your hosts are usually tipped around 100CA$ per rider.
Packing list
Head
- Equus Journeys strongly recommend that you wear a riding helmet and that you take your own to ensure a correct fit. Manufacturers such as GPA, HKM, LAS Helmets, Lamicell, Troxel, Equithème offer many lightweight, ventilated options. Protective shells to wear under hats are also available (Ranch & Rider, Lexington Safety Products) as well as Western helmet hats (Troxel).
- Sunhat to protect against the sun (indispensable)
- Sunglasses - with a cord attached so they don't fly off when riding
- Buff, bandana or scarf to protect you neck and face against the dust and the sun
- Warm hat for cold nights when camping
Upper body
- Thermals (long or short sleeved)
- Long sleeved shirts provide protection from the sun and are an extra layer
- T-shirts
- Lightweight fleece or jumper
- Warm fleece or jumper (and a spare in case one gets wet)
- Warm and waterproof jacket - it can rain at any time of year and the evenings can be particularly cold
Legs
- 2 pairs of lightweight, comfortable riding trousers or jodhpurs - we recommend riding in them at home before taking them on holiday to ensure they don't rub
- 1 change of trousers (jeans or riding trousers)
- Casual trousers for the evenings, such as jeans or tracksuit bottoms
- Waterproof over trousers (only Gore-tex, oilskin or fishermans’ trousers will do, Kway are not suitable)
- Non-irritant underwear
- Swimming costume - for swimming/bathing in rivers/hot springs
Hands and Feet
- Comfortable riding boots – smooth soled with a small heel. We recommend short boots with half chaps but you may wish to take long chaps as an extra layer against inclement weather. We don't recommend taking your favourite long leather boots in case they get damaged
- Trainers or equivalent light shoes for moving around the camp in the evenings
- Several pairs of warm, thick socks
- Gloves - your hands are particularly exposed to the sun, cold or rain whilst riding. Waterproof gloves can be particularly useful
Our Recommendations
- Bringing soothing cream is suggested for any areas irritated by the long days in the saddle
- Backpacks cannot be worn whilst riding. We recommend a small bumbag or a coat with pockets so that you can carry small items with you during the day (passport, camera, sunscreen, lipbalm etc)
- We recommend travelling in your riding boots and carrying your hat and some riding clothes in your hand luggage - then if your luggage goes astray you are still able to ride!
Other useful items
- Suitcase or backpack of 80 – 100 litres
- Towels - camping ones will both dry and pack more easily
- Camera and high capacity memory card. Spare battery
- Bumbag for carrying your camera and small items whilst riding
- Headtorch or small torch for moving around camp at night - bring spare batteries/solar powered battery charger and bulbs
- Water bottle (2 litres or 2 x 1 litre)
- Field glasses
- Wet Wipes or equivalent (for when washing facilities aren't available)
- Toilet paper and a lighter to burn it with
- Small plastic bags for rubbish
- Ear plugs (for light sleepers)
- Cord for attach clothing to the back of your saddle
Medical kit
- Any medication you regularly take
- Sunscreen and lip balm - should be high factor
- Insect repellent, preferably containing deet
- Blister plasters in case of any rubs
- Antiseptic cream, plasters, aspirin, anti-histamine, insect-bite salve etc...
- Spare prescription glasses/contact lenses
- Eye drops
- Imodium or similar anti-diarrhoea medication
- Re-hydration sachets
- Water purification tablets
- Antiseptic wipes
- Handwash gel
Miscellaneous
- Airline companies allow one piece of hold luggage per passenger. Take care to not pass the 20kg weight limit, otherwise a surcharge will be payable at the airport.
- Cabin bags are limited to 7kg (dimensions 56 cm x 45 cm x 25 cm), they mustn’t contain any sharp pbjects (knives, scissors, nail files, nail scissors, etc.) and no liquids over 100ml per container. It is recommended to carry in your cabin luggage your camera, glasses, medication and any other objects that you would not be able to do without in case of any (temporary) loss of baggage
- We recommend taking a copy of your passport and insurance documents with you in case you lose your originals
- If you prefer travelling in a "light way" please choose a biodegradable soap or washing powder/liquid.
- We recommend travelling in your riding boots and carrying your hat and some riding clothes in your hand luggage - then if your luggage goes astray you are still able to ride!
Equipment provided
- First aid kit
- 1 set of saddlebags of average size
