Great Lakes Treasures: Toronto, Muskokas, Manitoulin Island & More

Arrive at Pearson International Airport, Toronto, and transfer independently to your downtown hotel. The Roadbook you received will have all the information needed for your holiday/trip/journey. The Remainder of your day is at leisure, perhaps shopping at the Eaton Centre or sampling the fine cuisine and nightlife of Toronto.

Overnight Toronto.

During your full day in Toronto, you can visit the new Ripley’s Aquarium near the base of the CN Tower. The aquarium boasts over 12,500 square meters of display space for hundreds of creatures from sharks to colorful and rare tropical fish. Afterwards, we suggest a visit to the CN Tower to ride the glass-fronted elevators to the top of the Canada’s tallest structure (main deck). Dare to walk the glass floor, sample the exquisite cuisine at the revolving restaurant or relax in the Horizon’s Café. The remainder of the day is free to explore Toronto’s fascinating mix of multi-cultural neighborhoods. From Chinatown to Little Italy, Greektown on the Danforth to Little Portugal, you will discover a virtual world within one city.

Overnight Toronto

Travel north through charming rural villages to the pine and granite landscape of Muskoka cottage country, where we suggest a visit to the Muskoka Pioneer Village. Today’s destination is Huntsville, just outside of Algonquin Provincial Park in Ontario’s coveted ‘cottage country,’ known for a gracious lifestyle, endless summer days spent on a multitude of freshwater lakes and rivers of spectacular natural beauty. The vast wilderness of Algonquin Provincial Park is particularly renowned for its network of hiking trails and waterways that invite you to discover the diverse beauty of the park’s flora and fauna.

Overnight Huntsville

The parks that surround the area all offer exciting day trails to explore ancient forests and lakes. Arrowhead Provincial Park is a smaller park with trails and a swimming beach, perfect for a day excursion. You may alternatively enjoy a visit to the outdoor Group of Seven natural art gallery, celebrating the works of early 20th century artists that created a worldfamous Canadian Impressionism style.

Overnight Huntsville

This morning you bid farewell to the province’s first provincial park and travel further into Ontario’s hinterlands, passing by the small towns that have grown up around the lumber, mining, and pulp industries common throughout the region.

Overnight Killarney

This area is known as one of the best hiking and camping areas in the province and you discover why as you explore this striking landscape of pre- Cambrian granite and sparkling lakes. Known for its superb camping, Killarney Provincial Park also offers excellent canoeing and hiking trails.

Overnight Killarney

Continue north to Timmins today, passing through the Sudbury area. Located in Northeastern Ontario, the Timmins area is rich in minerals, especially gold, and boasts over five hundred lakes and rivers. Take in the beautiful northern scenery, with its majestic forest and rocky landscape.

Overnight Timmins

As you leave Timmins, you will head west to Wawa through very remote areas of the province. The impressive scenery along the way includes long stretches of Boreal forest, dramatic cliffs, and lakes right by the side of the road. While in Wawa, you can relax at the waterfront park along Wawa Lake, or discover First Nations history at Sandy Beach Eco-Interpretive Park.

Overnight Wawa

A good first stop is the beautiful post & beam Wawa Visitors Centre to plan your day ahead. Known for its stunning hiking trails, local waterfalls and rivers, explore the local area and enjoy the warm hospitality of the town for lunch. You may choose to relax at the waterfront park along Wawa Lake, or discover First Nations history at Sandy Beach Eco-Interpretive Park.

Overnight in Wawa.

Continue your trip south on the Trans-Canada highway and along the scenic, rocky coast of Lake Superior. Arriving in one of the largest cities of the northwest, Sault Ste Marie offers all the amenities of an urban area yet is just minutes from a system of forests and valleys that draws visitors from around the province.

Overnight Sault Ste. Marie

The day is yours to explore the sights and sounds of this northern Ontario city. The area is well known as an eco-tourism and naturalist destination hub, close to parks and preserves such as Pancake Bay Provincial Park, Batchawana Bay Provincial Park and Lake Superior Provincial Park.

Overnight Sault Ste. Marie

Today you retrace your route back along the top of Lake Huron through provincial parks from where you venture on to Manitoulin Island itself. The world’s largest freshwater island, Manitoulin contains five native reservations and has created the perfect balance between outdoor recreation, native land stewardship and eco-tourism. You can spend your day exploring the cultural and geographic history of the island or enjoy the variety of adventure activities available at your resort.

Overnight Manitoulin Island

Manitoulin is one of the oldest settlements in North America, dating back over 9,500 years. A geographic wonder, it contains over one hundred lakes, including Lake Manitou which itself contains other smaller lakes. With such an abundance of fresh water, it is no surprise that Manitoulin offers a multitude of boating, fishing, and scuba diving adventure activities. If you prefer dry land, do not miss a visit to Assininack Museum, Little Current-Howland Museum, or the well maintained Mississagi Lighthouse Museum.

Overnight Manitoulin Island

Your drive today is a short one as you travel to the south shore of Manitoulin Island and board the Chi-Cheemaun ferry from South Baymouth to Tobermory on a leisurely 2-hour cruise in the deep waters of Lake Huron. After debarking at the ferry docks, you enter Bruce Peninsula National Park. The Park and surrounding area are home to a thrilling variety of hiking trails, outdoor adventure attractions and unique facilities such as Fathom Five National Marine Park, an underwater marine park that has preserved shipwrecks and natural diving obstacles for recreational scuba divers.

Overnight Tobermory

Travelling south along the Bruce Peninsula en route to Niagara Falls, you approach the southern reaches of Ontario as you pass through the hills of the Niagara Escarpment. The road continues through the lush orchards and vineyards of the Niagara wine growing region, boasting world class winery chateaus that make for a delightful day of tasting and touring. Once in Niagara Falls, put on your rain jacket and step aboard for the ride of a lifetime! The Hornblower Niagara Cruises - Voyage To The Falls tour takes you to the American Falls before sailing past massive rock formations to the magnificent sight of the thundering Horseshoe Falls. The photo opportunities are terrific.

Overnight Niagara-on-the-Lake

Check out of your hotel this morning and return to Toronto’s Pearson International Airport for your flight home, or your hotel if you plan to extend your stay.