On our way to the Niagara area, we explore some of the features of the Niagara escarpment at Cootes Paradise and Webster's Falls and visit a vineyard on "the Bench". Niagara is wine country. Everywhere, we walk through, look over and bypass vineyards. More than 20 wineries thrive in this most favorable microclimate and we taste some of the award-winning wines and sample the local cuisine they were developed to complement.
Of course, the premiere natural attraction of the area is Niagara Falls. We ride the Maid of the Mist, we walk under the falls, we follow the trails in the Dufferin Islands parklands and we hike deep into the gorge below the falls to see some of the unique vegetation and bird life.
You’ll have some time to helicopter over the falls, ride a jet boat into the Whirlpool or take a cable car across it, if you wish. We also trek into another little-known falls which is 2/3 the height of Niagara Falls. Our walks along the Bruce trail and side trails cross the four successive Welland Canals, increased in size each time as the ships got longer and larger. Watch cargo from all over the world going through the locks to the heart of North America.
At the butterfly conservatory, you’ll watch new butterflies emerge from their cocoons, be charmed as they perch on your shoulders. We’ve found some lovely picnic sites for lunches – the Queenston Heights and two of the Niagara Parks Commission’s gardens, for example.
Your Itinerary
Day 1: Pickup in Toronto. Drive to Crawford Lake conservation area to explore Indian village, unique meromictic lake and hike around lake and to lookout.Lunch at Webster's Falls. Hike to Tew's Falls, Dundas Peak, Glen Ferguson and back to Webster's Falls. Vineyard tour, wine tasting and dinner at Eastdell Estates. Accommodation at Kittling Ridge Winery Inn. (L/D).
Day 2: Two loop trails in Ball's Falls conservation area to see both Lower and Upper Falls. Explore displays and historic sites in conservation area. Hike section of Bruce Trail along the gorge below the falls and Jordan side trail into the village of Jordan. Picnic lunch at Woodend Conservation Area. Then hike along the second, third and fourth Welland Canals. Visit Lock 3 interpretative centre and watch ships go through lock. Pub dinner and play at Shaw Festival theatre. Accommodation at historic Angel Inn. (B/L/D).
Day 3: Visit butterfly conservatory. Hike Niagara Glen Nature reserve and Whirlpool Path. Picnic lunch and tour of horticultural gardens. Rest of afternoon free in Niagara-on-the-Lake. Dinner at historic Oban Inn.Same lodgings. (B/L/D).
Day 4: Visit old Port Dalhousie. Drive to Queenston Heights Park and Brock Monument. Picnic lunch. Hike Queenston Loop using main Bruce Trail and side trails. Drive to Niagara Falls. IMAX theatre and Falls museum Dinner overlooking the Falls. Accommodation at Old Stone Inn. (B/L/D).
Day 5: Journey behind the Falls. Maid of the Mist boat trip to base of Falls. Picnic in Dufferin Islands Park. Walk along Falls viewing areas. Cross to US side for Cave of the Winds and Goat Island. Dinner in Skylon revolving restaurant.Same accommodation. (B/L/D).
Day 6: Great Gorge Adventure. Visit Niagara Parks greenhouse and Mosaiculture Garden. Picnic in Dufferin Islands Park and walk nature trails. Rest of afternoon free before catching hydrofoil for "flight" back to Toronto. (B/L).
Notes:
Airfare is not included in the tour price.
Cost includes: all transportation, meals, accommodation, entrance fees, taxes and gratuities.
Cost does not include: alcoholic beverages, optional activities, personal shopping and discretionary gratuities.
Also see tour packages in:
Canada
Ontario
Walking Tours
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