Canada · GUIDED
The 15 best guided tours you can book today, with what each costs, how long it runs and who it suits. Number one is top for a reason; start there.
Ride with a bilingual English and French guide across Montreal, from Old Montreal and McGill to Mount Royal, Chinatown, and Olympic Park. You will make several stops for photos and short walks, with guides such as Dominic, Louis, or Julian adding local facts, humor, and useful city tips.
“Our tour guide was fabulous! My mom has a cane and a hard time walking and he was so helpful with getting her on and off the bus!”
Spend one hour exploring Fairmont Le Château Frontenac with a costumed guide such as Claudine, Chantal, Thomas, or Kevin. Expect a short outdoor introduction, historic stories, elegant interiors, and access to selected rooms, restaurants, and other restricted areas. Tours run in English or French.
“It was amazing once we found the tour group! The description of the meeting point wasn’t super clear and parking was hard to find so we ended up being about 10 minutes late and missing the outdoor portion of the tour. However, everyone was super helpful in helping us find our group, very polite, everyone we encountered was very courteous. Gorgeous castle hotel. Gorgeous grounds. Amazing people. Maybe just a better explanation of the meeting point :)”
Board at Chouinard Pier for a 90-minute daytime cruise past Old Québec, Château Frontenac, Île d’Orléans, and Montmorency Falls. A bilingual guide, sometimes in costume as Louis Jolliet, explains the sights in English and French. You also get outdoor decks, an indoor bistro, bar, and photo-friendly river views.
“It’s always nice to be on the water, we didn’t have the best weather, but we enjoyed it. Anyhow, the gentleman that did the speaking and information on the ship was great.. Very enjoyable !”
Meet at the red kiosk near Parliament Hill and spend about 40 minutes touring Ottawa by road before the vehicle enters the Ottawa River for a 20-minute cruise. English and French guides such as Sarah, Pierre, Wendy, and Alexis add history and humor while you see Parliament, ByWard Market, Lansdowne Park, and Gatineau.
“Really enjoyed it. Quick and succinct tour of the city, noting all the landmarks and passing by all the wonderful views. Christina, our guide, and Keith, our driver were both friendly and enthusiastic. It was just right for seeing the city when we were only there for an afternoon! The kids loved the entry into the river! Would definitely recommend!”
Walk Victoria’s Old Town and Chinatown with Andy of A Taste of Victoria Food Tours. In about two hours, you’ll sample chocolate, tea, biscuits, spring rolls, pierogi, and other local foods while hearing stories at Fan Tan Alley, Market Square, Bastion Square, and the Inner Harbour.
“Friendly guide and amazing food. I am considering going back to one place for the whole meal experience.”
Sail for about 90 minutes from Montréal’s Grand Quai, with a bilingual guide, outdoor decks, city views, and an onboard bar and bistro. You’ll pass the Old Port, Biosphere, Olympic Stadium, Jacques Cartier Bridge, and Îles de Boucherville. Happy hour departures include one drink for adults.
“The river cruise was very pleasant, the guide was good, well spoken in both french and english. The boat does not go very far so it seems a bit pricey. Also, we thought we had a drink included but it is only for the 4pm departure.”
Spend about an hour touring Fairmont Le Château Frontenac with a local guide playing a historical character. Start on Dufferin Terrace, then see the hotel’s public rooms, select interiors, and historic details. Guides such as Thomas, Bernie, and Kevin bring the building’s past to life.
“Excellent tour and guide! Funny & knowledgeable. We learned a lot from the whole experience. Would defiantly take again.”
Start at 44 Sparks Street for a 1.5-hour guided loop through Ottawa. Ride an open-top double-decker bus or trolley, then hop off at Parliament, ByWard Market, museums, galleries, parks, and more. English and French guides lead the tour, with recorded commentary in seven other languages.
“Excellent! Great way to see the best of the city, we finished the tour then we went to the top 3 for us and it was amazing!!”
You’ll ride the Panoramic Gondola to Mont Tremblant’s summit, then follow a guide across five ziplines totaling 4 kilometers. Expect stair climbing, moderate trail hiking, custom harnesses, helmets, and sweeping views back to the pedestrian village. Small groups keep instruction personal.
“Highly recommend! It was a ton of fun and the staff were super-friendly and made everyone feel safe. You definitely have to be in reasonably good shape for the hiking portion. But it made it more of an adventure!”
Start at 10 Rue Sainte-Anne at 10:00 a.m. for a bilingual guided ride through Old Quebec, Place Royale, Petit Champlain, the Plains of Abraham, and the port. Guides such as Daniel, Carol, and Francois have led entertaining tours, though vehicle comfort and timing can vary.
“Excellent guide. Informative and easy to listen to. Driver was great Weather was terrible but the staff still made every effort to make the tour informative and enjoyable”
You’ll cruise 14 kilometers across Maligne Lake with an English-speaking guide such as Sam, Mitchell, or Nelson, stopping at tiny Spirit Island for photos and a short walk. Expect about 90 minutes on the water, mountain and glacier views, and useful stories about Indigenous culture, explorers, geology, and wildlife.
“Sam and Seb were excellent guides. A really enjoyable tour.”
Board the AML Louis Jolliet near Old Quebec for a 90-minute cruise along the St. Lawrence. A costumed guide portraying explorer Louis Jolliet shares stories in French and English, while an audioguide serves eight languages. You’ll pass Château Frontenac, Île d’Orléans, Beauport Bay, and Montmorency Falls.
“There were lots of different areas to go on the boat. The commentary was excellent. Pity we couldn’t get closer to Montmorency Falls.”
Walk from Fontaine de Tourny through Old Quebec with Sam, a licensed local guide known for clear storytelling, humor, and useful restaurant tips. In about two hours, you’ll see Terrasse Dufferin, Château Frontenac, Place Royale, and less obvious lanes, then finish near restaurants and cafés.
“Unfortunately the tour was cancelled due to a weather alert but we appreciated the safety consideration and the prompt communication.”
From Bay Bulls, join a two-hour boat trip through the Witless Bay Ecological Reserve. Naturalist guides explain puffins, murres, petrels, and whales as you cruise past four nesting islands. Bring warm layers, and consider the optional CAD 35 shuttle from St. John’s-area pickup points.
“The puffins and minke whale were amazing to see! The The boat and staff showed us the BEST time! Very knowledgeable and fun crew!”
Spend two hours exploring Banff National Park at dusk with an English-speaking guide such as Lucy, Jake, or Evie. You may spot elk, deer, bighorn sheep, coyotes, or bears, while learning how the park protects wildlife. Hotel pickup is included, and groups are capped at 24 people.
“Evie was a fantastic guide so knowledgeable and informative.”
Pick a mountain, a shoreline or a table.
