Voyageur Quest runs guided canoe trips into Algonquin Park from its outfitting base at Access Point 1 on Lake Kawawaymog, in the northwest corner of the park. This is the wilder, quieter side of Algonquin, far from the busy Highway 60 corridor, and Voyageur Quest has been leading trips into it for decades. If you have ever wanted to experience the backcountry but did not know where to start, this is your way in.
Trips range from three days to thirteen. The classic three day trip is perfect for first timers, moving at a relaxed pace through scenic lakes with time for swimming, wildlife watching, and meals cooked over the campfire. The five day one way trip travels west to east through the remote northwestern interior, crossing big lakes and quiet rivers with spectacular campsites. For the truly committed, the thirteen day crossing of Algonquin is the ultimate adventure, ending with whitewater on the Petawawa River. There are also family trips designed for kids, log cabin based adventures for those who prefer a roof overhead, moose photography safaris with a professional photographer, and winter trips for the hardy.
No experience is needed for most trips. Everything is participatory. You learn to paddle, to portage the canoe overland between lakes, to set up camp, and to cook in the backcountry, all under the guidance of a professional wilderness guide. Meals, group equipment, and park permits are included in the price. You just bring your sense of adventure.
A typical day starts with breakfast at camp, then hours of paddling broken up by a shore lunch. Afternoons might bring a swim in clear fresh water, a hike, or some trout fishing. Evenings are for campfire cooking, bannock, and falling asleep to the sound of loons. Moose, beavers, herons, and otters are common sightings.
Back at the outfitter, the Broken Paddle patio is the traditional spot for a cold drink and a buffet lunch at the end of a trip, trading stories and email addresses with new friends. Voyageur Quest is an Algonquin institution, and a trip with them is one of the great Canadian wilderness experiences.