Ontario's falls, forests & lakes self-drive tour

Enjoy a full day at leisure, independently exploring Canada's largest city. This cosmopolitan city offers a diverse range of shops, restaurants and world-renowned art galleries, theaters and sports events. Toronto is also home to National Geographic's "World's Best Food Market", St Lawrence Market, so we recommend stopping by for a bite to eat. If you’d prefer to see the natural side of the city, we recommend taking a bike and cycling across the islands to see the Toronto skyline. We've included tickets to the CN Tower to see the city from above today.

This morning, you will make your own way to the downtown car hire depot to collect your hire car. Your package includes an additional driver and all necessary insurance. Your journey will take approximately two hours, following along the shores of Lake Ontario to the Niagara region. As you approach Niagara-on-the-Lake, the surroundings will transition from urban landscapes to wide stretches of farmland and vineyards. Settle into your hotel in Niagara-on-the-Lake and explore the small town this evening.

Today, make the short, 30-minute drive to the mighty Niagara Falls. We've included a Niagara Adventure Pass for admission to many of the region’s attractions, and tickets for the Hornblower cruise, which takes you right up to the foot of the falls. This afternoon, return to Niagara-on-the-Lake to explore its flower-adorned streets under your own steam. Here, you can slow your pace by venturing to some of the area's wineries to taste local Canadian red and white wine and the more regionally distinctive ice wine.

Leaving Niagara Falls, you will drive north for about three hours to "cottage country" and the Muskoka region, known for its berry farming, cute cottage towns, forests and many lakes. On arrival, we've included a visit to a cranberry winery to learn more about this unique Ontarian delicacy, followed by a tasting. After the tasting, continue your journey into Algonquin Provincial Park to your lakeside lodge. All meals are included during your stay here, along with access to the water equipment.

Algonquin Provincial Park is set within lush woods that turn to vibrant reds, oranges and yellows in October, and is peppered with lakes, ponds and rivers. You have a private three-hour guided tour by electric canoe onto the calm waters of the lakes to try and catch the wildlife along the shore, including moose, birds, wolves and deer. You have the rest of the day to explore at your own leisure, sampling one of the hiking trails or learning more about the artists who frequented the region.

Depart Algonquin Provincial Park and drive around the edge of Georgian Bay on Lake Huron to Killarney Provincial Park. The journey takes about four hours and the area becomes less and less explored the further north you go. On arrival, settle into your hotel and spend the rest of the afternoon at leisure. You might like to take a canoe out or take one of the shorter hiking trails before dinner.

Killarney Provincial Park is a prime example of untouched beauty. Much of this stunning park is backcountry, making for an incredible outdoor experience, and you have the full day at leisure to take it all in. You may like to take a workshop to learn to canoe or perhaps walk one of the park's day trails. At night, make sure to look up! The night sky is stunning in this area.

Continue your drive west around the park on a scenic journey toward Manitoulin Island. The journey takes about two and a half hours, so you can enjoy a leisurely morning in Killarney before moving on. You will pass through forests and smaller islands before reaching Manitoulin, the largest freshwater lake island in the world. The island is also home to the Wikwemikong First Nation tribe and so has a lot of indigenous influence.

Today we've included a four-hour canoe tour with a local First Nations guide. Your guide paddles you along the ancient journeys of the Anishaabe people, taking in the view of Lake Huron and learning about the history and culture of the region. The rest of the day is free to explore Manitoulin Island. The Cup and Saucer Trail is a beautiful scenic walk, and for further First Nations culture, we recommend visiting the Ojibwe Cultural Museum.

Make your way to the southeastern tip of the island where you will take the Chi-Cheemaun Ferry or "Big Canoe" over to Tobermory on the mainland (note that this payment is made locally). This ferry crosses Georgian Bay, passing small islands and incredible beauty. From Tobermory, you continue down the west side of the bay to the small community of Owen Sound. The rest of the day is free to explore the town.

Enjoy a full day at leisure exploring Owen Sound and Tobermory. The latter is the gateway to Fathom Five National Marine Park. This area is known for over 15 visible shipwrecks, which can be seen by taking a glass-bottomed boat cruise. We recommend taking a hike to visit beautiful Inglis Falls. For those interested in the region's culture, the Grey Roots Museum displays a fantastic exhibit full of historical artifacts from the county.

Your final drive takes you south to Lake Ontario and Toronto. The drive is about two hours, so you might like to detour to the town of Wasaga to visit the longest freshwater beach in the world. Drop off your car at the airport before taking your onward flight.