Montmorency Falls & Ste-Anne-de-Beaupré Half-Day Tour

It was fortunate for us that we bump into another couple on the line to disembark, with the same tour but different meeting points. We had allowed over an hour for a supposedly 14 min walk to our given meeting points. Following a few phone calls, we were told to meet at the same place as the other couple. It was a stressful half hour of trying to find directions, was misdirected by a taxi driver who didn’t want to take us there, communications with the tour company and finally an Uber driver with very little English, who took us to the meeting point, 10 mins after the meeting time. It was very disorganised and chaotic before we were even allowed to get on a double decker coach, that has only one way in and out. The guide reversed the itinerary and took us to the falls at near closing time when there was very poor light for viewing and reduced stop time. It takes more than 5 mins for everyone to disembark the coach, guide disappears, puts on an extra layer of jacket with a different colour and we couldn’t see her as we were at the back of the upper deck. When we told her we couldn’t find her as she was not carrying any paddles or stick, and changed from red to black, she was very rude and told us she has done a few of these tours previously She took us to 2 pointless stops of shops selling chocolate and ice cream and copper embossing. She also did not tell us that there is a big basement level of the cathedral, where there were interesting artefacts to see. The time wasted on shopping stops could have been better spent on the Falls and Cathedral. The advertised 45’ stops were reduced to 35’ and less, to allow for disembarkation and embarkation It is a very big group and as there are no audio sets and no paddles/ sticks/umbrellas, so we struggled to follow and hear the guide.

Saw many sights and Montmorency Falls and basilica were highlights! Loved the copper artists. Definitely wouldn’t have seen all these on our own in such a short time. Stops are enough time to experience the sight, but not to linger. Guide covered highlights, but a bit difficult to understand with a heavy french accent. Overall, loved the day!

Daniel was fantastic! This tour was excellent and I highly recommend. It moves along at the perfect pace but gives you ample opportunity to explore and soak up all the beauty of nature and the sites.

The guides were great for shifting the schedule around to make up for a rainy start. However my group booked 2 separate ticket groups and we were told two different pick up locations. It wasn’t until I had to call was it confirmed there was only 1 pick up locations/meeting spot for this excursion.

More time could be allotted for the Falls so people can do the gondola. The stop at the copper shop could be eliminated. The chocolatier shop also eliminated, instead walk for 20- 30 minutes, the island is beautiful. The borderline political comments were not appreciated.