Holidays for UK and EU Citizens
We provide all transport to and from our destinations for you and any gear you are bringing. Be sure to make arrangements for special items such as canoes.
We offer a chance to learn a variety of Canadian wilderness skills to everyone during your stay with us.
Where is New Brunswick exactly? It is on the east coast of Canada at about the same latitude as the south of France. Most people think of Canada as being north but being the second largest country in the world, we have some southern areas as well New Brunswick being one of them. To fly to Eastern Canada will take about five to six hours from London, Glasgow, or Paris.
What else should I know about eastern Canada? Eastern Canada is renown for being the friendliest area of the country. We have the warmest beaches north of the Carolinas and a temperate climate with average daytime temperatures in the high twenties in the summer months.
Are there bugs, bears, and bad weather? The bugs in eastern Canada are very mild in comparison to Northern Ontario and the arctic tundra. There will be mosquitoes in damp areas or marshy areas but they are not overwhelming. Unless venturing deep into the forest away from the lakes there is often no need for repellants. Eastern Canada does have black bears but they are few and far between. Seeing one would be a real treat. Eastern black bears are very tolerant of humans and are usually no more of a threat than a badger would be. That said we take every precaution to avoid unwanted encounters. The weather in eastern Canada is variable and we always prepare for rain or a short white squall or two on a trip but in the summer the weather is generally warmer and drier than what can be expected in the UK. There is no such thing as bad weather; only poor clothing choices.
Are these truly wild canoe trips in the Canadian wilderness? Yes and no. By British standards all the camping would be considered "wild camping". There will be no caravans parked anywhere near you. However in a medical emergency you can expect to be evacuated in under three hours from most locations. New Brunswick is about the same size as Scotland but with only about 750,000 people. There are numerous logging roads that crisscross the back woods so it is not untouched wilderness, but it is wilderness. On some trips you could expect to paddle through areas with a few small cottages and other areas where you do not see people for days. If you really want to go deep into the wilds that too can be arranged. Trips into Ontario and Quebec will be similar but being so much larger fewer signs of civilization can be expected.
What can I expect to see? Well just look at Lloyd's Adventure Photos for a glimpse of what eastern Canada has to offer.
Will I see wildlife? Yes, but it is difficult to say what. Deer and moose are more common these days, but all sorts of waterfowl, and aquatic life can be expected.
Can I go fishing? Yes, but you will need a non resident permit. We can help with that, so let us know in advance.
Are my paddling skills up to this kind of trip? Yes they are. We tailor our days progress around the group, or the individual. We can travel as fast or as leisurely as you dictate.
Will I have to eat dehydrated food or army rations? Of course not; we are not into survival in the outdoors, we are into living in the outdoors, and thriving in the outdoors. Some items dehydrate well and we will use them in our recipes but gourmet wilderness food is the best part of any trip.
What happens when I have to go to the loo? The areas we trip in all have well established camp toilets. They are not glamorous but they get the job done and are far better than the facilities you will find on the more arduous trips. On these trips we have listened to the suggestions of "outdoors-women" and have come up with a portable camp toilet solution that is lightweight and effective.
This all sounds kind of easy, do you do harder trips? Yes we do, if you want to do a month long trip through the northern forest canoe trail we can help.
Are there fees, and access issues to canoe in Canada? No, you can canoe and camp almost anywhere you want for free. Some of the parks we visit will have fees that go towards maintenance and up keep though. Any fees will be clearly listed on your invoice as we do not add any administration fees above the parks regular price.
I want to go shopping and buy a bunch of wilderness gear and a new dress for my wife; can we do that? Many of our trips will involve stops at canoe outfitters, factory stores, and major retailers as well. Remember that the British pound will go much further in Canada and prices are generally much lower.
If we cross the boarder into the USA on a trip what can I expect? Getting into the US is easier then you might think at the small boarder crossings we use in New Brunswick, however before any trip we check the conditions as well as any new rules and regulations. Getting back into Canada is usually much harder but again we let the officials know in advance that we are coming across at a specific time and it smoothes the process. A passport and proof of an airline ticket home is usually enough to please the people at customs. We also request that you keep the receipts for anything you purchase in the US with you for inspection as it speeds the process.
Can I bring home a canoe? Yes I have personally taken two full sized canoes to the UK with no difficulty. You will likely have to pay VAT on arrival though as a UK citizen.