Guests arrive at Victoria Inn on Sunday in time for dinner, a tour of Gore's Landing and orientation about the cruise. Guests spend Sunday and Monday night at Victoria Inn. On Monday, aboard the tour boat Caravelle, Jeff Beaver, agronomist/naturalist, conducts a seminar of the geology, natural and aboriginal history of Rice Lake and the First Nation community of Alderville. An aboriginal lunch is served at Serpent Mounds Provincial Park (2000 year old Indian burial grounds). Serpent Mounds is the sacred land of the Hiawatha First Nation Reserve. There are optional visits to the studios of local artisans in Northumberland Country.

The tour boat, Caravelle, is 50 feet long, and holds 55 people indoors. It is has washroom facilities on board.

On Tuesday, the boat leaves Gore's Landing at 10 am for a 4-hour tour up the Otonabee River to the Peterborough Liftlocks in Peterborough. The boat ride essentially follows the travels of Catharine Parr Traill between Rice Lake and Stoney Lake. Their lives spanned the 1800's and they chronicled their own participation in the settlement around Rice Lake, Lakefield and Stoney Lake.

Lunch is served on board. The guests then visit the Canadian Canoe Museum - a museum in the making. It is a celebration of the history of the canoe in an area where the canoe evolved. The museum, under the direction of Bill Byrick, has developed unique techniques and structures for the preservation and presentation of many fragile water crafts from all over the world. They also participate with Sir Sanford Fleming College in their Aboriginal Native Interpretation Program. Guests return to Victoria Inn for dinner and overnight.

On Wednesday, the boat leaves the top of the Peterborough Lift Lock at 10:00 am for a 4-hour tour up to Lakefield through a series of locks. There is a section of the trip where guests can walk from one lock to the next. Lunch and afternoon tea are served on board. Commentary also includes the literary history past and present of the Lakefield area (Catharine Parr Traill, Susannah Moodie and Margaret Laurence). The boat continues on to Young's Point. Guests have dinner at the Old Bridge Inn, and stay overnight at one of three charming bed & breakfasts - the Old Bridge Inn, Selwyn Shores and Tranquility Bay.

On Thursday, guests travel by bus to the Petroglyphs Provincial Park - the Teaching Rocks (native rock carvings). Its operation is a partnership between Curve Lake First Nation and Ontario Parks. The interpretation of the Teaching Rocks is through the eyes of the First Nations People. No longer viewed as 'rock art', the site is recognized as sacred.

The group then travels to the First Nations Community of Curve Lake for an aboriginal luncheon at Crane's Landing and a visit to the aboriginal co-operative Whetung Art Gallery. Thursday overnight is at the Victoria Inn. On Friday morning, before leaving, we visit the restored 1906 carousel at Roseneath.

$899./person
[based on double occupancy].
There are also day cruises available on each leg of the trip ranging from $40 - $65/person [taxes included].

Give Donna Cane a call at 905-342-3261 if you need any more information.

1-Day Cruise Packages are also available.