Organized trips and escorted departures

An organized trip is a group already formed that you join. The itinerary is built, the hotels are held, the visits are booked, and a tour leader stays with the group from departure to return. You neither recruit participants nor negotiate with suppliers: you buy a seat and you go.

Who it suits

  • People who travel alone and would rather not be alone in the evening
  • Those who want to see a lot in a few days without driving or hunting for parking
  • First visits to a destination where the language, transport or driving feels daunting
  • Couples and friends who do not want to spend their holiday planning

The most common formats

  • Coach tours to New York, Boston, the Maritimes and Ontario, with guided stops
  • Escorted tours in Europe and Asia, often combined with a few free days
  • Group cruises with a Quebec tour leader on board: see the cruise section
  • Themed network departures, fishing, safari or expedition

Organized or custom-built?

If you form the group yourself, with family, colleagues or a club, that is a custom group file: see group travel.

Before booking

Ask for the maximum number of participants, what the price includes, and whether the tour leader is present throughout or only at departure. An advisor checks these with you: find the one closest to you. Voyages AquaTerra holds Quebec permit 702703.

Frequently Asked Questions

An organized trip already exists: you buy a seat on a departure whose itinerary and dates are set. A group trip is built around your own group, with your dates and your requirements.
It depends on the product. Some tours have a leader from departure to return, others only a local guide on site. Ask before booking, because it changes the experience more than anything else.
It ranges from a few dozen on a coach to a small group of a dozen on a high-end tour. The maximum is stated in the file and is worth checking.
Yes, and it is one of the main reasons people choose this format. A single-occupancy supplement usually applies, except on departures offering a roommate match.
Most tours alternate guided days and free half-days. The detailed programme states day by day what is escorted and what is not.
The tour operator may cancel or change the departure, according to its terms. It is written in the contract, and your advisor will then propose an alternative.