Explore Canada

Arrive at Toronto Pearson International Airport, Canada’s largest and busiest gateway. After clearing customs and immigration, you’ll be greeted by our representative and transferred to your hotel in the heart of the city.

Settle into your accommodation and take time to recover from your long journey from Pakistan. If you feel up to it, take a leisurely stroll around your hotel neighbourhood to soak in the atmosphere of this multicultural metropolis.

Welcome Dinner: Enjoy your first taste of Canadian multicultural cuisine at “Lahore Tikka House” in Toronto’s vibrant Gerrard Square area, offering authentic Pakistani and Indian halal cuisine that will feel like a taste of home.

Overnight: Toronto Downtown

Start your day with a visit to the iconic CN Tower, standing at 553 metres tall – one of the world’s tallest free-standing structures. Take the high-speed glass-fronted elevator to the observation deck for panoramic 360-degree views of the city, Lake Ontario, and on clear days, even the distant Niagara Escarpment. For the adventurous, try the EdgeWalk – a hands-free walk on the tower’s exterior ledge!

Next, explore the Rogers Centre, home to the Toronto Blue Jays baseball team, and wander through the financial district’s impressive skyscrapers. Visit City Hall with its distinctive curved architecture and the bustling Nathan Phillips Square.

In the afternoon, explore the historic Distillery District, a pedestrian-only village filled with Victorian industrial architecture, now housing art galleries, boutiques, and cafes. Alternatively, visit the Royal Ontario Museum (ROM), Canada’s largest museum of world cultures and natural history.

Dinner: Savor delicious Afghan cuisine at “Afghan BBQ & Pizza” in Scarborough, offering halal kebabs, chapli kebab, and traditional Afghan bread.

Overnight: Toronto

Today begins your journey to one of the world’s most spectacular natural wonders. Drive through the fruit belt of the Niagara Peninsula, passing vineyards and orchards along the scenic Niagara Parkway.

Arrive at Niagara Falls, where you’ll experience the thunderous power of three cascading waterfalls – the massive Horseshoe Falls (Canadian side), the American Falls, and the Bridal Veil Falls. Board the famous Hornblower Niagara Cruise (or the classic Maid of the Mist) that takes you right to the base of the falls, where the mist rises hundreds of feet and the roar is deafening – a truly unforgettable experience.

After drying off, enjoy free time to explore the surrounding area. Visit the Journey Behind the Falls attraction, which takes you through tunnels to observation decks directly behind the cascading water, or simply stroll along Queen Victoria Park for postcard-perfect views.

Continue to the charming 19th-century village of Niagara-on-the-Lake, consistently voted one of the world’s prettiest towns. Wander its tree-lined streets, admire beautifully preserved Georgian architecture, and visit boutique shops. This region is renowned for its ice wine – a sweet dessert wine made from grapes frozen on the vine. Stop at a local winery for a tasting of this Canadian specialty.

Optional Experience: For a truly breathtaking perspective, consider a 10-minute helicopter tour over the falls (approximately 185 CAD per person).

Dinner: Enjoy halal Mediterranean cuisine at “Paramount Fine Foods” in St. Catharines en route back to Toronto, offering authentic Middle Eastern dishes including shawarma, falafel, and grilled meats.

Overnight: Toronto

Depart Toronto and journey east along the scenic Highway of the Arts (Highway 401) towards the beautiful Thousand Islands region. This stunning archipelago of over 1,800 islands dots the St. Lawrence River, ranging from tiny rocky outcrops to substantial islands hosting grand summer homes.

Board your Thousand Islands cruise for a narrated journey through this breathtaking waterway. You’ll learn about the history of the region, spot the famous Boldt Castle (a magnificent Rhineland-style castle built by a millionaire hotel magnate for his beloved wife), and see the remarkable International Bridge connecting Canada and the United States. Keep an eye out for cormorants, blue herons, and other waterfowl.

Continue to Kingston, one of Canada’s most historic cities. Once the capital of the Province of Canada (1841-1844), Kingston is rich with heritage. Take a walking tour of its charming limestone buildings, including Fort Henry (a UNESCO World Heritage Site and star-shaped fortress guarding the Royal Naval Dockyard), the City Hall (one of the finest 19th-century public buildings in Canada), and the campus of Queen’s University.

Dinner: Dine at a local halal-friendly restaurant in Kingston (options can be arranged with advance notice).

Overnight: Kingston or Gananoque

Continue your journey to Ottawa, Canada’s captivating national capital. This bilingual city (where you’ll hear both English and French spoken) welcomes nearly 10 million visitors annually but maintains an un-crowded, welcoming atmosphere compared to larger cities.

Visit the Canadian Museum of History (Musée Canadien de l’Histoire), the most visited museum in Canada, located across the river in Gatineau, Quebec. Its stunning architecture and Grand Hall showcase the history, culture, and beliefs of Canada’s Indigenous Peoples, with magnificent totem poles and the world’s largest indoor collection of Northwest Coast First Nations exhibits. The museum offers spectacular views of Parliament Hill across the Ottawa River.

Take an orientation tour of Ottawa’s highlights:

• Parliament Hill with its iconic Peace Tower and Centre Block (home to the Senate and House of Commons)

• Embassy Row along Sussex Drive

• Rideau Hall, the Governor General’s residence

• ByWard Market, one of Canada’s oldest and largest public markets, filled with fresh produce, artisans, and eateries

In winter (mid-December to late February), the Rideau Canal transforms into the world’s largest skating rink – a 7.8-kilometre UNESCO World Heritage Site where you can skate through the heart of the city.

Dinner: Enjoy halal Middle Eastern cuisine at “Kara Mia” in Ottawa, offering delicious shawarma, falafel, and mixed grill platters.

Overnight: Ottawa

Continue to Montreal, the second-largest French-speaking city in the world (after Paris). Founded as “Ville-Marie” in 1642, Montreal is a captivating blend of old and new, where historic charm meets modern urban energy.

Begin with a guided tour of Montreal’s highlights:

• Ascend Mount Royal Park (designed by Frederick Law Olmsted, who also designed New York’s Central Park) for breathtaking panoramic views of the city skyline and St. Lawrence River

• Admire the magnificent Notre-Dame Basilica in Old Montreal, a masterpiece of Gothic Revival architecture with its stunning blue ceiling and intricate carvings

• Pass by St. Joseph’s Oratory, Canada’s largest church, with its impressive dome visible from across the city

• View the Olympic Park site of the 1976 Summer Games, including the inclined Olympic Stadium tower

Explore Old Montreal (Vieux-Montréal) , with its cobblestone streets, historic buildings, and charming Place Jacques-Cartier. The area feels like a piece of Europe transplanted to North America.

Special Experience: Tonight, enjoy a festive sugar shack dinner (Cabane à Sucre) featuring traditional Quebecois cuisine with maple syrup-infused dishes, accompanied by lively local music – a true taste of Quebec tradition.

Dinner: Included as part of your sugar shack experience (vegetarian and halal options available with advance notice).

Overnight: Montreal