Passengers board our chartered bus by 6:00 p.m. at the parking lot in Kingston. Free parking is available. Bus arrives at Hartwell Locks in Ottawa about 8:00 p.m. for embarkation on the Kawartha Voyageur which will remain docked for the night at Hartwell Locks.

Day 1 Hartwell Locks to Burritt’s Rapids
Sailing after breakfast the Kawartha Voyageur follows the canal’s winding route through Ottawa to commence the cruise up the Rideau River past Hog’s Back, Black Rapids and Long Island locks to Burritt’s Rapids for overnight. This segment of the Rideau passes miles of beautiful country estates along the river.

Day 2 Burritt’s Rapids to Smiths Falls
A pleasant day of tranquil cruising along the Rideau River to Smiths Falls. We pass numerous locks – each one different but with its own legends – and all fastidiously maintained by Parks Canada. The highlight of the day is a stop at Merrickville, one of Ontario’s oldest towns. Overnight is at Smiths Falls.

Day 3 Smith Falls to Westport
Our third day introduces us to the Rideau Lakes with all their legendary beauty. From Poonamalie we cross Lower Rideau, then past Rideau Ferry to Big Rideau and through the Narrows to Upper Rideau Lake, the highest elevation of the Rideau Canal. By mid-afternoon, we arrive at the charming village of Westport.

Day 4 Westport to Jones Falls
Canada’s northland of water, granite and greenery is nowhere better viewed than this day’s journey downstream through a series of lakes and rivers connected by captivating lock sites that defy casual description. In particular, a late morning stop at Chaffeys Lock takes us back in time as we visit the lock house museum there. Over night is at beautiful Jones Falls with its spectacular arched stone dam and four flight locks. In September, we continue on to Upper Brewers where we dock for the night due to the potential for early morning fog on the water.

Day 5 Jones Falls to Kingston
An early morning departure on our last day continues to amaze us with the beauty of Whitefish and Cranberry Lakes. From the picturesque Upper Brewers lock, we enter the Cataraqui River which include Washburn and the flight of four locks at scenic Kingston Mills.  After lunch, we cruise the lower reaches of the Cataraqui River to our 2:00 p.m destination in Kingston.