Up North: Algonquin Explorer

Up North: Algonquin Explorer

Up North: Algonquin Explorer


It’s like a “Summer Camp for Adults,” but with comfortable, private accommodation & delicious food.  Try something new each day, exploring with all the senses.

Over four days or three nights, explore Algonquin Park in a variety of intimate and interactive learning experiences, ending each day under feather duvet listening to loons howl on the lake.

Explore . . .


stand up paddling - taking a break for a swim

These experiences are designed for adults – young and old; Experiences at the Edge are bucket-list worthy experiences you’ll be telling stories about for years to come . . .

  • Guided Canoe, Hiking, and Stand-Up Paddleboard Excursions with a focus on connecting to nature
  • Opportunities for solo exploration via Canoe, Bike, Hike, or SUP
  • Wildlife excursions with a good chance to spot moose and other wildlife in their natural habitat
  • Heartwarming meals made from scratch with local ingredients
  • Comfortable forest cabin accommodation

Settle into your cabin and get to know other guests on the afternoon of your arrival.  Hit the water with guided stand-up paddleboard and canoe excursions through Kawawaymog Lake and the Amable du Fond river.

algonquin park moose in the river eating lilies canoe trip
waterfall rapids and people at algonquin park near north tea lake

Share a bike-and-hike to Moose Mountain or the Tower Trail, enjoy a dip in the lake, and as always, savour chef Gregor’s award winning food experiences. All outdoor equipment use is included.

Rise early one morning & paddle the Amable du Fond River in the mist on a Morning Tea with Moose excursion to seek out moose, Algonquin’s most majestic mammal, while sipping Algonquin Tea.  Enjoy a variety of workshops & hands-on learning experiences.

Step out of the city for the weekend; experience the best of “Up North.”


Lucy Emmott

Lucy Emmott

Lucy is a child of the woods who joyfully invites others into her experience of peaceful acceptance and excited curiosity with the natural world nearby.

A local champion for living sustainably, Lucy has a passion for nature – and a gift for creating excitement in the little things that we don’t usually come to notice. In just 5 metres of exploring a forest with Lucy, our guests can see and experience a really deep level of connection with the world around them.


Deposits & Cancellations

In short: Spaces are limited.  When you book a retreat with us, a non-refundable deposit (50% of your overall balance) reserves your space and allows us to plan accordingly. Remaining balances are due 15 days before arrival.

Deposits protect our group-based experiences by acting as a commitment from our guests. If you need to cancel your visit, the timing of your cancellation will determine the level of flexibility we can offer in rescheduling your visit or holding your deposit as a credit to be used in the future. Please refer to our full deposit and cancellation policy for more information on our policies, timelines, and the commitments we make based on your registration.

Meals & Dietary Needs

Edge guests are well nourished and experience mealtime itself as a program element, with storytelling to introduce the seasonal flavours of the region and the relationships with the folk who grew and raised the ingredients close to home. Cooking at the Edge focuses on balancing globally far-flung tastes with provincially produced foods. Meals are served buffet style and are guests often enjoy lakeside dining outdoors when the weather allows it.

Over the years we have met many diverse dietary needs. Guests are invited to identify their dietary needs & preferences as a part of the registration process, and those with restrictions love the options we provide.

Itinerary & Program Timings

We offer unique, tailored experiences that flow as our facilitators respond to the interests of our guests, seasonal conditions, and special opportunities that may arise.

Each retreat at the Edge features healthy doses of dreamtime, adventure, community, creativity, time spent in nature, and a dash of surprise. Guests always have the choice to take solo or rest time in lieu of planned experiences.

While a detailed itinerary is not available, you can count on and prepare for the activities used to describe the flavour of this retreat. Meals are generally served at 8:30, 12:30, and 6pm. When appropriate, optional early-morning or late-night experiences may be offered.

Arrival Time & Directions

Arrival time is between 2 – 3 pm with programming beginning at 3:30.  We encourage our guests to arrive on time and stay to experience the full retreat, which generally ends after brunch on the final day. Please let us know if you expect to arrive after 3.

You can find us easily on Google or Apple maps, or view detailed directions here.

What to Bring

We’ll be spending time both indoors and out in nature, and we invite you to dress appropriately for the season to stay comfortable, warm, and dry. There’s no dress code and most guests wear their “retreat-casual”.

We encourage guests to bring a surprise to share with others – this might take the form of a game or activity, an instrument/song/poem, or a tasty treat.

Outdoor Adventure Retreat

All-Inclusive Pricing from

$ 1084 /Person +HST

Registration:

June 28 – July 1, 2024
Join the Hotlist

Custom Dates Available for groups of 10+

What’s Included

  • Your choice of shared or private cozy cabin accommodation.
  • Guided Canoe, Hiking, and Stand-Up Paddleboard Excursions with a focus on connecting to nature.
  • Equipment & materials included*
  • Nourishing, nutritious meals and snacks from Day 1 Dinner to Day 4 Lunch (locally sourced and catered to your dietary needs)
  • Wood-fired sauna, campfires, and more!

What’s Not Included

  • 13% Harmonized Sales Tax
  • Gratuities for the hospitality team, facilitators & guides.
  • Wi-fi access and cellular signal are not available for this unplugged experience.

Explore Accommodation Options

Habitat Cabin Room

Canopy Cabin

Our simple, clear-roofed cabins bring participants closer to nature, just a short walk away from main programming spaces and amenities such as showers and flush toilets. Each canopy cabin features a double bed, ideal for solo travellers or couples.

Shared: $1084 / person

Private: $1184 / person

cabin in algonquin park

Habitat Cabin

Cozy, rustic habitat cabins are located just a short walk away from main programming spaces and amenities such as washrooms and showers. Each offers a loft double bed above 2 single beds, making them ideal for sharing with friends or other participants.

Shared: $1084 / person

Private: Unavailable

Studio Cabin accommodations Algonquin Park

Studio Cabin

Comfortable & spacious eco-friendly studio rooms are located just a minute’s walk away from main programming spaces and showers. These feature a small en-suite bathroom with an incinerating toilet. Both a double bed and a single bed make them ideal for couples or friends.

Shared: $1184 / person

Private: $1384 / person

Studio Cabin Accommodations Algonquin Park

Log Cabin Bedroom

The luxurious and comfortable log cabin is located a bit further from main programming spaces for optimal rest, and features en-suite bathrooms with showers. Each room’s Queen bed can convert into two twin beds, providing flexibility for solo travellers, couples, or friends.

Shared: $1384 / person

Private: $1604 / person

testimonials

Why do I keep coming almost every⁠ summer?⁠ Because the lake, the loons, the lone pine tree reminds me of home… because doing yoga on the dock at sunrise with mist on the lake is a great⁠ way to start the day⁠… because watching the hummingbirds whiz around the flower garden is a⁠ childlike delight⁠… Because Greg’s gourmet local cooking is out of this world delicious… Because of connections made with like minded people on the same self-⁠reflective journey⁠… but most of all, because Martha and Todd have created a magical⁠ sanctuary off the grid that can’t fail to affect anyone’s spirit.

Marliese Kimmerle

The staff is attentive, passionate about creating a restful experience for you and have thought of everything. The buildings are spotless and cozy and the facilities are beautiful, well laid out and fit into the natural environment. And the food — the best, most plentiful, creative, delicious, organic local food imaginable… The sauna was the highlight for me, dipping into the lake and back into the sauna all afternoon meant my body was fully renewed. The yoga studio overlooking the lake and the meditation room are peaceful and lay the groundwork for a wonderful transformative retreat.

Anna Hardwick

“Gregor (The Chef/The Carpenter) is amazing. Like will you marry me, get in my trunk, I’ll never eat another meal again kind of amazing. The food he makes is creative and what real farm-to-table was meant to be. He describes every dish with the care of someone who knows when and where each item was picked. Waiting for that dinner bell was a Pavlov’s dog experience each time.”

Cheyenne Byng

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