Pontiac Farm Tour – Day Trip From Ottawa & Gatineau

The most unusual part of this day trip is its mix of working farms and friendly animals. You might feed chickens, taste different honey, meet baby alpacas, watch yaks, and finish with cider and apple pie at a traditional mill. Guide Brandon keeps the day moving and adds local suggestions for Ottawa and Quebec City.

I like the small maximum group of 14 and the fact that transportation, lunch, snacks, admissions, and a full-day guide are bundled into the price. The main caution is the fixed schedule: four stops in about seven hours can feel brisk, and the tour depends on good weather. The non-refundable policy also calls for care when booking.

Key things to know before booking

• Baby alpacas are a major highlight: You get close to the animals and can pet some of them.
• Four very different stops: The route covers a yak farm, an ostrich farm, a cider mill, and an alpaca farm.
• Lunch is included at Coronation Hall: Plan on cider tasting and apple pie as part of the meal stop.
• Small-group transportation: Pickup is offered from Ottawa and Gatineau in an air-conditioned vehicle, with a maximum of 14 people.
• Brandon guides the day with personality: He also shares suggestions for the rest of your time in Ottawa and Quebec City.
• Allow a full day outside the city: The tour begins around 9:00 a.m. and lasts about seven hours.

Why this farm day feels different from a standard Ottawa outing

Ottawa has plenty of museums, government buildings, and urban sights. This trip gives you a very different view of the region: farms, animals, local food, and the countryside beyond the city.

I like that the day is not built around one grand attraction. Instead, it strings together several smaller encounters. A yak farm alone might make a short outing, but paired with ostriches, alpacas, cider, honey, lunch, and pie, it becomes a varied day with plenty of changes of pace.

The tour is priced at $85.89 per person. That is a fair package when you count the air-conditioned transport, guide, four included admissions, snacks, and lunch. You are not simply paying for a ride to the countryside. The price covers a full schedule and several tastings that would otherwise need to be arranged separately.

Still, this is not a private farm visit or a slow food tour. You will have roughly 45 minutes at the ostrich farm and about an hour at each of the other stops. If you prefer long, quiet visits with lots of time for photographs, the schedule may feel tight.

Starting from Ottawa or Gatineau

The tour starts around 9:00 a.m., with pickup offered from Ottawa and Gatineau. Your exact pickup time is normally sent by email before the day, typically within a 10-minute window about 45 minutes before the tour begins.

That arrangement matters because the tour does not appear to use one universal meeting point for everyone. When you book, check the pickup message carefully. If you are unsure whether your accommodation is within the selected pickup area, you can send the provider the address, name, or a map screenshot for confirmation.

The air-conditioned vehicle is a practical touch. A countryside tour involves driving between separate farms, so having transport included makes the day much easier than trying to coordinate several rural addresses yourself.

The maximum group size is 14. That is large enough to create a social atmosphere but small enough for the guide to keep an eye on the schedule and answer questions. A smaller group also suits animal visits, where a crowd can quickly make a pen or viewing area feel cramped.

Meeting the yaks at Ferme Pure Conscience

The first stop is Ferme Pure Conscience, where you spend about an hour on a guided visit to a sustainable yak farm. The focus here is not just on seeing unusual animals. You get an introduction to how the farm operates and time to look around.

Yaks are an unexpected sight for many people visiting this part of Canada. That novelty gives the first stop a strong opening. You are seeing an animal that most people do not encounter during a normal city break, while also learning about a farm with a sustainability focus.

Special treats are included at this stop, although the exact items are not specified. The wider day can also include honey tasting and other farm food, so come ready for small samples rather than a full meal here.

I would give this visit your full attention. The farm portion lasts only an hour, and the tour has another three stops ahead. If you want photographs, take them early, then listen to the farm explanation instead of treating the stop as a quick animal photo opportunity.

A short, unusual visit to Ferme Ostribee

Next comes Ferme Ostribee, an ostrich farm with about 45 minutes set aside for the visit. This is the shortest stop, so expect a compact introduction rather than a long farm walk.

Ostriches are a fun contrast to the yaks. Their size and behavior make this stop memorable, even though the visit is brief. The change from one type of farm to another keeps the day from feeling repetitive.

The limited time is also the main drawback. You may need to move along once the group has seen the main areas. I would not choose this tour expecting extended animal handling at every stop. The itinerary offers variety first, with depth varying from place to place.

The stop can work especially well for families and for anyone who enjoys unusual agricultural settings. It also gives photographers a different subject from the woolly animals later in the day.

Lunch, cider, and apple pie at Coronation Hall

Coronation Hall, a tea room and gift shop, is the food-centered stop. You receive a full tour of a traditional cider mill, followed by lunch, cider tasting, and apple pie.

This is the point where the day shifts from animals to regional food. A cider mill provides a clear sense of place, and the tasting gives you something local to try rather than another generic roadside break.

The included lunch helps justify the price. You do not need to search for a restaurant in an unfamiliar rural area, and the meal fits naturally into the route. Apple pie adds a simple, satisfying finish. It is the kind of stop that gives the day a pleasant pause after the two animal farms.

Cider tasting may not suit every person, and the tour details do not specify the number of samples or the lunch menu. If you have dietary restrictions, ask the provider before booking rather than assuming the meal can be changed.

There is also a gift shop here. That gives you a chance to browse local products, but remember that shopping time is part of a scheduled group day. The tour does not promise a long, open-ended break.

Getting close to alpacas at Willow Lane

Les Alpagas de Willow Lane is likely to be the emotional high point for many people. You spend about an hour with the alpacas, including time to get close, pet some of them, and enjoy the animals at a relaxed pace.

Baby alpacas are a particular highlight. They bring a gentle, playful quality to the afternoon and give you a chance to see more than a distant paddock. The opportunity to pet some of the animals makes this a hands-on stop, though you should follow the farm’s instructions about contact and feeding.

This visit balances the shorter ostrich stop. After seeing large, unfamiliar birds, you get time with softer, more approachable animals. If you are booking for children, animal-loving adults, or anyone who wants a cheerful countryside outing, this farm may be the strongest reason to choose the tour.

As with any animal visit, contact is not completely within your control. The tour promises close time and petting opportunities, not that every alpaca will come over on cue. Comfortable shoes and clothing suited to a farm setting are sensible choices, though the provider sends a recommended packing list before the trip.

What your day includes for $85.89

At $85.89, the cost covers more than admission. You receive:

• Pickup and transportation from Ottawa and Gatineau
• An air-conditioned vehicle
• A guide for the full day
• Admission to all four stops
• Lunch at Coronation Hall
• Cider tasting and apple pie
• Healthy snacks at the lookout

The value depends on how much use you make of the full package. If you would otherwise pay for a rental car, fuel, rural admissions, lunch, and tastings, the bundled price is attractive. It also removes the work of planning a route between several farms.

The price is less compelling if you only care about one stop, such as alpacas, and would rather pay for a short local visit. This is a full-day outing, so you are buying variety and convenience rather than a single focused activity.

The guide adds another layer of value. Brandon is described as enthusiastic and entertaining, and he makes sure the group stays involved throughout the day. His suggestions for the rest of your stay in Ottawa and for Quebec City can also help you plan beyond the farm tour.

Pace, group size, and practical comfort

Seven hours is long enough to make the countryside feel like a real day trip, but the schedule remains active. Four stops, meals, tastings, and driving leave little room for unplanned detours.

I would choose this outing when you want a structured day. You do not need to decide where to eat, how to reach each farm, or which rural attractions are worth your time. The tradeoff is that you follow the group timetable.

The tour is offered in English. Confirmation arrives when you book, and most people can participate. The activity is also near public transportation, although pickup details are handled separately and should be checked by email.

Bring the basics for a day outdoors: comfortable shoes, water, and clothing suited to changing conditions. The provider sends useful tips and a recommended list of things to bring before the tour, so read that message rather than relying only on the booking page.

Weather and cancellation details worth noting

Good weather is required for this experience. If poor weather forces a cancellation, you are offered another date or a full refund. The same applies if the minimum number of participants is not reached, with the option of a different date or experience, or a full refund.

Your own cancellation policy is stricter. The experience is non-refundable and cannot be changed for any reason if you cancel or request an amendment. I would avoid booking until your schedule is firm, especially because the tour is often reserved well ahead of time, with an average booking lead of about 52 days.

That advance demand suggests you should not wait until the last minute if the date matters. At the same time, booking early means you need to be comfortable with the fixed, non-refundable terms.

Who will enjoy this Ottawa countryside tour?

I recommend this day to you if you want:

• A break from Ottawa’s city sights
• Farm visits with unusual animals
• A small-group outing with transportation included
• A mix of tastings, lunch, and animal encounters
• A guided day that requires little planning
• A family-friendly activity with plenty of visual variety

It is also a good fit for solo visitors and couples who want company without joining a very large coach group. The group limit of 14 keeps the scale manageable.

I would think twice if you want a slow rural retreat, a dedicated cider tour, or a serious agricultural study. The route gives you a taste of several places, not an in-depth visit to one farm. The 45-minute ostrich stop, in particular, may feel short if that is your main interest.

Should you book the Pontiac Farm Tour?

Book it if you want an easy, unusual day outside Ottawa, with transport, lunch, farm admissions, and a guide handled for you. The strongest reasons are the mix of yaks, ostriches, and alpacas, the baby alpacas at Willow Lane, and the cider mill meal with apple pie.

I would rate it as especially good value for first-time visitors who want to see a less familiar side of the region. Just accept the brisk schedule and strict cancellation terms before paying. If those conditions suit you, this is a cheerful, well-filled country day with enough food, animals, and local color to feel like a genuine break from the city.

FAQ

Where does the Pontiac Farm Tour begin?

The tour offers pickup from Ottawa and Gatineau. The start time is around 9:00 a.m., and your exact pickup time is normally sent by email before the tour.

How long does the tour last?

The tour lasts approximately seven hours.

How many people can join the tour?

The tour has a maximum of 14 participants.

What language is the tour offered in?

The tour is offered in English.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch is included at Coronation Hall, along with cider tasting and apple pie.

What farms and stops does the tour visit?

The stops are Ferme Pure Conscience, Ferme Ostribee, Coronation Hall, and Les Alpagas de Willow Lane.

What happens if bad weather cancels the tour?

If poor weather causes a cancellation, you are offered a different date or a full refund. If the minimum number of participants is not reached, you are offered a different date or experience, or a full refund.