Farm animals and cider in one focused day. This Pontiac Farm Tour is a guided 7-hour country loop with pickup from Ottawa and Gatineau, in a small group (max 14). I love the animal variety—yaks, ostriches, and alpacas—and I also like that our guide, Brandon, kept the pace upbeat and the mood friendly.

The Coronation Hall stop is the other big draw: a guided cider mill visit paired with lunch, cider tasting, and apple pie. One thing to consider: this day is good-weather dependent since it’s built around working farms and outdoor-friendly time blocks.

Key Points to Know Before You Go

• A small group tour (max 14) makes the country stops feel personal
• Guide Brandon is an enthusiastic host and shares practical ideas for Ottawa and Quebec City
• Ferme Pure Conscience mixes yak encounters with sustainable-farm energy
• Coronation Hall gives you a full lunch plus cider tasting and apple pie
• Les Alpagas de Willow Lane is the alpaca-focused payoff, including time to get up close
• You’ll get healthy snacks on the route, plus air-conditioned transport

A 7-hour countryside swing with yaks, ostriches, cider, and alpacas

If you want the Canadian countryside without plotting a full driving day, this tour does the heavy lifting. You start in the morning and come back after a packed mix of animals, food, and hands-on farm time. The rhythm is intentionally simple: four main stops, guided, with admission included so you don’t have to worry about tickets once you’re on board.

What I liked most is the variety in one day. Instead of spending hours on just one farm, you get a yak experience, a quick ostrich stop, a cider mill lunch with tastings, and then an alpaca hour where you can actually slow down and interact. It’s the kind of day trip that feels like you changed worlds when you cross the city edge.

Also, the group size stays tight. With a maximum of 14 people, the day doesn’t feel like you’re inside a long bus tour where you watch everything from afar. You still move efficiently, but you’re more likely to hear explanations and follow along.

Price and what you actually get for $85.89

At $85.89 per person, this isn’t a bargain-priced “just bus rides around” type of day. What makes it good value is what’s bundled in: transportation from both Ottawa and Gatineau, a guide for the full day, a lunch, healthy snacks, and admission tickets across the stops.

So you’re paying for more than scenery. You’re paying for:

• Guided time at multiple working farms
• Entry into the cider mill experience
• A meal and snack support so you don’t spend the day hunting food

When I look at day trips, I think about hidden costs—parking, admissions, and the time tax of figuring out where to go next. This tour includes the major pieces, so you can keep your day simple and your budget steadier.

If you’re the type who likes planning less and watching animals more, the math usually works in your favor. If you’d rather explore at your own pace or linger for hours at one place, the fixed stop durations may feel a bit structured.

Pickup, timing, and the small-group feel (max 14)

The tour starts at 9:00 am. Pickup is offered from Ottawa and Gatineau, with the pickup window typically arriving by email within a 10-minute time frame about 45 minutes before departure. Practically, that usually means you’ll be ready to go around the 8:15–8:25 range.

You get a mobile ticket, and you’ll have clear info before you leave, including useful tips and what to expect. That matters, especially for day trips—your biggest risk is arriving confused, late, or underprepared. With this setup, you can focus on the day.

The vehicle is air-conditioned, which is a quiet win when weather swings or when you’re spending most of the day in transit. And since the tour runs with a maximum of 14 travelers, it’s easier for the guide to manage questions and keep everyone together.

If you’re using public transportation, the meeting points are near it, which helps if you’re not staying in a hotel close to the pickup zones.

Ferme Pure Conscience: yak time plus farm-style treats

This is your first stop, and it sets the tone. At Ferme Pure Conscience, you get a guided tour of a yak farm. It’s not just a look-and-go stop. The experience is framed around how the farm works, what makes it sustainable, and what you can learn by seeing the animals up close.

Yak farms can be surprisingly interesting because yaks aren’t common back home for most visitors. You get a chance to see how different animals live and how farm operations are built around their needs. It makes the countryside feel real, not just cute.

I also appreciated the way the stop adds small “extras” to the visit. Between the guided talk and farm treats included with admission, the hour doesn’t feel like waiting for the next place to start. It feels like an actual introduction to a working farm.

If you’re a photo person, this is a good early timing choice. Morning light often helps, and starting with animals means you’re fresh enough to enjoy the details rather than rushing near the end of the day.

Ferme Ostribee: ostriches up close in a quick stop

Next comes Ferme Ostribee, with about 45 minutes on the clock. This is shorter by design, and that’s okay. Ostriches are impressive to see, but you don’t always need a long visit to get the best part—up close views, guided explanation, and time to soak it in without dragging the day out.

For me, the value of this quick stop is balance. After a full yak hour, you’re not forced to add another long animal block. Instead, you get a fresh change of scenery, and then you’re ready for the food-focused part of the day.

One consideration: because it’s shorter, you’ll want to stay alert during the briefing and be ready to move when the group moves. If you’re the type who likes to wander slowly on your own, this specific stop may feel more structured than you want.

Coronation Hall cider mill lunch, cider tasting, and apple pie

This is the midday anchor: Coronation Hall, a tea room and gift shop connected to a cider mill tradition. You’ll get a full tour of the mill, plus lunch, cider tasting, and apple pie—all included with your admission.

If you like Canada that feels specific to the region, cider mill stops are great for that. It’s not just food. It’s a whole process, and the guided tour helps you understand what you’re tasting. The cider tasting is a highlight because it turns the meal into an experience, not just a break from the bus.

And then there’s the apple pie. It’s the kind of included treat that makes the stop feel worth the time even if you’re not a hardcore cider fan. For many people, this ends up being the most satisfying “sit down, reset your energy” moment of the day.

Practical tip for you: if you plan to buy a gift or something to take home, this stop is where to do it. The gift shop is there, and you’ll be relaxed enough to browse rather than making a last-second dash.

Les Alpagas de Willow Lane: slow down and hang with alpacas

The last farm stop is Les Alpagas de Willow Lane, where you spend about an hour with alpacas. This is the payoff for animal lovers because it’s the kind of visit where you can really get close, spend time, and enjoy the calm nature of the animals.

I found this stop especially memorable because alpacas are not just fun to look at. They’re curious, they respond to attention, and the interaction feels natural rather than rushed. The included time lets you pet a few, and it’s the kind of moment that makes the day feel less like a checklist and more like a story.

There’s also a “family-friendly” energy to the alpaca stop. Even if you’re traveling solo, it’s easy to enjoy without needing to know anything in advance. You’ll just follow the guide’s lead, enjoy the up-close time, and soak in the odd-cute charm of baby alpacas if they’re part of the visit.

If you’re worried about the day feeling too long, alpacas are a great way to end it. They’re mellow and engaging in a way that helps you transition out of the day-trip pace without feeling drained.

How to plan for comfort, photos, and picky schedules

A good day trip is mostly about avoiding stress. Here’s how to set yourself up based on how this one runs.

First: the full tour is about 7 hours. That means you should treat it like a full-day commitment, not a quick outing. Wear comfortable shoes. You’ll be moving between stops, and farm surfaces aren’t always flat or predictable.

Second: the tour includes lunch and snacks, including a healthy snack provided at a lookout. That’s a relief. It means you’re less likely to feel hungry and cranky halfway through. Still, bring a water bottle if you tend to get thirsty, since the day’s pacing can be active.

Third: you’re in a guided group of up to 14. If you want photos, you’ll get chances, but you’ll also need to stay with the group. Keep your phone charged, and aim for a few steady moments rather than trying to capture everything at once.

Finally: language is English, and the tour runs with a guide for the whole day. That’s helpful if you want explanations while you’re seeing animals and tasting cider. You can lean into the story rather than just scanning the area.

Weather, refunds, and how flexible you need to be

This experience requires good weather. It’s not the kind of tour that pretends rain will be exactly the same as sunshine, since farm stops and the overall day flow depend on conditions.

Cancellation-wise, it’s non-refundable and cannot be changed for any reason. That means you should only book if you’re comfortable with the idea that your plans must hold.

If the tour is canceled due to poor weather, you’re offered a different date or a full refund. If it’s canceled because a minimum number of travelers wasn’t met, you’ll also get a different date/experience or a full refund.

Who this tour fits best

This is a smart pick if you want:

• A guided country day that’s easy to arrange
• Animal time (yaks, ostriches, alpacas) without doing research
• A structured food stop with lunch, cider tasting, and dessert
• A guide who doesn’t just read facts, but keeps the day fun

It’s also a good match for first-timers to Ottawa who want to see another side of Canada without juggling driving, admissions, and timing.

If you’re someone who hates being on a schedule, keep your expectations realistic. The stops are timed—45 to 60 minutes each—so it’s not a slow ramble. You’ll get a solid introduction, but you won’t have unlimited hours to linger.

Should you book this Pontiac Farm Tour from Ottawa and Gatineau?

Yes, if you want a fun, well-packaged day trip with real farm moments and a clear “what’s next” plan. The combination of animal variety, a guide like Brandon, and the Coronation Hall lunch with cider tasting and apple pie makes this feel like good value rather than just a drive out of town.

I’d also book it if you’re traveling with mixed interests. One person can focus on alpacas, someone else can enjoy cider and pie, and you all still share the same day.

Book with the one caveat in mind: it depends on good weather, and your booking is non-refundable if you change your mind. If your schedule is firm and you’re open to countryside farm time, this is exactly the kind of day trip that makes Ottawa feel bigger than just the city.

FAQ

What time does the tour start?

The tour starts at 9:00 am.

Do you offer pickup from Ottawa and Gatineau?

Yes. Pickup is offered, and you’ll receive a pickup time by email. The pickup time is typically within a 10-minute time frame about 45 minutes before the tour begins.

How long is the day trip?

The tour runs for about 7 hours.

What’s included in the price?

Included items are healthy snacks, an air-conditioned vehicle, lunch, a guide for the entire day, and transportation from Ottawa & Gatineau. Admission tickets are included for each stop.

What language is the tour in?

The tour is offered in English.

What’s the maximum group size?

The tour has a maximum of 14 travelers.

Is there a refund if you cancel, or if the tour is canceled due to weather?

If you cancel, it’s non-refundable and cannot be changed for any reason. If the tour is canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund. If it’s canceled because the minimum number of travelers isn’t met, you’ll be offered a different date/experience or a full refund.