26/02/2011

Canada: Niagara Falls Gap Year Adventure Tours

Take a gap year in Canada and cruise in Niagara Falls: The world-famous Niagara Falls are a must-see attraction for anyone on a visit to New York state or the Canadian province of Ontario. Straddling the international border between Canada and the United States, the waterfalls are renowned for their great natural beauty and have long been recognised as one of the most popular honeymoon destinations in the world.

Water from the falls, which were formed 12,000 years ago, comes from four of the five Great Lakes and the natural wonder is the largest single producer of hydroelectric power in the world.

If you're on an adventure tour across either of these North American countries, Niagara Falls is well worth a visit.

Cruise the falls in Canada

If you're taking an eastern Canada tour between the months of April and October, you might want to get up close and personal with the 52-metre-high Horseshoe Falls on the Maid of the Mist. The boat tour - which originally operated as a simple ferry to transport Canadian and US passengers between the two borders in the mid-1800s - has been a fully-fledged tourist attraction since 1854.

All Maid of the Mist passengers receive a blue waterproof poncho to protect their clothing from the spray of the rushing water. The tour departs from a calm point on the Niagara River near the Rainbow Bridge, then cruises past the smaller American and Bridal Veil Falls before entering into the curve of the much-larger Horseshoe Falls, where you're likely to get wet from the spray of the falls.

Over the years, the adventure cruise has seen a number of well-known passengers come aboard, including actress Marilyn Monroe, former US president Jimmy Carter and Princess Diana with Princes William and Harry.

Horseshoe Falls is the largest - and considered by many to be the most impressive - of the three falls that make up Niagara Falls. It is estimated that some 90 per cent of the Niagara River flows over this waterfall, which can be observed directly from the Canadian side or at an angle from Goat Island on the US side of the natural spectacle.

If you fancy getting even closer to Horseshoe Falls than a trip on the Maid of the Mist will allow, Canada's Journey Behind The Falls is another attraction worth exploring while north of the border. This experience allows you to travel by elevator down 150 feet of bedrock to get behind the Horseshoe Falls, which you can then view from behind using one of two observation decks as 2,800 cubic metres of water travels over the falls every second.

The amazing American Falls

On the other side of Goat Island are the two waterfalls that make up the US side of Niagara Falls. The 55-metre-high American Falls and Bridal Veil Falls are best observed directly from the Canadian side of the border, but you'll find that you can get quite close (within several metres) of the falling water right from the US side. You can also get a unique look at the falls from high up at the New York State Observation Tower, the base of which also serves as the departure point for the American Maid of the Mist boat tour.

If you have a sense of adventure and fancy getting close to the rushing water of Bridal Veil Falls in the summer months, you can take the Cave of the Winds tour, which allows you to feel the mist of the water. Like the Maid of the Mist, this attraction is closed from the end of October until the beginning of April.

Getting there and other attractions

Once you've had your fill of the falls, there are plenty of other things in the area to see and do. Canada's Niagara region is famous as an up-and-coming wine destination and the nearby Niagara-on-the-Lake - where the popular television film Anne of Green Gables was filmed - offers a great and historic day out. In the US, you can enjoy the natural wonders of Niagara Falls State Park or take a city break to nearby Buffalo, which is only a short drive away.

The twinned cities of Niagara Falls, Canada and Niagara Falls, US are easily accessible from other destinations in Ontario and New York. It doesn't matter if you're planning to spend a day or a week at the falls - round-trip tours from New York to Niagra and Toronto are available and can be tailored to suit your needs.

To book a tour call TrekAmerica on +44 (0) 208 682 8920.

TrekAmerica's adventure tours of USA, Canada and Mexico are aimed at travellers aged 18-38. TrekAmerica's Grand American Adventures offers similar trips aimed at travellers of all ages, including families.


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