It all started in September 2012 when I read posts on Niagara Falls in our own website Ghumakkar.com. Details of Niagara falls and pictures with a detailed description of Maid of Mist. I started dreaming of visiting Niagara Falls and experiencing Maid of Mist. When we landed here in March 2013 I checked and found that Niagara Falls were closed at that time and will open in Summer. So I waited till Summer and finally on August 3, 2013 we decided to visit Niagara Falls.
Although it is very easy to Visit Niagara Falls from Toronto on our own but we decided to take a bus tour. Advantage of Bus tour was that we will get lots of information from guide , no discomfort being the first trip to Niagara and the main reason was that it was economical compared to if we go on our own. We took a bus tour by a tour operator name “Chariots of Fire”.There are many tour operators at Toronto for Niagara tour we choosen this because one of our friend has recommended it to us.Our boarding point was Yonge-Dundas Square.
Address : Chariots of Fire Ltd, Yonge St., Toronto, Ontario L9T2X9
Phone no: 905-693-8761
http://www.chariots-of-fire.com
Yonge-Dundas Square – Yonge – Dundas Square is famous Square in Toronto and it says it is similar to Times Square at New York. Yonge-Dundas Square is a unique focal point of the downtown Toronto community. The Square is designated for use as a public open space and as an event venue that can accommodate events of various sizes.Wide range of activitiescan be discovered on the Square like community celebrations, theatrical events, concerts, receptions, promotions, Street Performers etc.
Evening at Yonge-Dundas Square
Morning Hours at Yonge-Dundas Square
There were two options to book a tour we can either do it online or by reserving seats by calling them on phone. As we didn’t have Canadian credit card I called the tour office and reserved our seats. A day before tour we again got confirmation call from Tour operator and asked us to do payment to Driver while boarding the Bus. There were two pick up points at Downtown Toronto and we decided to board the bus from Yonge- Dundas Square at 0800. While boarding we did payment (CAD 68 per person) to our Driver cum Guide and he has given us a small label with a tour name on it so that it would be easier for all the Bus passengers to be in group.Bus started sharp at 0800 hrs and we were informed that Tour will include both way travel , visit to Niagara Falls , inclusive of Maid of Mist general admission ticket , Niagara on the lake Village , Floral clock and visit to Winery with a complimentary wine tasting.If anyone not interested to visit Maid of Mist then that person can opt for free visit to Skylon Tower.Otherwise visit to Skylon Tower and Helicopter ride were optional and on payment basis but will be assisted by the Driver.Bus was normal luxury type buse and water can be purchased inside the Bus from Driver.No food or drink was allowed inside the bus.
CN Tower – On our way
On our way to Niagara Falls
On our Way Our Bus Driver cum our Tour Guide was explaining each and every point coming our way starting from Yonge- Dundas square , CN Tower , Ontario Lake , Harbourfront Centre, Fort York Blvd, Exhibition, Mississauga, Hamilton , Niagara Village etc. Guide was very much knowledgeable or I can say expert in his daily work. He was well aware of each and every information about these places , history , populations, weather , other interesting facts etc. At around 1000 hrs we had entered Niagara Falls area.Our first stop was at Helicopter terminal where few of our co passenger got down to take a Helicopter ride above Niagara Falls. The price for Helicopter ride was CAD 100 per person and we decided to drop it.
Helicopter Terminal
Helicopter Ride
From there he first took us to Skylon tower. Our driver cum guide already had entry tickets which we had taken from him and did payment to him when we returned back in Bus.Similar to CN Tower , even Skylon tower had the photographer service.They were clicking the pictures and editing it in two ways one you are near Niagara Falls and second you are floating in Barrel.Niagara Falls had a history about Barrel.October 24, 1901 a 63 old school teacher Mrs Annie Taylor decided that a trip over Niagara Falls will give her fame and fortune.So she has harnessed herself in a Barrel and crossed Niagara Falls.She has become the first person to conquer the mighty Niagara falls. As we had already visited CN Tower , we found Skylon tower very small but when we reached on top level we were thrilled to see beautiful view of Niagara Falls.
Canadian Side Horseshoe Falls (View from Skylon Tower)
Niagara Falls
Beautiful View of Canadian and American Falls (Right side Canadian Falls and centre is American Falls)
Clifton Hill and US-Canada bridge
American Falls
We were given half an hour to visit Skylon Tower.We came back and collected our picture (CAD 15 for one picture and CAD 30 for two pictures).They also had offer where by paying small amount we can get soft copy of picture. Also Professional click of Niagara Falls picture CD can also be purchased from here.
We came out of Skylon tower .Luckily all co passenger were respecting the bus rules and time allotted for each point and everyone reached on time so that the next point can also be covered in enough time.Our Next point was Niagara Falls itself with a closer view. Driver has parked the bus and given us another half an hour to see Niagara Falls. It was really amazing to see “Virat roop” of Water.Our Driver said while explaining that “Niagara Falls has enough water to fulfill Canada’s requirement for few thousand years more ” and he was so true.
Niagara Falls is a part of Niagara river and the falls on the Canadian side is known as Horseshoe Falls or Canadian Falls.Approximately 90% of Niagara river after diversion for hydro power generation flows over Horseshoe Falls.The remaining 10 % flows over American Falls.So we were fortunate to see Niagara Falls from Canadian side.
Closer view of Niagara Falls
Driver has given us enough time at each point.But the view at each and every point was just superb that we even forgot that we didn’t have our Breakfast or any snacks or Lunch.Our time was just running and we were trying to capture such a beautiful view in our Camera. After seeing the closer look of Falls we returned back to our Bus. Our Next point was Maid of Mist….
So I will continue my series with Maid of Mist experience in my next post.Till then I hope everyone has enjoyed seeing Niagara Falls.
Hi Abhee K
Nice description with splendid pics of the fall.
Yesterday was the Universal Studio and today is Niagara at Ghumakkar. Seems to ignite a fight in my home for visiting such places………
Thanks Avtar ji for liking the post.
Niagara is really a wonderful place to visit.I hope as well as pray someday you will surely visit this place.For me it took so much time to visit this place.Infact it became possible only because we moved here,otherwise I can’t imagine me visting Niagara if I would be in India .All thanks to GOD for giving me and my family an opportunity to see beautiful places of the world.
Thanks again
Niagara falls are so breathtaking..,, and that boat under the falls looks out of this world… thanks
Thanks for going through post.Yes, Niagara falls are indeed breathtaking…but the Maid of Mist is more than Falls which I will cover in my next post.Hope you will like that too.
The Boat under the Falls is the huge boat and every half an hour it takes 600 people to the Maid of Mist i.e right under the falls….and that feeling is just speechless for me :)
Mrs Abhee K,
So after all; Niagara conquered.
Winsome photographs. Congrats.
Sandeep.
Thanks Sandeep ji.
Yes, finally a dream come true.It is the dream which first started from your post itself.
Thank you very much.
Thanks Abhee for such a comprehensive guided trip of One of the great wonders of the world. The ride over the Niagara on a helicopter must be once-in-a-lifetime experience. I have already bookmarked this post.
Thanks Mr Venkatt for liking the post and I am sure you will lie the next part of it as well which is Maid of Mist at Niagara Falls.The helicopter ride must be a lifetime experience.I am now in a serious lookout for offers/schemes that will give me nice discount to visit Helicopter ride on Niagara Falls :).Till date I got only $10 discount ,waiting for $ 50 discount LOL….
Thanks again
very good post,very beautiful pics.
Thanks Ashok ji for liking the post and commenting
Very good post and fotos are gr8. Niagra looks more beautiful from Canada side… so I should see it from there.. not from USA or rather both. Tell me if Niagra is open in winters too ? I am planning to visit there by Nov
Hello SS ji ,
Thanks for liking the post.Yes, It seems view from Canada side is more beautiful .As regards to winter, it is generally says that one should visit Niagara Falls when you can actually see water and can enjoy Maid of Mist.So, If you are planning to visit during November, I am doubtful you will be able to enjoy Maid of Mist as well as Niagara Falls due to snow/ice coverage.Maid of Mist is definetly closing on Nov.The last day of the operation of the Maid of the Mist is Oct 24 , 2013.May be one can enjoy beautiful Niagara Falls area, Clifton Hill (Adventure and amusement) and CASINO during Winter.
Hope above infomation will help you to plan your visit.
Thanks again
I am also in queue for the falls Abhee.
About 14 years back, I happened to visit Toronto but It was a short trip (and no money to even think of taking a day-off :-)). A close friend lives in NY and as per him, it is an easy weekend road-trip.
I am holding up firmly in the queue, in the hope that one day I would find myself there. Thank you for the lovely post and I would wait for the maid-of-mist. May you get a 50% discount soon. Wishes.
Thanks NJ for liking the post and commenting.I just pray your wish become true soon.
Also, thanks for wishes of 50% discount ( :) ).
I am sure you will like Maid of Mist post too.I had made video of it exclusive for Ghumakkar post.
Very nice and detailed write up with good pictures too. This reminds me my couple of trip to Niagra, one in 2002 and another one is in 2005. I once visited Niagra Falls during the night and multi color lights on Niagra were making it more beautiful.
Nandan, I remember your trip to Burlington office, it is just 60 KMS from Burlington office.
Thanks for liking the post. Yes you said it very correct that night time at and around Niagara Falls is very beautiful.We are planning to visit Niagara again in October ( for stay) to see Clifton Hills , Marineland and other attractions at Niagara.
We had purchased the professional click CD of Niagara Falls and it has all the pictures of Illuminated Niagara Falls.Will try to post few pictures in my next post.
Thanks again.
@Upanshu – Yeah, I was told later by someone that instead of spending time at that restaurant (first time I experienced where they had this hot plate right in front of you and they cook things then and there), I could have made a quick dash to Niagra, but then you know nothing and you sort of just keep following your hosts. :-)
Nice pictures, good post.
Thanks Sudip for liking the post
Hi Abhee,
Awesome photos of the falls and the mist rising!
Keep travelling and sharing!
Hi Nirdesh,
Thanks for liking the pictures and hopefully post as well.
Happy to read the post and more happy to see the pictures. All the pics are superb.
Asusual it was the good post from you.
thanks for sharing.
Thanks Saurabh for liking the post and pictures..