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Free tour

Breathe in the Quiet Side of Ottawa

5.00
Excellent(1)
Duration: 1 hour and 30 minutes
Languages: English
Guru: Eliakim
Registered on 5 May 2025
Guru Avatar Image
Hi, I’m Hawi — a professional documentary photographer with a passion for nature, culture and birding. When I’m not managing projects or spending time with my loved ones, you’ll find me exploring Ottawa’s rich natural spaces with my camera in hand. Over the years, I’ve discovered some of the city’s most beautiful birding spots, and I’m excited to share them with you. Join me for a guided adventure into Ottawa’s birdlife — whether you’re a local or a visitor, there’s always something new to discover!
Free reservation and cancellation
Pay-what-you-want tour, no set price, reservation and cancellation are free

Tour description

Ottawa is more than monuments and government buildings. Just beyond the downtown rush lies a softer, greener side of the city, filled with birdsong, blooming gardens, and slow, quiet wonder. 

 

Join me, Hawi, a local documentary photographer and passionate birder, on a guided nature walk that invites you to step away from the noise and into a more peaceful rhythm of the city. Whether you’re visiting or local, this tour offers a refreshing break from the crowds and concrete. 

 

We begin at Dow’s Lake, where summer fills the air with the scent of wildflowers and butterflies trace colorful paths. Then, we follow the shaded stretch of the Rideau Canal, walking at an easy pace as we listen to the quiet sounds of water and wind. 

 

Our next stop is the Fletcher Wildlife Garden, a vibrant habitat teeming with birds and pollinators. This is where we’ll settle in for most of our birdwatching. With a little patience (and a few tips from me), you might spot chickadees, finches, woodpeckers, warblers and sometimes even an owl or hawk overhead. 

 

From there, we wander into the Central Experimental Farm Arboretum, a hidden gem filled with heritage trees, soft paths, and shady groves. Then, we round out our walk at the Ornamental Gardens and the Experimental Farm, where cultivated flowers meet wide open fields and, if we’re lucky, a peaceful encounter with cows grazing nearby. 

 

This is more than a tour, it’s a sensory retreat. A space to slow down, learn to see differently, and connect with the wild beauty that quietly thrives within the city. 

 

Bring your walking shoes, your curiosity, and your camera. Let’s explore Ottawa’s living landscape together, one bird, bloom, and breeze at a time. 




Highlights

What will we see on this tour?

Meeting point:
1001 Queen Elizabeth Driveway, Ottawa, ON K1S 5K7, Canada
I am a 6ft6 tall guy! I will hold a Binoculars in my hands and stand next to the steps by the entrance of the pavilion
1
Free entry
Commissioners Park
Explore the beauty along the Lake
2
Outside visit
Rideau Canal
Walk along the canal into the arboretum with a beautiful view of the of the trees and birds
3
Outside visit
Fletcher Wildlife Garden
Birding around Fletcher. The garden is beautiful with lots of flowers, birds, insects, frogs.
Tour map

How much does this tour cost?

Free tours do not have a set price, instead, each person gives the guru at the end the amount they consider appropriate (amounts usually range from €20 to $50 depending on satisfaction with the tour).

Tour reviews

5.00
Excellent(1)
Generic
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By category
Professionalism
5.00
Fun
5.00
Communication
5.00
Quality
5.00
Route
5.00

Who is this tour for?

Accessibility
Suitable for people with reduced mobility.
Groups
Does not accept large group bookings.
Pets
Suitable for bringing pets.

What should I know?

Minimum attendees
Does not require a minimum number of people to conduct the tour.
Additional costs
The tour does not require payment for entries or additional expenses.
Free cancellation
If you cannot attend the tour, please cancel the reservation, otherwise the guide will be waiting for you.
Payment methods
Cash payment only.
Breathe in the Quiet Side of Ottawa
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