Best of the Canadian Maritimes
Best of the Canadian Maritimes
Best of the Canadian Maritimes
12 Days Starting in Halifax and ending in Saint John
Visiting: Halifax, Baddeck, Charlottetown, Summerside, Moncton, Saint John
Tour operator:
Tour code:
SESMC
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Group size:
1 - 12
Age range:
15-99 years
Tour operated in:
EnglishInterests:
Tour Overview
Experience the charms of Nova Scotia, New Brunswick and Prince Edward Island on a 12-day exploration of Canada’s Maritime provinces. Discover the rocky shores of Peggy’s Cove and the Skyline Trail of Cape Breton. Explore the UNESCO World Heritage site of Lunenburg, shop for locally made Mi’kmaq arts and crafts, get to know historic Charlottetown, take a walk to Hopewell Rocks with a local naturalist guide and visit the home of Anne of Green Gables. Enjoy dinner on board a working lobster boat and meet with a Mi’kmaq guide on Lennox Island. You’ll soon see why this corner of Canada is so beloved by all who visit.
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1: Halifax
Location: Halifax
Accommodation: Hotel
Welcome to Nova Scotia! Your adventure starts today in Halifax, with a welcome meeting at 5 pm to meet your local leader and fellow travellers. Halifax is an Atlantic Ocean port in eastern Canada and the provincial capital of Nova Scotia. A major business centre, the city is known for its maritime history and hilltop Citadel – a star-shaped fort that was completed in the 1850s. After your meeting, head out for an orientation walk with your leader to get your bearings, then maybe join your group for a welcome dinner to get to know each other.
Included Activities:
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Day 2: Halifax
Location: Halifax
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals Included: breaksfast
Today, head to historic Lunenburg on the South Shore – one of only two urban communities in North America designated as a UNESCO World Heritage site. Explore Mahone Bay and nearby Blue Rocks on a leader-led walking tour and learn about this old fishing community that’s become a hub for artists and photographers. Enjoy some free time exploring the old town centre, which is a National Historic Site of Canada. And since Lunenburg was a rum-running town in the days of Prohibition, make sure you take the time to sample of the local brews. Head back to Halifax in the late afternoon and maybe meet later in the evening for dinner.
Included Activities:
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Day 3: Halifax
Location: Halifax
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals Included: breaksfast
Take a trip to Peggy’s Cove – a scenic fishing village that’s one of the most photographed places in all of Canada – for good reason! Rocky outcrops, the crashing Atlantic, colourful fishing boats and a classic, red-tipped lighthouse are what you’d expect to see on Maritimes postcards. Follow your local leader along the Peggy’s Cove Rock Walk, which meanders along the barren coastline that glaciers created some 12,000 years ago. After, maybe grab lunch in the village – perhaps a creamy seafood chowder or fresh lobster roll. This afternoon, you have the option to head to the Canadian Museum of Immigration or the Maritime Museum of the Atlantic, soaking up some local history.
Included Activities:
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Optional Activities:
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Day 4: Baddeck
Location: Baddeck
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals Included: breaksfast, dinner
Today, you’ll drive from Halifax to Baddeck, stopping at the Millbrook Cultural and Heritage Center along the way. Located in the heart of a development owned by Millbrook First Nation, the center tells the story of the Millbrook Mi’kmaq and the important role they played and continue to play in the Maritimes. Don’t miss the gift shop, which sells beautiful traditional arts and crafts! When you arrive in Baddeck, you’ll head out for dinner with your group, then enjoy a local ceilidh performance – a traditional gathering with Scottish roots, where musicians come together to play Cape Breton music.
Included Activities:
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Day 5: Baddeck
Location: Baddeck
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals Included: breaksfast, lunch
Today, you’ll drive along the Cabot Trail for a leisurely hike within Cape Breton Highlands National Park. The Skyline Trail is the park’s signature hike, which leads out to spectacular sweeping views over the sea. If it’s a nice day for driving, your leader will take you further along the Cabot Trail – a 4 hours’ drive, but with plenty of beautiful stops along the way. Enjoy a picnic lunch while you’re out along the trail before returning to Baddeck for the night.
Included Activities:
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Day 6: Charlottetown
Location: Charlottetown
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals Included: breaksfast, dinner
If you’re an early riser, you can opt to start the day with a visit to the Alexander Graham Bell National Historic Site to gain insight into the life and work of the inventor, scientist and teacher best known for inventing the telephone. Then, drive from Baddeck to Charlottetown – the capital of Prince Edward Island and the smallest provincial capital in the country. Perhaps head downtown and explore on foot when you arrive in the late afternoon. Stroll alongside the picturesque harbour or take in the leafy parks and Victorian-era streets lined with gabled houses. Tonight, join your group for an included dinner and toast your adventure.
Included Activities:
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Optional Activities:
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Day 7: Charlottetown
Location: Charlottetown
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals Included: breaksfast, dinner
An orientation meeting will take place at 10am this morning to welcome any new travellers joining you for the next leg of your journey, then head out for a leader-led walking tour of the town. Your afternoon is free to wander on your own before regrouping in the evening for a special dinner. Head out along the stunning Points East Coastal Drive to meet a local fisherman and enjoy a traditional lobster and mussel boil on his private property.
Included Activities:
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Day 8: Charlottetown
Location: Charlottetown
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals Included: breaksfast
Drive from Charlottetown to the Greenwich section of Prince Edward Island National Park – home to a rare parabolic dune system and miles of white sand beach. Located along the famous Points East Coastal Drive, Greenwich is the perfect place to discover the small towns, beaches and wildlife that make Prince Edward Island so unique. As you walk the dune trail and dip your toes in the surf, look out for rare coastal plant species and a variety of seabirds. Then, you’ll visit Skmaqn-Port la Joye-Fort-Amherst National Historic Site for views of Charlottetown’s harbour. This site commemorates the first permanent European settlement on the island! After, carry on to a local, family-run and family-owned winery for a tasting of their favourite drops.
Included Activities:
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Day 9: Summerside
Location: Summerside
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals Included: breaksfast
This morning, say goodbye to Charlottetown and start the drive towards Summerside, stopping at a few viewpoints along the way. Stop in Cavendish, where L.M. Montgomery famously drew her inspiration for the ‘Anne of Green Gables’ novels. Visit Green Gables Heritage Place and explore the area on a walking tour (with a focus on Anne, of course!). After, you’ll stop for an optional lunch at Cape Tyron Lighthouse before continuing to Lennox Island. Here, you’ll visit Lennox Island First Nation to meet with a Mi'kmaq guide for a tour of the cultural centre and St. Anne church. Learn about Mi'kmaq culture and history, as well as the traditional way of preparing bannock (quick bread) at a campfire. Settle in with a cup of tea and soak up the stories about life on Lennox Island. Then, check out the Bottle Houses – a village of buildings, including a tavern, a chapel and gift shop, that are literally made out of thousands of bottles. Tonight, you’ll spend the night in the coastal city of Summerside.
Included Activities:
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Day 10: Moncton
Location: Moncton
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals Included: breaksfast, dinner
Enjoy a free morning exploring Summerside at your own pace. You may want to check out the local museums, galleries and cultural centres, or you can just wander through the neighbourhoods of historic homes. Then get your sea legs ready! Today you’re cruising the waters of Shediac Bay on a working lobster boat with local fishers. On the way to the bay, you’ll stop in Shediac Town – the ‘Lobster Capital of the World’ – to see the giant lobster. Then, get a hands-on lobster fishing demonstration and enjoy your delicious freshly caught lunch on board. After lunch, drive to Moncton and your hotel for the night.
Included Activities:
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Day 11: Saint John
Location: Saint John
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals Included: breaksfast, dinner
Cross over into New Brunswick and make your way to the postcard-perfect Hopewell Rocks Provincial Park. Arrive for low tide and join a naturalist guide for a walk right out onto the sea floor and get up close to the towering sandstone formations known as the Hopewell Rocks, or Flowerpot Rocks. When the tide comes in, waters in the bay can reach up to 16 m, so a trip here is all about timing and your leader will make sure you get the most out of your visit. In the afternoon, take a quick detour to spectacular Cap Enrage with its charming lighthouse before continuing on through Fundy National Park. Tonight, you’ll stay in the historic seaport city of Saint John. When you arrive, head out for dinner with your group and cheers to an awesome adventure!
Included Activities:
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Day 12: Saint John
Location: Saint John
Meals Included: breaksfast
With no further activities planned, your trip ends today and you’re free to leave at any time. Or, if you like, stick around and explore the city of Saint John and more of the Maritimes on your own. If you need help with booking additional accommodation, just reach out to your booking agent ahead of time.
What's Included
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Accommodation
Hotel (11 nights) -
Lunenburg - Guided walking tour
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Lunenburg - Mahone Bay & Blue Rocks
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Peggy’s Cove – Rock Walk
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Millbrook - Mi'kmac Cultural & Heritage Centre
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Cape Breton Highlands National Park – Hike
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Alexander Graham Bell National Historic Site (Entrance Fee)
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Charlottetown - Leader-led orientation walk
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Points East Coastal Drive – Mussel and Lobster Shore Boil
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Charlottetown-Leader Lead Walking Tour
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Charlottetown – Upstreet Craft Brewing Beer Tasting
What's Not Included
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Tipping and Gratuities
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International Travel
Transport
- AIRPORT TRANSFERS IN THE USA & CANADA
- We recommend taxis and rideshare services like Lyft and Uber when traveling to and from hotels in the USA and Canada. These services are widely available across North America, offering convenient and accessible transportation options. Private transfers in North America incur high costs and present an increased risk of missed connections due to their fixed schedules. In contrast, taxis and rideshares offer both cost-effectiveness and flexibility, ensuring a smoother journey. With transparent pricing, GPS tracking, and on-demand availability, we believe that taxis and rideshare apps not only offer a reliable alternative to private transfers but also provide a secure, trustworthy, and budget-friendly transportation option for our customers.
- NORTH AMERICA VEHICLES
- Our large fleet of 15-passenger vans are fully equipped with air-conditioning system, V8 engines and any camping or cooking equipment needed for your trip. Most have cloth-upholstered seats and carpeted interior with radio or CD players. Your luggage is typically transported in a trailer which is towed behind the van.
- The vans are regularly serviced by a well-established network of maintenance and service facilities throughout the continent. However, unforeseen maintenance problems can still occur while on the road and we appreciate the patience of our travellers as we make necessary repairs as quickly as possible.
- While your group will have a van for all included activities on the trip, the services of the van and leader may not be available for your use during free time, or after you have arrived for the day. If you need a special trip into town you may need to arrange transport or a taxi.
Accommodation
- The style of accommodation indicated in the day-to-day itinerary is a guideline only and may change. On some occasions, alternative arrangements may need to be made due to the lack of availability of rooms in our preferred accommodation. In these cases, we will use a similar standard of accommodation.
- Throughout the trip, we request that our properties prepare rooms in time for our arrival, especially if we're arriving prior to normal check-in time. However, this isn't always possible which means we won't be able to check-in immediately on arrival at some hotels. Instead, we can store our luggage and explore our new destination or on some trips, have use of shared day rooms until all rooms are available.
Important Information
- 1.Your adventure begins with a welcome meeting at 10am. Please make your own way to the Joining Point Hotel listed in the Essential Trip Information for this itinerary.
- 2. Please be careful when booking flights from Saint John; make sure you fly from Saint John, New Brunswick [YSJ]. Please do not book flights from St. John's, Newfoundland [YYT] as this is in another province.
- 3. Check out of the hotel is at 10am. If you would like to spend more time in Saint John we can happily request you additional nights - please speak to your booking agent.
- 4. A single supplement is available if you’d prefer not to share a room on this trip. The single supplement applies to all nights on your trip and is subject to availability. Please speak to your booking agent for further information.
- 5. We are not able to book airport shuttle service for North America trips. North America has convenient taxi and rideshare options from all airports, as well as public transport systems in major hub cities. Please check the joining and finishing point instructions listed in the Essential Trip Information.
Mode of Transport
- NORTH AMERICA VEHICLES
- Our large fleet of 15-passenger vans are fully equipped with air-conditioning system, V8 engines and any camping or cooking equipment needed for your trip. Most have cloth-upholstered seats and carpeted interior with radio or CD players. Your luggage is typically transported in a trailer which is towed behind the van.
- The vans are regularly serviced by a well-established network of maintenance and service facilities throughout the continent. However, unforeseen maintenance problems can still occur while on the road and we appreciate the patience of our travellers as we make necessary repairs as quickly as possible.
- While your group will have a van for all included activities on the trip, the services of the van and leader may not be available for your use during free time, or after you have arrived for the day. If you need a special trip into town you may need to arrange transport or a taxi.
Check out our Q&As
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Is this trip right for you
This trip involves a fair amount of walking, so having sturdy footwear is recommended. While this trip doesn't require a high level of fitness, it’s essential to be at least moderately fit if you want to partake in all activities.
This trip is a combination of two trips. Please review the Itinerary for details of when your fellow travellers and leader will change. -
What policies are in place for Covid-19?
Please contact us for latest COVID-19 policies
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How long has the tour company been trading?
Intrepid Travel has been taking travellers around the world for over 30 years
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Will the accommodation included meet local health and safety regulations?
Yes
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What Ethical Travel credentials does the tour company have?
Since 2002, The Intrepid Foundation has supported over 130 organisations across the world. We’re creating positive impact through the joy of travel, community and connection.
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Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?
Over 50% of traveller travel solo with Intrepid. You can choose to share a room with another solo travelle of the same sex for no additional charge, or choose to pay a single supplement if you’d like your own room. Please request this when booking, and we will secure you a single supplement wherever possible. Please note, if you are booking a last-minute trip, it may be harder for us to secure a single room
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Free Date Changes
Intrepid Travel allows you to make 10 free date changes, as long as the change is made at least 56 days before the start of the tour.
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Transfer as credit to Future Tours
Intrepid Travel allows you to transfer existing payments to a future tour to avoid cancellation fees if you can't travel and inform intrepid travel, 56 days before departure.
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Low Deposit
Intrepid Travel requires a minimum deposit of 400 USD per person or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 56 days before departure.
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Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of intrepid travel charges.
Up to 56 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.
At 55 days before tour starts: Forfeit 30% of booking price.
At 30 days before tour starts: Forfeit 60% of booking price.
At 14 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.
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Terms and Conditions