The Maritimes: Nova Scotia

The Maritimes: Nova Scotia

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7 Days From

$2595

The Maritimes: Nova Scotia

7 Days Starting in Halifax and ending in Charlottetown

Visiting: Halifax, Baddeck, Charlottetown

Tour operator:

Intrepid Travel

Tour code:

SESP

Guide Type:

Fully Guided

Group size:

1 - 12

Physical rating:

Low

Age range:

15-99 years

Tour operated in:

English
From: $2595

NB: Prices correct on 04-Nov-2024 but subject to change.

This tour is no longer available, please see similar tours below or send an enquiry

Tour Overview

Colourful fishing villages, seaside hiking trails, a famous lighthouse and a Prohibition-era rum-running town all await you on this week-long trip that shows off Nova Scotia’s most iconic highlights. From the rocky shores of Peggy’s Cove to the Skyline Trail of Cape Breton, you’ll discover why this corner of Canada is so beloved by all who visit. Explore the UNESCO World Heritage site of Lunenburg, tour the historic town of Baddeck, hear local Cape Breton music with its signature fiddle, drive the spectacular Cabot Trail and shop for locally made Mi’kmaq arts and crafts, all before finishing up on Prince Edward Island.

Highlights

  • See for yourself why the charming fishing town of Peggy’s Cove is one of the most photographed places in Canada.

  • Join a local guide for a walking tour of historic Old Town Lunenburg, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

  • Walk the stunning coastal trails of Cape Breton Highlands National Park and follow the Skyline Trail mountain pass out to sweeping sea views.

  • Take a tour of the historic town of Baddeck, which marks the start (and end) of the famous Cabot Trail and is where Alexander Graham Bell had a summer home.

  • By travelling on this trip, you’ll learn about our Intrepid Foundation partner, Water First. Donations support their work to provide critical clean, safe water for indigenous communities in Canada. Intrepid will double the impact by dollar-matching all post-trip donations made to The Intrepid Foundation.

  • Join a local guide for a walking tour of the historic Old Town of Lunenburg – a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

  • Walk the stunning coastal trails of Cape Breton Highlands National Park and follow the Skyline Trail’s mountain pass to sweeping sea views.

  • Stay in the historic town of Baddeck, where you’ll be treated to a traditional Ceilidh performance, where musicians come together to play local Cape Breton music with its signature fiddle.

  • Soak up heaps of free time in Halifax to explore at your own pace and perhaps visit their world class museums – or, just take in the maritime scenery and relax!

Itinerary

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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:
-Halifax - Leader-led orientation walk

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:
-Lunenburg - Mahone Bay & Blue Rocks
-Lunenburg - Guided walking tour

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:
-Peggy’s Cove – Rock Walk

Optional Activities:
-Halifax -Canadian Museum of Immigration at Pier
-Halifax - Maritime Museum of the Atlantic

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:
-Millbrook - Mi'kmac Cultural & Heritage Centre
-Baddeck - Celtic music ceilidh

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:
-Cape Breton Highlands National Park – Hike

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 farewell dinner and toast your adventure.

Included Activities:
-Charlottetown - Leader-led orientation walk

Optional Activities:
-Alexander Graham Bell National Historic Site (Entrance Fee)

Day 7: Charlottetown

Location: Charlottetown

Meals Included: breaksfast

With no further activities planned, you’re free to leave at any time today. Or, maybe spend some more time exploring Charlottetown on your own. If you have time, consider joining the Maritimes Prince Edward Island & New Brunswick trip (available as a combo).

What's Included

  • Accommodation
    Hotel (6 nights)

  • Lunenburg - Guided walking tour

  • Lunenburg - Mahone Bay & Blue Rocks

  • Peggy’s Cove – Rock Walk

  • Millbrook - Mi'kmac Cultural & Heritage Centre

  • Cape Breton Highlands National Park – Hike

  • Alexander Graham Bell National Historic Site (Entrance Fee)

  • Charlottetown - Leader-led orientation walk

  • Meals

    5 breakfasts, 1 lunches, 1 dinners

  • Halifax - Leader-led orientation walk

  • Baddeck - Celtic music ceilidh

What's Not Included

  • Tipping and Gratuities

  • International Travel

  • Airport Transfers at Destination

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.Check out of the hotel is at 10am. If you would like to spend more time in Charlottetown we can happily request you additional nights - please speak to your booking agent.
  • 3.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.
  • 4.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

  • 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.

    You may also want to check out our Best of the Canadian Maritimes trip if you have a longer time to explore the region:

    https://www.intrepidtravel.com/canada/best-canadian-maritimes-160727

  • What policies are in place for Covid-19?

    Please contact us for latest COVID-19 policies

  • How long has the tour company been trading?

    Intrepid Travel has been taking travellers around the world for over 30 years

  • Will the accommodation included meet local health and safety regulations?

    Yes

  • 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.

  • 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

Reviews of this operator

Maroochy Dazza (Google Reviewer)  

Just leaving a review to...

24-Aug-2023

Just leaving a review to share how much I enjoyed my Central America trip. I thought the guide, Aura was so knowledgeable and organised and clearly a great ambassador for Intrepid. She gave us lots of information on each region, helped us organise anything we needed and dealt with queries from passengers very well and diplomatically. She made the trip run smoothly. She was also keen to explain the Intrepid vision and how the company values making a difference to locals and is a credit to your company. I did Guatemala and beyond and thoroughly enjoyed it - very fast paced, lots to see and do and a great overview of the region. I would definitely recommend 👍

LivvyGrace 4 (Google Reviewer)  

I just completed my first...

15-Jul-2024

I just completed my first Intrepid tour which was 33 days travelling around Central America - I had the time of my life! It was great to have the benefit of a guide (Fluffy was amazing!) and be able to ask questions at any point, but I also liked the freedom that you were permitted throughout. The group tour made boarder crossings seamless and the whole process felt easy - there was never one hiccup. As a solo female traveller, I felt safe throughout, and I cannot recommend Central America enough - the people, the food, the sun and the activities were just amazing :) Can't wait to book my next adventure soon!

V Open (Google Reviewer)  

I have just come back...

26-Oct-2022

I have just come back home after doing Intrepid's 10-day Vietnam Express Northbound tour. What a SUPERB tour. We saw lots and did lots, it was jam-packed full of sights and activities. Our tour leader, Tam, was the best ever. Very knowledgeable, organised and lots of fun too. The other 10 people on the group were all lovely. The places we visited were very interesting. We even visited local homes and ate just like the local people do. I highly recommend Intrepid to anyone considering touring a new country. This was my 5th tour with them and they have consistently been fantastic.

Jack Edwards (Google Reviewer)  

I have travelled with Intrepid...

03-Jun-2024

I have travelled with Intrepid a number of times now and can't recommend them enough. The trips are always exciting, full of history and immersive in the culture and environment. The office staff are great too and always happy to help with any questions you might have. Everywhere I have gone with the company has been different but the guides and itinerary have always been excellent and full of knowledge and passion for their country. Add in the social responsibility angle the company has and it top quality ethical practice and you can't go wrong

Jo Clayton (Google Reviewer)  

I recently went on an...

15-Mar-2024

I recently went on an 11 day tour of India with Intrepid and was impressed with every aspect of the tour, the tour leader and the organisation behind the scenes. I always travel alone so it was a big deal to join a tour, I didn't want to feel less independent or ferried about. I loved being part of a group and the things we saw and did on the tour, I would never have known about or seen if I had been by myself. I loved it from start to finish. Yes the overnight trains were not easy to sleep on, but I managed. Meeting locals on board was a high light for me. English is widely spoken in India and its amazing who you strike up a chat with. I had two problems on the tour - one my own fault and one hotel related. The support from Intrepid was amazing. I cannot thank them enough for going the extra mile to support me. I recommend Intrepid 100% and have gone from thinking an organised tour is for people who don't know about Lonely Planet and can't do solo stuff, to realising its a faster, better, more fun way to get to know a country truly and deeply whilst on a bit of a budget. I will book again and again with Intrepid. I loved it that much! Big thanks to tour leader Daddy H. Devender for his help on day one, and Nick in the Oz office for his fab customer care skills. Also the person who staffed the emergency whatsapp in India - you saved my sanity helping me get there a day late! THANK YOU ALL X

Nicole  

North American Adventure

12-Oct-2021

This was my first international solo trip, but I never felt “alone” - there was always someone to go shopping, hike, or grab a quick bite with. The itinerary was a great balance between organized activities, while still allowing free time for exploring. Each location was unique and charming in its own way. Spending the night in the holy city of Moulay Idriss and wandering the winding streets of Chefchaouen were especially memorable. Thank you Mustapha and Intrepid for an incredible adventure!

Alice Norton (Google Reviewer)  

I have just completed a...

29-Feb-2024

I have just completed a 12 day food tour of Vietnam, and had an amazing time. Our tour leader was great, knowledgeable and kind, who helped throughout the trip with recommendations for places on our free days, and spas. All the food we tried was delicious. It is a very fast paced tour, and Bon tried to maximise our experiences for the best.

Henry Guy Robinson   United Kingdom

Cambodia Discovery

22-Jan-2024

The overall experience was fantastic. V good tour leader. All places visited had something special to do or see. I would book a tour with this company again. Only one negative tour hub is not I repeat not available to contact direct by phone.

Merouane Harkat   Uk

Explore Southern Africa

08-Mar-2024

Best trip ever was, 2 things I didn't like the black mamba stop was wasting day and village ,so 2 night I think was just wasting, I could do 2 days in Kruger, and one more night in delta

Alan Perrott (Google Reviewer)  

We had a fantastic time...

13-Aug-2024

We had a fantastic time on the Botswana Highlights tour recently. We chose Intrepid because it seemed to suit what we wanted - well planned itinerary, small group, comfortable without being overly luxurious (and pricey), and supportive of the local community and environment. We weren't disappointed, and as we met with other like-minded travellers then we all had a great time. We are already planning our next Intrepid tour - maybe Vietnam & Cambodia :-)

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Book with Confidence

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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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