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Highlights of Nova Scotia
Destination: Nova Scotia
| Activities: Hiking, Kayaking, Biking
Nova Scotia offers an enticing combination of outdoor adventure, fascinating history, and great wildlife viewing. Completely surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean, it is particularly known for the high tides of the Bay of Fundy, the Cape Breton Highlands, its many picturesque fishing villages, and the migratory wildlife that includes puffins and whales, as well as many other seabirds. We'll start our adventure in Halifax, Nova Scotia's capital and a very happening city. We'll visit two of its most popular sites, the craggy headlands of Peggy's Cove and the historic town of Lunenburg with its many brightly colored houses, before heading north to the Bay of Fundy. We'll watch the tides roar in from the heights of Cape Split. Then it's on to the Cape Breton Highlands and the famous Cabot Trail. We'll go hiking, sea kayaking, and whale watching, and we'll hope to find some of the music that epitomizes Nova Scotia's rich Gaelic heritage. Maximum group size: 14
Highlights
- Looking for wildlife, particularly moose, seals, puffins, and other seabird life
- Seeing the stunning coastline of Cape Breton and learning about its history
- Experiencing the huge tides of the Bay of Fundy
- Visiting Peggy's Cove and Lunenberg
- Learning about Acadian and Gaelic culture and listening to Gaelic music
Departures and Prices
| July 08 to July 16, 2023 |
| $3695.00 - Available |
| Book Now |
Inclusions
- A local guide and an AGC guide (If there are fewer than 8 on the trip there will not be an AGC guide)
- All activities on the itinerary, including a kayak tour, a whale watch, wine tasting, and a puffin boat tour.
- All meals from dinner on Day 1 through lunch on the final day, unless otherwise noted on the itinerary
- Eight nights lodging in double occupancy rooms
- 15% VAT tax
- Transportation during the trip except the initial airport transfer
What's not included: Travel to and from Halifax, travel from the airport to the hotel at the start of the trip, beverages (other than water), one dinner, guide gratuities, travel insurance and optional activities.
Trip Documents
Trip Info
This trip has lots of activity, interspersed with time for sightseeing, and our days can be enjoyed by any active and fit woman in good health who regularly walks briskly for exercise and loves being outdoors. No previous experience in any of the activities is necessary. Rating: 1 [2] 3 4 5
This is a multisport adventure vacation which means we'll do some of everything: hiking, kayaking, rafting, biking, wildlife watching, sightseeing, and visiting a couple of museums. We'll also hope to listen to Gaelic music at least one night or more.
We'll be staying in a variety of lodging: 2 nights in Halifax, 2 nights in Wolfville, 2 nights in Cape Breton, 1 night in Indian Brook, and 1 night in Baddeck. Each of the accommodations were selected for their charm and local feel. The rooms will have two beds and an ensuite bathroom. Rooms are double-occupancy, we will pair you with another traveler unless you request a specific roommate. There are 2 single rooms available for an additional cost. Availability of room types is on your registration form.
Below is the proposed itinerary for the trip. As is true on any adventure travel trip, plans for any specific day may be modified due to weather considerations, unforeseen circumstances, new opportunities, and group interests.
Overnight: Halifax (D)
In the afternoon we'll visit Peggy's Cove, a small fishing village that is one of Nova Scotia's iconic sites and home to the most photographed lighthouse in the world. We'll also have time to marvel at the stone sculpture William deGarthe made in his backyard as a memorial to the fishermen that have lived here for hundreds of years. Later we'll go for a beautiful hike (about 1.2 miles) through the coastal barrens, learning about how the area was formed by glaciers 12,000 years ago, its unique vegetation, and the wildlife that call it home.
Biking: 3 hours with stops. Hiking: 1.5 hours. Driving: about 1.5 hours. Overnight: Halifax (B, L, D)
After a picnic lunch you'll have some time to wander through some of the many art galleries and shops, the Knaut-Rhuland house museum, the Fisheries Museum of the Atlantic, or a micro-distillery. In the late afternoon, we'll head north to the Annapolis Valley area, the location of the Bay of Fundy and its famously high tides, and also one of the centers of Acadian history.
Kayaking: 2 hours. Walking: 1 hour. Driving: 2.5 hours driving. Overnight: Wolfville (B, L, D)
After a picnic lunch and good rest, we return the way we came. With its cool climate, long summers, and rich soil, the Annapolis Valley area has recently become a center for the production of Nova Scotian wine. This afternoon we'll visit one of the many wineries located here and learn more about the wine they make here with a wine tasting. If we time our return to our lodging right, there may well be time for a swim before a dinner on your own in Wolfville.
Hiking: 4 hours, 5 miles. Driving: 1 hour. Overnight: Wolfville (B, L)
We'll then head to Cape Breton, considered by many to be the crown jewel of Nova Scotia with its dramatic coastlines, abundant wildlife on both land and sea, striking scenery, and Gaelic culture. It's definitely a drive today but Cape Breton is well worth it! Our route takes us through the Margaree River Valley, regarded as the center of Gaelic music, and beautiful in its own right. There are many trails in this area and we'll stop to hike for 1 - 2 hours before continuing to our lodging. With any luck, we'll find traditional music to enjoy in the evening, and maybe even a campfire.
Hiking: 1 - 2 hours. Driving: 4.5 - 5 hours. Overnight: Margaree, Cape Breton (B, L, D)
Returning to the van, we continue driving across the highlands with its vast expanse of mountain plateaus and glacial valleys. We then arrive at the quaint little harbor village of Pleasant Bay, one of the best places in Canada to go whale watching. Many species of whales can be seen in these rich waters, including Minke, Humpback, Fin and Pilot whales. Our lodging tonight is situated right near a quiet beach on the Atlantic Ocean and if you've been wanting to swim in the ocean, this is the time!
Hiking: 2 hours. Driving: 2 hours. Overnight: Dingwall, Cape Breton (B, L, D)
Our hiking adventures continue with more hiking. Middle Head Trail in Cape Breton Highlands National Park follows a long, narrow peninsula between two ocean bays. The loop is about 2.5 miles, with great views and chances to see seabirds, eagles, seals and even whales from the headland cliff. Another hiking option will be Jack Pine Trail. This scenic trail overlooks the Atlantic coastline and winds through a post-fire jack pine stand, with interpretive signs with information about the recover of the forest.
A short drive brings us to our next hike, past the seaside village of White Point out onto the peninsula where pink granite cliffs rise from the sea. This location is another great place to spot eagles, whales, and seabirds. If you didn't know better, you would think you were in Scotland. From there we continue further down the coast to our lodging for the night. We'll spend the next two nights in Baddeck where we are likely to find some more local music.
Hiking: 2.5 hours. Driving: 2 hours. Overnight: Baddeck, Cape Breton (B, L, D)
In the after noon we'll enjoy a 2.4 mile trail that follows Falls Brook upstream, passing through a hardwood forest of maple, birch, and beech on the way to 50 foot high Uisge Ban Falls (Gaelic for "white water"). The deep stream valley narrows dramatically and at the falls, the sheer walls of the gorge tower 500 feet on either side.
There is also the option for exploring the nearby town of Baddeck to enjoy shopping, live music, and views of the nearby Kidston Island.
After the puffin boat tour, hike, and exploring of the town, we'll join up together for our final farewell lobster dinner and, if it's available, we'll finish up with a traditional ceildh (pronounced "kaylee") with local musicians.
Boat tour: 2.5 hours. Hiking: 1 - 2 hours. Driving: 1 - 2 hours. Overnight: Baddeck, Cape Breton (B, L, D)
Driving: 4 hours. (B, L)
4.7
(41 reviews)*These are the unfiltered reviews of women who have been on this trip in answer to the question "What made this trip special for you?". We take reviews very seriously and often tweak itineraries based on feedback. Please feel free to contact us about any questions you have.
Learned important historical events, saw iconic locations
Camaraderie with the guides and the location made this a great trip! The only real issue I had was the transportation around Nova Scotia. The bus had 14 seats so it was 100% full. The back seats on both sides were affected by wheel wells that restricted foot space and were VERY comfortable. Sadly, several people chose not to take a turn riding in those seats and several of us suffered through sitting there. Even the seats that had no restrictions like that had very little foot space and considering we had to keep our backpacks with us and put them between our legs on the floor, it was very uncomfortable. Viewing scenery out of the windows was also impaired due to the space and that the seats were well below the window openings. One window was steamed up continuously which totally blocked any view we might have had.
It was a memorable experience for me to visit the Halifax Explosion Memorial park, to learn of the Acadian deportation and to witness the natural beauty of the Cape Breton area. I enjoyed two wonderful kayak excursions, several very fun hikes and the Puffin tour was awesome.
The lobster dinner with all the elements of comedy theater, and the rug hooking demonstration. Those two local ladies were special in imparting their knowledge and entertaining us.
Nova Scotia’s beauty, the friendliness of the Canadians, the trip guides and the participants.
I really enjoyed Cape Breton and the Puffin boat tour. The seafood was excellent.
seeing the puffin and the bay of fundy hiking on those greaat rocks it was so well planned
Great guides, hikes, food, scenery, and fun activities. Having the opportunity to attend performances by local musicians really enhanced the cultural aspects of the trip.
This was an Excellent adventure trip. I enjoyed being able to kayak, bike and hike several times during one trip. The weather was fabulous - 60-70 most days. The quality of food was amazing; even the picnic lunches.
The beautiful scenery and the opportunity to hike, kayak, visit museums, take a boat tour and enjoy wine tasting made this a fantastic trip. It was well planned and the guides made the trip enjoyable as well as educational.
I would have liked to have more all day hiking options. The kayaking was great with beautiful surroundings.
Puffin boat trip, scenery
I loved being exposed to and learning more about the Acadian culture.
I especially liked the kayaking portions of the trip.
Cape Breton highlands, hikes, kayak and music. Wonderful gaggle of women
Great guides. Great itinerary.
The highlights of these trips are often the interaction with other women and listening to their stories. I loved the musicial gigs we went to. The hike to Cape Split was definitely a highlight. the kayaking was just the right amount of time.
1. Excellent guides who executed the myriad details of the trip smoothly and in good humor. 2. Wonderful hikes of varied lengths and character. 3. AMAZING food. 4. Ceiligh in Baddeck was a wonderful experience. 5. Both kayaking excursions were amazing! 6. Donelda's puffin tour was a joy!
The variety of adventures all week, the beautiful scenery, learning about the history, culture. Cape Split trail, the wonderful company of the women in the group.
I felt like we really got to know the people and culture along with the wildlife and landscape. The places we stayed were owned by real people not corporations. The food was excellent! The South Harbor kayak paddle and the boat tour were especially special because of the people who did the tour. A beautiful province with beautiful people!
the activities were excelllent
My absolute favorite part of the trip was the hike on White Point trail. It was a spectacular and beautiful place that spoke to my soul. I loved the Ceilidh music. Traveling with awesome empowered women, making new friends and seeing friends from prior trips, is such a gift. We made travel memories and will connect in some way on another adventure.
the people places we visited
Variety of activities each day. I like to see and do as much as I can on each vac day!
Great people (including guides), great activities, and great food.
I enjoyed it, but we struggled to keep up with the itinerary, and we missed a few things that I had really looked forward to (Grand Pre and several of the planned hikes). There was more driving than I had expected, and less "adventure". Note: Marian was great, and our guide Line is a treasure! You need to hold onto her!
Bay of Fundy
Tidal bore rafting, winery, wildlife, great fellow travelers
I enjoyed all the activities, hard to pick one highlight. Liked the variety of activities.
all: location; activities; fellow travelers; guides.
The wildlife and the tidal bore rafting!
I enjoyed every single activity! I loved the kayaking, hiking and rafting. Even though I'm not a big history buff, the last day's trip to the historic village was great. The storytelling on the beach was a huge highlight and the music gathering the night before we left was great. The guides were so accommodating, friendly and helpful. I would have loved to somehow hear more Gaelic music but I don't know where it could have been squeezed in. I thought our time at the winery was perfect - a longer tour probably would have been too much for me.
Birding was a highlight for me, with 6 "life birds" to add to my growing list. Every day was a highlight. I met a personal challenge of a 10 mile hike, with a leader (Marion) who patiently put up with me coming in last. Sights, sounds, friends, food, oh my. Everything was amazing. The guide, Line, was a highlight for me with her knowledge and curiosity.
Birding was a highlight for me, with 6 "life birds" to add to my growing list. Every day was a highlight. I met a personal challenge of a 10 mile hike, with a leader (Marion) who patiently put up with me coming in last. Sights, sounds, friends, food, oh my. Everything was amazing. The guide, Line, was a highlight for me with her knowledge and curiosity.
Tidal Bore
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Where do we eat?
Most breakfasts and dinners will be in restaurants where you can order off the menu or are buffet style. The guides will cook the final dinner at the condos. Before you start the day, the guides will put out lunch 'fixings' and you'll take a packed lunch or occasionally lunch will be picnic style. -
What dietary preferences or restrictions can you accommodate on this trip?
If we know well in advance, we can accommodate vegetarian, lactose-free, and gluten-sensitive diets. We cannot guarantee a completely gluten-free diet and we cannot provide a kitchen guaranteed to be free of cross-contamination. If you are vegan, we ask that you bring some additional protein bars; and if you are gluten-sensitive, please bring some gluten-free snacks. If you have severe allergies, Celiac disease and/or other significant dietary restrictions, please call the office before you register. -
I will be coming by myself. Do I need to pay a single supplement?
You only need to pay a single supplement if you want to guarantee you have your own room. Otherwise we’ll pair you up with someone and then switch roommates every time we switch lodging.
