Nova Scotia & Newfoundland Expedition
15 days
from Halifax to St. John's
From
$ 3870
Duration15 days
Take in extraordinary Maritime landscapes and charming seaside towns exploring Canada’s beautiful east coast. The fresh ocean mist that permeates the air of quaint towns lined with colourful British colonial architecture; the smell of freshly caught seafood as you stroll scenic boardwalks in Halifax or Charlottetown; hundreds of picture-perfect lighthouses perched on rocky outposts - Eastern Canada is like nowhere else in the world. This trip takes you to some of the east coast’s prettiest towns, best attractions and incredible national and provincial parks. See the phenomenal Bay of Fundy in action; spend time exploring pristine landscapes at a number of national and provincial parks, including Gros Morne and Cape Breton Highlands National Parks; and visit some of the oldest towns in North America. Add a hearty dose of quaint Atlantic charm for a trip that will stay with you long after you’ve left Canada’s beautiful Atlantic provinces.
This tour is operated by
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Duration: 15 daysService level: Upgraded
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Starts in: HalifaxPhysical Grading: Light
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Ends in: St. John'sAges: 15+
Tour Gallery
Itinerary
Day 1: Halifax
Start place: Halifax
Touch down in beautiful Halifax, the capital of the maritime province of Nova Scotia. Breath in the fresh ocean air as you make your own way to the hotel. Your tour begins with a welcome meeting at 6pm where you’ll meet your tour leader and fellow travellers. Afterwards, enjoy a free evening to explore the gorgeous Halifax waterfront. Once the gateway into Canada for over a million European immigrants, today, the historic boardwalk is a lively hub of shops, galleries, restaurants, bars and in the warmer months, tall ships. It’s a great place to sample some fresh local seafood, and if you’re lucky, local music as well. If you find you’re overwhelmed by the dining choices on offer, your tour leader can suggest some local favourites.
Day 2: Halifax
Today you’ll venture outside of Halifax to visit some of Nova Scotia’s best sights. Start the morning off with a visit to Peggy’s Point Lighthouse. Situated in the picturesque fishing village of Peggy’s Cove, overlooking the cool Atlantic and perched on wave-washed boulders, the striking white and red lighthouse is an enduring image of Canada’s East Coast. After snapping some pics of what is probably the most photographed lighthouse in the world, travel to the harbourside town of Lunenburg, located on the island’s historic South Shore. Its Old Town was crowned a World Heritage site for its well-preserved British colonial architecture. Wooden houses painted in a rainbow of colours from the 18th century now house an eclectic mix of shops selling artisan goods, galleries and restaurants. The Bluenose II, a replica of an important fishing schooner in Canadian history (so much so that it has been immortalised on the Canadian dime) can usually be seen parked in the port here (unless it’s sailing season).
Meals: B
Day 3: Prince Edward Island
Today, travel north to the Bay of Fundy, home to the highest recorded tides in the world. More than 100 billion tonnes of water move in and out of the Bay twice a day, providing a unique opportunity to explore the bottom of the ocean floor. What’s more, steady erosion from the tide has carved sea caves, rock formations and cliffs into the landscape and revealed 300 million-year old dinosaur fossils. Twelve species of whale are also frequently spotted along the shores. No trip to Nova Scotia is complete without a visit to the Bay of Fundy. From here we'll drive a few hours and cross into New Brunswick to visit the eerily beautiful Hopewell Rocks Park. There you will find unusual twisted ‘flowerpot’ rock formation as tall as 20 metres (70 feet) caused by tidal erosion from the Bay of Fundy. Afterwards, take a scenic drive to Prince Edward Island (crossing the water via the world’s largest bridge, Confederation Bridge) and settle in for the night.
Meals: B
Day 4: Prince Edward Island
Enjoy free time to explore the rocky red cliffs, wind-sculpted sand dunes and sandy beaches of Prince Edward Island National Park. Stretching across the islands north shore, facing the Gulf of St Lawrence, the park boasts miles of hiking trails that lead through woodlands and tranquil ponds. Keep your eyes peeled for red foxes, warblers and herons. This is the serene landscape that Canadian author, Lucy Maud Montgomery, grew up in and inspired her beloved novel, Anne of Green Gables. Kindred spirits may want to visit Green Gables Heritage Place, a restored farmhouse that was once owned by Montgomery’s cousins and served as the inspiration for Anne’s fictional home.
Day 5: Prince Edward Island
Head to Charlottetown, PEI’s picturesque capital city with a charming small-town feel, for another free day. Compact and easy to explore, you might want to hire a bike and explore the network of walking trails and waterside boardwalks that take you past colourful wood houses, Victorian buildings and historic monuments. Or you could stroll along Victoria Row, a pretty street line with interesting shops and restaurants featuring fresh seafood and local produce. Charlottetown played an important role in the founding of Canada; history buffs might want to spend the day checking out the monuments, historic buildings and galleries showcasing Canada’s heritage that are sprinkled throughout the city. If you’re after a sweet treat, you can’t beat an ice cream cone from local favourite, COWS Creamery. In the evening, meet back up with your tour leader for an included seafood dinner.
Meals: D
Day 6: Cape Breton Island
Today take a short ferry from PEI to the north shore of Nova Scotia to visit Caribou-Munroes Island Provincial Park. Like other parts of the Maritimes, the landscape has been carved by wind and wave to fascinating effect. Boasting serene, unspoiled nature, a series of interconnected trails travels from saltwater lagoons and sheltered marshes to small, secluded beaches (where the water is surprisingly warm for the East Coast) and wooded areas of white spruce, balsam fir and maple. Bird-lovers might be lucky to spot a bald eagle or osprey soaring above. Due to regulations, you leader isn’t allowed to lead hikes in this park (or any other national or provincial park you visit on this tour), though they can offer suggestions on which trails to explore.
Day 7: Cape Breton Island
The mountain-covered national parks in Western Canada tend to hog the limelight (think Banff and Jasper), but Cape Breton Highlands National Park should be on every nature-lovers radar. The place where the mountains meet the sea will leave you in awe. Today, you’ll have the chance to hike along the rugged coastline, where steep cliffs and deep river canyons have made for miles of jaw-dropping trails. As you walk among 350-year old trees, make sure to keep an eye open for moose, bald eagles and other wildlife. In the afternoon, you can choose to go on an optional whale watching tour where it’s possible to see minke whales, pilot whales and harbour seals.
Day 8: Cape Breton Island
In the morning, put on some comfortable shoes and embark on a scenic 2-km hike along the Cape Breton coast. Starting at the Louisbourg Lighthouse, the aptly name Lighthouse Trail first winds through forest and wetlands, then continues along the coast. Take in stunning ocean views as the waves crash into the rugged coastline before arriving at the historic Fortress of Louisbourg. A one-quarter reconstruction of the original French town and fortification, the fort played an important role in Canada’s early history. You’ll have time to simply admire it from the front, or pay a small admission fee to explore the grounds within. You’ll also have a chance to try your hand a sea kayaking for a different view of Cape Breton’s gorgeous coastline.
Day 9: Gros Morne National Park, Newfoundland
Be prepared for a long day of travel today as you make your way to Newfoundland. First, it’s an hour and half drive to the ferry, then it’s a 5.5 to 7-hour journey to the west coast of Newfoundland. Though the boat has a cafeteria and shows movies, it’s a good idea to bring snacks and things to do in order to pass the time. Now might be a good time to reread your copy of Anne of Green Gables.
Day 10: Gros Morne National Park, Newfoundland
Today will be spent exploring Gros Morne National Park. The 1,805-square kilometre park is a UNESCO World Heritage site, and it’s not hard to see why. Shaped by colliding continents and grinding glaciers millions of years ago, Gros Morne is a spectacular mix of towering cliffs, waterfalls, freshwater fjords and pristine lakes. Dense forests contain rare plants, animal and bird species, and its distinct red landscape is actually exposed earth’s mantle. It’s untouched nature on the biggest scale imaginable. Due to regulations, your leader isn’t allowed to lead hikes in this park, though they can offer suggestions on which trails to explore.
Day 11: L'Anse aux Meadows
Today, travel four hours north to L’Anse aux Meadows National Historic Site. Sitting at the northernmost tip of Newfoundland, L’Anse aux Meadows is thought to be the first place Vikings settled in North America. This is the fabled Vinland from Norse Sagas. Here, you’ll get the chance to explore 1,000-year-old Norse ruins and original artefacts, as well as a recreated base camp for a fascinating glimpse into the early Viking experience.
Day 12: Gros Morne National Park, Newfoundland
In the morning, you'll return to Gros Morne National Park for another day of hiking. There are dozens of trails of varying difficulty that travel through a wide range of landscapes. For an unforgettable experience, the Tablelands Trail takes you across a landscape normally buried deep below the earth’s crust - the red-hued earth’s mantle. Those up for more of a challenge might opt to climb a mountain overlooking the Western Brook Pond Fjord and be rewarded with an out-of-this-world view. Alternatively, a trail at Green Gardens takes you through lush boreal forest and ends at a volcanic seacoast, where sea stacks, coves and beaches offer a completely different view. Your tour leader can offer suggestions if you aren’t sure which trail to explore.
Day 13: Terra Nova National Park
This morning, we travel from the west coast of Newfoundland to east coast to visit Terra Nova National Park. The views here are more lush and green. Find rolling forested hills of black spruce, balsam fir and maple as well as ponds and wetlands. In the afternoon, you have the choice of going for a hike on one of the parks many trails (while keeping an eye out for the variety of wildlife reside within, including moose, caribou, coyotes and beavers), or simply soak in the pristine surroundings and relax.
Day 14: St John's
Today you’ll spend time in the oldest city in North America and Newfoundland’s capital, St. John’s. Vaguely resembling San Francisco due to the colourful wooden row houses (known locally as Jelly Bean Row) perched on a hill, St. John’s has a definitive small-town feel. Spend time exploring its historic downtown, where museums, restaurants and artisan shops can be found along narrow, winding streets. For more hiking, trek to the top of Signal Hill and be rewarded with astounding views. The Grand Concourse is a series of urban walking trails that connects historic sites, parks, grand Victorian buildings and scenic ponds together. Otherwise, you can try to spot whales, icebergs and other vibrant marine life in the surrounding coastal waters.
Day 15: St John's
Your east coast adventure comes to an end today. There are no planned activities for the day.
End place: St. John's
Meals: B
Inclusions
Included
- Halifax - Peggy's Cove
- New Brunswick - Hopewell Rocks
- Bay of Fundy - Fundy National Park
- Prince Edward Island National Park
- Prince Edward Island - Seafood Dinner
- Ferry to Cape Breton Island
- Cape Breton National Park
- Cape Breton Island - Lighthouse Visit
- Cape Breton Island - Sea Kayaking
- Ferry to Newfoundland
- Gros Morne National Park
- L'Anse Meadows Historic Site
- Terra Nova National Park
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Transport
Ferry, Private vehicle -
Accommodation
Hotel (14 nights)