Tour NE07: Maritime Provinces and Whale Watching

Download Itinerary

Day 1: Ottawa - Grand Falls  - Fredericton
We depart Ottawa at 6:00 AM and drive to Fredericton. We will stop by Grand Falls on the Saint John River, and go through the Hartland Covered Bridge, the longest covered bridge in the world. After lunch, we will drive to the capital of New Brunswick: Fredericton. Nestled alongside the Saint John River, Fredericton boasts tree-lined avenues graced with Victorian architecture, complementing a vibrant cultural life, fine galleries and museums, lively outdoor cafés, and miles of riverfront trails. We will overnight at Ramada Hotel Fredericton.

Day 2: Frederictom - Saint John - Moncton

Today, we discover the authentic Acadian culture and natural riches of New Brunswick by touring the East Coast on a scenic drive. We will drive to Saint John, a city on the Bay of Fundy, in New Brunswick. It’s known for the Reversing Rapids, a phenomenon caused by bay tides colliding with the Saint John River. Then we make our way to Bouctouche Bay, home to one of the few remaining great dunes on the northeastern coast of North America. We can swim along the long stretches of warm water beaches in the Atlantic.  After a comfortable lunch, we drive to the famous Hopewell Rocks in the upper reaches of the Bay of Fundy. We witness the world’s highest tides and the illustrious “Flower Pot Rocks” fantastically rising above the bay floor. After being part of this natural phenomenon, we head to Moncton to uncover the secret of the Magnetic Hill. We will overnight at Quality Inn Moncton.

Day 3: Moncton - Peggy's Cove - Halifax
We begin the day with a three-hour drive to Peggy’s Cove, a small rural community located in St. Margaret’s Bay. On the rocky coastal landscape of Nova Scotia, we find the postcard-perfect village of Peggy's Cove and the most photographed lighthouse in the world. We have lunch and then make our way to the Nova Scotian capital of Halifax. As the most populous city in the Maritimes, Halifax is steeped in history, rich in culture, and refreshingly cosmopolitan. It bustles and thrives with all the energy and amenities of a capital city but within minutes of the city's core, Halifax offers the small coastal villages, country charm, and wilderness for which Nova Scotia is known. With over 400 kilometers of dramatic coastline, white sand beaches, and one of the world's largest natural harbors, it is clear that life here revolves around the sea. Some sites of interest we visit include the fortress on Citadel Hill, the Seaport, and the Maritime Museum of the Atlantic. In the evening, stroll along the city's cobblestone walkways while taking advantage of the city's fine dining, great music, fashionable boutiques, and whimsical craft shops. We will overnight at Future Inn Halifax.

Day 4: Halifax - Charlottetown 
Today we continue our journey by crossing the Confederation Bridge from New Brunswick to Prince Edward Island, arriving in Charlottetown. Known as the Gentle Island, P.E.I. is Canada's smallest and greenest province. Cradled on the waves of the Gulf of St. Lawrence, the island is known for the vivid colors of its gently rolling landscape. We have lunch in its charming small-town capital and then visit Cavendish Beach and the House of Green Gables, where we see how author Lucy Maud Montgomery found the romantic inspiration for her early twentieth-century coming-of-age classic. Tonight we enjoy a fresh lobster dinner in Lobster Village courtesy of the Atlantic Ocean. We will overnight at Quality Inn Moncton

Day 5: Charlottetown - Campbellton  - Rivière-du-Loup
Today we will continue our journey by crossing the Confederation to the salmon’s hometown: Campbellton, where you can take a photo with the world’s biggest salmon fish. After lunch we depart for Reford Gardens, we will tread from one discovery to the next, enraptured by the beauty of landscaping where we will find more than 2000 species and varieties, both indigenous and exotic, perennials, annuals, and shrubs. We will overnight at Hotel  Universel in Rivière-du-Loup.

Day 6: Rivière-du-Loup - Whale Watching - Quebec City

We begin the day with a large ferry across the endless St. Lawrence River from the harbor in Rivière-du-Loup to whale watching in the Gulf of St. Lawrence. We embark on a three-hour whale-watching cruise to discover the diverse collection of marine life that thrives in this unique maritime estuary. Experienced onboard guides help us identify the many different species of whales that come to feed here, including Humpback, Finback, Minke, and Beluga Whales. After the cruise, we head back east to Quebec City and check in at Hotel Château Repotel.  

Day 7: Quebec City - Ottawa
On our last day of the trip,  we set off for a tour of Quebec City, the first ancient city in Canadian history. In this charming city, historical sites can be seen everywhere.  We will spend the day sightseeing and shopping in the old Quebec City, exploring historical treasures like Battlefields Park, the Quebec Parliament, Chateau Frontenac, Place d'Armes, and the Citadel. After lunch, we will leave Quebec City for home. We arrive home at around 8:00 PM after an unforgettable week on Canada's East Coast. 

Departure Time and Place
6:00 AM 
670 Bronson Avenue, Ottawa ON K1S 4E9 (McDonald's parking lots)

Hotel Information
Night 1 - Ramada Hotel Fredericton or similar
Night 2 - Quality Inn or similar
Night 3 - Future Hotel  Halifax or similar
Night 4 - Quality Inn or similar
Night 5 - Hotel Universel or similar
Night 6 - Château Repotel or similar

Admissions Information

Notice
The fares displayed are for information only and are subject to change according to the season. Fares cover coach transportation, tour leader, and hotel accommodation. Fares do not include meals, service charges ($70) for driver and tour leader, admissions, or travel insurance. MidEarth Travel reserves the right to cancel or amend the schedule when necessary. All customers are encouraged to arrange their travel insurance; our staff will be happy to assist.

Cancellation Police
 0 to 15 days before the tour starts, 100% of the payment is non-refundable;
16 to 30 days before the tour starts, 30 % of the payment is non-refundable;
31 days before the tour starts, a 150-dollar service fee will be applied.
 

BOOK