The Maritimes: Nova Scotia

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

1.Your adventure begins with a welcome meeting at 5pm. 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.

All luggage is carried in trailers or inside the vehicle so please don't bring more than one medium sized bag, backpack or suitcase (20kg/44lb maximum) per person. Your suitcase/rucksack may get some rough handling, so make sure it's a tough one. A small daypack with your water bottle and camera may be carried with you inside the vehicle.

ESSENTIAL:
 Reusable water bottle. We recommend at least a 1.5 litre capacity. The sale of bottled water contributes to an enormous environmental problem around the world. Tap water in the USA and Canada is safe to drink and there are many places to fill up along the way, so please save plastic by bringing your own water bottle.
 Sun protection - hat, sunscreen, sunglasses
 Lightweight, breathable clothing you can layer. No matter the season, you should be prepared for changing temperatures and weather conditions. Make sure to have a warm outer layer even in summer months as well as a waterproof jacket.
 Closed-in walking/hiking shoes. We highly recommend that you take a pair of comfortable, closed-in/closed-toe walking shoes. Closed-in shoes will help to protect your feet from cuts and scratches when walking through bush/grass-lands, and will also act as a barrier protection in rare cases against bites or stings from dangerous animals in this environment.
 Personal travel documents which may include a passport, visa, driver's license, travel insurance, flight tickets and your Essential Trip Information. Photocopies of these documents stored separately from the originals will be handy. While not valid, a photocopy of your identification makes it much easier to obtain replacements if necessary.

RECOMMENDED:
 Cell phone, camera with spare batteries, charger, and power/plug adaptor (Types A & B are used in the USA and Canada. Voltage is 120V)
 Insect repellent (insects are present intermittently all over the USA and Canada depending on recent rainfall.)
 A cotton bandana or scarf. Can be wetted and worn around the neck to facilitate evaporative cooling in high temperatures, used as sun protection, or used to protect your neck and head from cold/rain.
 Swimwear
 Comfortable sandals/Recovery shoes. To put on after a day of hiking or during a long ride in the van.
 Personal medical kit. Your guide will carry a large kit but we recommend you carry items such as mild pain killers, electrolytes, anti-diarrhoeal, antibacterial gel, wet wipes, bandaids/plasters etc.

OPTIONAL:
 Travel pillow if you like to sleep during long drives
 Lip balm and extra moisturizer if traveling to arid desert areas.
 Ear plugs to guard against a snoring roommate
 A good book, a journal or headphones to listen to music with.

WINTER:
If you are travelling on one of our winter trips in North America be prepared for temperatures to drop to well below zero (Celsius). We recommend you bring shoes for walking across snow or ice (good waterproof walking boots with a good grip), a warm wind and waterproof jacket and trousers, gloves or mittens, thermals and base layers, fleece, good head wear and sunglasses.

If you need some further tips for packing, you can always check out our ultimate packing list here:, https://www.intrepidtravel.com/packing-list

We recommend that you undertake regular aerobic exercise in the weeks before you travel, particularly if you are not in the habit of regular exercise. Walking, jogging, swimming or riding a bike are all good ways to increase your aerobic fitness, which will allow you to enjoy the trip to its fullest.

Courtyard Halifax Downtown, 5120 Salter Street, Registration number STR2425T5341, Halifax, B3J 0A1, CANADA

Our hotel has a waterfront location with easy access to nearby dining, shopping, museums, and art galleries.

Alternate Joining Point

Courtyard Halifax Downtown is approx 25 minutes from Halifax International Airport. Taxi or car service is the best mode of transport.

Rodd Royalty, PO Box 432 Charlottetown, PE C1A 7K7, Charlottetown, CANADA, Phone: +1 902 892 7448

The hotel has an indoor pool and restaurant & lounge onsite. All our guest rooms include free Wi-Fi, HDTV, mini-fridge, microwave, hair dryer, air conditioning and coffee maker.

Alternate Finish Point

Breakfasts included: 6

Lunches included: 1

Dinners included: 2

While travelling with us you'll experience the vast array of wonderful food available in the world. Your group leader or local representative will be able to suggest restaurants to try during your trip. To give you the maximum flexibility in deciding where, what and with whom to eat, generally not all meals are included in the trip price. This also gives you more budgeting flexibility. As a rule our groups tend to eat together to enable you to taste a larger variety of dishes and enjoy each other's company. If you have dietary requirements and/or food allergies, please let your booking agent know prior to departure.

WEATHER IN NORTH AMERICA
Due to the size and topography of the US and Canada, there's a huge amount of variation in the climate. We recommend you consider both the season and the part of North America you intend to visit, so that you can best pack for your adventure. We recommend you check the weather in your destination 10 days prior to your arrival to help guide your packing choices.

CANADIAN MARITIMES & NEWFOUNDLAND
The Canadian Maritimes, which include the provinces of Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, and Prince Edward Island, as well as the island of Newfoundland, have a maritime climate. The proximity to the Atlantic Ocean means that weather conditions can change rapidly. Coastal areas may experience more moderate temperatures due to the influence of the ocean, while inland areas may have more extreme temperature variations. Rainfall is evenly distributed throughout the year, with slightly higher precipitation levels in the fall. Be prepared for occasional rain. Coastal areas, especially in Newfoundland, are prone to fog, particularly during the spring and summer months. Conditions can be windy, especially along the coast.

Spring (March to May): Spring temperatures can vary widely from nearly freezing to mid-70s°F (25°C). As winter snow melts, there may be some wet conditions. Spring is a beautiful time when flowers bloom, and outdoor activities become more popular but crowds are still thin.

Summer (June to August): Summers are generally mild and pleasant, with daytime temperatures ranging from the low 60s to mid-70s°F (15-25°C). It's a popular time for outdoor activities, and the coastal areas offer refreshing sea breezes.

Fall (September to November): Fall temperatures start to cool, with daytime highs ranging from the 40s to 60s°F (5-20°C). Fall foliage is spectacular in the region, making it a scenic time to visit.

Winter (December to February): Winters are cold, with temperatures often dropping below freezing. Snowfall is common, and ice may form on bodies of water. Be prepared for winter conditions if you're traveling during this time.

While we always endeavour to provide the best possible holiday experience, due to the nature of travel and the areas we visit sometimes things can and do go wrong. Should any issue occur while you are on your trip, it is imperative that you discuss this with our local representative straight away so that they can do their best to rectify the problem and save any potential negative impact on the rest of your trip.
We recognise that there may be times when your local partner may not be able to resolve a situation to your satisfaction - if this is the case, please ask to speak to their direct manager.
You may also choose to provide details in your online feedback, which we ask you to complete within 30 days of the end of your trip. Please do be aware that it is very difficult for us to provide any practical help after the trip is completed, so informing us while still travelling will give us the opportunity to resolve the issue in real-time.

For general contact details please use the following page: https://www.intrepidtravel.com/contact-us

POLICE AND AMBULANCE
In case of an emergency, local authorities can be contacted by calling 911 – this is the toll free phone number for the police, fire department and the ambulance in the USA and Canada. In case of doubt, call the operator on 0.

For general enquiries or questions about your booking, please contact your agent or adventure specialist, or visit us at www.intrepidtravel.com/contact-us

In case of a genuine crisis or emergency, you can reach our local operator on the number below.

Intrepid local operator : Available for phone call on +1 514 948 4145

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.

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.