Salty Bear Adventure's fantastic Cabot Trail Explorer explores the fantastic Cabot Trail in Nova Scotia.  Travel from Halifax to the Highlands National Park, which is home to thousands of animals, including bears and cougars.  You can also explore the cozy villages of Baddeck, Cheticamp, and Ingonish.  This nature-based adventure tour is one you'll never forget!

Day: 1 | Location: Halifax to Baddeck, Cape Breton Island

You'll depart Halifax, one of the oldest cities in North America. Arrive a couple of hours later in Antigonish, home of St. Francis University and the largest Highland Games outside of Scotland. After loading up on food and beverage supplies, you will travel to an authentic French Acadian village for a picnic on the beach. Join in the first ultimate Frisbee game or jump in to enjoy the warmest salt water north of the Carolinas. You'll arrive onto Cape Breton Island and your home for the night, Bear on the Lake Guesthouse, aka HI Cape Breton Island. Grab a hammock or join in a hike on Salt Mountain. This is a steep but rewarding climb to a jaw dropping view of the Bras d'Or lakes. When the sun falls and the moon rises over the lake, it's time for the bonfire to start and the marshmallows to come out! Look for the Northern Lights!

Day: 2 | Location: Baddeck via Cabot Trail to Ingonish

Today you will be introduced to the World Famous Cabot Trail and Highlands National Park! The first stop is at Joe's Scarecrows which always makes for a great stretch break and laugh! Next, pass through Cheticamp, the largest Acadian community in Nova Scotia and at the entrance of Highlands National Park. This 1000 sq km reserve is home to moose, bear, coyotes, eagles and your home for the next couple of days.
Walk amongst the moose and along the ocean on our first outing of the day. You may choose to enjoy your lunch here or at the next stop, the beautiful village of Pleasant Bay. This is where you'll have the choice to board a real lobster boat and spot whales, sharks, dolphins and seals. For those without sea legs, there's a shorter scenic walk through the woods to a waterfall.
The second optional activity offered today is flat water kayaking at South Harbour or you can choose to play on one of Canada's most spectacular beaches, unseen by most tourists! Just down the road is Driftwood Lodge, your home for the night. You'll be amazed at the views and comfort of this place! Lay on the back lawn and count the stars, hang by the bonfire or dare to dip yourself in the Atlantic.

Day: 3 | Location: Ingonish via Cabot Trail to Baddeck

Wake up to the crashing waves of the Atlantic Ocean and gulls flying overhead. This morning you'll get to experience another great hike of Highlands National Park. Watch out for moose, bear and even whales off the coast! The Cabot Trail takes you to the beautiful resort village of Baddeck where you can enjoy lunch by the lake. Choose to sail around the Islands and Alexander Graham Bells' house, learn about this local genius at the Bell Museum or hit the beach and spend a couple of hours swimming in fresh and salt water. Later in the day, you'll cruise off into the sunset back to Halifax with a guaranteed smile on your face!

Departure Dates

Every Monday starting May 3, 2010 to October 25th, 2010

Departure Times

• Halifax Backpackers - 08:15
• Dalhousie (Student Union Building) - 08:30
• St. Mary's (Arena) - 08:45
• HI Halifax Heritage Hostel - 09:00

Pick up at any other downtown Halifax accommodation provider with advance notice between 08:00 and 08:15. Please make arrangements before the morning of the trip.

Tour Includes

• Your own bed in 2-4 person rooms
• Transportation
• Driver-guide with entertaining full commentary
• Guided walks and hikes
• Wildlife encounters 
• National and Provincial park access
• Ferry and bridge tolls
• Discounts on all extra optional activities
• All tips and taxes

Regarding food, all accommodation providers we work with offer cooking facilities for you to cook for yourself or cook with others. We make grocery store stops each day and the guide will offer a group food kitty option on the first day of the trip. It's your choice if you want to cook by yourself, with the group or eat out where available. It usually works out to $30-$35 per person for 2 breakfasts, 2 lunches and 2 dinners.
With accommodation, you may upgrade to private rooms based on availability. The difference in price is to be paid directly to each accommodation provider and you can ask about options upon booking your trip.
We've reserved your transportation directly back to Halifax on the third night as the group remains in Cape Breton and continues to PEI the next morning. If you'd like to upgrade to the Island Hopper trip, please ask our office about availability.

Trip Options

• Whale watching on a real lobster boat!
• Kayaking with the eagles of Aspy Bay
• Sailing on the Bras d'Or Lakes

Salty Bear Adventure Travel was established in 2003 by a Nova Scotian backpacker turned entrepreneur who wanted to show off his backyard after years of traveling the world.
Seven years later, Salty Bear has carried thousands of satisfied passengers many tens of thousands of kilometers throughout this beautiful country.
Why we’re the best budget tour operator in Canada!

We hire only Canadian driver guides who are continually rated the best in the country! Our drivers and guides are fully trained to ensure the best possible experience for our passengers.

We only stay in the best, from ocean front cottages to lake front resorts. Our trips include all accommodation since we work with the best! If you prefer to stay in private rooms, please let us know before your trip and we can discuss options and pricing.

Salty Bear has negotiated lots of discounts for our passengers. Save money on activities, attractions and food along the way.

You might think we can talk to animals by how many encounters you’ll experience on our trips. Whether it’s walking with moose, sailing alongside whales or paddling with eagles, Salty Bear offers more wildlife encounters than any other company.

We offer you the best value when compared to other modes of transportation, are better for the environment and offer door to door transportation to all the best highlights, activities and accommodations our country has to offer.

Salty Bear has been recognized as one of the leaders in Eastern Canada for environmental best practices. Travel by bus is one of the most environmentally friendly ways of transportation.

We promote recycling throughout our trip and at our accommodations, we educate people on best practices throughout commentary on our trips, we send all trip itineraries in electronic format versus print and been promoting "people power activites" for years as opposed to gas powered activities such as kayaking, hiking, biking, sailing and river tubing.