Great E. A. R. T. H Expeditions
ساياھەت ئورگىنى جەلپ قىلىش كۈچى ساياھەتكە چىقىش ساياھىتى Halifax, Nova Scotia, كانادا
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About Great E. A. R. T. H Expeditions
We invite you to join us for an eco-tourism adventure in Nova Scotia, Canada. Our eco-tourism and adventure tour company provides superior service and comfort from beginning to end. No need to waste your day planning, let Nova Scotia's # 1 rated adventure travel operator do everything for you! Our small group tours ensure that your expedition with us will be the highlight of your vacation. All of our adventure travel tours include transportation, lunch and guiding services that will ensure you have a memorable expedition. We thank you for your interest in our company and we look forward to exploring Canada's Ocean Playground with you.
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Reviews (261)
Amazing experience and great guide
Ryan was an amazing and personable guide, who was extremely knowledgeable of the history of the Bay of Fundy! The hike and view from Cape Split was breathtaking, with a very enjoyable lunch provided by Ryan. Easily the most enjoyable part of my trip to Halifax. Would absolutely recommend, and I cannot wait to return to take another Great EARTH Expedition in the future.
Great expedition is right!
We recently visited Halifax for a few days so we wanted to take a day tour to see some nice towns as well as nature and beach. Found Great E. A. R. T. H. Expeditions here on TripAdvisor and decided to book their Lunenburg (UNESCO World Heritage Site) Tour as it combines a visit to this town as well as a nice hike. From reading their website, booking the tour and taking the tour, everything was so easy and well managed, very professional! Once we took the tour Ryan our tour guide made our day a very enjoyable one, as there's definitely nothing better than taking a tour with a local born guide that not only loves his hometown but is proud of his heritage and enjoys sharing all his knowledge with his visitors. The 7km hike at Gaff Point was super nice, not a difficult hike but you need some good shoes as it's rocky on the beach so it's better to protect your feet. The day we took the tour it was a great day with lots of sun and blue sky, saw lots of birds and seals! After the walk we had a light lunch provided by the tour company and then off to visit Lunenburg. Yes, we did not stay very long in the actual town (about 45min) but it is in fact small so I think that was about the right amount of time to visit, take photos and browse inside the gift shops. Thanks again Ryan for such an enjoyable day, I am glad I found your company and we took your tour, we are sure to be back someday and perhaps go with you to Bay of Fundy next time!
Enthusiastic Guide, Easy Hiking, a Must Do!
We greatly enjoyed our tour of the Lunenburg area with Ryan! He is a very experienced tour guide and knew how to get everyone engaged and interested. He took us to see some local hidden gems, taught us all about different berries and history of the area, and even showed us petrified trees! We had a blast and would definitely rebook with Ryan and his team.
Peggy's Cove Rock Walk: highlight of our trip to Halifax
I highly recommend the Peggy's Cove Rock Walk with Great E. A. R. T. H Expeditions! We (my 65+ year old mother, and I) really enjoyed the breathtaking view of Peggy's Cove, as well as the hike afterwards. While the hike is completely manageable (and very stunning!), it was slightly challenging for my mother (who has never hiked before). Simon, our guide, was kind, friendly, patient, encouraging, and helpful. He literally held her hand and supported her throughout our walk together. He is also very knowledgeable about Halifax, having been born and raised there. This tour was a very special highlight of our trip!
Excellent tour of Bay of Fundy + Wolfville Market + Vineyard
Our tour guide Mark was fantastic at telling us about Halifax and the Annapolis Valley area. These trips are in nice small groups, your guide is very knowledgeable of natural history, and overall there is great effort made into visiting sites along the bay that aren't crowded with tourists. The trip was exactly 8 hours as stated. My only area for improvement would be to suggest for GEE to better update their website information to include a detailed itinerary of the day + refund info prior to purchasing. The trip stops at a farmer's market that is cash only as well as a vineyard (with a small tasting included). It would be good for people to know that these are part of the 8 hours. In addition, your purchase is fully refundable up to 48 hours in advance but it would be nice to see this prior to the purchase. Thanks to Mark and GEE for a great experience at the Bay of Fundy :) I had a great time finding rocks and critters and learning all about the amazing tides.
Hike to Gaff Point
Great day out, hike to Gaff point was beautiful and Lundenburg was such a pretty town to wander through afterwards. My guide was fab also :)
Bay of Fundy Tour
Went on the Bay of Fundy tour on May 1st. Line was a great tour guide. She was pleasant and answered all of our questions. We hit the Bay at low tide which gave us the opportunity to walk along the Bay flats and take some great pictures of the exposed coastline. Bay of Fundy has highest tides in the world. Tour included a stop for a wine tasting (we ordered a case of wine lol) and a stop at a cheese factory (had to have cheese to go with the wine!). Enjoyed not having to worry about the driving and being able to enjoy the scenery.
Down by the Bay Tour
We loved our tour of the Bay of Fundy! Ryan was an excellent guide! We were taken to several amazing spots to view the tides and walk on the then-exposed ocean floor. We also stopped at a great farmer's market where we were given time to wander and check out all of the great produce etc coming from the local farms. At each stopping point he gathered us to give information but also allowed us to explore at our own pace. The lunch stop was perfect and the winery tour / tasting ($5 extra) at the end was an added bonus. We highly recommend this tour if you would like to see the Bay of Fundy (and would recommend any tour by this company) ! We originally considered doing this ourselves and I am very glad we chose this tour instead. We won't forget this experience!
Amazing experience!
Great EARTH Expeditions went above and beyond what we expected on our excursion. They took us to some of Nova Scotia's most beautiful sites and showed us a side of our province we didn't know existed. Highly recommended!
Fabulous tour of Bay of Fundy and Annapolis Valley
We booked the 8 hour Down by the Bay tour over the phone with Ryan. Our guide, Maya, was very knowledgeable and informative. The minibus was fairly comfortable, once we'd mastered the logistics of getting in and out! We first stopped at Evangeline Beach shortly after low tide, where we were able to walk on the ocean floor and appreciate the expanse of mud flats created by the huge tide differential in the Bay of Fundy. Next stop was a delightful farmers' market in Wolfville, where Maya purchased delicious goodies for our picnic later. After that, we visited the picturesque Baxter's Harbour. At about midway between low and high tides, it was easy to see how fast the tide was coming in and Maya put a stick at the water's edge when we arrived to make this obvious for us. After a photo stop for a gorgeous view over the Annapolis Valley, we drove on to Blomidon Beach. Maya set up a wonderful picnic lunch for us while we explored the beach. As we prepared to leave, after a delicious repast, we could see how the beach had disappeared while we ate, as it was now nearly high tide. The final stop was Gaspereau Vineyard for an optional wine tasting ($5), which was an enjoyable experience. Throughout the day, Maya was full of facts and constantly drew our attention to the unbelievable phenomenon of the Bay of Fundy tides. This was an experience we will never forget and one we could never have replicated under our own steam. Thanks to Maya and Great EARTH for a fabulous day!
Peggy's Cove and Cape Split
I had a fantastic time at both of these tours! If you are visiting Halifax, I would definitely recommend taking a tour with them!
Awesome Peggy's Cove Rock Walk Tour
We did the " Peggy's Cove Rock Walk " tour and loved it. Our guide Ryan was great and really makes you feel like you're on a personal tour of the area. He explained the history behind all the places visited. The coastal barrens were so beautiful, a great addition to be able to see and find out the history behind them as well as Peggy's Cove itself. The lunch was really good and Ryan was full of knowledge and answered all our questions. We would highly recommend this tour if you've never been to Halifax or Peggy's Cove. Great E. A. R. T. H. Expeditions is a fabulous tour company. We would use them the next time we visit Nova Scotia.
Bay of Fundy tour
I called Ryan at Great EARTH and told him we needed a modified Bay of Fundy tour because we had no interest in touring a Winery. Ryan listened to our needs, was accommodating, and immediately put together the perfect tour of Bay of Fundy (Baxter's Harbor, Annapolis Valley, Blomidon Bay and Wolfville. Our tour guide, Maya, showed up on time, was professional, knowledgeable, and provided an educationally informative and fun-filled tour. Maya went the extra mile in her hand prepared vegan friendly lunch which she set up and cleaned up as we roamed the beach of Baxter's Harbor. I cannot say enough about Ryan and Maya. It was the BEST day of our cruise vacation!!
Amazing sights and historical tour
We loved our " Peggy's Cove Rock Walk " with Great E. A. R. T. H Expeditions! Mia was an incredible host with a vast knowledge of the area. The hike itself was quite easy but the views were breath taking! Definitely recommend this tour. The healthy lunch was perfect. A very enjoyable morning and a highlight of our visit!
Amazing Bay of Fundy tour
We took a day tour to the Bay of Fundy with our tour guide Mia, who was brilliant. The tour itself was one of their less strenuous but suited us just fine. To stop and look at the scenery, visit a lovely farmers market in Wolfville, have a picnic lunch, then visit a winery was an excellent day out. It was so nice to be able to see parts of Nova Scotia without having to hire a car and with the benefit of learning about the areas we visited. The only disappointment was that my husband could not enjoy it to the full because of not being fully fit. Maybe one day we can do it again when he is! Thank you.
Magical Memories with Great EARTH
Our Great EARTH guide Line was stellar. My U. S. travel group (Adventures in Good Company) snagged the best ever local guide - Line. We, hiked-biked-kayaked-whale watched and even shared our tidal bore experience with Line. She was extremely knowledgeable about both travel and history. She has this really great laugh and you just know she loves her work though she seems like just a long lost friend once you meet her. She wanted each of us to have our personal trip goals met and she was successful though I don't know how she did it. So if you are traveling alone or with a small or larger group, seek out GREAT EARTH!!! Remember to ask for Line!
Kayaking / Hiking near Prospect Bay
I've only been on one trip with this group so far, but it's left a strong impression on me and I'll be sure to book with them again when I return to the Halifax area! The prospect bay area was absolutely beautiful and the waters were calm and perfect for kayaking. I've only kayaked a few times previously, and although I've always been a big fan of watersports, I can say I'm now in love with ocean kayaking and will be planning future vacation trips around kayaking! After kayaking for a few hours, we had picnic in a scenic area just north of where we had been kayaking, where we had a beautiful view of the Bay. The picnic (included in the tour) was thoughtfully prepared by Ryan and the smoked salmon and fresh vegetables and fruit were amazing! Again, I am now hooked on picnics and future outdoor excursions will involve picnics. After that, we went hiking around the coast and it was absolutely beautiful. We then enjoyed ice cream before heading back to town. I would definitely recommend a tour with great earth expeditions!
Two fabulous trips
we went on both the Peggy's Cove trip and the Kayak and Hiking Trip. Ryan and Mia were both very knowledgeable and helpful in every way. It was great to go off the beaten track and to experience Halifax from an insiders perspective.
Great EARTH showed great earth!
Did the Lunenberg tour recently. Awesome trip! The group was small and friendly. Tour Guide Maya did a fabulous job guiding us through lovely nature as well as the tour of the town. Wonderful " combo " town / nature tour for those who like a little of both. The tour was appropriately ranked " moderate " - some hiking over rocks / boulders / eroded trails - and very doable for all of us. Highly recommend.
Explore Outside the City
Want to see outside of the city? I went on a tour that included a stop at Sugar Moon Maple Farms, a 2.5 hour hike, a lovely lunch and a short hike through the Wentworth Valley to a waterfall. Plus saw the Nova Scotia countryside. The tour guide, Lynn was very informative and a great guide. This company offers a wide variety of tours, wish I had more time in the area to try another!
Peggy's Cove Rock Walk Tour - stay off the Black Rocks!
This was a fantastic day! I really cannot say enough how much I enjoyed this walking tour. Our guide Lynn was fantastic, she knew where she was going, was funny, personable and knowledgeable about the area and the edible vegetation. She kept the hike at a great pace so we could all follow easily but it didn't drag. The lunch that was served (crudités, smoked salmon, peperoni, fruit) was plentiful and tasty. There was enough time built into the Peggy's Cove portion to take photos, relax and enjoy the beauty of the area, shop, etc.. nothing was rushed. The fact that the weather cooperated only added to a fantastic day. This tour group is very friendly and accommodating. They respond quickly to emails, which is nice. I would recommend this tour to anyone who was travelling to Nova Scotia, it was just that good!
Tour of Lunenburg and Mahone Bay
My nieces and I went on the Lunenburg and Mahone Bay recently. What a wonderful day we had! Our guide was friendly, courteous and informed. The lunch was perfect, as it was curtailed to our vegetarian needs. I would highly recommend this company.
Great Earth Expeditions
I would like to take this opportunity to highly recommend a tourist company based out of Nova Scotia Canada that provided me and our fellow hiking group an experience that no dollar value can be placed upon. Great Earth Expeditions took us to several " diamond in the rough " places throughout this beautiful province most notably the Cape Split attraction. This included some moderate hiking, informative / historical facts and folklore stories told by the instructor R. Barry who told these stories with incredible enthusiasm and conviction. I get the sense this tour guide / owner of Great Earth Expeditions has an incredible passion for the great outdoors because of the little nuances that may be absent in conventional hiking tours. Such as his complete knowledge of the geology of the landscape, maritime history which included music, art, literature and prominent past figures. The best part was having a healthy lunch when we took a break although the instructor was having his lunch but answering a litany of questions presented to him by the group as folks seemed to be very enthralled by his awareness of nature and maritime history. At one point, the instructor took us to a ice cream place which remains the best ice cream I've ever tasted (moon mist). Ryan (instructor) spoke of the Bay of Fundy and the folklore surrounding that area (rum runners history, pirates of the day and so on) and it being the place of some of the highest tides in the world if not the highest. I live on the eastern seaboard (Boston) and although I am familiar with marine lifestyle, this was my second time touring with Great Earth Expeditions since returning to Nova Scotia from a previous trip a few short years ago. Overall, since going out, I have emailed Ryan asking him general questions about hiking as this has become one of my new past times. I favor this form of exercise over conventional forms and I am already planning a trip back to eastern Canada to see the highlands of Cape Breton (with Ryan and Great Earth Expeditions). What I do remember quite vividly was how rejuvenated I felt after the day was over and feeling like 10 years was shaved off my age. The fresh air, great exercise and enriching stories of the land and sea has made me feel the experiences of those who trekked those trails before they were actual trails once upon a time ago. Thank You Ryan, all the way from Boston, Mass. Visited August 2015
Great day kayaking and hiking!
We joined Ryan for an all day kayaking and hiking tour in early August, 2015. It was the best day of our entire vacation! We went kayaking in the morning and hiking in the afternoon. We ate lunch outside overlooking the water. He provided the lunch which was also great! The kayaking was out on the edge of the ocean and just breathtaking. The hike started on the beach and then went up into the hills. He even sent us some photos that he took of us and in and around the water. Great day and memories!
Bay of Fundy and Wentworth Tours
My daughter and I vacationed in Halifax over the Labor Day 2015 weekend. We toured with Great E. A. R. T. H both days, and in both cases the excursions were excellent. Our guide knew Halifax well, having spent 25 years in its military and currently teaching in its public schools. These were close groups - six to ten travelers, from diverse parts of the world, all of whom were welcomed and seemed to thoroughly enjoy themselves. We saw glimpses of Nova Scotia rarely shared with travelers - including a farmer's market offering locally crafted goods and food; picnicking on the Bay of Fundy, and beautiful vistas in and around Halifax. Really well-informed, our guide knew where to stop to explore inlets, markets, waterfalls, and shorelines. My daughter is a geo-chemical engineer, and I'm a lawyer. Our guide answered a number of questions regarding the geological makeup of the coastline, while briefing us on the political and regulatory makeup of this very comforting community. What a wonderful ambassador for New Scotland!
Awesome Company!
Cannot say enough good about these guys! Ryan and his team are so special and really offer an experience that is different from any other run of the mill tour company. I did the Peggy's cove and Bay of Fundy tour and on both occasions Rebecca went out of her way to personalize the experience, keeping us informed and entertained - and the lunches were so healthy and tasty! Each tour felt like an adventure - the group was small and everyone had so much fun. If I'm ever fortunate enough to return to the Maritimes, I wouldn't hesitate to book tours through Great Earth and I will def recommend them to family and friends!
Fantastic Way to see the surrounding areas of Halifax
Booked their tour to Peggy's cove on my first day in Halifax, and enjoyed it so much I decided to do the tour to the Bay of Fundy a couple days later. There were a good group of people on the tour who also came back for seconds, and the picnics were great. Rebecca was our guide on both tours, and did a fantastic job. Very friendly, and really went the extra mile to keep us entertained, taking us to some extra hidden spots none of the big tour companies go to, as well as throwing in a lot of information about good bars and restaurants in Halifax. Highly recommended.
Fun and informative
We just got back from our vacation in Halifax. We learned about this small tour company through the internet and what a find. The tours were both fun and informative and well thought out; mixing history, local stories and outdoor pursuits. The hikes were just the right length and pace and the picnics were delicious! It's easy to tell when your guides are passionate about their line of work and we are planning on returning to Nova Scotia again someday as It's a quick flight from Boston. Thank you great earth staff for making our trip.
A delightful company and tour!
My wife and I had the pleasure of booking a tour with this small company in Halifax. Right from the get go we knew we made the right choice. The owner Ryan was a delight to speak with over the phone and even before meeting him in person you could feel the passion he had for his business and clientele. A small group of 7 of us went kayaking in the morning when the fog suddenly lifted and the scenery around us became visible; the feeling was quite eerie and stunning at the same time. We learned about the rock formations, marine life and history of the area, we even tasted wild blueberries and other wild edibles on an island we stopped at. In the afternoon after an amazing picnic lunch we hiked along the coast and spotted sea birds, seals and again learned about the local area including a shipwreck that sank with valuables stolen from the White House in the war of 1812. This was by far our favorite experience during our trip to Nova Scotia and we would highly recommend this tour company to anyone who plans on vacationing to this lovely place. We are thinking about coming back next year Ryan!
Hiking and Kayaking in Cape Breton
I just returned from a wonderful 4 day 3 night guided tour in the Highlands of Cape Breton. I agreed to join a friend but hadn't ever planned to do something like this in my own province, my trips are always planned outside of Canada since I want to experience incredible sights and meet people from different countries. How very misinformed I had been. Great Earth Expeditions was a wonderfully organized, well thought out trip. Our guide Mark was friendly, knowledgable and thoughtful. I was lucky enough to meet fantastic people and experience some of the incredible natural beauty in my own backyard, so not only was this experience great for people vacationing from different countries, I would highly recommend it for locals as well. Great Earth Expeditions was an excellent experience and I will definitely be looking to sign up for more of their great adventures.
Cape Breton
Best experience!! The best way to see the majestic island of Nova Scotia is with Great E. A. R. T. H Expeditions. This was our second tour... First was Once Upon a Tide and most recent was the 4 day trip to Cape Breton. Our tour guide Rebecca was a knowledgeable guide who became a true friend. She was ready to show the group the best time... and she did! The entire trip was planned to a T from the travel, housing arrangements, food, and adventures. Everyone we met along the way was a joy... full of life and captivating stories. We will be making our way back to the island and plan to book another trip with Great E. A. R. T. H Expeditions! Thank you both... Rebecca and Ryan!
Hiking near Peggys Cove with Jillian
JILLIAN made the trip!! She was outstanding!!! We were picked up at the terminal from our Holland America Maasdam cruise. A bit late but once she arrived, all was forgotten. She was a wealth of information regarding Halifax and the surrounding areas. We stopped at the Gardens first for a bathroom break and pictures. Next we drove to our hike spot near Peggy's Cove. WOW!! amazing again due to Jillian. She stopped to show us berries we could eat, different kinds of plants and interesting stories about the terrain and the area. She really brought the area to life. We hiked an easy terrain few miles. She brought water sunscreen and really went out of her way to educate and cater to our needs. After the hike, we drove over to the way touristy Peggy's cove. Jillian prepared a delicious lunch for us of fresh fruit, veggies, cheese, salmon, crackers and meats. Splendid yummy and in beautiful setting. We were able to grab ice cream afterwards, highly recommend the Mexican chocolate WOW... We hustled after lunch for the drive back, very scenic to the boat which we arrived back with plenty of time. Positives Jillian was truly a wonderful amazing tour guide who was entertaining, educated and with a yearning to please!!!!! Downsides unfortunately due to our cruise restriction with time, we did feel like we were rushing through the adventure... maybe extend the trip by another 45min so we don't feel that time crunch.
Rain couldn't stop the fun!
We had a fantastic outing with Ryan and Jillian! The weather did not cooperate but the adventurous group of 12 braved the weather. We kayaked in Prospect Bay, stopped at a secluded beach and wandered around a little, ate lunch in an unexpected venue, but it was warm and dry and they had hot coffee! We continued the day with a hike and again it poured but the knowledge and stories shared by our guides was fantastic! We saw pitcher plants, and all sorts of edible berries. Cannonball beach was very interesting. Ryan took photos of our day and was kind enough to send them along since we were unable to bring our camera due to the rain. It is a very nice excursion to do with teens, they were interested the whole time.
Good hike
I did the Lunenburg and Gaff point trip. An excellent itinerary but would have been much better with a more experienced and knowledgeable guide.
Personal, fun, educational, active - everything I wanted plus a double scoop of ice cream
My children (10 and 12 yrs) and I signed on with Ryan's tour without any prior knowledge. We were picked up at 8am and were dropped off around 4pm. During that period we had a fantastic time. We kayaked on Prospect Bay, found a hidden beach, hiked along rocky cliffs, learned about local flora (wild lilies, pitcher plants, wild cranberries, crow berries), built an Inukshuk on Cannonball Beach, and had a picnic overlooking the bay. Ryan had an answer for every question and responded to each with enthusiasm though I knew he's probably answered each of these questions 100s of times before. And to top it off we stopped for ice cream on the way back to the hotel. Should I ever return to Halifax I'll look up this tour company up again. I'll also recommend it to my friends that come here. It was a splendid day. We fell into bed exhausted last night - a wonderful sign. And over dinner last night my kids and I recounted everything we did along the way yesterday - a memory of theirs and mine that we'll share forever. Perfect.
Cape Split Trail Hike - Wonderful Tour!
My husband and I booked this adventure tour, first one we've ever done, and were not disappointed. Our tour guide Rebecca was excellent, very knowledgeable and considerate of our needs and what we wanted to experience on this tour. The trail itself was a beautiful hike with easy to moderate technicality. I hiked in runners which weren't a problem, my husband had hiking shoes which added some protection in some wet areas. The view at the top was spectacular, we could have stayed all afternoon taking in the changing tides and cliffside panorama, but all good things come to an end. Rebecca took the time to take us a different way back to the city, giving us another view of the Bay of Fundy and surrounding farms, with more information along with it. At the end we felt the tour was totally worth the money, it's not something we would have done on our own, and you can't drive to the view. Rebecca's personal attention and kind and gentle personality was a bonus. Highy recommended.
Gaff Point Hiking
We were fortunate to have the chance to hike the <5 mile trail and Lunenburg and Mahone Bay. Mark was a wealth of knowledge on the geography and geologic features of the area and paced the hike on the abilities of the group. If you take this tour, it's recommended you wear boots or shoes that offer ankle support - as the rocks are difficult to broach occasionally. The company gets our highest recommendation.
An experience I would recommend to everyone!
I recently went on the Peggy's Cove excursion. I had the pleasure of getting to know the owner of this company, Ryan. He has created tours that are memorable and hand-crafted unlike any other options I found. The excursion was unique because of a few factors. The group was small (unlike a big tour bus) - we had 5 people and I think he could take a max of 12. He took us on a hike that turned out to a magnificent view! And, the hike was easy enough for my inactive 68 yr old mom, so I'd say it's an option for older travelers for sure. The lunch we had was packed as a picnic lunch by Ryan, and the food options were tasty and fresh! The meal was one if my favorites in my week long trip. Overall, these tours are well worth the cost, and the friendships I found were an added bonus!
Bay of Fundy - Awesome!
Small - group day trips are the best! There were four tourists, the driver (learning the route and info) and our guide, Jillian. The morning was rainy and gloomy in Halifax, but we met at 8 am and left the city for the Bay of Fundy. Still rainy a bit when we stopped at a farmer's market for coffee or hot chocolate and bathroom break (maybe 30 minutes total). Lots of breads and pottery, if you wanted to purchase them. On to three different stops for the Bay of Fundy to learn the geology and watch the tide change. All were stops that I don't think a tourist on his own would be able to find. We did eat lunch (provided) at a provincial park, so possible to locate that one. The last stop was the best. We had to walk through bushes (narrow path), along or in a stream, and out to the sea floor because the tide was out! Incredible views and tons of information from both the driver Mark and Jillian. This day was the highlight of our trip to eastern Canada!
Never bored and accomadating guide
I did the Peggy's Cove tour and was a totally of 3 other people on my tour. My tour guide Jill was excellent. She was immensely knowledgable and she was very accommodating for bathroom breaks. The lunch that was provided was extremely delicious and there were many healthy options. I also liked the tour ran exactly on time. It would be fun people of all ages.
Best tour Idea of our Holiday
We took two day trips with this company. The first was Peggy's Cove Rock Walk and the second was Down by The Bay (Bay of Fundy). These are not run of the mill tours. You get to go off the beaten path. Small groups, casual and well organized. The guides were really great and very knowledgeable. (Our guide for the first trip was the owner, Ryan). I do apologize for taking so long to submit a review. But I did want to do so because I highly recommend Great Earth Expeditions. (By the way, fabulous picnic lunches!).
If you like the great outdoors and going off the beaten track this is for you
If you love nature, enjoy going for walks / hikes in stunning settings, like going to places most tourists do not go to and finding out more about the history, traditions and wildlife of Nova Scotia, I can strongly recommend Great Earth Expeditions. I had a great time on each of the three tours I went and I really enjoyed the unique mix of outdoor actitivies and sightseeing / experience of local culture / traditions of each of the tours. Ryan, the owner and guide, is very knowledgeable, experienced and fun to be around and talk to. He will go to great lengths to make sure everyone is having a great time and will accommodate special wishes and suggestions if this is what the group wants (e. g. on one of the tours, the group wanted to spend more time in a truly stunning spot with awesome views of the coast line, in another tour, the group wanted maple syrup pancakes for dessert and Ryan made it happen). The van (=small group size) was in good shape and clean, pick-up at the youth hostel was on time, the picknick lunch consisted of healthy local food and was absolutely delicious. I will definitely go on another Great Earth Tour next time I'm in Nova Scotia.
Memories to be Held Forever
We were fortunate enough to connect with Great Earth Expeditions and join two of their tours - Peggy's Cove and Bay of Fundy. You can't ask for more when on a tour - enjoying the richness of the landscapes - fresh air - hiking - laughter and a picnic lunch to top it off! The owner Ryan and Gillian (a guide) shared their fast knowledge and passion for the beauty of Halifax, Nova Scotia. Each of the tours left us with a great appreciation of the unique offerings of this company.
Outstanding tours!
Great Earth Expeditions is an outstanding tour company, offering what is in my opinion a unique and original experience. I booked four separate tours with Ryan (the founder of Great Earth) and found both himself and Gillian (a guide) to be both knowledgeable and witty; managing to keep quite a diverse range of travellers entertained with historical tales and anecdotes. Every place we visited and hiked revealed itself to be a pure gem, secreted away off the beaten track, laying seemingly undiscovered by people for eons until our footsteps echoed upon the trail. The scenery without exception was achingly beautiful and the hikes well organised and managed. The picnic lunches provided were fresh, plentiful and tasty, with lots of variety and choice. The banana cake deserves a special mention, whilst I won't have a bad word said against the cheese (an 'in' joke) ! So a massive thank you Ryan and Gillian. You made my experience of Nova Scotia truly memorable and you are without a shadow of a doubt one of the finest tour companies I have ever had the fortune to come across.
Great tour!
My husband and I did the Down by the Bay tour this past weekend. It was a wonderful trip and we had a great time! We saw gorgeous sites of ocean, rocks, farms, etc. We also visited a cute farmer's market, drank yummy wine, had a wonderful guide Jillian, walked on the ocean floor and had an amazing picnic lunch in Blomidon Provincial Park. We would totally recommend Jillian, the tour and GREAT EARTH Expeditions to others!
Take equal parts light exercise, fresh air, great tunes and friendly conversation = Great E. A. R. T. H. Expeditions
The owner took a disparate group of 9 women to Peggy's Cove for a half day of easy walking to the coast - we learned some history about the area and were treated to a delicious picnic. The sun shone yet even if under clouds, I can imagine that the good vibes would have shone through. Much laughter and good tunes abounded! I am looking forward to an adventure to Cape Breton with this group - top notch!
October 2014 Peggy's Cove Excursion
We had a great time on the Peggy's Cove tour with Great E. A. R. T. H. Expeditions. We started out with an interesting tour of the Citadel and a stop at the beautiful gardens in Halifax. We were impressed with our tour guides passion for his city and country. Then we headed for our hike in Peggy's Cove with more interesting stories about the history of the land. We then had a breathtaking hike and a nutritious and delicious lunch in Peggy's Cove. If you want to have a personized, interesting, and " off the beaten path " excursion in Halifax, Nova Scotia, you will not be disappointed with Great E. A. R. T. H. Expeditions! We had an awesome experience and great converstion! We would like to come back to this area. If we do, we will be calling Ryan Barry with Great E. A. R. T. H. Expeditions.
Beautiful day, great hike, good times
Although we live in NS, there are still so many places to see and experience. Ryan showed us some hidden gems including Sugarmoon Farm where I plan to visit again for a breakfast feast! We had a short tour and learned about making maple syrup (a real Canadian experience for visitors from abroad). We enjoyed a challenging hike and two short easy ones on our tour. We visited some very beautiful waterfalls, creeks and took in the spectacular colours of the hills. Ryan provided a nice picnic lunch plus we adequate bathroom and drink stops along the way. I would recommend the tour (especially in the autumn) to others.
If you are up for great banter, great food and a lot of fun Great Earth is your tour
Under an endless blue sky we headed out to our Wentworth Valley Tour. Our group started quickly to warm to each other and establish an awesome atmosphere, greatly helped by our guide ryan and his easy going. Nothing worse than the depressing silence in a tour bus. Our first stop was SugarMoon Farm, a local producer of maple syrup. There we learned everything about producing this delicious treat and got easily seduced by pancakes & more. Hiking the Rogart Mountain Trail gave us the chance to learn more about local flora and fauna as well as history thanks to Ryans broad range of knowledge which includes nearly everything, beside football that is. After an great picnic launch, filling our bellies and pampering the taste buds, we were off to discover some more of the local hidden treasures, like the beautiful Wentworth Falls. Tempus fugit and after a joyful day Ryan dropped us off at our different accomodations. If you want laughter, hiking, food treats and learning about the place you are in an easy way, all packed into wonderful day, then Great Earth is your tour and Ryan is your man.
Far exceeded expectations!
We had a great time on the Wentworth Valley trip and enjoyed the wonderful tour of Sugarmoon Farm, the hikes and waterfalls. Ryan is a great host / guide and looked after everything including a delicious variety lunch. This trip was a gift from our daughters and we didn't really know what to expect, but we would highly recommend Great E. A. R. T. H. Expeditions to tourists and native Nova Scotians
Wondrous Cape Breton and Nova Scotia's South Shore
Toronto ~ back home.. .. still getting my head together.* suffering from a serious infection of 'wanderlust'. prior to my tour 'round nova scotia, i knew nothing of the maritimes. my journey changed everything. it introduced me to the great atlantic; biology, geology and, especially, the human history of nova scotia, with an intimacy that i could not have anticipated. i selected the cape breton tour with Great EARTH Expeditions. -- serendipitous -- this was the best decision of my visit. each and every person, in our happy group of eight, contributed to the richness of the experience. no one, more so, than our intrepid guide, jesse. he has an infectious energy, a glorious spirit and a wisdom far beyond his years. cape breton is full of stunning beauty and loaded with culture. we were always making discoveries. many impossible without jesse's keen eye and remarkable knowledge. i hope to carry on the relationships i made on this most fantastic trek. this journey is not over. THE SOUTH SHORE WITH GREAT EARTH: above, i've written of my wondrous tour through Cape Breton with jesse and a crew of seven, happy castaways ~ no small potatoes! a day trip cannot compare to the depth of experience and bonding on a four day expedition. that said, jillian was an excellent guide. the day was rather foggy, but jillian kept the group energy up. she told many stories, played great local music and shared a funny little book (full of fantastic illustrations) 'bout what it means to be a Nova Scotian. NOTE TO JESSE: get a LIVE version of Stan Rogers', 'Barrett's Privateers'. jillian at the lead ~ the Gaff Point hike was fantastic. for miles, massive stone slabs, from the seafloor, crashed upon the shore, frozen, like ancient stone waves. a gathering of Inukshuk; silent guides. weather-beaten pines, pale with lichen, stripped bare of their windward limbs. perfect saplings at their feet. cormorants and colourful fishing villages. a GREAT expedition. even learned a bit o' chemistry from jillian. .. don't get fooled by pyrite! * for a sense of my returning mood, check out the poignant lyrics of 'gift shop' by 'the tragically hip'. thx GREAT EARTH, m.
Cape Breton Trip
I took the Cape Breton trip with Great Earth Expeditions. It was really good fun I had a fantastic time. Our guide Jesse was really good and had a wealth of knowledge about all sorts of nature and wildlife at Cape Breton. We covered loads of ground and saw tons of wildlife. We took the kayaking tour and bird watching tour where we saw moose, pelicans and bald headed eagles. Our guide made sure everyone in the group was enjoying themselves and looked after properly. Would highly recommend.
Come and see Nova Scotia with Great EARTH Expeditions
I loved our two tours with Great EARTH Expeditions. Our guide Jillian was the best. 1st tour was to Hirtles Beach, Gaff Point, Lunenberg and Mahone Bay. The 7 kms walk and hike at Hirtles Beach and Gaff was beautiful and amazing. The site seeing was phenomenal and worth the hike. Lunch was perfect. Lunenberg was very nice to visit and we got to see the Bluenose II docked (which was a bonus). Stopped in the Ironworks Distillery and purchased some of the award winning Bluenose Rum as a gift. Driving through Mahone Bay, we happens onto Pirate Days there and saw some wonderful characters. Our 2nd tour took us to the coastal barrens near Peggy's Cove where we took a hike close to the water, the scenery was breath taking. Got to see and explore Peggy's Cove and little town and finished off with a wonderful lunch down near the pier. Saw some very unique sites along the way: Ivan Fraser's colourful house along with the Titanic Memorial grounds. I would highly recommend them, you won't be disappointed. I look forward to visiting Nova Scotia again and trying the Cape Breton and Bay of Fundy tours as well.
Great EARTH Expeditions Haxifax through the Lens
We had the most wonderful experience with our photographer guide Jullian. We were a group of only 4 so lots of personal attention and instruction. We were presented with so many photo opportunities through out the lovely city of Halifax that included the Cidadel, Halifax Public Gardens - where we had a picnic lunch of all local products - and the downtown waterfront boardwalk. There was a lot of area to cover in 4.5 hours but we didn't feel rushed at all. Good walking shoes and a camera are required to enjoy your day. Jullian suggested good eating spots too. The best part of the tour was...…. everything !!! If I have a chance to tour with this company again I will for sure. Audrey Fraser
Fantastic Cape Breton Tour
This was a four day tour which packed in a lot of great activities including some great hikes in some beautiful locations (my favourite was on The Cabot Trail and seeing moose for the first time). There is also a 3 hour whale watching boat tour, an eco sea kayaking trip with a very experienced guide who shares a lot of local knowledge. One of my favourite activities of this tour was the boat tour of the Bird Islands where you get to see and learn about so many different birds, there was always something to see on this tour including the amazing seals sunning themselves on the rocks. The tour guide Jesse goes out of his way to make sure everyone is having a wonderful time, he is great at sharing his vast knowledge of the area, and is very entertaining with his many stories and experiences. I would definitely recommend this tour and sum it up by saying that I feel privileged to have seen this beautiful part of Nova Scotia with it's natural and untouched landscapes.
Expedition to Cape Breton Island
My wife, her sister and husband, and I chose the " Cape Breton Chronicles " tour in July and had a WONDERFUL time! It was our first experience with hostels and we enjoyed the camaraderie very much. One of the hostel managers (a great guitar player) even played for us around a campfire at the beach. Our guide, Jesse, was great (as evidenced from reviews by other people). His knowledge of the area, and his outgoing nature added so much to the adventure. We took optional trips for a whale watching tour (saw 3 Minke whales and one finback) and a trip out to the Bird Islands - both were excellent! The 9 members of our group pooled our money for food, which Jesse bought and prepared for us. We were over-prepared for the hikes, which turned out to be fairly easy and didn't require all the gear we took. All in all, a great adventure, but I'd only recommend it for those who are willing to do a bit of hiking and stay in hostels. If you can do that you'll have a great time!
Tours with Great EARTH Expeditions
My husband and I recently returned from Nova Scotia. While there we booked two tours with this company. I can not be more thrilled with these tours. They were small groups traveling in a van and very personal. While one destination was Peggy's Cove and the other the Bay of Fundy what makes them so great is the personal touch of small side stops to Farmer's markets, best ice cream spots, short hikes and the conversation in the van. Music was great as well as it was local. Tour guide Jillian was our guide for both tours and she is the best. It is so obvious that she loves her job. If we ever go back would book more tours with them in a minute.
Something for everyone
I had the pleasure of going on " South Shore at your door " and the " Wentworth " tours. Not only did I forget to wear the right footwear but my tour guide Jesse, gave me HIS shoes, so I wouldn't miss out. Now that is service! After a delightful (and comfy) hike we had a delish lunch (something for everyone and tons of it) and checked out Lunenberg. The day was a great pace and I really felt like I learned alot, was able to relax and see things I never have. My second tour a week later was to the Wentworth area. We hiked up Rogart Mountain, sampled Maple Syrup, had a great lunch and finally checked out some secret water falls, which included us dunking our heads under, very refreshing. A stop for ice cream was the perfect end to an awesome day. I have family in NS and visit often, but both these tours allowed me to see areas and experience things I normally wouldn't. Thank you Ryan and Jesse for making this trip my best one yet to NS!
Cape Breton Chronicles
Such a fantastic trip - the scenery is beautiful and Jesse's love for the region, his joyful character and enthusiasm made the a very special experience. The group was fantastic, we all pitched in and had a grand old time. I'm not used to staying in hostels anymore and I was a bit concerned about it, but the hostel owners were so down to earth and accommodating it even enhanced an already wonderful experience. Not to be missed. I highly recommend this trip. Thanks so much to Ryan and the fab Jesse!
Amazing tour to forever compare all future tours to!!!! And Jessie made this tour what it was
I can't say enough about our love forNova Scotia. It was my first time and my husband second or third time. The people are so kind. Good hearted people and a back to basics way of life that we are longing for! My husband and I can't say enough good things about Cape Breton and especially Jessie for making this such a memorable and meaningful trip! The views are just awe inspiring, his knowledge and love for the area, his stories, his zest for life and positive energy- not only kept us so happy and content with everything we saw and experienced; but also it seemed our entire group was truly appreciative of our guide and Cape Breton's Beauty! The next tour we take wherever the adventure takes has much to live up to! Well worth the money spent! Lobster dinner caught just hours before served on our plate. Breakfast made for us, served hot, and enjoyed with our new friends from the group. Genuine concern for one another. Oh and the stories and laughter along the way, " faghetta-bout-it " !!! A-1 And what an efficient team we were, cleaning up together after ourselves after meals!!!!! We were a force, a unit! How many trips can you say that about others in Your group?!? You will not be disappointed going on a trip with this company! They aim to please and gain awareness of their beautiful Nova Scotia! With so much to see and do, the 4 day tour merely scratches the surface of one section ; you'll never be bored! We want to come back again and again! Next time we are adding time before or after the tour to do exploring on our own as well! Thank you so much for a wonderful and memorable experience!
Awesome!!!
Had an amazing time in Lunenberg and some amazing beach with an incredible giant rock wall created by the tides. Saw what I truly wanted to see in Nova Scotia and it was wonderful! Plus Jillian is an awesome young guide with great tunes on the ride. I may definitely come back for the Cape Breton tour.
Highlight of our trip to a wonderful land
Ryan and Gillian led us on a wonderful day of adventure on their padding and hiking tour. The day was overcast and a storm approaching, but Ryan gave us the confidence to go on. We are so glad we did. He modified our paddling route to ensure our comfort and safety. The scenery was spectacular. Gillian followed behind and made sure everyone was safe. She also kept our 9-year old daughter engaged the entire trip. Served overlooking Lunenburg, lunch was a medley of healthy nibbles; fruit, veggies, dips, fish, cheeses, meat and breads (banana bread, YUM). Next stop, Gaff point. It was a good hike up and down some rocky beaches, grassy hill and forest. Again, spectacular! The hike was moderately strenuous, which was just perfect for the group. Ryan provided running commentary that enhanced the trip, while Gillian answered every question my daughter threw at her (what's your 82nd favorite animal?). They worked well as a team to make the trip very special for us. I would highly recommend the trip to anyone wanting to add a more physically active activity to their trip to Nova Scotia. This was a great alternative to shopping and historic sites.
" Hiking Cape Breton with Hurricane Arthur "
This was a fabulous way to explore Cape Breton Island with a professionally trained Nova Scotia native. The four day trip schedule was timely and well communicated. The meal plan and options were described appropriately. We were even able to enjoy whole lobster from Pleasant Bay within just a few hours of being harvested from the sea - amazing! The lodging had all the necessary amenities and were clean and friendly. We had cell phone and internet coverage the entire time and even free Wi-Fi at the lodging locations. Our native tour guide, Jessie Moore kept us informed of all weather and tour options and changes due to Hurricane Arthur. We were two days into the trip before the hurricane came - although it put a hamper on the touring Jessie gave us a great tour and we made some great new friends! We definitely recommend this expedition and will use this group again next time we're in Nova Scotia.
Lunenburg, Peggy's Cove and Cape Breton Island
I had three tours including Lunenburg, Peggy's Cove and Cape Breton Island with Great E. A. R. T. H Expeditions. Three tours were amazing. The guide tours were knowledgeable about areas and very friendly. Cape Breton Island tour was well organized for 4 days and the guided tour Jesse managed tour very well. He was so professional. I had an enjoyable time with new experiences.
Voyage de 4 jours au Cape Breton
Jesse était notre guide et chauffeur. Il est natif du coin et connait très bien sa région et ses histoires. De plus, il est gentil, intéressé, intéressant, toujours de bonne humeur et très rapide pour faire les courses et la cuisine. Il est tellement habitué à faire les repas que j'en ai conclu que c'était mieux de ne pas être dans ses pattes et d'aider d'une autre manière. Il s'adapte aux demandes du groupe: plus de marches au bord des côtes? on en a fait et des géniales et elles sont gratuites. Du kayak? Voir des baleines? Les tours coûtent environ 35$. Moi, j'ai adoré le tour des îles pour voir des puffins, des aigles à tête blanches (que l'on voit saisir des poissons à 10 mètres de nous: fascinant!), des phoques et autres... On loge en auberge de jeunesse et elles sont très propres, le lit est même fait en arrivant. Je vous recommande le souper de homard frais à 15$, vraiment délicieux. Environ 500$ incluant les taxes pour les 4 jours, plus environ 40$ pour la nourriture (pas plus et on mange très bien et santé). Personnellement, étant à la retraite et pas trop riche, j'ai été ravie de ce voyage. Il vaut vraiment le coup! Merci de m'avoir procuré un tel plaisir! Il faut avoir une forme physique assez bonne car on peut faire des marches de 3 à 10 km.
Fantastic hike to the end of Cape Split
I took the day-long " Bird's Eye View " tour of Cape Split and the Bay of Fundy on July 1st, 2014 and it was spectacular! The tour guide was so professional, friendly and knowledgable. We saw Medford beach at low tide and the wonderful sandstone sea stacks followed by the main event, a 14 km roundtrip hike to the tip of Cape Split. The lunch provided was very good (and vegetarian friendly) and the view was amazing. I haven't taken many guided tours. This one certainly exceeded my expectations! Highly recommend. They picked me up where I was staying in Halifax iand dropped me back off there in the evening. Very convenient.
10 Star Trip
I am an experienced hiker, and just hiked Grand Canyon Rim to Rim prior to this event. I've had mixed experiences with some guide companies I've used in other parts of the world. I am pleased to unreservedly recommend you to anyone wishing to experience the marvelous Cape Breton " The hikes with Great Earth Expeditions was a 10 star trip. Our guide and company owner, Ryan, was exceptional. If you are looking for the ultimate possible experience this is the outfitter you should choose. " Ruth, TN
Superb tour, friendly and professional, an incredible adventure!
I had the pleasure of touring Cape Breton with Great E. A. R. T. H. Expeditions, and have nothing but great things to say about the entire experience. The views were stunning, and the entire 4-day hiking tour was extremely well-organized, and flexible from day to day depending on weather and the interests of our small group. The optional activities (whale watching, puffin tour) are well worth it and highly recommended. Ryan (the owner and our friendly guide) was fantastic throughout, very knowledgeable about Cape Breton (and especially its lesser-known jewels), and clearly very passionate about sharing the local culture and beauty. He'll even cook food for the group! Overall, a tremendous experience that I would recommend to anyone, and I look forward to returning to Nova Scotia for more tours with Great E. A. R. T. H. Expeditions!
Peggy's Cove through a rare lens
As busloads of tourists make their way through the narrow road to Peggy's Cove, this tour company takes you off the beaten path. A small group of 7, including my two children, ages 10 and 13, made for an intimate look at this geologically unique and picturesque area. Before arriving in the village, Alec led us on a truly breathtaking, unrushed hike through the coastal barrens, providing a nature and historical study all the while. My son and daughter were both engaged by the terrain as well as our guide's talk. After gaining an appreciation for the landscape, we enjoyed some time exploring the famous lobster village while Alec prepared for our group a delicious picnic lunch in a secluded part of the town but still within eye shot of the lighthouse and the bustling main thoroughfare. We were only in Halifax for the day, a port stop on our cruise. This tour included short visits to the Citadel and Public Gardens. We returned to Halifax with an hour and a half to spare, so you can still take in a little walking if you are not exhausted from a memorable day. Be prepared to learn some fascinating history. If you want to see Peggy's Cove, avoid the ship excursion and book with Great Expeditions for a rare, unforgettable experience.
AMAZING!
It's my first time travelling somewhere far away, so I decided to book tours to make sure I get to see the most amazing parts of Nova Scotia! I booked 3 in total; with Ryan, Alec and Jesse, and they all tell cool stuff about everything you walk / drive by. All 3 of them are friendly and will help you if you have trouble climbing something or if you have any questions. They'll have an answer 99% of the time. Ryan can help you take a great photo as well! The van is very comfortable and clean, has good air conditioning and there's enough space for everyone. They picked me up right on time too! GREAT SERVICE. And amazing experiences! Recommended.
Great hicking tour and splendid guide
We had a great time during our Peggy's Cove Rock Walk tour, last september. Ryan showed us the barrens around Peggy's Cove and, believe me, it has been one of the most spectular place i've ever seen in my all life. Look at my picture if you don't believe me. We spent a very interesting, funny and usefull day with Ryan and we recommend his company to everyone!
Best Tour Company in Nova Scotia!
My wife and I only had a few short days to experience Nova Sciotia so based on the positive reviews on TripAdvisor we decided to book a couple tours through GREAT Earth Expeditions to maximize our time in the province - it was the best decision we could have made! Our first tour was the South Shore at Our Door day trip out to Lunenburg. Our guide Ryan was awesome - very knowledgeable, funny and informative - he has a real passion for his province and its natural features and sights. We started off with some history on the UNESCO World Heritage site, then embarked on an amazing two-hour hike where we saw some incredible sights such as ancient petrified trees, wildlife such as birds and seals, and a variety of flora, including raspberries and blueberries which we helped ourselves to along the trail. No one else was on the hike and there is no way we would have found it on our own - as a result we felt very secluded and immersed in nature. We also loved the fact that there were only three of us on the tour with Ryan, which made it feel like we had our own private tour. Afterwards we had a healthy picnic lunch and some free time to walk around the city of Lunenburg. It was a full day filled with great experiences and well worth the money. The next day we did the Peggy's Cove Rock Wall tour. Our guide Matt was great as well - very easy-going and cool - it was like hanging our with a really good friend for the day! Once again we went on a secluded hike where we had the whole place to ourselves, and since two others cancelled out of the tour last minute we literally had a private tour, just the two of us and Matt - it was a great experience! After the hike we went into Peggy's Cove, learned about the history of the site and had another healthy picnic-style lunch. Once again, it was a great day and well worth the money. I'd recommend GREAT Earth Expeditions for anyone traveling to Halifax who is interested in first-class, unique hiking adventure tours which explore the sights of Nova Scotia. The tours are great as are the small group sizes and especially the guides. Casual, personal, very informative, unique and loads of fun - highly recommended!
Peggy's Cove Tour
This was about a 5-6 hr private tour. We started by going to the Halifax Public Gardens within the city and to the Citadel National Historic Site. Then on to Peggy's Cove. A very interesting small place with just a few shops and amazing vistas. We walked around and enjoyed the sea, in spite of the rain. Our guide brought lunch for us that he had packed himself which included some incredible maple smoked salmon. On the way back to our hotel, we stopped at the cemetery where some of the Titanic victims are buried. It was a very moving spot. Our guide had a great uncle who died on the Titanic. The graves we saw were for the unclaimed. This was a very nice tour and meant more because our guide was a third generation local and knew so much of the local history. He was a great guide.
Backstage pass to the magnificant coastline of Nova Scotia
My wife and I met Ryan at the Princess cruise port. He was on time in his clean, clearly marked van. We rode with other guests from all over the world. The conversation was fun and made the time pass quickly. The hike just before Peggi's Cove was the highlight of the trip. The rock formations and coastline were beautiful. I later found that no one we met on our cruise had had the same experience on their excursions. They drove right past the area we hiked and missed that adventure. Ryan provided lunch with the tour when we stopped at Peggi's Cove. It was a day full of fun and I highly recommend the trip. A very good value for the money.
Great tour for the whole family!
Based on the great reviews on Tripadvisor, I booked a tour via email several weeks in advance. My husband, three daughters and I arrived on a Princess Cruise and were met by Fred, one of the tour guides from Great E. A. R. T. H, in a 15 passenger van exactly at 10 a. m, as promised. We traveled to the Peggy's Cove area for a hike through the incredible landscape. Don't forget to do what the confirmation email tells you: WEAR GOOD HIKING BOOTS OR GYM SHOES AND BRING WATER! Due to the rain, the trail was a little soggy--and our feet did get wet. But the hike was well worth it! We saw incredible plants, and once we reached the top of the hills, beautiful views of the water. After the hike, we went to Peggy's Cove to see the lighthouse and walk through the town. I am glad that we did not spend much time there; basically Peggy's Cove is the lighthouse with some shops. Because it had started to rain, Fred took us to lunch at an artist's studio near his home--the artist was one of his friends who had moved to Halifax from NY many years ago. It was interesting to see her work of landscapes in the area and hear her stories about life in Halifax. We had a lunch there of cheese, crackers, veggies, fruit, dip, etc, which was great. We then went back to town and Fred explained a number of the sights and local history. He was a great tour guide. When I compared prices of tours from the ship and the price I paid to Great EARTH, we got a tremendous deal for what we experienced. I hope that we can return to Halifax, and one of my first calls will be to schedule other tours with Great EARTH. It is a beautiful area, and I can't wait to experience more of it with a wonderful tour company!
Incredible
Wow. We took part in the Peggy's Cove day tour which includes kayaking in St. Margaret's Bay and exploring the unique landscape by Peggy's Cove-- far from " the madding crowd. " Ryan, the owner of the company and our tour guide, was incredibly enthusiastic and passionate about the outdoors, to the point at which it was contagious. The company likes to keep tour groups small, in order for the experience to be personal and engaging, so it was just my two cousins and I on the trip. Ryan picked us up from downtown Halifax in a comfortable passenger van and drove us to St. Margaret's Bay, telling us about the places we were passing. My two cousins are both deathly afraid of deep water, particularly the ocean, and had never been kayaking before, yet Ryan put them at ease, and they loved it! After two to three hours on the water (during which time we spotted various wildlife), we headed back to the van and drove to Peggy's Cove, where we sat and ate a nutritional, yet filling, lunch. After deciding against visiting the lighthouse (we had already been on a previous tour, and found it to be VERY crowded), Ryan took us on a hike through the " barrons " -- a must see. Ryan's excitement and attachment to the land was palpable. We found out about Great E. A. R. T. H. expeditions through the Visitor Information Center on the boardwalk (downtown Halifax) -- they have brochures with more information. Honestly-- this is the tour company to go with if you visit Halifax.
1 Tour on our Coast to Coast trip
We Spent a month in canada travelling across and this was the best tour we done. Ryan was great, very friendly and made it more of an adventure with friends, If your visiting Halifax then make sure you spend a day on this, great fun Thanks Ryan.
Two Great Days in Nova Scotia
We spent last Wednesday and Thursday with Ryan from Great Earth seeing Lunenburg and Peggys Cove. We were collected from our hotel in great vehicles and Ryan was extremely friendly and knowledgable. He took us on great walks along the coast and we saw views we ceratainly wouldn't get with a big bus company like Gray Line. Lunch was provided and it was a great salad full of good quality produce. We were not rushed and it was a very laid back day. We were dropped off at a different location to our pick up at our convenience and we were made to feel like a guest not just a number in a tour party. During the booking phase Ryan was very helpful and able to answer questions in advance. Overall ths was definitely a highlight of our stay in Canada and We cannot recommend Great Earth too highly - go and try them yourself. We will go back to the Maritimes and will use them again.
Ryan was energetic, loved what he did and had an intimate knowledge of the land he loves
Ryan was energetic, loved what he did and had an intimate knowledge of the land he loves. He was also resourceful, honest and prompt. I took 2 tours and enjoyed both very much.
Unforgettable experience
It was our first trip to Nova Scotia and we were on two tours with Ryan, " Down by the Bay " and " South Shore ". A friend of ours recommended Ryan as a tour guide when we said were going to Nova Scotia. I communicated with him via email about 3 weeks before our arrival. He was always prompt in replies and helpful with information. He picked us up outside the hotel which was very convenient, so we even did not have to have a car during our stay in Halifax. The tours were great; a picnic lunch that Ryan brought for us was delicious. Ryan's enthusiasm, excitement and love for Nova Scotia is addictive, he is full of energy and information about local nature, history and attractions. We had people of different age groups on these tours and all of us were extremely satisfied. I would highly recommend Great E. A. R. T. H. to everybody who wants to visit Nova Scotia.
Finally some who understands the natural world more fun than the usal cruise ship fare
My wife and I were looking forward to some hiking and birding opportunities which were not offered by our curise ship. We felt nature deprived on our cruise even though we were in such a wonderful natural environment. Ryan's walk along the Barrans, near Peggy's Cove, and the following lunch gave us a great feel for and a litle understanding to the local natural environment of Nova Scotia. We were so impressed we would like to come back in Febuary and go looking for a Dovkie.
An excellent trip to Peggy's Cove
I went on a trip to Peggy's Cove from Halifax on 18 July 2011. This was a small group and Mat, the tour guide, was excellent. I am now not walking as fast as I used to, but this did not present him with any problem. He gave a lot of detailed information about everything around us at Peggy's Cove. I will certainly look out for day trips with Great Earth Expeditions when I am next in Halifax. Chris Bolt Birmingham UK 22 August 2011
One of the most memorable " off-beat " trip in Canada - will go back again!
It was Sep 2009 when I visited Nova Scotia for few days. I mainly travelled with Ambassatours; thats the major tour company over there. On the last day I was looking for something else than regular whale-watching etc; then I came to know about Great EARTH from the Information Centre. Ryan is a great guy! So humble, so polite yet so knowledgeable. He pick me up from Howard Johnson right on time and took us many hidden spots of Nova Scotia which is hard to discover on our own. We were only three in his van; but he didn't. He drove us upto the Bay of Fundy (NS side). I enjoyed a lot. Later on he email me the fotographs. I'll go back to Nova Scotia again and travel with him to Cape Breton Highlands. I'm sure he will make it very big one day. Atlantic Canada is under-rated and very seasonal. Its very important to have someone like him. Hope tourism Nova Scotia will give you all the support you need. All the best for the coming years! Swarnadip YVR
Cape Breton Trip
I went on the Cape Breton trip in August and I can't recommend it enough! Everything from my initial email / phone calls with Ryan (who was incredibly patient with my constantly dilly dallying about whether I could make the dates available!) through to the accommodation, food and activities were brilliant! Alec and Jesse led the tour and they were great fun, as well as being very informative and knowledgeable about the history of the places we visited. They were both easy to get along with and had positive attitudes towards everything - making sure that everyone made the most of the activities and surroundings. Although we covered a large area on our trip, it never felt like we were in the van for any great length of time as there were lots of little stop offs at some lovely towns and scenic points. The hostels we stayed in during the trip were great places, with the opportunity for BBQing and camp fires making for really sociable and fun evenings! The kayaking and whale watching trips were great and the hikes had some of the most beautiful scenery I have ever seen! I think we were quite lucky with the weather too as it was sunny and warm every day - which was great! If you find yourself with a few spare days in Nova Scotia - you must take this trip! You'll love it!
Bay of Fundy and Annapolis Valley
Ryan took us for two days to see a bit more of Nova Scotia. We really enjoyed it. Great company, great environment and great lunch. I would highly recommend these tours.
Bay of Fundy Tour
Ryan was an outstanding expert on the tour. He took us to places that in our travel throughout the world was truly amazing. This was one of the most relaxing days we have had in years. Ryan is also amazing for the following reason: My wife and I were the only two guests as the tourist season is just starting. Rather than his cancelling with us because we were the only two booked he showed up smiling at our hotel at the appointed time and took us on the full tour. He is truly an outstanding person. We can't wait to do the other two tours scheduled with him. Larry and Sarie Shainock, Fox Point, WI
Great tour!
We only had 1 day in Halifax as we stopped there on a cruise through Canada. We found this tour through TripAdvisor and were not disappointed! Amy met us right in the cruise terminal, not at all perturbed that she had to wait a bit as our ship was late docking. She has a strong connection with Halifax and was eager to share with us. She took us to the Citadel for a brief visit, then we went out near Peggy's cove for a hike that ended up overlooking the water and the cove. It was simply amazing! She also told us about the local flora and fauna, which you don't often get with the bigger cruise tours. She did take us to Peggy's cove too and let us wander around on the rocks while she set up a really wonderful lunch in the village. Having done cruise tours and this off-the-beaten-path tour, I can definitely say we had far more time to explore the area with Amy than we would've had we done a cruise tour. After lunch, she even took us on an unplanned stop to the Titantic graves since my friend expressed an interest in visiting there. I was extremely pleased with this tour and will definitely look for similar tours in other places I vacation. Highly recommended for those who can endure some moderate physical activity.
Gorgeous Cape Breton Tour
I recently spent some time in Halifax and was eager to go on a tour around the famous Cabot Trail. So I booked myself onto the Great E. A. R. T. H. Expeditions and made an excellent deal! We were a group of only 6 strangers from all over the world and made friends right from the beginning! Our tour guide Ryan was always there for us to do his best to make us feel more than comfortable, relaxed and at ease. He took us to all the must-sees, but he still tried to balance between different priorities among the group members. He was always able to offer alternatives, as for example some amazing hikes while the others went on an excellent whale watching tour, where they could spot plenty of whales. During our hikes, Ryan would give us very detailed and profound information on the history as well as the kind of landscape we were walking through. He was so passionate about the trip that he still took pictures of the plants and animals we came across (we saw at least 4 moose!!!!), that you understood he is just the kind of guy who keeps up to date every minute of his job, which is more than a benefit for the whole group! I enjoyed every single day of this wonderful trip and really consider as a must-do for all travelers going to Nova Scotia!
Cape Breton tour...... simply the best!
I recently planned a trip to Nova Scotia and one of my priorities was heading to the Cabot Trail. Without my own transportation I booked my place on the Great E. A. R. T. H Expeditions Cape Breton tour leaving from Halifax. Having left my backpacker days behind at least 15 years ago I was a bit hesitant at first to go on such a trip as it meant sharing a van with a bunch of strangers (most of whom I assumed would be quite young) and staying in a hostel (which I haven't done in a long time) but this trip exceeded all my expectations. Upon arriving at the pickup point I met my fellow travellers from around the world (Hong Kong, Scotland, Germany and Canada) who were all of a similar age but also like me solo travellers who were all keen to enjoy the wonders of the Cabot Trail. We were met by Ryan, our tour guide extraordinaire who on first meeting I knew was going to see that all of us got to have an amazing time. He was not just a driver but a historian, naturalist, environmentalist and extremely passionate about Nova Scotia and in particular Cape Breton and the Cabot Trail. Always ready to answer all of our questions (however silly they may be) and extremely friendly he is the guide that I have always wanted on a group tour (and I have done a lot of trips all around the world). Ryan's dedication to his job and professionalism put him a class above the others. His ability to buy food for the group for the trip (we only paid about $15 each for the duration of the trip) was budgeting to the extreme and he took us to some great locations that are off the beaten path. You were able to enjoy the scenery and the environment without the usual busloads of tourists thus making the experience more enjoyable and of course most relevant to me was the ability to take fantastic landscape photos (minus people!!). Cape Breton is an interesting mix of rivers, ocean views, beaches and mountains with a diverse range of flora and wildlife. This trip provided an opportunity to see a quick snapshot of everything the Cape has to offer. The hike on the Skyline trail was a definite highlight particularly as it seemed Ryan had arranged for our encounters with 4 moose on the trail (a particular must see for me!). Another hike up Salty Mountain also provided an opportunity to see Bald Eagles in the wild. Other highlights included the stay at the Pleasant Bay hostel which was a great place to unwind at the end of the day with a crab dinner and bonfire on the beach as well as the opportunity to go whale watching and view pilot whales going on a feeding frenzy. This tour provides a great mix of hiking, scenery, wildlife and as a small group tour the opportunity to forge lasting friendships with fellow travellers from all over the globe. Without Ryan's expertise and personality none of this would have been possible. I would highly recommend this trip and also other trips that Ryan takes (I also took the Peggy's Cove trip from Halifax that Ryan runs and although the weather did not co-operate on the day, Ryan was equally as professional and the lunch he prepared was amazing even if I didn't get a chance to taste one of his lobster rolls as the Americans on the trip ate them all!). If you want to experience the real Cape Breton then this is the tour for you..................
Great family fun
My wife and I, along with our 3 kids - ages 13, 11 and 10 - took the Peggy's Cove trip with Ryan on 6 / 21 / 11. We were in town only for the day - on a cruise. Ryan met us at the dock. He couldn't have been nicer or more accomodating. He drove us in a brand new van out to the cove after a visit to the Citadel Hill for a great view of Halifax. At Peggy's Cove, he led us in a leisurely hike of about an hour. Then we visited the town and finished up with a delicious picnic lunch which Ryan prepared. Throughout, Ryan was very informative about local flora, fauna, and history. One of our children is autistic. Ryan was extremely understanding of her quirkiness. It's clear Ryan is very dedicated to making this tour an exceptional experience. I would highly recommend his tours.
Excellent
This was our first visit to Nova Scotia and we wanted to get a good taste of the local areas beauty. We read a few of Ryans itenerary's / reviews and booked 2 walks. Before arriving in Halifax I communicated with Ryan on local recommendations of restaurants etc and he was very helpful. Tour 1 " Rugged Peninsula " This was a beautiful interesting walk with many changes of scenery, it was not easy as the underfoot changed from stone beach, to narrow rooted path. good concentration needed of footing, however it was EXCELLENT and highly recommended. Ryan's knowledge of the local area is very good and he is eager to share, he is a very good guide and a nice person, his colleague Matt joined us on this trip and he also was a knowlegeable fun person to spend quality time with. Tour 2 " Birds Eye Walk " The end of this walk CAPE SPLIT is stunning and worth every step it takes to get there and back ! There is only one way in and it is a walk that mainly takes you through wooded areas, it is a good hike / workout and the view is well worth it. We were fortunate to see a blue sky one minute and then suddenly all covered by mist and then blue again ! WOW I highly recommend Ryan and wish him success, he deserves to be successful as he tries to give everyone that " Special " experience.
Best way to see Peggy's Cove
We had a great time with our tour guide Jesse. We started off with a stop at the botanical gardens and Citadel (just the outside), then headed towards Peggy's Cove. We made a stop along the way in a tiny fishing village that was quite picturesque. Then we stopped about 5 minutes from Peggy's Cove and hiked around the hilly area for a bit. Warning: take shoes that can get muddy and wear pants; several of the people in our group who had shorts on were eaten by mosquitos. The hike was the best part - the countryside is beautiful. We then continued on in the van to Peggy's Cove, where we had time to explore the area on our own, and then ate a snack lunch (fruit, veggies, hummus, smoked sausage, cheese, crackers, and pita). Afterwards, he dropped us off where we needed to go. My only advice to this company would be to accept credit card payments; paying in cash was a hassle.
Peggy's Cove Rock Walk an excellent tour
We went last week on this 4 hour tour. First our tour guide Alec picked us up at our cruise ship and drove us to the Citadel for a nice view and a little of the city's history. Next, we stopped at the public gardens for a quick walk through. The flowers were gorgeous! We then took a scenic drive on the way to Peggy's cove, where we stopped for the mile hike through the rocky terrain. It was a fabulous day and the views were terrific. The walk isn't difficult, but you do need good shoes and be steady on your feet. My teenagers really enjoyed this part. Next we went to Peggy's cove where we explored the lighthouse area. Alec had prepared a nice lunch for us on the water. Overall, a very nice day with a fabulous tour guide!! Would definitely book again.