Great E.A.R.T.H Expeditions
Great E.A.R.T.H Expeditions
Great E.A.R.T.H Expeditions
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About
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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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
5.0
261 reviews
Excellent
242
Very good
12
Average
5
Poor
1
Terrible
1
Debbie D
Elk Grove, CA14 contributions
Sept 2022
Ryan was perfect! We had such a great day with him. We loved that he was so passionate and knowledgeable about his hometown. We were almost ready to move there after hearing his love for Halifax! We asked for specifics to our day and everything was covered. Even when we expressed a desire to have some fresh fish for lunch and not at a sit-down restaurant, he found a perfect side of the road spot to eat that was delish! We had physical limitations for some of our group and he adjusted everything so all could participate. He shared a wealth of information with us about Halifax and it was interesting to listen to. He even answered our barrage of questions! His ride was comfortable and we appreciated that he had a microphone so we could hear him perfectly (a few of us have hearing challenges). One of the most memorable experiences in our day was a lovely hike to some beautiful scenery and him playing his guitar and singing local folk songs. He's incredibly talented and meant to be a tour guide. The whole day and experience is a memory engrained in our hearts forever! Truly would use him again in a heartbeat!
Written 22 September 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Sueellen M
4 contributions
Jul 2016 • Friends
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!
So if you are traveling alone or with a small or larger group, seek out GREAT EARTH!!! Remember to ask for Line!
Written 30 July 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Neil M
Greater London, UK7 contributions
Sept 2015 • Solo
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.
Written 27 September 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
seaexplorer35
Boston, MA3 contributions
Aug 2015 • Friends
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
Visited August 2015
Written 28 March 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
ChrisMcNeil
Washington DC, DC583 contributions
Sept 2015 • Family
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!
Written 24 October 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Joshua S
Alabama2 contributions
Aug 2015 • Couples
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!
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!
Written 26 August 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Sydney S
Halifax, Canada4 contributions
Aug 2015 • Friends
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.
Written 14 August 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Claire M
Dover, UK20 contributions
Oct 2014 • Solo
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.
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.
Written 21 October 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
lovesweims
San Francisco, CA110 contributions
Oct 2013 • Friends
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.
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.
Written 17 March 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Wiskermeister
Columbus, OH12 contributions
Sept 2012 • Friends
What: Three Day Tour of the Cabot Trail in Cape Breton, Nova Scotia
Where: Halifax, Nova Scotia to Cape Breton return trip (included in the price), tour of the Cabot Trail and Cape Breton Highlands Provincial Park.
When: Sept 24-26, 2012
Extras: Whale Watching ($39.00), Local Snow Crab supper ($12.00)
This was a fantastic tour. We had a small group of 7 people. Ages ranged from late 20's to mid 50's (?). So it wasn't just a bunch of youngsters.
Our tour included many highlights of the beautiful Cabot trail and we did some amazing hikes. None of the hikes were too strenuous, and all of them were fascinating. There were bathroom or outhouses everywhere we stopped, so you never had an issue about having to wait to use the facilities. We saw many kinds of Eco-systems within the one trip. Woods, towns, beaches, waterfalls, marshes, and small fields. Lots of flora and fauna including the biggest variety of mushrooms and fungi that I have ever seen in one place.
Accommodations were at the International Hostel in Pleasant Bay. This hostel is on the rustic side, but provided comfortable beds and a warm friendly atmosphere.
The whale watch was at an extra cost, but I really enjoyed it and saw a whole family of Pilot Whales.
We saw Moose, dramatic sunsets and interesting birds.
If you love nature and the outdoors, this is the trip for you!
Where: Halifax, Nova Scotia to Cape Breton return trip (included in the price), tour of the Cabot Trail and Cape Breton Highlands Provincial Park.
When: Sept 24-26, 2012
Extras: Whale Watching ($39.00), Local Snow Crab supper ($12.00)
This was a fantastic tour. We had a small group of 7 people. Ages ranged from late 20's to mid 50's (?). So it wasn't just a bunch of youngsters.
Our tour included many highlights of the beautiful Cabot trail and we did some amazing hikes. None of the hikes were too strenuous, and all of them were fascinating. There were bathroom or outhouses everywhere we stopped, so you never had an issue about having to wait to use the facilities. We saw many kinds of Eco-systems within the one trip. Woods, towns, beaches, waterfalls, marshes, and small fields. Lots of flora and fauna including the biggest variety of mushrooms and fungi that I have ever seen in one place.
Accommodations were at the International Hostel in Pleasant Bay. This hostel is on the rustic side, but provided comfortable beds and a warm friendly atmosphere.
The whale watch was at an extra cost, but I really enjoyed it and saw a whole family of Pilot Whales.
We saw Moose, dramatic sunsets and interesting birds.
If you love nature and the outdoors, this is the trip for you!
Written 4 October 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Some more questions. What can I expect for the Peggy’s Cove hike? Is it strenuous? Do you need to be in “perfect” shape to do it?
Written 26 October 2018
After about an hour in the car, we walked in dirt trails that included some planks covering wet grounds. Good non slip shoes and balance are needed. We stopped every so often for the guide to share info or take a photo. It was not strenuous. There are no benches along the route so plan to be on your feet for an hour or so. We were then driven to the tourist area and had lunch in a sandy “beach” where the high tide comes in. After that, we walked to the lighthouse and were given about another hour to tour shops and take photos. So we likely walked 2-3 miles in total for the trip.
Written 27 October 2018
How much free time for exploring, etc do you have in Lunenburg? It looks like a nice place to visit.
Written 16 October 2018
We had about an hour from what I remember. It was extremely hot though the day we went so we’re were seeking shade. It is a most attractive place.
Written 17 October 2018
Use the company's website to see what tours are offered on by date. You can see for September 2018 they go to Fundy each Saturday but you should look at whatever month/year you plan to be there. Enjoy!
Written 14 September 2018
How much is a tour? I’m in Halifax for a conference and just heard about the meteor shower festival . Is anyone going? I have a friend in Mahone bay but no way to get there
Written 11 August 2018
Hi Lo,
We have numerous tours detailed on our website. We are not offering a meteor festival tour. Please check our website foe more details on our hiking/adventure tours.
Great Earth Expeditions
Thanks
Written 12 August 2018
How much is the tour, how long is the tour and how do I make reservations for August 1?
Written 4 July 2018
Hi Sandra,
We offer numerous tours, can you please let us know which tour you are inquiring about? Please see our website - greatearthexpeditions and email or call us for more information. All contact info is on our website.
Thanks
Written 5 July 2018
How much is your tour and how many hours?
Written 3 July 2018
tylermelnyk
Halifax, Canada
Hello, I'm a family of 4, me, my wife and my 2 kids are wanting to do a educational tour of Nova Scotia's outdoors. We only have 2 weeks of the summer free and we have a budget of 2000$. So I was just wondering much much this will all cost. Also wondering if you'd pick us up and bring us back to our hotel. If not that's okay because we have a minivan we can get around in. This tour sounds very interesting and i'm just curious, Thank you.
Written 17 January 2017
Please email us as I am having difficulty sending a reply through TripAdvisor site. It keeps erasing my message when trying to send.
Written 18 January 2017
I will be in port Oct.3rd Monday on a cruise from 9-6 p.m. I would like to hike, see the Bay of Fundy beach & collect some rocks or shells. I would like something for an experienced hiker.
Written 14 September 2016
bjmohio
Chardon, Ohio
Hi - realized I posted this in the wrong site - thinking of booking Great EARTH Expeditions walking tour of Peggy's cove and had a few questions I gathered from the description there is no tour around the city prior to the drive to the cove is that correct? How many are in the group generally? Do you take a different route to and from Peggy's cove or is the return route the same? How far is the pick up from where the ships dock - i.e. is it walkable? Thanks for your comments/responses
Written 11 September 2016
We do provide a quick tour of the city and stop at the Halifax Citadel and Public Gardens. Our groups are between 4-12 people and the route is different on the way back from Peggy's Cove as we follow St Margaret's Bay. We provide pick-up right from the cruise terminals. Email us if you would like to book the tour. Our email is found on our website.Thanks
Written 12 September 2016
I would like to visit Nova Scotia, New Brunswick and parts of Atlantic Canada in August; I am looking for a starting point with a good tour company in that area. Thank you
Written 27 April 2016
Thanks for reaching out to us! We provide tours in Nova Scotia only unless you have a group that would like to have custom tour designed to visit various parts of Atlantic Canada.
Do you have a group or traveling solo?
Please visit our website to view the tours we offer in Nova Scotia.
Thanks
Written 28 April 2016
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