Hike & Kayak Maine's Acadia National Park - United States Of America
SUMMARY
Stretch your legs while you explore lush natural landscapes that make concrete jungles pale in comparison. This five-day adventure covers the best bits of Acadia National Park, with hikes and kayaking trips taking you to the wonderfully named and beautifully picturesque Bubbles, Cadillac Mountain, Beehive and Porcupine Islands. Youâll crest multiple mountain peaks, tackle trails thatâll test your stamina (and reward it) and paddle along miles of pristine coastline. With some of the most scenic lunches youâll ever have and dinners at local restaurants included, this is both an epic adventure and a chance to pause, take a few deep breaths of fresh air and enjoy some respite from the usual routines.
TOTAL DURATION : 5 Days
GROUP SIZE : MIN 1 MAX 8
TOUR ITINERARY AND DATES
START : Bangor
END : Bangor
COUNTRIES VISITED : United States Of America
Validity : 01 JAN 2023 To 31 DEC 2024
Day :1
Location : Bar Harbor
Welcome to Bangor! After meeting your fellow travellers, youâll hop on a shuttle over to Acadia National Park for the start of your hiking and kayaking adventure. Thereâll be a short stop at the visitorâs centre before youâre quickly whisked away to the scenic Sand Beach â the starting point for your hike along the Great Head Trail. Pass by ocean views, rocky scrambles and hints of the areaâs history before looping back down south toward the wonderfully named Thunder Hole and Otter Cliff. Youâll enjoy a trail lunch with your group overlooking the Atlantic Ocean, where you might spot a seal or two swimming about! The final hike of your first day will take you to Jordan Pond â a glacially carved lake bordered by two rounded peaks known as the Bubbles. As you go, keep an eye out for beaver activity below or nesting peregrine falcons above.
Day :2
Location : Bar Harbor
After breakfast, youâll head out to conquer two of Acadiaâs highest peaks. First on the list is Cadillac Mountain, where your hike will start gently before easing into more of an incline. Thereâll be granite stairs and iron rungs to lend a hand but expect your lungs to get a workout! The effort will be well rewarded at the summit, where youâll get breathtaking views of Bar Habor, Frenchman Bay and the Schoodic Peninsula. After, head next door to Dorr Mountain â at the summit thereâll be a stop for lunch where you can enjoy an unspoiled ocean view. If time allows, after the descent, youâll head into Bar Harbor and visit a local museum to learn about the areaâs history and hear the stories of the Wabanaki people.
Day :3
Location : Bar Harbor
Today youâll go a bit further afield, travelling by ferry over to Winter Harbor/Schoodic Peninsula. This is the quieter side of Acadia with only 10% of visitors to the park making the journey over (meaning there will be even less in-between you and Mother Nature). When you arrive, youâll drive a loop round around the peninsula, taking in the views of lighthouses, seabirds and forested islands, stopping to take a few snaps. Then youâll be out on foot again for a walk from Blueberry Hill up the Anvil Trail, then onward to Schoodic Head. Thereâll be a stop for lunch at the summit as you pause to take in the panoramic ocean views. Once back at sea level youâll do some more exploring of Winter Harbor before heading home to Bar Harbor for the night.
Day :4
Location : Bar Harbor
Get up early this morning and head to Acadia to take on its most famous hike â the Beehive Loop. Sprinkled with steep cliff faces and narrow ledges, itâs not a hike for those who donât do heights! But for those that brave it out, youâll be rewarded with a commanding view looking back over Sand Beach and Great Head. Youâll descend using a gentler route around The Bowl, a serene pond, where a well-deserved lunch will be served. After heading back for some downtime at your accommodation, youâll then head out for a session of sea kayaking. Set off in tandem kayaks and paddle around the Porcupine Islands and along the coastline of Frenchman Bay, hopefully spotting a few harbor seals and porpoises as you go.
Day :5
Location : Bar Harbor
Your final day on Mount Desert Island starts with a shuttle toward Bass Harbor â a fishing village on the quiet side of the island. Along the way youâll check out a postcard-perfect view of a 19th century lighthouse which has featured on USA currency. Youâll then head on a loop hike, taking you through some of the parkâs most interesting and vertical cliff formations. Rocky steps and ladders will help you on your way to an incredible view of Echo Lake. With one peak down, thereâs only one to go as you take an easier wander through beech forest heading for the summit of the aptly named Beech Mountain. After taking a second and enjoying a few snacks, youâll head back down to your vehicle, have one last lunch together â then itâs back to Bangor where your adventure will end. If youâd like to extend your stay here, just speak to your booking agent.
Reference : IT