Newfoundland Adventure: Westbound

Intrepid Travel · 8 days

4.9

7 Reviews

Duration

8 days

Tour Type

Small Group

Accommodations

Moderate

Physical Rating

Light

Guide Language

English

Experience Overview

It's time to explore North America’s most north-easterly point, where the dramatic coastline, mighty fjords and wonderful wildlife will take your breath away.

Includes

Meals: Breakfasts (7), Lunch (1), Dinner (1)
Accommodation: Hotel (2 nights), Bed & Breakfast (1 night), Inn (2 nights), Cabin (2 nights)

Highlights

Marvel at Western Brook Pond, the spectacular, glacier-carved, landlocked fjord in Gros Morne National Park during a scenic boat tour that gets you closer to nature.
Meet locals on a historic walking tour of Trinity and hear about how Gander welcomed thousands of stranded travelers after 9/11.
Take a boat through the clear waters surrounding Twillingate, keeping an eye out for whales, seabirds and more.
Watch puffins at Elliston’s renowned viewing site – one of the closest land views one can get of these birds in North America.
Admire spectacular coastal scenery and head out to historic lighthouses that mark the easternmost point of Canada.

Trip Details

Duration

8 days

Transportation

Private Vehicle, boat

Guide Language

English

Starts

St. John's, Canada

Finishes

Deer Lake, Canada

Accommodations

Moderate

Travel Style

Explorer, Budget

Physical Rating

Light

Itinerary

Day 1: St. John's

Welcome to St John’s! Meet your group at a welcome meeting at 10 am this morning, then set out straight away on a leader-led tour of the city. Drive up Signal Hill for sweeping views of St. John’s Harbour, stopping at St John’s famous colourful houses on ‘Jellybean Row’ along the way. You’ll have free time to find some lunch, then take in the views at Cape Spear Lighthouse and maybe even make it to Canada's easternmost point. Later, join your group for a welcome dinner. Sample Jigg’s dinner pie (a classic Newfoundland dish), then pop over to a local pub for a traditional ‘screech-in’ ceremony that involves a shot of screech (rum) and kissing a cod. It’s more fun than you might think!

Included Activities:

St John’s – Local dinner
St. John’s – Leader led walking tour
St John’s – Cape Spear Lighthouse

Accommodation:

Hotel (Number of Nights: 1)

Day 2: Trinity

After breakfast, head to the town of Trinity. This small, working coastal community is considered one of Newfoundland’s best-preserved historic towns, and has retained much of its 18th-century character. There, you’ll join a local guide for a walking tour to learn about Trinity’s history and its Beothuk, French, Irish and English influences, and admire its colourful saltbox houses and winding lanes that hug the protected harbour. After, you might like to hike up Gun Hill for a bird’s-eye view of the town, or perhaps join your travel buddies for dinner at a local restaurant.

Included Activities:

Trinity - Walking tour with a local guide

Accommodation:

Inn (Number of Nights: 1)

Day 3: Trinity

Today it’s time to spot puffins at Elliston’s renowned viewing site. This is one of the closest land views of puffins in North America! See if you can also spot the Puffin King, a rock formation that looks like a puffin sitting on a throne. After you’ve seen the puffins, drive a short way north to visit the historic Cape Bonavista Lighthouse, a favourite subject of photographers in Newfoundland. Climb the stairs to the top of the tower and see the seal oil-fuelled light that was used in the 1800s.

Included Activities:

Elliston - Puffin viewing
Bonavista - Lighthouse visit

Accommodation:

Inn (Number of Nights: 1)

Day 4: Twillingate

This morning, head to the town of Gander. Here, you’ll meet with a local to learn about the role the unassuming town played in one of North America’s most significant events. Due to the closure of North American airspace on 9/11, around 6600 people were diverted to Gander – increasing the town’s population by 70% in a matter of hours. You’ll hear about what went into hosting those numbers, as well as the lasting impact it's had on the town. Stop for lunch at a local restaurant, then continue to Twillingate. There, you’ll take an afternoon boat ride where you can scan the sea for whales and seabirds. In the spring, you might get to see icebergs floating down the stretch of water known as Iceberg Alley. After, head back to your hotel and take it easy or explore Twillingate, known as 'The Iceberg Capital of the World.’

Included Activities:

Gander - Chat with a local
Twillingate - Seabird & Whale watching boat tour

Accommodation:

Bed & Breakfast (Number of Nights: 1)

Day 5: Rocky Harbour

Start the day with a visit to the Beothuk Interpretation Centre, which tells the history of the Indigenous Beothuk people who used to live on Newfoundland. You might like to leave an offering at the nearby Spirit Garden, to help keep the memory of this lost culture alive. Then, continue the drive, stopping to stretch your legs at Norris Point and Green Point along the way. Arrive in Rocky Harbour in the afternoon. Settle in, then maybe join your group for dinner this evening.

Included Activities:

Boyd's Cove - Beothuk Interpretation Centre

Accommodation:

Cabin (Number of Nights: 1)

Day 6: Rocky Harbour

Start the day in Gros Morne National Park with a stroll along the Western Brook Pond Trail and take in the view before boarding a boat for a scenic sail. Don't forget your camera. This glacier-carved, landlocked fjord is home to dramatic waterfalls that cascade from ponds atop the plateau, towering billion-year-old cliffs and abundant wildlife. Then, drive south to walk around the historic Lobster Cove Lighthouse and enjoy the view of the rolling waves and rocky beaches far below.

Included Activities:

Gros Morne NP - Western Brook Pond Boat Tour
Rocky Harbour - Lobster Cove Lighthouse visit

Accommodation:

Cabin (Number of Nights: 1)

Day 7: Deer Lake

Make your final visit to Gros Morne National Park this morning, where you’ll get to do something pretty extraordinary – walk on the earth’s mantle at the Tablelands. The orange landscape sits in stark contrast to the surrounding greens and blues – there are plenty of unique plants in the area, too like carnivorous sundews and the purple pitcher plant. After, continue to Deer Lake, where you might like to join your group for dinner to celebrate your adventures.

Included Activities:

Gros Morne National Park - Tableland trail

Accommodation:

Hotel (Number of Nights: 1)

Day 8: Deer Lake

After breakfast, your Newfoundland adventure comes to an end, and you are free to depart at any time.

Exclusions

Flights to and from origin and destinations
Airport transfers (unless otherwise stated)
Anything else not explicitly listed in tour inclusions
Recommended gratuities/tipping
Optional activities/tours
Personal expenses
Travel insurance
Visas, meals and beverages not stated in the list of inclusions.

Important Information

Meals

When meals are not included, your tour leader (where available) will be happy to help with restaurant recommendations, bookings, and directions. Please let us know if you have any dietary needs or preferences. We will do our best to accommodate these, though we cannot guarantee that every request can be met.

Luggage

You are responsible for your personal belongings throughout the tour. You will need to carry your own bags between the vehicle and your hotel room. Drivers will assist with loading and unloading luggage from the vehicle.

Mobility

Travellers requiring wheelchair access should contact our sales and service team, who can make enquiries on your behalf.

Fitness Level

This tour requires an average level of fitness. Activities are paced gently and include leisure time. You may be expected to join guided walks of up to one hour, navigate short stairways and mild inclines, and manage your own luggage. You should also be able to board and exit all transport without assistance.

Travellers are expected to be self-sufficient and capable of handling all aspects of their journey. Please discuss your circumstances and support needs with your booking agent to confirm this trip is suitable.

If you are unsure, we recommend consulting your doctor before booking or travelling.

Sightseeing

If a planned site visit is unavailable due to changes in operating hours or holiday closures, the itinerary may be altered, or a comparable activity will be substituted where possible and subject to availability.

Visas

Visa conditions can change. Once you receive your travel documents, check with the relevant embassy, consulate, or immigration office of your destination for the latest information.

It is your responsibility to ensure you have the correct and valid travel documents and to comply with all entry requirements.
Non-Australian citizens must also confirm visa and identification requirements with the appropriate consulate or visa agency.
Certain occupations (for example, journalists, government officials, or those working in charities) may face additional restrictions when applying for visas, which could affect the type of application required.

Departure Dates & Surcharges: See checkout for live dates and availability.

AUD $5,150

(Tour only)

Per Person Twin Share

Duration: 8 days

Trip Type: Small Group

Activity Level: Light

It's time to explore North America’s most north-easterly point, where the dramatic coastline, mighty fjords and wonderful wildlife will take your breath away.

Check Availability Brochure

Price based on per person in Double Room for departure 23 May 2027

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Customer Reviews

Overall Rating

Excellent

4.5

Guide

Excellent

4.5

Itinerary

Excellent

4.5

Accommodations

Excellent

4.5

Transportation

Excellent

4.5

Tour Operator

Excellent

4.5

Food

Excellent

4.5

5.0

Roland

Traveled, June 2023

08/23/2023

This was a fabulous tour that covered a huge amount in a short time – face to face encounters with puffins and icebergs particular highlights. Simon was an excellent and inspiring tour guide (many thanks Simon). If the tour could be extended to include a leg up to Labrador it would be close to perfect but even without that, worth every penny.

5.0

Lynette

Traveled, June 2023

06/26/2023

Loved the wildlife and natural scenery. Loved the quirky Newfoundlanders who made us welcome everywhere

Tour Operator

Intrepid Travel is a global adventure travel company, dedicated to providing sustainable, experience-rich travel opportunities. They’ve been the leader in ethical, small-group travel since 1989 - taking people around the world for more than 30 years. They’re the world’s largest travel B Corporation - dedicated to being the best travel company for the world. In 2002, they established The Intrepid Foundation so their travellers could make a lasting impact on the communities they had visited. Although Intrepid Travel absorbs all administrative costs of The Intrepid Foundation, they are separate legal entities, allowing The Intrepid Foundation to grow independently. Intrepid Travel is made up of a collection of tour operator brands and 28 destination management companies all united by one vision: To change the way we all see the world.

In Business Since 1989

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