Newfoundland Adventure: From Deer Lake to St. John's

Arrive at any time. Please note that while today is your arrival day, the tour will begin tomorrow at the welcome meeting with your CEO. We have added this night in Deer Lake to the beginning of your itinerary due to the scarcity of options for arrival flights into this airport.

Included Experiences

• Arrival Day: Begin your adventure today. There are no planned activities so feel free to explore or rest up for the excitement ahead.

Attend a welcome meeting in Deer Lake before departing directly for Gros Morne National Park. Begin with a hike on the Tableland trail, which offers panoramic views along an old roadbed that skirts the base of the mountain. From here, visit the small, historic town of Woody Point and enjoy free time to explore on foot. Then, board a boat for a short ride across beautiful Boone Bay to Norris Point, saving an hour of drive time. Arrive to Rocky Harbour in the evening and choose to attend an optional group dinner together.

Included Experiences

• Meet Your CEO and Group: Your opportunity to meet your CEO and fellow travellers, and learn more about your tour. This will take place at 1:00 PM at the start hotel in Deer Lake. The group will depart for Gros Morne National Park right afterwards.
• Tableland Trail Hike: Start the CEO-led hike from the trailhead near Woody Point. Follow an old roadbed as it weaves along the base of the mountain. Search for plants, unusual rocks, and panoramic views. Finish the trail in the glacially carved Winter House Brook Canyon. The total distance is about 4km roundtrip, there will be about 88m of elevation gain and it will take 1-2 hours.
• Woody Point Free Time & Boat Ride to Norris Point: Enjoy time to explore the quaint fishing village of Woody Point on your own. Then, take in the views of the Tablelands, Gros Morne Mountains, and small communities dotting the shoreline on a 15-minute boat shuttle ride across the beautiful Bonne Bay. This route saves an hour drive and offers unforgettable scenic views the whole way.

Spend most of the day in Gros Morne National Park. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is situated on the western coast of the island of Newfoundland. Located in the park is the landlocked fjord of Western Brook Pond. Start with the Lobster Cove Head Lighthouse for a walk this morning on the trail and stop at the exhibit. Then, walk along a 3km trail to the dock for a boat tour on Western Brook Pond. A packed lunch will be had on board as you enjoy the pristine lake waters and the incredible scenery surrounding the boat. Return to Rocky Harbour in the late afternoon and enjoy time on your own in this quaint Canadian town.

Included Experiences

• Gros Morne National Park Visit: Gros Morne National Park is a UNESCO World Heritage site that boasts diverse landscapes from fjords and mountains to forests and coastlines. The area also offers a unique and visible example of continental drift and plate tectonics. Begin the visit today with the Lobster Cove Head Lighthouse. Walk along the trail with views of the water and visit the exhibit.
• Western Brook Pond Boat Tour: Set off on a boat tour on Western Brook Pond, a landlocked fjord with waterfalls, billion year old cliffs, and plenty of chances to see wildlife. Throughout the two hour boat tour, the group will learn more about the geological and historical features of this gorgeous place. You will walk from the parking lot to the dock which is about 3km and takes 45 minutes along a gravel and fairly flat trail.
• Free Time: Spend free time strolling along the sidewalks of the Rocky Harbour waterfront. Opt to check out the Town Square, artisans' shops, restaurants, and cafes. Listen to the sounds of the ocean and take in a fiery summer sunset (weather permitting). Choose to find a cute local spot for dinner and simply enjoy being outside. Rocky Harbour is a charming fishing village and a gateway to the stunning Gros Morne National Park, and is a great place for experiencing traditional Newfoundland culture.

Travel from Rocky Harbour to King’s Point. Here, enjoy the choice to accompany your CEO for a hike amid the natural beauty along the Alexander Murray trail, or to stay in town and explore the sites on your own. Later, continue to Twillingate and take in the stunning rugged coastline, lush country roads, and picturesque streets as you prepare for a relaxing evening. Dinner will be at your leisure.

Included Experiences

• King’s Point Visit & Free Time: King's Point is special for its natural beauty and outdoor activities. Known for the Alexander Murray Hiking Trail with 2,200 stairs and unforgettable views and the local art scene. During free time here choose to hike along the trail with your CEO and enjoy a packed lunch along the way. This will be 8km and 350m in elevation gain. Or choose to stay in town and visit a local restaurant for lunch. Then walk on your own to places like the King's Point Pottery Gallery or Heritage House.

Optional Experiences

• CEO-led Hike on the Alexander Murray Hiking Trail: Challenge yourself with a CEO-led hike along the popular Alexander Murray Trail. Located in picturesque King's Point in the Green Bay area the route is a mix of a natural walking trail, wooden stairs and amazing views from the 1100 ft. summit of the mountain ridge. Distance: 8km Duration: 3hrs Elevation Gain: 350m

Following breakfast the group will enjoy free time to explore Twillingate, the town known for its icebergs. visible in Notre Dame Bay and Iceberg Alley. Choose to join your CEO on one of the area’s hiking trails, visit museums and different art workshops in town, or book a whale and wildlife watching tour ahead of time. After lunch on your own, the group will drive to Trinity. Dinner will be on your own in this charming small town accompanied by a free evening. You can choose to join your CEO for a walk on Gun Hill for sunset, or book a show at the local theatre.

Please note, if you wish to book the whale and wildlife watching tour, it must be booked in advance with either Twillingate Adventure Tours for a 10 am departure or Iceberg Quest for a 9:30 am departure.

Included Experiences

• Free Time: Trinity, Newfoundland is known for its well-preserved heritage architecture, vibrant arts scene, and for being one of the province's oldest settlements. It was once a major trading centre for salt fish and boasts a beautiful harbour. Find your way around town by the old-fashioned street signage in calligraphy, watch a blacksmith at work, or visit the Cooperage to learn about barrel making. Later in the evening, choose to join your CEO for a sunset walk on Gun Hill to see golden hour colours over Fisher Cove. The walk to get to the top takes between 20 and 30 minutes. Or you could choose to book a show at the Rising Tide Theatre. This local establishment located in the heart of Trinity has been producing culturally rich and locally rooted performances for over 40 years.

Optional Experiences

• Gun Hill CEO-led Sunset Walk: Choose to join your CEO on a evening walk up Gun Hill. It will take between 20 and 30 minutes to reach the top where you can enjoy the views as the sun lowers over Fisher Cove.
• Whale & Wildlife Watching Boat Tour: Get out on the water and explore Iceberg Alley. Sail from Twillingate and stare in wonder at 12,000-year-old icebergs and try to spot humpback whales along the coastline. (98-115 CAD per person)

Today, encounter the wildlife of the Bonavista Peninsula with a visit to Elliston and the puffin viewing site there. Begin with a short walk along a narrow path and observe the colourful auks occupying a section of land at the end of this rocky outcrop. Then, spend free time in town for lunch on your own and the chance to book an optional visit to the nearby interpretation centre. In the afternoon, follow your CEO on one of the hiking trails along the peninsula which will be chosen based on weather. Each option will allow you to view and photograph seabirds, sea stacks, icebergs, and whales (in season), as well as the surrounding communities. Dinner will be at your leisure tonight back in Trinity.

Included Experiences

• Puffin Viewing Site Visit: Enjoy a walk on a narrow, well worn path for about 5 minutes to reach the local puffin viewing site. This is one of the best accessible locations in North America to view this beautiful bird. Between May and September the colourful auks occupy a section of the land at the end of a rocky outcrop. Observe, take photos, and simply enjoy the wildlife.
• CEO-led Hike Bonavista Peninsula: Spend the afternoon on a hike with your CEO on one of the trails along the Bonavista Peninsula. Your CEO will choose the trail based on weather and overall group ability. Options could be the Cape Shore trail to the lighthouse (3.5km along the coastline), Murphy's Cove Loop (7.7km coastal loop through abandoned community), and Skerwind Trail (5.3km coastal loop with wildlife viewing opportunities).
• Free Time: There will be an hour of free time in Elliston. Choose a local spot for lunch on your own and opt to visit the John C. Crosbie Sealers Interpretation Centre featuring a captivating experience and opportunity to learn the historic and cultural context of sealing in Newfoundland and Labrador.

Travel to Brigus, a picture-postcard town, reminiscent of the quaintness found in European villages. Enjoy a walk along the winding narrow lanes and visit the large tunnel cut through the solid bedrock near the harbour front. You’ll have some free time to explore and grab lunch on your own before continuing on to St. John’s. Here, visit Signal Hill National Historic Site and walk on one of the trails for gorgeous views of the rugged coastline and seascapes before a quick stop at the visitor centre. Later, set off on an orientation walk of this province's capital city and see the colourful row houses lining downtown. Attend an optional dinner this evening with the group.

Included Experiences

• Brigus Town Visit & Free Time: Spend a few hours this afternoon exploring the quaint town of Brigus. The well-kept, old-style architecture, stone walls, lush green gardens, and winding narrow lanes are reflective of the English, Irish, and Welsh heritage evident here. The group will walk through the charming town, visit an old tunnel in the rocky cliffs by the harbour, learn about the maritime history here, and enjoy free time for lunch. There will also be time for an optional visit to the Hawthorne Cottage National Historic Site, or to walk part of the Lighthouse trail if you choose. Brigus is famous for its annual blueberry festival and so trying one of the blueberry pastries (like cobbler, crisp, or pie) is a must.
• Signal Hill Visit & Walk: Enjoy a visit and walk around Signal Hill in St. John's. This national historic site is famous for its role in military history and communication breakthroughs (the first wireless transatlantic signal was received here in 1901). Walk around the area and take in the beautiful views of the city and Atlantic Ocean. Check out the iconic Cabot Tower and savour the rugged coastline. There may be time for a quick stop at the visitor centre.
• St. John's CEO-led Orientation Walk: As the capital of the Newfoundland and Labrador province, St. John's is one of the oldest and most easterly towns in North America. Become acquainted with the blend of English and Irish cultures here, and the Victorian architecture evident throughout the downtown. Get a taste of its steep hills, colourful row houses and long history.

Optional Experiences

• Hawthorne Cottage National Historic Site Visit: Hawthorne Cottage National Historic Site was the family home of one of Canada's most famed Arctic explorers, Captain Bob Bartlett. The setting offers unique insight into Newfoundland seafaring life and tales of Bartlett's numerous voyages and daring exploits.

Depart at any time.