Deer Lake to Gros Morne National Park

The programme begins in the afternoon as you are met at the airport in Deer Lake, Newfoundland. In the early evening, you begin your adventure with an overview of the holiday and perhaps a light hike in Gros Morne. The region is rich with moose, waterfalls, orchids, mountains, songbirds, and wildflowers.

3 nights in Gros Morne National Park.

Gros Morne National Park

Gros Morne provides one of the world’s great geology lessons, hence its United Nations’ World Heritage Site designation. This morning enjoy the gentle 60 minute walk to Western Brook Pond for a 2.5 hour boat journey through a billion years of geological history. The gorge, the mountains, and the glacier-carved valleys viewed during this boat trip have been included among the scenic highlights in Canada’s tourism literature for decades. The level trail’s highlights include orchids, carnivorous plants, and sometimes moose and caribou. The afternoon features beaches, dunes, spectacular scenery, and more opportunities for sighting caribou and moose. You will also have the opportunity to enjoy the region’s fishing villages and lighthouses.

Gros Morne National Park

Today travel to the centre of the Earth! More specifically, you will visit the Tablelands where an 80 square km slab of the Earth’s mantle has been shoved upwards from deep beneath the ocean floor. Some scientists say the Tablelands more closely resemble the surface of the moon than the rest of the Earth. Visit Parks Canada’s Discovery Centre and learn more about this UNESCO site’s intriguing history and geology, and marvel at the mountains and the visual spectacle of this glacier-carved landscape. This region features a unique collection of plants including high arctic species, southern mountain top varieties, and carnivorous plants that are tolerant of the heavy metal rocks. Your leader will share his in-depth knowledge of the geology and botany with you and show off some of Canada's secret fossil beds.

Gros Morne National Park to L'Anse-au-Clair

Today depart Gros Morne and take the dramatic Viking Trail highway north to St. Barbe and the Labrador ferry. Enroute visit The Arches, where the ocean has carved dramatic tunnels in the limestone rocks. The ferry ride requires an early rise, but is a holiday highlight with whales, seals, icebergs, puffins, and pelagic seabirds all commonly seen. Spend some time outside during the 90 minute ferry ride to view the marine wildlife and to enjoy the scenery. You don’t need to be a birder to appreciate the sights. This evening you have the option of sampling the delicious flavours of Labrador’s seafood.

2 nights in L'Anse-au-Clair.

L'Anse-au-Clair to Red Bay

Today you will visit Red Bay, the 16th century’s whaling capital of the world. Less than 50 years after Columbus, this little-known part of North America had a population of over 1500 European people whereas areas like Boston and New York were still wilderness. Weather permitting, you catch a boat ride to the actual dig site where you explore the trails walked by the Basques almost five centuries ago. The local leader is delighted to share this history with you. You will also visit Canada’s second tallest lighthouse at Point Amour. Another highlight is the oldest burial mound in North America — older than the pyramids. The entire Labrador Straits area is rich in birds of prey, wild flowers, and fossils. Grab your camera to capture the sweeping seascapes and the dramatic colours the sea takes on in this wild place. Your leader will show you the coastal sites where the land-based whale and seal watching is amazing. Return to L'Anse-au-Clair in the evening.

L'Anse-au-Clair to St Anthony

Today travel to Blanc Sablon, Quebec and take the Labrador ferry back to Newfoundland. Along the way you get your last look at Labrador’s whales, seabirds, lighthouses and seals. Once you arrive in St. Barbe, Newfoundland you travel to L’Anse aux Meadows to visit the only authenticated Viking site in North America. From here you can look out at Belle Isle which is the northern extreme of the Appalachians in North America. The ground where you stand (and where the Vikings stood) is the most northerly portion of Appalachia, the backbone of this continent. Parks Canada hold historic

re-enactments and recreate boats and buildings to bring the story of the Norse in the New World to life. Tonight you could rejoin the historic enactors for a Viking feast in a great sod-covered hall overlooking the headland frequented by Lief Ericson over 10 centuries ago. You can also consider a boat trip to look at dolphins, whales, and wildlife off the dramatic coastline. In June and July you often see icebergs in this area too.

St Anthony to Corner Brook

Today explore St. Anthony for an hour or two before returning to Deer Lake and on to Corner Brook for the night. St. Anthony on the northern tip of Newfoundland was the staging point for many northern expeditions. Arctic explorers used its sheltered harbour to take on sled dogs and other supplies as the world raced for the North Pole. Another St. Anthony highlight is the Grenfell Interpretation Centre, a Mission founded in 1882 by Dr Grenfell, an English doctor, to bring medical aid to the native and fishing families. Visit the interpretation centre that tells his inspiring story, friend to Kings and Presidents, and visit his actual home. Step back to the early days of the 20th century and enjoy the tales of dog teams, hardships, courage, and innovation that surrounded Dr. Grenfell. You will also explore the Maritime Archaic Indian exhibit at Port au Choix National Historic Park. This is the last archaeological site you visit on this holiday which is considered by some experts to be North America’s most diverse archaeological adventure. Learn about the trade, art, and artifacts of the ancient people that occupied this site 3,500 years ago.

Corner Brook

If your schedule permits you can explore some of Corner Brook from your well-located hotel. Your leader will have other exciting options for you to consider.