Newfoundland Adventure from St. Johns - Single Occupancy

Experience the world's largest gathering of humpback whales and a fabulous diversity of marine wildlife. Small groups and giant landscapes are featured. These departures are all guaranteed to go. While we can never promise whales, these dates include the prime whale watching season (100 percent viewing success 1994-2005).

Most years we see the largest numbers and varieties of whales between late June and early August. The seabirds are thinning out by late July but everybody should see murres, puffins, razor-billed auks, gannets, eagles, moose, caribou, and many other species of wildlife. Since 1993 (except 1999 and 2005) everybody saw icebergs on our June and July trips. Guests also get to enjoy eastern Newfoundland's museums, lighthouses, trails, wildflowers, songbirds, flavours, and local folks.

Itinerary

Day 1: Pick up at airport and short orientation excursion around St. John's. An evening slideshow or photo exhibit will introduce you to the highlights of the upcoming tour. Relax and get ready for the adventure. (Overnight St. John's)

Day 2: Today begins with a boat voyage featuring whale watching, North America's largest puffin colony, and tens of thousands of other seabirds. Your tour starts with a thrill as you usually see members of the world's largest summertime gathering of acrobatic humpback whales; and often you will enjoy the company of other whale species. The islands you visit are one of the planet's largest seabird reserves - expect an amazing and joyful morning. Next you savour a lunch featuring local flavors before visiting one of the New World's earliest fishing villages. (Overnight St. John's)

Day 3: Whales, members of the world's most southerly caribou herd, a small puffin colony, a tern colony, and seals are usually seen as you circle the Avalon Wilderness Area -- a 1,000 square kilometre park. Sometimes the whales are lunge feeding on a local beach -- and when this is happening you make that marvellous spectacle and the caribou herd the highlights of the day. You usually get to enjoy lots of other wildlife including pelagic seabirds visiting from south of the equator. Some groups have even found the occasional Antarctic seabird feeding along the coast. Your leader will find all the highlights for you. (Overnight St. Brides)

Day 4: The morning starts with a visit to the continent's third largest gannet colony. This site is also a breeding ground for thousands of other seabirds including the world's most southerly breeding thick-billed murres. You get great views of gannets, kittiwakes, and murres with their eggs and/or chicks. In season -- usually mid-July -- you enjoy some of the world's finest land-based whale watching as the high sea cliffs allow you to watch the whales cavort around their northern coastal feeding grounds. Then you're off to explore the first outpost of New France. You will also see the secret orchid patch and look for moose. The evening's destination is the Terra Nova National Park area. Tonight or tomorrow night usually features a moose and black bear hunt (with cameras only). You will enjoy a 90 percent or higher success rate at finding the moose, but bears are much more elusive. These hunts are always fun! (Overnight Terra Nova National Park area)

Day 5: Examine Newfoundland's marine ecology, as a morning-long boat trip takes you to see bald eagles and to view more of the wonders of the ocean. Icebergs, giant chunks of 15,000 year old Greenland glaciers, and more whales usually add to the day's photographic wonders. Spend the rest of the day on Terra Nova's walking trails, expereincing what makes this area so special - moose, ospery, orchids, shore-birds, songbirds, and much more. (Overnight Terra Nova National Park area)

Day 6: Explore lighthouses, history, wildlife, and coastlines of Bonavista and Trinity Bays. In some ways this is a day at leisure where the tours try to cater to your interests. Bird watching, icebergs, flower walks, beachcombing, sea kayaking, whale watching, and hands-on marine biology programs are all possibilities. You call in at nearby settlements to experience the scenery, culture, and local flavors before returning to St. John's for the evening. Enjoy Friday and Saturday night out on the town in North America's first city. Your leader will provide lots of suggestions about local theatre, entertainment, and culture. Enjoy! (Overnight St. John's)

Day 7: You usually enjoy another ocean cruise in search of whales and wildlife before traveling to North America's most easterly point. You further explore the trails, museums, and attractions of historic St. John's. (Overnight St. John's)

Day 8: Free in St. John's until you are brought to the airport.

Schedule

June 6-13
June 13-20
June 20-27
June 27-July 4
July 4-11
July 11-18
July 18-25
August 1-8
August 8-15

FAQ

Q) What is the weather like?
A) Day-time summer temperatures can range from 10-25 °C (50-75 °F), while nights may go a few degrees lower. The weather is quite changeable, so be prepared. It is not unusual for people to wear T-shirts and shorts while viewing 15-storey-tall icebergs.

Q) What should I bring?
A) Along with the clothing you would regularly bring, take a warm sweater, raingear, light boots, and (very important) your camera and binoculars. Sunscreen is very important for boat trips as the sunlight reflects off the water. Leaders carry field guides and local literature for you to enjoy during the tour.

Q) Will we see whales?
A) In season - late June to early August - visiting groups have always seen humpback whales. Often other whale species - minke, dolphin, fin - are also seen. There may be single days when whales elude you, but during this time the whale watching is the best in the world. Every summer there are days where guests see four to six species and dozens of individuals. There has been extensive studying and watching of whales since 1979 without incident, but there is always the possibility that climatic or oceanographic changes might cause a redistribution of these animals. No one can make promises for nature, but she has been very good to guests over the years.

Q) Are there any dangerous plants or animals?
A) Newfoundland does not have any snakes, other reptiles, skunks, poison ivy, poison oak, or ragweed. Lyme disease has not been found here. Common sense will prevent most problems. Occasionally groups will see black bears. Your guide will advise you on the best way to avoid these powerful animals, but common sense is still your most important asset. Mushroom lovers please note: Newfoundland has a wonderful and diverse mushroom fauna, but the indicators of safe mushrooms in Europe usually denote hazardous North American species. To be safe it is best to avoid picking them.

Q) Are there many flies and mosquitoes?
A) As with any wild place, there is a diversity of insect life. You spend most of your time in coastal areas where there are very few pests. Even when you go inland the flies are seldom a serious problem. However, you should prepare for flies on the in-land stops of the Labrador portion of the Viking Trail Experience.

Q) I have vertigo. Will this be a problem? What about seasickness?
A) Although you do travel near some cliffs, you will not be required to walk close to a cliff edge at any point. You visit a spectacular gannet stack, which is also used for land-based whale watching. American writer Robert Finch said this about the place: "Here a person could go up to the very lip of oblivion with nothing to stop him but the will to live." You can, however, enjoy the wonders without going too close. In fact, a traditional ballad, Let Me Fish Off Cape St. Mary's, inspired by this remote, rugged place is perhaps the most haunting song in the large repertoire of unique Newfoundland music. If you are prone to seasickness, you can still fully participate in Newfoundland Adventures. There is flexibility to avoid rough seas, and usually the waters are so calm that seasickness is not an issue.

Q) How safe is the city?
A) St. John's people have a long tradition of welcoming visitors and providing world-famous hospitality. The city's roots go back over 500 years. Its rugged, sometimes bloody history has somehow shaped it into one of North America's most peaceful and friendly urban areas. St. John's boasts North America's lowest murder rate, and the urban parts of the entire province are protected by the last police force on the continent to carry firearms. (Despite the low crime rates and a decline in offences, the police succumbed to "pistol envy" in 1998 and became an armed force.) There is very little crime, but guests should always follow the basic rules of travel safety.

Q) How good are the tour leaders?
A) Your leaders boast a great mix of local experience and knowledge. Some are authors, others are professors, and all sport a unique mix of knowledge, humor, and training. Expect a qualified, remarkable, and fun traveling companion.

Q) I am a birder. Is this a good vacation for me?
A) This tour features some of the world's most significant seabird colonies but you will also take the time to enjoy land birds, wildflowers, whales, moose, and everything else nature has to offer. The hotel in Terra Nova National Park features some very good birding trails and your leaders often lead early morning bird walks (while the non-birders continue sleeping). Birders and all interested guests receive Newfoundland bird checklists and your leaders all carry field guides. A person who loves birding and enjoys other aspects of a tour (scenery, culture, music, butterflies, plants, animals, etc.) will enjoy this tour.

Q) What is the biggest challenge of these tours?
A) The exotic location at the continent's eastern edge usually makes it necessary to book airline tickets early in order to select your choice of travel dates and receive the best airfare.

Included:
Accommodations in fine quality local hotels; experienced naturalist guide; all breakfasts and lunches; all admissions; ground and boat transportation; airport pick-up and drop-off

Not Included:
Transportation to and/or from Newfoundland

Notes:
Meals are a highlight and feature Newfoundland specialties such as bakeapple tarts and partridgeberry pies. For each tour the day of arrival is considered Day 1. You will be met at the airport. The order of tour events may be changed to accommodate the weather or other unavoidable circumstances.

30 DAYS MINIMUM ADVANCE BOOKING REQUIRED. Hotel pick ups are not included. Rates are in US Dollars. Please reserve online, or call us toll-free at 800-719-3312.