Live like a Local

This tour immerses you in the culture of “The Rock”. Whether you are singing along at a shed party, eating local delicacies, or becoming screeched in (don’t forget to pucker up for the cod), there are plenty of ways to experience life as an islander.

A Vast Wilderness

Newfoundland offers picturesque landscapes and rugged coastlines.  Discover the unique geographical features and ancient rock formations that give the island its nickname. If mother nature allows, spot icebergs, whales, puffins, moose, and more types of wildlife.

 A Canadian Signature Experience 

The Western Brook Pond boat tour is a once-in-a-lifetime, only in Newfoundland experience.  There is no better way to “behold the spectacular glacier-carved land-lock fjord” with its cascading waterfalls.

Two UNESCO World Heritage Sites

Of the five sites located in Newfoundland and Labrador, two are visited on this tour. Gros Morne National Park was recognized for its geological significance and L'Anse aux Meadows for its role in the history of human migration and discovery.

• Private coach transportation
• 9 nights of accommodation
• All entry fees and passes and the services of local guides

INCLUDED HIGHLIGHTS:

• Gros Morne National Park, The Tablelands, Bonne Bay Cruise or Western Brook Pond boat tour
• Port au Choix National Historic Site
• L’Anse Aux Meadows Historic Site
• Grenfell House Museum
• Prime Berth Twillingate Fishery & Heritage Centre
• Traditional Shed Party
• Gander Airport
• Meet & Greet with a True Gander Hero plus Newfoundland Screech-in
• Cape Bonavista Lighthouse
• Ryan’s Premise
• Cape Spear
• Bay Bulls Whale & Puffin Watching tour
• Guided city tour of St. John’s
• Choice of admission to The Rooms or The Johnson Geo Centre.

Day 1: Arrive in Deer Lake, Walk the Tablelands

Fly to Deer Lake on the west side of the province and travel to Gros Morne National Park for a guided tour of the Tablelands. Arrive at your hotel and settle in for your first night in Newfoundland. While here, you’ll enjoy dinner followed by local musical entertainment.

Stay: Rocky Harbour , NL

Nights: 1 

Day 2: Gros Morne National Park 

After breakfast, you will have the choice to enjoy one of two spectacular views of Gros Morne Park. Embark on a landlocked fjord cruise of Western Brook Pond, which boasts spectacular views of billion-year-old cliffs, or enjoy a boat cruise of Bonne Bay*. Once back onshore, travel to Cow Head where you’ll enjoy dinner followed by local entertainment. 

Stay: Cow Head 

Nights: 1 

Day 3: The Great Northern Peninsula 

Enjoy a leisurely start to your day as you travel the Great Northern Peninsula, the longest peninsula in Newfoundland. Your journey takes you along the coast with the opportunity to stop and capture some photos. Along the way, see the dramatic rock formations at “The Arches” and visit Port Aux Choix, a National Historic Site. 

Stay: Plum Point

Nights: 2 

Day 4: L’Anse aux Meadows 

Travel to the tip of the peninsula to the town of St. Anthony, home to Sir Wilfred Grenfell’s medical mission. A highlight of this day is a visit to the only authenticated Viking site in North America, L’Anse aux Meadows. It was here that Leif Eriksson led his explorers. Three reconstructed Norse buildings are the focal point of this stunning UNESCO World Heritage Site. Enjoy exploring the museum where you’ll learn about the life and contributions made to the North Shores of Newfoundland. 

Day 5: Gander 

Enjoy a relaxing travel day as we travel through the heart of this breathtaking province. After stopping for lunch, continue to Gander, made famous for their warm hospitality when they took in almost 6,000 guests during the 9/11 crisis in the USA. This evening’s dinner features a special meet and greet with one of Gander’s true heroes. Get a first-hand account of the event from a famous local.

Stay: Gander 

Nights: 1 

Day 6: Gander and Twillingate 

Today’s travels will take us to Twillingate to visit Prime Berth Twillingate Fishery & Heritage Centre, a private interpretative fishing centre and craft studio created by David Boyd as a tribute to his family’s generations of fishermen. Enjoy the hospitality of Karren Churchill and her guest-favourite Shed Party. On our way to Clarenville, we’ll stop at the Gander Airport, then we’ll travel through picturesque villages to arrive in Clarenville.

Stay: Clarenville

Nights: 2 

Day 7: Bonavista & Trinity 

Enjoy a day trip to colourful Bonavista that includes time to visit the iconic Bonavista lighthouse or stroll along the coastal pathways. Visit Dungeon Provincial Park, where you’ll find spectacular examples of the North Atlantic Ocean’s wave action and erosive power due to the ancient sedimentary rocks’ composition and thousands of years of continuous coastal erosion leaving the incredible feature you will see today. At Ryan Premises, you’ll learn all about the important history of the cod fisheries in Newfoundland. Before returning to the hotel, there will be time to explore Trinity, a beautiful, quintessential Newfoundland town, with historic sites, colourful buildings with white picket fences, artisan shops, and stunning coastal views. 

Day 8: Cape Spear & St. John’s 

Today we travel to Newfoundland’s capital on the Avalon Peninsula. In the morning, there’ll be stops in picturesque Petty Harbour and Cape Spear, the most easterly point in North America. After lunch, you will be treated to a guided city tour of St. John’s and have the evening to explore this colourful city.

Stay: St. John’s , NL

Nights: 2 

Day 9: Whale-Watching Tour 

Today you will take a memorable cruise out of Bay Bulls en route to Witless Bay Ecological Reserve. This protected area is home to over 500,000 Atlantic Puffins and the largest humpback whale population in North America. The afternoon is yours to do more exploring in St. John’s with options to visit The Rooms OR Johnson Geo Centre.  Say goodbye to new friends with a farewell dinner reminiscing about your fabulous time in Newfoundland.

Day 10: Travel Home 

After breakfast, depart for the airport for the journey home.

This tour is designed to showcase the best of Newfoundland in 10 days. It is a fast-paced tour so be sure to bring good walking shoes.

This itinerary includes several boat cruises.  Although for most people medication is not required, there may be some who may want to bring along a remedy for motion sickness.  You don’t want to let a little thing like that spoil these amazing experiences.

Tablelands Trail Hike Information

This is a moderate walk on a gentle trail with a packed but uneven surface.  The walking distance 1 – 3km does not provide a place to rest, and there is some standing while listening to the local guide, as the unique geology of this area is explained.

Western Brook Pond Tour

The walk to get to the Western Brook Pond Boat Tour is along a moderate 3 km trail (approx. 45 min walk) that leads from the parking lot down to the dock.