Newfoundland Adventure

 

St. John's	Quality Harbourview	2 nights
St. Bride's	Bird Island Resort	1 night
Trinity Bay	Sea Port Inn	2 nights
St. John's	Quality Harbourview	2 nights

Click on the name of the hotel or motel for details

9 days £1920

excluding international flights 

Experience the world's largest gathering of humpback whales and a fabulous diversity of marine wildlife on a guaranteed small group departure. While we can never promise whales, these dates include the prime whale watching season (100 per cent viewing success 1994-2012). 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, razorbilled auks, gannets, eagles, moose, caribou, and many other species of wildlife. Since 1993 (except 1999, 2005, 2006, 2009 and 2011) everybody saw icebergs on the June and July trips. We are anticipating great icebergs for 2013!  You will also get to enjoy eastern Newfoundland's museums, lighthouses, trails, wildflowers, songbirds, flavours, and the hospitality of the localpeople.

DAY 1 - Arrive St. John's.

Recommended flight from London: Air Canada from London Heathrow (see below). On arrival at St. John's Airport you will be met by a representative of World Discovery who will take you to your hotel. If you are travelling from a country other than the UK we would be happy to give you guidance on your flight options.

DAY 2 - St. John's: whales and seabirds.

This World Discovery holiday is in conjunction with a Newfoundland-based company who specialise in organising small group itineraries led by expert naturalists. Today begins with a boat voyage featuring whale watching, North America’s largest puffin colony, and tens of thousands of other seabirds. We like to start your holiday with a thrill as we travel to view members of the world’s largest summertime gathering of acrobatic humpback whales; and often we enjoy the company of other whale species including fin whales, minkes, and dolphins. Throughout the tour - and on this voyage - we will be looking for more exotic seabirds like shearwaters, jaegers, fulmars, and thick billed murres among the throngs of seabirds on the ocean. The islands we will travel to are one of the planet’s largest seabird reserves — so tens of thousands of puffins are guaranteed.  Expect an amazing and joyful morning. Next we savour a lunch featuring local flavors before visiting one of the New World’s earliest fishing villages.
Meals included: Full breakfast, lunch.

DAY 3 - Across Avalon Wilderness Area to St. Bride's.

Whales, members of the world’s most southerly caribou herd, a small puffin colony, a tern colony, and seals are usually seen as we 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 we make that marvellous spectacle and the small caribou herd the highlights of the day. We often get to enjoy lots of other wildlife including seabirds visiting from south of the equator. You will be enchanted by the gorgeous fishing villages and woodland wonders along the way as we travel to St. Brides for the night. Should southerly winds bring fog to this route, we will enjoy an alternative itinerary with coastal communities and wildlife watching as we travel to scenic St. Brides.
Meals included: Full breakfast, lunch.

DAY 4 - Continue to the Trinity Bay area.

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 thick-billed murres. We get great views of gannets, kittiwakes, and murres with their eggs and/or chicks. In season — usually mid-July — we enjoy some of the world’s finest land-based whale watching as the high seacliffs allow us to watch the whales cavort around their northern coastal feeding grounds. After lunch we explore Placentia, the first outpost of New France. We also show off our secret orchid patch and look for moose. The evening’s destination is the Trinity/Bonavista/Port Union area. Our route to the coast features a moose and black bear hunt (with cameras only!). Some years we enjoy a 90 per cent or higher success rate at finding moose over the week, but bears are much more elusive.
Meals included: Full breakfast, lunch.

DAY 5 - Trinity Bay.

This morning we go to sea again to enjoy more of the ocean’s wonders as we look for bald eagles and watch for whales. In 2007, our company’s naturalists established that sperm whales are consistently found during the summer in a portion of Trinity Bay and we will look out for them and other whale species. Our afternoon will feature more of what makes this area so special — trails, moose, osprey, songbirds, dramatic vistas, orchids, shore-birds, and numerous small museums and interpretation centres. In some ways this is an afternoon where we can cater to your interests. Bird watching, icebergs, lighthouses, flower walks, beachcombing, sea kayaking, land-based whale watching, photographing the local architecture, and hands-on marine biology programs are all possibilities. Many guests simply enjoy exploring the beautiful and historic community of Trinity. Wander through town on your own or walk with our knowledgeable guide.
Meals included: Full breakfast, lunch.

DAY 6 - Return to St. John's.

Explore more of the historic Bonavista/Trinity region.  Icebergs, giant chunks of 15,000 year old Greenland glaciers, and more whales usually add to the day’s photographic wonders.  Call in at nearby coastal settlements to learn more about Newfoundland’s unique cultures and flavours before returning to St. John’s for the evening.  Enjoy Friday and Saturday night out on the town in North America’s first city. Our leader will provide lots of suggestions about local theatre, entertainment, fine dining, and culture.
Meals included: Full breakfast, lunch.

DAY 7 - St. John's.

Travel to North America's most easterly point. You will further explore the trails, museums, and attractions of historic St. John's.  We also try to fit in another dramatic wildlife watching boat trip and look for more puffins and whales.
Meals included: Full breakfast, lunch.

DAY 8 - Depart for home.

Free in St. John's until your transfer to the airport for the flight home
Meals included: Full breakfast.

DAY 9 - Arrive home.

Arrive London Heathrow in the morning.

NB. The order of sightseeing may be changed to accommodate the weather or other unavoidable circumstances.

International Flights.

We recommend the services of Air Canada from London Heathrow. Current timings (subject to possible change) are as follows:
Heathrow/St. John's. Depart 12.35; arrive St.John's at 14.35
St. John's/Heathrow. Depart 21.50; arrive Heathrow at 06.25 (next day)

Newfoundland Holidays: Newfoundland Adventure (Tour Reference: WDCA040)
2013 Departures
Price per person based on a minimum of two persons travelling together:

Departures on Sundays	Price
2, 16, 30 Jun; 7, 14, 21, 28 Jul; 4, 11* Aug	£1920

* August 11 Departure:  We anticipate less wildlife on this departure but the cultural and scenic attractions will be wonderful.  You will still enjoy tens of thousands of puffins and gannets!  To date we have always found a few whales along the coast although the large numbers have moved north.

Single Room Supplement: £230

The price includes:

• Hotel accommodation as listed above in twin-bedded or single rooms with private facilities.
• 7 full breakfasts and 6 lunches as shown in the itinerary.
• All transfers and sightseeing as shown, including entrance fees.
• The services of a naturalist guide/tour leader throughout.
• 6.5% HST Tax (Newfoundland Government Tax).
  

Not included in the price:

• International flights (see our recommendation above). We are happy to discuss the flights with you and give you further guidance.
• International airport taxes.
• Optional sightseeing.

A deposit of £250 per person is required at the time of booking. The balance of the price for your Newfoundland holiday must be paid at least 8 weeks before your departure date.