The beautiful island of Newfoundland offers a range of exciting hiking, wildlife and sea adventure opportunities that are not readily accessible outside of Alaska, yet are within three hours flight of New York.. Straddling the mouth of the great St. Lawrence River, the island is influenced by the mix of cold and warm water currents which surround it, bringing whales and seabirds from the south, and icebergs, tundra and arctic wildlife from the north. This 8 day tour exlores the eastern region of the island within a few hours of the capital, St John's.  

We meet at 10 am on July 6th at our hotel in the capital of St John's (one night). We suggest you arrange to travel on Saturday July 5th and stay in St John's that night. This small city is a marvellous mix of old world charm, salt air smells, colorful buildings and harbor side sights and sounds. Today we'll explore the harbor area with its attractive lighthouse (photo) and learn about the history of this early North American settlement. 

Monday Day 2: We'll head north and west of St John's to Trinity Bay, and the much acclaimed lodging of the Fisher's Loft Inn, an establishment with very high environmental standards (three nights).

Day 3 & 4: Nearby our hiking scenery varies from cliff top to forest and tundra views, with Bald Eagles nesting on the coastal crags. Inland, Moose and Caribou are common, the most southerly Caribou herd in North America. Our travels will take in historic Cape Bonavista, where John Cabot first sighted land from his tiny ship, the Matthew in 1497. The historic lighthouse on the Cape still watches over passing shipping today.

Thursday Day 5:  We'll return to St John's (three nights) and use it as our base to explore the Avalon Peninsula and its famed Irish Loop.   Half of Newfoundland's population is of Irish descent. The ancestral connections here are still very strong, with accents, expressions and cultural affinities so Celtic you'll wonder did you leave Canada somewhere along the road.

Day 6 & 7: A series of tiny fishing hamlets are strung out along every bay, linked by a 500 km coastal walking trail. Each day we will hike a section of this trail, followed by visits to sites of local intetrest.

Offshore, Humpback whales  chase shoals of tiny capelin in the bays, offering great views to passing hikers. Masses of seabirds including puffins, murres, kittiwakes and gannets add to the great seabird spectacle. On one of the afternoons you'll have the option to take sturdy sea kayaks out on the water  to get closer to the whales and other sea life. We'll also ferry out to the islands of the Witless Bay Ecological Reserve to watch  breeding seabirds up close.  
 
Day 8: To St John's airport for flights home or continuing with your Canadian travels.

For those who might like an extended stay in Newfoundland, perhaps exploring the west coast with its fabulous Gros Morne National Park or visiting the Viking site at L'Anse aux Meadows, please ask about our Extended Stay service.