Western Brook Pond, Gros Morne National Park

Newfoundland Discovery

from £2324 excluding flights

  • 13 nights
  • May-Sep
Home Destinations Americas Canada Newfoundland Discovery

Highlights

Humpback whales breaching

Look for whales, puffins and icebergs on a boat cruise

Western Brook Pond, Gros Morne National Park

Discover stunning scenery in Gros Morne National Park

St Johns, Newfoundland

Explore the colourful city of St John's

Iceberg Alley

Watch icebergs drifting south along Iceberg Alley

Bonavista Peninsula

Explore the scenic Bonavista Peninsula

canada newfoundland viking longhouse at l anse aux meadows istk

Uncover Viking legends at L’Anse aux Meadows

Why this trip...

early morning kayak istk activity based 01 white

Activities included

This itinerary features a range of included activities

Cabot Trail explore at leisure white

Explore at leisure

With the route, transport and accommodation sorted, each day offers the freedom to explore

Aoraki Mt Cook National Park tailor made white

Tailor made

This itinerary can be tailor made to suit you and is intended to give you a guideline of what is possible in a given timeframe

Overview

This itinerary allows for a leisurely-paced exploration of Newfoundland, Canada’s easternmost province. Visit two UNESCO World Heritage sites, uncover a fascinating Viking history and learn about the region’s unique geology. Along the way you’ll also encounter abundant wildlife, beautiful national parks, and a warm welcome from the locals.

Visit North America’s most easterly point on this well-paced touring holiday which offers the convenience of pre-booked accommodation en route. St John’s is your entry point into a raw and beautiful region that serves up easily accessible wilderness adventures and diverse culture in abundance.

On this holiday you’ll enjoy a boat trip in Bay Bulls to go in search of whales and the Atlantic puffin, learn about the way of life in remote fishing villages and gain an insight into Viking legend with a visit to L’Anse aux Meadows National Historic Site. Visit the enchanting white and pastel coloured clapboard houses of Trinity, marvel at ancient icebergs as they float through Iceberg Alley and spend time hiking in Gros Morne National Park. This is a great opportunity to see a different side to Canada!

When to go

The best time to see icebergs drifting along the east coast’s Iceberg Alley is from May to mid-July. Whales can be seen from May to September but the best chance of spotting the iconic humpback is during July and August.

Itinerary

Arrive in St. John’s, the capital of Newfoundland and Labrador province and pick up your rental vehicle. The rest of the day is at leisure exploring.

Downtown St John's
Quidi Vidi Harbour
St John's Battery

Enjoy a morning of sightseeing in St. John’s. Explore ‘The Rooms’, drive up Signal Hill for spectacular views and take a drive out to Cape Spear National Historic Site, the most easterly point in North America. Visit one of the province’s most photographed places, Quidi Vidi Village just 3 km from St. John’s. You may want to stop at Quidi Vidi Brewery for a refreshing iceberg beer.

Drive to Bay Bulls to take a boat excursion to see whales and the Atlantic puffin – if you are lucky you may even spot an iceberg. The best time to see the iconic humpback whales is during July and August however, whales can be spotted from May to September. Along the way explore the little villages that dot the coastline. After your whale watching excursion you may want to continue to Cape St. Mary’s Ecological reserve. The reserve is settled by thousands of sea birds nestled along the rocky shore’s edge, including thousands of northern gannets. Return to St John’s this evening.

Cape St Mary gannet colony
Atlantic puffins
Humpback whale

Today make your way to Trinity on the beautiful Bonavista Peninsula. You may wish to take the opportunity to drive to New Bonaventure to visit the film set of ‘Random Passage’, a mini-series outlining the story of the trials and tribulations of early settlers. The site today provides the opportunity to step back in time and experience what life might have been like in a fishing outpost in the early 1800s.

Explore the enchanting village of Trinity with its restored white and pastel coloured clapboard houses. Set along a dramatic coastline, here you’ll discover a sense of Newfoundland’s history and nature. Join the Trinity Pageant (Wed & Sat only), a walking theatre that meanders through the village enticing viewers to live the history of the area.

Recommended is a trip to Port Rexton to hike the Skerwink Trail. This easy walking trail will take you along the rugged coastline for spectacular views of the surrounding villages, set against a backdrop of the Atlantic Ocean. Perhaps also visit the Ryan Premises National Historic Site at Bonavista, a 19th century replica fish processing factory. Nearby you will also find the red and white striped Bonavista Lighthouse, and the Matthew Legacy, a replica of John Cabot’s ship which voyaged across the Atlantic to discover land in 1497.

Trinity, Bonavista Peninsula
Bonavista Lighthouse
Bonavista Peninsula

Enroute to Twillingate, pass through Terra Nova National Park, home to coniferous forests, ponds, and a plethora of walking trails. Continue towards Twillingate. In Boyd’s Cove make another stop at the Beothuk Interpretive Centre and visit an ancient Beothuk village discovered by archaeologists in the 1980s. Arrive in Twillingate, grab your camera and head out on the ocean with the afternoon Iceberg Watch boat tour, where you will have an opportunity to see icebergs, whales, sunsets and many other spectacular views that the beautiful island of Twillingate has to offer.

Iceberg spotting

Head west today to the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Gros Morne National Park. This wild and rugged landscape was shaped by colliding continents and ancient glaciers, and is scattered with little villages, bare-topped mountains, fjords and dense forests populated by moose and caribou.

After a leisurely morning to explore, enjoy an included boat tour on the spectacular freshwater fjord of Western Brook Pond. This vast landlocked fjord is a breathtaking sight, carved by glaciers and home to countless waterfalls and Canadian wildlife,

canada cruise on western brook pond fjord newfoundland nlt
Western Brook Pond, Gros Morne National Park
Moose, Gros Morne

Enjoy a day exploring Gros Morne National Park on your own, viewing glacial valleys, intriguing rock formations, magnificent sea arches and numerous types of wildlife. Take a hike on the Lookout Trail which provides panoramic views of the park, or tackle the Tablelands Hiking Trail, a 4km track that cuts across the barren rock. You might like to opt for a whale watching cruise on Bonne Bay, or learn about the geological significance of the Tablelands, where you can walk on the earth’s mantle.

Lobster Cove Head lighthouse, Gros Morne
Tablelands, Gros Morne
Bonne Bay, Gros Morne National Park

Today you’ll follow the Viking Trail route north to St. Anthony. Allow time for a stop in Port Au Choix and Port Au Choix National Historic Site where three ancient cemeteries of the Maritime Archaic People were discovered. The Visitor Centre gives great background to this culture with exhibits and artefacts.

Visit the L’Anse aux Meadows National Historic Site comprising the remains of the earliest European settlement in the Americas. The colony of Vinland was excavated in the 1960s and the artefacts are on display supported by a film. Walk to the original village and discover the full scale replicas of Norse buildings. Return to St. Anthony for the night.

L'Anse Aux Meadows

Make your way back down the peninsula to Norris Point, your base at the gateway to Gros Morne National Park. Perhaps stop off at Jenniex House, a traditional salt box house that has been restored as a museum, gift shop and cafe, with fantastic views of Bonne Bay and the Tablelands. The Tablelands were designated a World Heritage Site in 1987 to acknowledge its geological diversity and striking barren shapes.

Upon check out of your hotel drive to Deer Lake. Return your rental car and depart from Deer Lake Airport (local one way drop off fee applies).

Accommodation Options

With a wide choice of accommodation in Canada, we can mix and match different grades and styles to suit your personal preference – from motels and hotels to design properties and wilderness lodges in stunning locations.

  • delta st johns king deluxe guest room
  • newfoundland neddies harbour inn exterior
  • newfoundland neddies harbour inn double room with view

Prices and Departures

Price from £2324 excluding flights

Airfares start from around £550 per person and are quoted separately to the holiday price. When enquiring, our Travel Specialists will provide the best fare possible from your preferred airline / airport.
Note: Airfares tend to be cheaper the earlier you book.

What's Included

  • Accommodation in rooms with private bathroom
  • Intermediate car hire including GPS, unlimited mileage, 2nd driver, loss damage waiver and third-party liability
  • 10 breakfasts
  • Whale Watching cruise
  • Iceberg boat cruise
  • Western Brook Pond Cruise
  • Historic Sites Pass including admission to Cape Spear, Castle Hill, Gros Morne National Park, L’Anse aux Meadows, Terra Nova National Park, Port au Choix, Ryan Premises, Signal Hill
  • 24 hour emergency assistance from our team during your holiday
  • No surcharge guarantee
  • Full financial protection

This itinerary starts from £2,324 per person, based on 2 sharing a room with private bathroom in standard hotels, and rental of an intermediate vehicle.

  • Prices may vary depending on departure date. Please contact us for a detailed quote based on your preferred travel dates, vehicle category and style of accommodation, or to tailor this itinerary.
  • Please note a one way car hire fee may apply, to be advised at time of quotation.

Tailor made trips

As independent destination specialists, we are able to tailor make holidays to suit you, be that customising the itineraries shown on this website or creating something bespoke.

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