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2008
Tour
and Booking Information
Newfoundland Adventure
Our Most
Popular!
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 per cent viewing success 1994-2007). 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 and 2006) 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
holiday. 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. We like to start
your holiday with a thrill as we usually see members of the world's
largest summertime gathering of acrobatic humpback whales; and often
we enjoy the company of other whale species. The islands we visit
are one of the planet's largest seabird reserves — 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.
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 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 caribou herd the
highlights of the day. We usually get to enjoy lots of other
wildlife including pelagic seabirds visiting from south of the
equator. We have even found the occasional Antarctic seabird feeding
along the coast. Our 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.
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 sea
cliffs allow us to watch the whales cavort around their northern
coastal feeding grounds. Then we're off to explore the first outpost
of New France. We also show off our 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). We enjoy a 90 per cent 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, experiencing what makes this area so special —
moose, osprey, orchids, shore-birds, song birds, and much more.
Overnight Terra Nova National Park
area
Day
6 Explore the lighthouses, history, wildlife, and
coastlines of Bonavista and Trinity Bays . In some ways this is a
day at leisure where we 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. We 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. Our leader will provide lots of
suggestions about local theatre, entertainment, and culture. Enjoy!
Overnight St.
John's
Day
7
We usually enjoy another ocean cruise in
search of whales and wildlife before traveling to North America's
most easterly point. We further explore the trails, museums, and
attractions of historic St. John's.
Overnight St.
John's
Day
8 Free in St. John's
until we bring you to the airport.
Notes
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
Other
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. For
example, on trip 5, you arrive on June 29. We will meet you at the
airport. The order of holiday events may be changed to accommodate the
weather or other unavoidable circumstances.
Terms
and Conditions
*13 per cent Canada/Newfoundland
Harmonized Sales Tax (HST) is not included. Non Canadians
receive a FCTIP tax credit on their invoice from us and thus
actually pay only 6.5% HST.
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