Scenic Wonders of Newfoundland and Labrador - 12 Days
12 Days
St John's
Deer Lake
***
Trafalgar Tours
Wild beauty, hospitality and centuries of maritime traditions await you on this Canadian tour. Each day brings a new adventure: meeting local fishermen, touring a nineteenth-century lighthouse and visiting a scallop farm. You’ll even take part in a local tradition to become an honorary Newfoundlander.
Itinerary
Day 1: Greetings St. John's
The colourful row houses of St. John’s add character to North America’s oldest English city, the jumping off point to your memorable journey through Canada’s easternmost provinces. You have the day to settle in from your travels before joining your Travel Director and fellow travellers this evening for a dinner. Then join local celebrity Sheila Williams for live entertainment and a traditional Newfoundland "Screech-in" ceremony that will make you an honorary Newfoundlander. Meet your Travel Director at 18:00.
Day 2: St. John's Sightseeing
Start the day with sweeping views from Signal Hill National Historic Site, where Guglielmo Marconi received the first transatlantic wireless message. Join your Travel Director for an orientation tour of St. John’s, taking in the colourful row houses and lively harbour before enjoying lunch at leisure. If you're keen to get out on the water, choose an Optional Experience cruise of Witless Bay Ecological Reserve. Depending on the season, you might spot puffins, humpbacks or minke whales. Later, visit Cape Spear National Historic Site, the easternmost point in North America, and take in its dramatic cliffs and lighthouse that has stood watch for generations.
Optional Experiences: (Optional Experiences are enhancements to your tour and can be booked through your Travel Director while on tour).
Witless Bay Ecological Reserve Boat Tour - CA$104 pp
Journey by boat into the Witless Bay Ecological Reserve, where you’ll have the chance to spot puffins nesting along the rocky coastline. This peaceful cruise offers insight into Newfoundland’s rich wildlife and marine environment, with local commentary bringing the reserve’s ecological importance and natural charm to life. Puffins typically nest here between May and August, while humpback whales may be spotted during their summer migration through these nutrient-rich waters.
Day 3: Go Back in Time to Olde English Settlements
The first stop this morning is Cupids, the second oldest English settlement in North America, rich in architecture and archaeological sites. Then depart to the Town of Brigus, known for its old-style architecture and historic significance as a strategic location for local fishermen. As you explore on your own and take in the English, Irish and Welsh heritage, the journey leads to Brigus tunnel where a stunning view of the wharf awaits. As the day comes to an end, depart for Clarenville and enjoy the night at leisure.
Day 4: Uncover The Natural Beauty of Bonavista
Admire the rugged beauty of the Bonavista Peninsula as you embark on a tour of the Lighthouse on Cape Bonavista. This mid-19th century lighthouse, still climbable today, used a seal oil-fuelled light to warn ships of the challenging coastline. See if you can spot whales, icebergs and puffins (seasonal) like the lighthouse keepers of yesteryear once did. Continue to the historic Newfoundland town of Trinity to meet a Local Specialist for a walking tour before returning to Clarenville.
Day 5: Discover the Impact of Gander
Join a Local Specialist this morning for a guided walk in Terra Nova National Park where you’ll explore sheltered inlets, headlands and forests – a beautiful brush with rugged landscapes. Continue to Gander to learn about the significant role this Newfoundland community played during the 9/11 disaster when thousands of air passengers were rerouted to the town moments after the terrorist attack.
Day 6: Uncover Earth's Secrets At Gros Morne National Park
Your first stop is the Whale Pavilion in King’s Point, where you’ll come face-to-face with a 50-foot whale skeleton, a striking reminder of Newfoundland’s deep connection to the sea. Follow your Local Specialist on a Make Travel Matter Experience along the Tablelands Trail in Gros Morne National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. See where the Earth’s mantle is exposed, offering a rare glimpse into our planet’s geological past. This evening, enjoy a Be My Guest experience at The Fish Sheds, a traditional fishing shed-turned-dining space, decorated with artefacts from the industry. Hosts Becky and Alex welcome you to their outdoor table overlooking Bonne Bay, where you’ll sit down to a three-course meal made from fresh, local ingredients. They’ll share personal stories of Newfoundland’s food culture, traditions and their deep love for the natural environment.
Day 7: Voyage Through Gros Morne National Park
Unlock your natural surroundings with an optional boat tour exploring Gros Morne National Park. With everything taken care of, enjoy live commentary about the rich cultural history of Bonne Bay including its biodiversity and wildlife. Later, visit the Lobster Cove Head Lighthouse to learn about the heritage of the park.
Optional Experiences: (Optional Experiences are enhancements to your tour and can be booked through your Travel Director while on tour).
Bonne Bay Boat Tour - CA$89 pp
Climb aboard our catamaran, the EMM-CAT and cruise the two connected fjords of scenic Bonne Bay while taking in the pristine waters, breath-taking scenery and treasures of the Bay. Live commentary throughout the cruise highlights the geological wonders, the rich cultural history and the Bay’s fascinating diversity. In this incredible setting, it is a great opportunity to photograph the extraordinary wildlife such as bald eagles, moose, whales, and seabirds.
Western Brook Pond Tour - $115 pp
Explore spectacular glacier-carved land-locked fjords, waterfalls and wildlife on a pristine lake.
Day 8: Taste The Wilderness At Arches Provincial Park
An early start to the day sees us trace the rugged coastline of Western Newfoundland with a stop at Arches Provincial Park. We’ll visit L’Anse aux Meadows National Historic Site for a tour of the UNESCO-listed 11th-century Viking settlement, followed by dinner.
Day 9: Shuck Scallops In Blanc Sablon
Our first stop on today’s journey to Labrador is in scenic Fisher Point. We’ll take the ferry to Labrador in the afternoon, arriving in Blanc-Sablon where you’ll Dive Into Culture during a visit to a scallop farm and learn how to shuck a scallop like a local. Taste the difference between a live and cooked scallop accompanied with wine.
Day 10: Voyage Back in Time at Red Bay
Join a Local Specialist this morning for a guided tour of the UNESCO-listed Red Bay National Historic Site, once a major whaling point on the Atlantic. You’ll tour the tallest lighthouse of Atlantic Canada, Point Armour Lighthouse, enjoy the rest of the evening at leisure.
Day 11: Unmask the Ancient History of Newfoundland
We leave Labrador, now bound for Newfoundland on the ferry. Encounter millennia of human history at the crossroads of four ancient cultures in Port aux Choix National Historic Site. This evening, we enjoy a dinner with new friends at one of Trafalgar’s Stays with Stories where we’ll stay overnight.
Includes
- 11 nights in handpicked 3 & 4 star hotels in great locations
- Comfortable coaches with bathroom facilities (w/c)
- 24/7 personal service – knowledgeable Travel Director & expert driver
- Porterage, plus tips and gratuities at hotels and restaurants are included
- Meals as stated in the itinerary
Excludes
- Flights - please call us on 0844 80 444 80 to obtain a quote and book flights
- Pre & post nights - please call us on 0844 80 444 80 to obtain a quote and book additional nights
- Driver & Tour Director gratuities - these can be pre-paid, please ask your reservations agent when booking your tour
Choose Your Departure Date
Prices shown above are per person based on 2 adults sharing. For single, triple, quad and child prices please call us for a quote.
Please call us on 0844 80 444 80 to check the latest up-to-date availability and to book your tour.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
How much is the deposit to secure a tour and when is the balance due?
A deposit of 10% is required when making your booking.
The balance of the holiday cost must be received by us no less than 10 weeks prior to your date of departure. Bookings made within 10 weeks of departure require full payment at the time of booking.
For some tours or if there is a special "Early Booking offer", the balance maybe due sooner than 10 weeks before departure, in this case you will be advised at time of booking when the balance due date would be.
The balance payment date will be shown on your confirmation invoice.
Payments can be made by debit card, credit card or bank transfers.
YOUR PAYMENTS TO US ARE FULLY FINANCIALLY SECURE FOR YOUR PEACE OF MIND: Where your confirmed travel arrangements include a flight and you are resident in the UK (or EU) or the flight departs from, arrives in or transits the UK, this is financially protected through our Air Travel Organiser’s Licence (ATOL) number 6874 managed by the Civil Aviation Authority, Gatwick Airport South, West Sussex, RH6 0YR, UK, telephone 0333 103 6350, email claims@caa. co.uk.
CANCELLATIONS: Cancellations t&c's can differ from operator to operator, these will be confirmed to you with your booking confirmation. For our general Terms and conditions and general cancellation details please click here.
What does the tour cost include?
The per person price listed covers all hotel accommodations, taxes, all applicable sightseeing and admissions as per the itinerary, motor coach, cruise or rail transportation, services of a professional Travel Director, all meals as shown in the itinerary and luggage handling. All tips have been included for services on trip by dining-room staff, chambermaids and porters at hotels, airports, docks and train stations.
Can i book flights through you?
Yes, we can offer competitive airfares with all the major airlines.
When booking a package with us that includes flights and a tour, your package is then fully ATOL bonded by the CAA for your full financial peace of mind.
Please call us on 0844 80 444 80 and our travel experts will be able to provide a quote for any flight requirements.
You are, of course, welcome to book flights independently but we are therefore not responsible should your flights be delayed and you miss any part of your tour or other arrangements booked with us.
Can i add additional hotel nights before or after my tour?
Many of our clients choose to add extra hotel nights to spend a little more time in their chosen destination. You can reserve additional hotel nights before or after your tour.
Please call us on 0844 80 444 80 and our travel experts will be able to provide a quote for your additional nights and assist with your requirements.
Can i book twin beds or triple/quad rooms?
Yes, we have options for twin (2 beds) and triple/quad room configurations.
If you a travelling in a party of three or four adult guests, please call us on 0844 80 444 80 and our travel experts will be able to provide a quote for your requirements.
For double rooms (2 guests), 1 Double/Queen or King bed is the normal, Twin beds can be requested at time of booking.
For triple rooms (3 guests) these will normally have 1 Queen/King bed and a fold out bed, or 2 Queen/King beds and a fold out bed.
For Quad rooms (4 Guests) these will normally have 2 Queen/King beds.
How much is the solo/single supplement?
Escorted tours are the perfect option if you're travelling solo, combining the camaraderie of a smaller group with the independence of a solo trip. Many tours offer solo room share options, or a competitive solo supplement.
Please call us on 0844 80 444 80 and our travel experts will be able to provide a quote for your requirements.
How many guests will be on this tour?
Trafalgar welcomes guests from all over the world to have an amazing, shared travel experience. While we can’t share details of who you’ll be travelling with and how many people are on your tour in advance of your tour, you can see our average group sizes below. You’ll meet your group at your tour welcome when you start your trip.
Europe trips: An average of 40 to 45 guests and a maximum of 53
United States and Canada trips: A maximum of 52 guests
Australia and New Zealand trips: A maximum of 50 guests
Asia trips (except Sri Lanka): A maximum of 32 guests
Sri Lanka trips: A maximum of 48 guests
Africa trips: A maximum of 36 guests
Latin America trips: A maximum of 40 to 45 guests
How much walking will be on this tour?
With your comfort in mind, Purely Escorted Tours assigns every tour an activity level. The activity level for your chosen tour is displayed in the tour introduction.
Leisurely: Tours will typically have 1-2 miles of walking per day on primarily flat surfaces and with some stairs.
Balanced: Tours typically have up to 1-3 miles of walking per day, which may include some uneven surfaces such as cobblestones and stairs.
Dynamic: These journeys can feature 4+ miles of walking on some days and may involve some steep hills.
Do your coaches have on-board wifi and bathroom faclilites?
Regardless of where in the world your tour visits, we do our best to ensure your coach is as comfortable as it can be. However, there can be differences depending on where in the world you're visiting:
Europe, North & South America, Australia & New Zealand trips:-
We pride ourselves on having the best-in-class fleet of fuel-efficient coaches. The high vantage point from your coach’s window means you can take in all the glorious scenery, whether it’s a vast rural landscape or an urban city centre. Facilities you’ll enjoy are:
- Reclining seats
- An on-board restroom
- Charging points (please note that these are power points, and not USBs)
- WiFi
- Air-conditioning
Africa & Asia trips:-
Africa and Asia tour vehicles do not have Wi-Fi. On Asia trips, there are no onboard rest rooms, but we always ensure there are regular rest stops.
Are gratuities included for the driver, tour director and at restaurants etc?
Gratuities are included at hotels and restaurants. And, you have the option to pre-pay your Travel Director and driver gratuities before you travel if you wish.
Please call us on 0844 80 444 80 and our travel experts will be able to provide a quote for you to pre-pay driver and tour director gratuities.
Do you offer/include Travel Insurance?
Travel insurance is not included in your tour and we do not offer travel insurance.
Please procure Travel Insurance before travelling. This will protect you and will give you peace of mind before you travel and whilst on your tour.
We suggest that your insurance covers the following:
- Cancellation or curtailment of your vacation due to medical or other reasons
- Loss or damage to your property and baggage
- Loss of cash, credit cards etc
- Medical costs and personal accidents
Certain countries require visitors to have valid medical insurance on entry and in Europe, you may find that doctor's surgeries, dentists and hospitals often require payment in cash prior to providing services. Whilst rare, medical evacuation can be exceptionally expensive.
Do remember to bring a copy of your policy, contact phone numbers and details of how to claim when you travel.
Should you choose to travel on Purely Escorted Tour without the required travel insurance, you will have full responsibility for all expenses (trip interruption, trip delay, medical expenses, quarantine expenses and emergency evacuation/repatriation) that may arise while travelling with us.
What does a guaranteed departure mean?
A guaranteed departure means the tour will operate no matter how many people are booked to travel on that departure.
In the slim case that a guaranteed departure you are booked on has to be withdrawn due to unforeseen circumstances, you are entitled to a full refund on the funds already paid, or if flexible with your time, we can move you onto another departure that suits you.
What do I need to know about border crossings, visas, entry requirements and passports?
Depending on your nationality, you may need visas to enter certain countries included on your trip. Please note that obtaining visas can take up to six weeks and so it is strongly advised that you consult your local Consulate or Embassy of the country you are visiting to determine which visas they require and how to obtain them.
Note: Purely Escorted Tours is not responsible for obtaining any necessary visas required on your tour.
Information about border crossings and visas, entry requirements varies by destination. Please check the destination you're visiting below for more information:
Europe trips:
Each guest must ensure that their passport is valid for at least six months beyond the conclusion of their trip and that they have acquired all necessary visas and permits. Multiple-entry visas may be required if you are entering a country more than once on your holiday.
Guests are advised that only the countries you plan to visit can provide up-to-date information about their specific visa requirements. Guests should contact the nearest embassy or consulate of the countries they plan to visit well in advance of travel. Please check your itinerary carefully. Remember that requirements vary based on a passport's place of issue and that the process can take time.
Check that multi-entry visas have the correct entry dates and destinations before you travel. Please be aware that with some itineraries, you may travel through a country without making an overnight stop. If this happens on your itinerary, you will still need a visa to enter/exit the country for example an ETA when transiting through UK & Ireland.
Please ensure that you carry proper identification with you at all times, as border crossings will need to see your entry documents and passports. Usually crossing borders is a very straightforward process that is managed by your Travel Director. However, be advised that you may be required to open your luggage and answer simple questions about the length of your stay, purpose of travel, etc.
United Kingdom and Northern Ireland trips incl transiting travellers:
From January 8, 2025 UK law requires travelers both entering and transiting through the UK and Northern Ireland to obtain an Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) which must be obtained in advance of travel.
UK eTA applications can be made at the UK Governments official website.
USA trips incl transiting travellers:
US law requires travellers both entering and transiting through the United States are required to obtain an Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) which must be obtained in advance of travel.
ESTA applications can be made at the U.S. Customs and Boarder Protection website.
Canada trips:
Canadian law requires travellers both entering and transiting through Canada to obtain an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) which must be obtained in advance of travel.
eTA applications can be made at the Government of Canada's website.
Rest of the World trips:
Each guest must ensure that their passport is valid for at least six months beyond the conclusion of their trip and that they have acquired all necessary visas and permits. You are responsible for obtaining all necessary visas before the departure of your guided holiday. Depending on your nationality, you may need visas to enter certain countries included on your trip. Please note that obtaining visas can take up to six weeks before your departure. It is strongly advised that you consult the local Consulate or Embassy of the country you are visiting well in advance to determine which visas they require and how to obtain them.
What if I have mobility issues?
Please notify us of any disability requiring special assistance prior to travelling. We will try our best to accommodate you throughout the tour and will inform the hotels.
What if I have food allergies?
Please advise us of any dietary requirements. We will make arrangements with our suppliers where possible.
You will also need to talk to your Travel Director at the beginning of your tour and they will do their utmost to arrange an alternative menu at the hotels and restaurants.
How much luggage can I bring?
Travelling on a Purely Escorted Tour entitles each guest to travel with one suitcase not exceeding 23kg (50lbs) in weight, with dimensions not exceeding 77.5cm (30.5in) x 56cm (22in) x 32cm (12.5in).
In addition guests may also bring one item of hand luggage that is small and light enough to be carried onto the coach and fit underneath the seat, or in the small overhead compartment above. (Luggage with adjustable handles and wheels will not fit).
Please test the weight of your baggage prior to travel. You should be able to lift and comfortably transport it for short distances.
Baggage allowances vary from airline to airline and you should check with your chosen carrier for details prior to travel.