Newfoundland Circumnavigation - 10 Nights

Starts: St. John's, NL

Finishes: St. John's, NL

2010 Departure Dates:

September 18 to 28,

Included

• All entry & park fees
• Complete itinerary
• Team of resource specialists
• Educational program and pre-departure materials
• All shipboard meals
• All Zodiac excursions
• Service charges and port fees

What better way to see a place so shaped by sea than by ship? The warmth, wit and hospitality of her people, the soul stirring music and the rough beauty of her shores draw us here year after year, each time with new surprises and delights to greet us along the way. We'll encounter rich colours, imposing skies and majestic cliffs. Expedition cruising is a wonderful way to experience remote regions in an informal and relaxed atmosphere; close encounters are provided by the fleet of Zodiacs onboard that take us to shore wherever we choose to explore or to areas rich in wildlife. We'll sail along coastlines steeped in history, float past massive colonies of puffins and gannets, explore archeological sites and abandoned outports and keep our eyes open for marine life while examining the island's unique culture and rich heritage.

Beginning in North America's oldest port, we travel to Fogo Town, named one of the four corners of the earth by the Flat Earth Society. Across the Strait of Belle Isle in Labrador, it will be hard to forget the feeling that will stir your soul at the abandoned community of Battle Harbour - once a bustling fishery; it is now only a shadow of its former self. Our exploration continues with a visit to the UNESCO World Heritage Site at L'Anse aux Meadows, an authenticated Viking site where the outline of the tiny encampment can still be seen today.

Continuing south, we reach a breathtaking example of glacier action and a rare glimpse of the earth's mantle in Gros Morne National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a highlight of our journey. Like fingers raking through sand, witness spectacular examples of ancient glacial action on some of the oldest rocks in the world. A great birding opportunity lies ahead in the Bay of Islands, and we'll use our Zodiacs to navigate the islands and sandbars. Back on board, we'll sail Newfoundland's remote south coast, where the last true outports remain; we'll have a rare chance to visit two remote communities, accessible only by air and sea. Our passage continues, bringing us to the French-owned islands of St. Pierre and Miquelon, and we complete our circumnavigation with a sunset Zodiac excursion past the beautiful cliffs of Cape St. Mary's (home to the world's southernmost colony of northern gannets), before saying farewell in St. John's. Joining us on board will be a remarkable team of naturalists, historians, photographers, musicians and local guides, who will impart their knowledge and experience on the natural world and local culture, and give life to times past.

Come, and discover Newfoundland for the first time, or the way it was meant to be seen - by sea.

What to Expect:

For most activities, a relatively low level of exertion is required. Our program features activities such as walking, wildlife viewing and Zodiac cruising. You will need to climb into and out of Zodiacs (assistance is provided) for excursions onshore, and some of our landings will be 'wet', requiring waterproof boots. A reasonable level of mobility is required to fully enjoy this travel program, and participants must get a form completed by their physician to join. We have designed shore excursions to accommodate both those who wish moderate strolls and those who prefer more active hikes. A few of the excursions may have rough terrain, with rocky beaches.

Flexibility is a must, as itineraries are subject to change, and landings may be tidal or weather dependant. We will provide you with a complete list of recommended clothing, essentials to bring, and a suggested reading list upon registration. Meals are a great opportunity to meet new friends and recount the days' adventures, and special diets can be accommodated with advance notice.

Everyone travels for different reasons; however, one common element is a thirst for knowledge and authentic experience. It is this desire that drives us to ensure the highest quality learning experience on our trips, by taking the time to carefully design each trip we offer.

Itinerary:

Day 1: St. John's, Newfoundland

We meet in St. John's, Newfoundland's historic, vibrant capital. Picturesque and welcoming, it has been continuously fished since 1498, allowing it to boast the designation of North America's oldest European settlement. We will join the Ocean Nova here.

Day 2: Fogo Town, Fogo Island

Located 15km off Newfoundland's northeast coast, Fogo Island was originally named "fuego" or "fire" by the Portuguese, after fires set by early fishermen were seen burning on the island. A lucrative crab fishery has since replaced the salmon and cod fisheries that once supported the outport communities of the island. Fogo Island supports 11 communities, and a landmark proclaimed by the Flat Earth Society as one of the four corners of the Earth. We spend time experiencing island life in Fogo Town before heading further north.

Day 3: Battle Harbour, Labrador

Once a bustling fishing community and the epicenter of the Labrador fishery until the codfish moratorium in 1992 forced it to cease its fishing operations, Battle Harbour has undergone extensive restoration work and is now open to curious travellers. A walking tour of this restored fishing community suggests how daily life might have been for Battle Harbour's past inhabitants.

Day 4: L'Anse aux Meadows and Red Bay

L'Anse aux Meadows, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is the only authenticated Viking settlement in North America. Located at the tip of Newfoundland's Great Northern Peninsula, it is widely regarded as one of the most important archaeological sites globally. Red Bay is a fishing village and former site of several Basque whaling stations occupied between 1550 and the early 1600s when they hunted right and bowhead whales. The remains of three Basque whaling galleons and four small chalupas haunt the depths of the waters in this area, making it an important archaeological site and earning it a UNESCO nomination.

Day 5: Gros Morne National Park

It has been said, "Gros Morne is to geology what the Galapagos are to biology." Spectacular scenery including Precambrian cliffs, deep inland fjords and volcanic "pillow" rocks formed as lava cooled underwater- is just one of the reasons we stop here year after year. Highlights on this day include time spent exploring the Tablelands, a 600m (1900 ft) high plateau that forms one of the world's best examples of ancient rock exposed from the earth's interior, and exploring the fjord by ship.

Day 6: Bay of Islands

Bay of Islands drains one of Newfoundland's major rivers and is also a sub-basin of the Gulf of St. Lawrence. We spend the morning cruising one of the bay's dramatic arms and are witness to one of Newfoundland's haunting tales, that of the resettlement program as we visit an abandoned community. In the afternoon we will enjoy the hospitality of the welcoming folks of Cox's Cove, home to our very own musician Tony Oxford.

Day 7 & 8: The South Coast: Garia Bay, Francois & Ramea

The last of the true outport communities are found here, and we will visit two of them. First, we visit the tiny village of Francois. Dramatic rock strewn cliffs surround the village, a delicate waterfall runs through the centre of town and there is a short hike to a picturesque pond overlooking the community. Thirty miles away by ship is the neighbouring community of Ramea. Though fewer in number now than at the peak of the cod fishery, the friendly residents of Ramea are no less hospitable. Tonight we are treated to music by the local band at an authentic Newfoundland "Kitchen Party."

Day 9: Conne River / Miawpukek

A visit to Miawpukek (Conne River) will reveal a First Nation's community that has the mandate of turning the community into an economically self-sufficient community guided by traditional values. Miawpukek became a permanent community sometime around 1822. Before 1822 it was one of many semi-permanent camping sites used by the Mi'kmaw people who were at the time still nomadic and travelling throughout the east coast.

Day 10: St. Pierre Island, France

A population of approximately 6,500 resides on the island of St. Pierre, all from various descents: French, Basque, Breton, and Normand. St. Pierre's houses somewhat resemble its history: an eclectic collection of colours and style all aligned on picturesque cobblestone streets and alleys. French settlers from Saint-Malo set up a curing and salting station in St-Pierre during the beginning of the cod fishery. Later, tribulations of war between Britain and France resulted in the Treaty of Utrecht, forcing Saint-Pierre's inhabitants into exile on Isle Royale in Cape Breton, Nova Scotia. The islands were once again returned to France, only to be taken away again twice, and finally returned to France for good in 1816.

Day 11: Cape St. Mary's and St. John's

After breakfast, we disembark our home away on the Avalon Peninsula. En route to St. John's we will stop at the world famous Cape St. Mary's Ecological Reserve where we will have the chance to view Northern Gannets, Black-legged Kittiwakes, Common and Thick-billed Murres, Black Guillemots, Razorbills, Northern Fulmars and Great Cormorants. The most wonderful part of the 64 km2 reserve is the close proximity from which the birds can be viewed. As we meander along the cliff-side the many different species can be spotted from as close as 10 m (32 ft). We return to St. John's in the afternoon for flights home.
 

Cabin Category Descriptions:

• Category 1: Lower Quad, 2 upper 2 lower berths, private facilities, desk/chair, 2 wardrobes, porthole window.
• Category 2: Lower Triple, 1 upper 2 lower berths, private facilities, desk/chair, 2 wardrobes, porthole window.
• Category 3: Lower Double Bunks, 1 upper, 1 lower berths, private facilities, desk/chair, wardrobe, porthole window.
• Category 4: Lower Double, two lower berths, private facilities, desk/chair, wardrobe, porthole window.
• Category 5: Main Double, two lower berths, private facilities, desk/chair, wardrobe, picture window.
• Category 6: Superior Double, two lower berths, private facilities, desk/chair, wardrobe, picture window