Newfoundland & Labrador - June 23 - July 7, 2019
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Newfoundland & Labrador June 23 – July 7, 2019
This image and cover © Barrett and Mackay and Newfoundland & Labrador Tourism
Expedition O ver view
Newfoundlanders call their homeland “The Rock,” and it is certainly
a fitting name for this craggy outcrop in the northern Atlantic. But a
rock is cold and unvaried, two things Canada’s easternmost province
isn’t. Join Apex on a 15-day adventure through this stunning region,
feel the warmth of its people and hear an English so different it has
© Dru Kennedy and Newfoundland & Labrador Tourism
its own dictionary. The surprising diversity of its landscapes will
leave you speechless as you travel the region and find strange
geological phenomena, icebergs drifting past on a summer day and
fjords with walls so steep you’d think you were in Norway. Explore
Battle Harbour, Labrador, where distance from the modern world
Photos: Humpback Whale (Cover),
can be measured in both miles and years. See huge numbers of Western Brook Pond Fjord,
Point Amour Lighthouse
Moose, whales and breeding seabirds. Immerse yourself in this
spectacular and most-unique Canadian province.
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© Barrett and Mackay & Newfoundland & Labrador Tourism
Itinerar y
Sunday, June 23: Arrive St. John’s, Newfoundland
Arrive in North America’s oldest city this evening and transfer to the Sheraton Hotel
Newfoundland for an overnight stay.
Monday, June 24: St. John’s
After breakfast, take a shuttle to nearby Bay Bulls, where you will embark a scenic
boat tour of the Witless Bay Ecological Reserve. See icebergs floating down from
Greenland as you head toward the cliffs, where North America’s largest Atlantic
© David Snow
Puffin colony nests, with over 260,000 pairs present in the summer. The Reserve
also hosts the world’s second-largest colony of Leach’s Storm-petrels, with some
620,000 pairs, and thousands of Black-legged Kittiwakes and Common Murres. The
reserve’s waters are home to 22 species of whales, including the world’s largest
population of Humpbacks. See them frolic, breach, and fin slap as they pursue
massive schools of tiny Capelin fish. After lunch, visit North America’s most easterly
point, and Newfoundland’s oldest surviving lighthouse, at Cape Spear National
© Barrett & MacKay and Newfoundland & Labrador Tourism
Historic Site. Back in St. John’s, walk up to Signal Hill, where Guglielmo Marconi
received the first-ever transatlantic wireless signal in 1901. Enjoy a welcome dinner
at a local restaurant, and overnight at Sheraton Hotel Newfoundland.
Tuesday, June 25: St. John’s / Cape St. Mary’s / Port Rexton
Head southwest this morning toward the Cape Shore. After lunch, visit
Newfoundland’s largest, and one of the world’s most accessible, seabird colonies at
Cape St. Mary’s Ecological Reserve. It is estimated that 24,000 Northern Gannets,
20,000 Black-legged Kittiwakes, and 22,000 murres, as well as Razorbills and Black
Guillemots breed here every summer. Hike to “Bird Rock” to be awed by the sheer
number of birds hovering around the cliffs. Afterwards, keep your eyes open for Photos: Atlantic Puffin, St. John’s,
Moose along the road as we head to historic Port Rexton on the Bonavista Cape St. Mary’s
Peninsula. Explore its crooked seaside lanes and storybook heritage houses before
dinner in town. Overnight at Fishers’ Loft.
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Wednesday, June 26: Bonavista Peninsula
This morning, take a two- to three-hour moderate hike on the Skerwink Trail. Be
on the look out for seabirds including Great Black-backed Gulls and guillemots;
Humpback Whales; bird life such as Bald Eagles, warblers, Blue Jays or Greater
Yellowlegs; and a variety of flora. After lunch in Trinity, head north, stopping in
Elliston to view a small puffin colony. Continue on to Bonavista, where John Cabot
first landed on his voyage from England in 1497. Visit Ryan Premises National
Historic Site to get a sense of the large-scale merchant operations that existed
here. Enjoy dinner at a popular local restaurant, then drive back to Port Rexton for
© Wildland Tours
overnight at Fishers’ Loft.
Thursday, June 27: Port Rexton / Gander / Grand Falls Windsor
After breakfast, depart and head west across the island via the TransCanada
Highway. Stop in Gander to visit the North Atlantic Aviation Museum. Learn about
how this small town earned the nickname “Crossroads of the World,” its importance
as a strategic base during WWII, and its unexpected role in the days following 9/11.
© Newfounvdland & Labrador Tourism
Visit the Salmonid Interpretation Center on the Exploits River, and watch through
underwater windows to see the “King of Fish” traveling upstream. Dinner and
overnight at Mount Peyton Hotel.
Friday, June 28: Woody Point / Gros Morne National Park
Today, continue west via the TransCanada Highway to the geologically fascinating,
Gros Morne National Park, on Newfoundland’s west coast. After lunch in Woody
Point, set out on a hike along the Tablelands Trail. Geology here marks a time when
the continent of Africa and North America collided, pushing the rocks, originally
beneath the ocean, to their present position on land. Take the Woody Point ferry
across the Bonne Bay to Norris Point. Dinner and overnight at Neddies Harbour Inn.
Saturday, June 29: Gros Morne National Park
As Prince Edward noted, “What the Galapagos are to biology, Gros Morne is to
geology.” Gros Morne is the eroded remnants of a mountain range formed
1.2 billion years ago, and it provides a rare example of the process of continental
© Newfoundland & Labrador Tourism
drift, where deep ocean crust and the rocks of the earth’s mantle lie exposed. For
this reason, and due to its sheer scenic majesty, it was designated a United Nations
World Heritage Site in 1987. After breakfast, head to Western Brook Pond, the
park’s largest lake (actually a landlocked fjord) and enjoy an hour-long interpretive
hike down to the dock, followed by a boat tour that winds between massive
billion-year-old cliffs. Behold 2,000-foot waterfalls, as well as an unusual colony of
cliff-nesting gulls, and Atlantic Salmon, Brook Trout and Arctic Char in the lake’s
water. This afternoon, head to the 19th-century Lobster Cove Head Lighthouse with
spectacular views over Bonne Bay and Rocky Harbour. Dinner and overnight at
Neddies Harbour Inn.
© Newfoundland & Labrador Tourism
Sunday, June 30: Gros Morne National Park / Forteau, Labrador
Depart Gros Morne this morning and head north on the historic Viking Trail
Highway, continuing our wildlife spotting all the way. Stop en route at Port au Choix
National Historic Site. Long before the European’s set foot on the New Founde Lande,
the Maritime Archaic Indian, Dorset and Groswater Paleoeskimo, and “Recent
Indians” foraged and hunted the land and sea’s bounty. You will explore one of
Photos: Bonavista Lighthouse,
North America’s most fascinating archaeological finds amid a rugged coastline of
The Tablelands, Western Brook Pond
unique limestone barrens, forests and bays. Visit ancient burial sites, settlements
Fjord, Moose
and view original artifacts, from slate spears to harpoons. A short trip on the
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St. Barbe Ferry across the Gulf of St. Lawrence to Labrador allows for a wonderful
opportunity to view pelagic seabirds, whales, seals and icebergs. Disembark at
Blanc-Sablon and travel to Forteau where you will enjoy dinner and overnight at
© Newfoundland & Labrador Tourism
The Florian.
Monday, July 1: Red Bay / Battle Harbour
This morning, tour Red Bay’s National Historic Site, designated a World Heritage Site
in 2013. During the mid-16th century, Basque whalers established a major whaling
port here, hunting Right and Bowhead Whales in the Strait of Belle Isle. For some
70 years, they made the dangerous, month-long journey across the Atlantic to
collect the oil that lit the lamps of Europe. After lunch at a local restaurant, continue
north to Mary’s Harbour. From here, take the ferry to Battle Harbour for dinner and
overnight at Battle Harbour Inn.
© Barrett and Mackay and Newfoundland & Labrador Tourism
Tuesday, July 2: Battle Harbour
Battle Harbour is one of the only places on earth where distance from the
modern world can be measured in both miles and years. A place without power
lines or cell towers, without cars or paved roads, you can walk footpaths worn by
fishermen and merchants centuries ago. In addition to its heritage, the rugged
beauty of Battle Harbour offers an exotic backdrop for explorers. View dramatic
ocean vistas, icebergs, and whales all within arm’s reach on a boat tour of Cape
Charles. Have an opportunity to hike the island revealing its Arctic vegetation and
rock formations. Dinner and overnight at Battle Harbour Inn.
Wednesday, July 3: Battle Harbour / Forteau
After breakfast, take the ferry back to Mary’s Harbour and return to Forteau. After
lunch, hike along the coastline to L’Anse Amour to see the elaborate 7,500-year-old
Burial Mound of a Maritime Archaic adolescent; the hundred-year-old remains of
the HMS Raleigh, one of several ships that went aground in the hazardous Strait of
Belle Isle. Stop to photograph Point Amour lighthouse, the tallest of its kind in
Atlantic Canada. Return to Forteau for dinner and overnight at The Florian.
© Mark Tsang
Thursday, July 4: Forteau / St. Anthony, Newfoundland
Bid farewell to Labrador as you take the ferry back across the gulf. Make a stop
in Flower’s Cove for lunch and, time permitting, a stop at the rare and ancient
thrombolites famous in this area. In the afternoon, enjoy a boat tour in the coastal
waters off St. Anthony to see whales, dolphins and icebergs up close. Enjoy dinner
then overnight at Grenfell Heritage Suites.
Friday, July 5: St. Anthony – L’Anse aux Meadows
At the northernmost tip of the island lies L’Anse aux Meadows, archaeological © Dru Kennedy and Newfoundland & Labrador Tourism
remnants of the first known European presence in the Americas, and the only
authenticated Viking site in the Americas. Dating back over 1,000 years, this Norse
encampment is notable for its possible connection with the attempted colony of
Vinland established by Leif Erikson around the same period. Delve even further into
the Viking experience as you explore the Norstead Viking Village. Enjoy dinner then
overnight at Grenfell Heritage Suites.
Saturday, July 6: St. Anthony / St. John’s Photos: Iceberg, Red Bay,
Enjoy some more sightseeing around town this morning with lunch at a local L’Anse aux Meadows,
restaurant. Before your afternoon flight to St. John’s, visit the Grenfell Historic White-beaked Dolphin
Properties. Named after the local legend, Sir Wilfred Grenfell, who traveled by
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dogsled and boat in the late 19th century and built hospitals and nursing stations
along the coast of Labrador and around St. Anthony. Afterwards, transfer to the
airport for a quick flight to St. John’s. Gather for an early farewell dinner before
turning in for your early morning flights. Overnight Sheraton Hotel Newfoundland.
Sunday, July 7: Depart St. John’s
© David Snow
Early this morning, transfer to the airport for your international flights home.
Photos: Local Harbor,
Moose at Sunset
Market at Merkato
© Ken Knowles
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Expedition Map
A – St. John’s E – F or teau
B – Por t Rex ton F – Bat tle Harbour
C – Grand Falls-Windsor G – St. A nthony
D – Gros Morne National Park H – L’A nse aux Meadows
B y A ir B y Boat B y Road
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Your Expedition Leader
Kevin Clement
Not many people can say they have lived inside Denali National Park,
but Kevin Clement is one. Nowadays, however, he spends most of his
time guiding ecotourism and adventure travel trips on all seven
continents. Kevin has served as the Denali Foundation instructor for
natural history and as a trainer for the Park’s staff of naturalists. For
“Kevin is the consummate
several years he worked with the sled dogs of Denali National Park, Renaissance Man, possessing a
rebuilding sleds in the summer and patrolling in the winter. He has
lived in several other national parks and has guided groups in poetic and artistic take on the
whitewater rafts, on cross-country skis, by sled dog, and on foot, world that adds a fascinating
earning certifications in scuba diving, swiftwater rescue, and wilderness
medicine, as well as a Coast Guard Master’s license. dimension to his interpretation
Kevin’s interests and experience make him a superb all-round naturalist. as you explore alongside him.”
A veteran of over 100 voyages to the Antarctic, most recently Kevin has – Judy M., Hawaii
been coordinating and leading kayaking excursions in South Georgia
and on the Antarctic Peninsula. Kevin also continues to draw and paint.
His first career was as an illustrator and he never travels without his
sketchbook. Or his sense of humor.
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Expedition Details
Newfoundland & Labrador June 23 – July 7, 2019
$18,970 Per Person Rate
$35,940 Solo Rate
15 Days Trip Length
12 Guests Group Size
St. John’s / St. John’s Start/End
Included
Apex Expeditions’ rates include all accommodations; all meals, activities and excursions as described in the itinerary;
air St. Anthony to St. John’s, as noted in the itinerary; services of an Apex Expeditions leader and local guides
throughout the itinerary; local beer & wines at lunch & dinner; all gratuities; airport transfers; permits and entrance
fees; all taxes.
Not Included
Costs not included in the price of your Apex expedition include travel to and from the start and end point of trip;
premium brand drinks and liquor; travel insurance (Trip Cancellation and Interruption, as well as Emergency Medical
and Evacuation insurance, are highly recommended); airport departure taxes; equipment rental; excess baggage fees;
passport and/or visa fees; items of a personal nature (phone calls, laundry, souvenirs, etc.); and independent travel
arrangements pre- or post-trip.
Payments & Terms
20% of the trip cost will confirm your place on the expedition. The final balance is due 150 days prior to departure.
All prices are quoted in U.S. dollars and must be paid in U.S. dollars. Per person pricing is based on double occupancy.
The solo rate is paid by participants who specifically request single accommodations and is subject to availability.
If you are traveling alone and wish to share accommodations, we will try to match you with a roommate of the same
gender. However, if a roommate is not available, the published solo rate will be charged. Upon confirming your
reservation you will be required to pay the published Solo Rate, if we are able to pair you with a roommate, the
applicable difference will be refunded at the time that the final trip payment is due for all participants. Please note that
solo accommodations are limited and cannot always be guaranteed throughout. For our full set of Terms & Conditions,
please visit our web site at www.apex-expeditions.com/about/terms-conditions/
Gros Morne © Newfoundland & Labrador Tourism
One-of-a-kind adventures to
the world’s most fascinating
places. Join us.
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Reser vation Form
Newfoundland & Labrador June 23 - July 7, 2019
Person 1: (Primary Contact)
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Mailing Details:
Address:
City: State: ZIP Code: Country:
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Double Solo
Person 2: (If applicable and at same address, otherwise please submit a second Reservation Form.)
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Please return this completed form to Apex Expeditions.
E-mail: info@apex-expeditions.com or Mail: 4130 California Ave SW, Seattle, WA 98116
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