Nature & Wildlife
Explore coastlines, fjords and wildlife-rich areas, with seasonal opportunities to see whales, seabirds and icebergs.
Nature & Wildlife · Operated by Intrepid Travel
Newfoundland Adventure: Eastbound
Deer Lake · Gros Morne · Rocky Harbour · Twillingate · Gander · Trinity · Bonavista · Cape Spear · St. John’s
Trip overview
Eight days across Newfoundland’s dramatic eastbound route
Travel from Deer Lake to St. John’s through some of Newfoundland’s most distinctive landscapes and communities. The journey combines the Tablelands and Western Brook Pond in Gros Morne National Park with Twillingate’s Iceberg Alley, historic Trinity and Bonavista, puffin viewing at Elliston and the Atlantic viewpoints around Cape Spear.
The itinerary is designed for a small group with an experienced leader or local representative. It does not require a high level of fitness, although travellers should expect a moderate amount of walking during included activities. Wildlife encounters, iceberg sightings and marine conditions remain seasonal and cannot be guaranteed.
8days
1–12group size
15+minimum age
Route map
Tour route at a glance
Deer Lake → Gros Morne → Rocky Harbour → Twillingate → Gander → Trinity → Bonavista → Cape Spear → St. John’s.
Travel style
What to expect on this tour
A fully guided small-group journey focused on coastal landscapes, wildlife, local communities and light-to-moderate walking.
Group tour
Join a small shared departure and travel with the same group across Newfoundland.
Fully guided
A group leader or local representative accompanies the itinerary and coordinates the included programme.
Low intensity
No high fitness level is required, but a moderate amount of walking is expected during included activities.
Guided in English
The published tour is guided in English.
Group size
1–12 travellers.
Age policy
Ages 15+.
Day by day
Detailed 8-day itinerary
This page describes the eastbound itinerary from Deer Lake to St. John’s. Exact timings, wildlife sightings, boat operations and substitutions are confirmed for each departure.
DAY
1
Arrive in Deer Lake
Arrive in Deer Lake and use the day at your own pace. Depending on weather and your arrival time, optional ideas include canoeing or kayaking on Deer Lake, visiting the Newfoundland Insectarium, walking local trails or trying a local craft brewery.
Optional activities
- Canoe or kayak on Deer Lake
- Newfoundland Insectarium
- Local hiking trails
- Dinner at a local craft brewery
Good to know
- Activities depend on weather and arrival time
- No fixed group programme is listed for Day 1
DAY
2
Deer Lake → Gros Morne → Rocky Harbour
Meet the local guide and group at around 8:00 AM in Deer Lake and travel into Gros Morne National Park. Walk in the Tablelands, known for exposed orange-toned mantle rock, then visit Lobster Cove Lighthouse before continuing to Rocky Harbour.
Included activities
- Welcome meeting with local leader
- Tablelands walk in Gros Morne National Park
- Lobster Cove Lighthouse visit
Optional
- Group dinner in Rocky Harbour
DAY
3
Rocky Harbour & Western Brook Pond
After breakfast, stop at Norris Point and Green Point before walking the Western Brook Pond Trail. Enjoy a picnic lunch and then join a boat tour through the glacier-carved fjord, surrounded by high cliffs and waterfalls. The remainder of the day is free in Rocky Harbour.
Included activities
- Norris Point and Green Point stops
- Western Brook Pond Trail walk
- Picnic lunch
- Western Brook Pond boat tour
Optional
- Evening group dinner
DAY
4
Rocky Harbour → Deer Lake → Twillingate
Travel east toward Twillingate, stopping around Deer Lake en route. After hotel check-in, head out for a seabird and whale-watching boat tour. Depending on the season and conditions, the coastline may also provide iceberg viewing around the area known as Iceberg Alley.
Included activities
- Scenic drive to Twillingate
- Seabird and whale-watching boat tour
Optional
- Explore Twillingate town
DAY
5
Twillingate → Gander → Trinity
Begin at the Beothuk Interpretation Centre to learn about the region’s Indigenous history. Continue to Gander for a local conversation about the town’s role during the events of September 11, 2001, then travel to Trinity for a guided walking tour through the historic coastal community.
Included activities
- Beothuk Interpretation Centre
- Local history conversation in Gander
- Walking tour of Trinity with a local guide
Optional
- Group dinner at a local Trinity restaurant
DAY
6
Trinity → Elliston → Bonavista → Trinity
Travel to Elliston for one of North America’s notable land-based puffin viewing sites. Continue to Cape Bonavista Lighthouse and explore the peninsula’s coastal scenery before returning to Trinity. An optional walk up Gun Hill offers elevated views over the town.
Included activities
- Elliston puffin viewing
- Cape Bonavista Lighthouse visit
Optional
- Gun Hill hike for views over Trinity
DAY
7
Trinity → Cape Spear → St. John’s
Continue east to Cape Spear Lighthouse at Canada’s easternmost point, then see the colourful houses known as Jellybean Row before checking into St. John’s. Join a leader-led walk through the city and finish the day with a farewell dinner featuring local food and a traditional screech-in ceremony.
Included activities
- Cape Spear Lighthouse
- Jellybean Row viewing
- Leader-led St. John’s walking tour
- Farewell dinner with traditional screech-in ceremony
Local experience
- Jigg’s dinner pie is listed as part of the farewell dinner
- Screech-in ceremony traditionally includes rum and cod-kissing
DAY
8
St. John’s departure
After breakfast, the organised tour comes to an end. Depending on your onward travel plans, use the remaining time for independent exploration of St. John’s before making your own way to the airport or next destination.
Tour package
What’s included
Accommodation
The published accommodation mix is:
- Hotel: 2 nights
- Bed & Breakfast: 1 night
- Inn: 2 nights
- Cabin: 2 nights
Accommodation named in the day-by-day programme is indicative.
Similar-standard alternatives may be used when preferred properties are unavailable, and early room
access cannot always be guaranteed.
Guide / group leader
Group trips are accompanied by a group leader or local representative who coordinates the itinerary, shares general destination information, recommends local places and helps with the practical side of the journey. Specialist local guides may be used for selected experiences.
In North America, leaders may also drive the group vehicle. Driving hours are
regulated, and some national-park interpretation can only be delivered by qualified park personnel.
Meals
- 7 breakfasts
- 1 lunch
- 1 dinner
Included experiences
- Lobster Cove Lighthouse
- Tablelands trail in Gros Morne National Park
- Western Brook Pond boat tour
- Twillingate seabird & whale-watching boat tour
- Trinity walking tour with a local guide
- Local history conversation in Gander
- Beothuk Interpretation Centre
- Cape Bonavista Lighthouse
- Elliston puffin viewing
- Leader-led walking tour of St. John’s
- Cape Spear Lighthouse
- Local farewell dinner in St. John’s
Transport
The published transport basis is private vehicle and boat. North American group vehicles are generally 15-passenger vans with air conditioning, with luggage commonly carried in a towed trailer.
The group vehicle is used for included itinerary activities. It may not be
available during free time or after the group has finished for the day, so taxis or other local
transport may be required for personal trips.
Plan ahead
What’s not included
Flights
Flights are not included.
Travel insurance
Travel insurance is not included. Comprehensive cover is strongly recommended for medical expenses, trip cancellation or interruption, delay, baggage and any adventure activities you plan to undertake.
Airport transfers
Dedicated private airport transfers are not listed as included. The supplied trip information recommends taxis or rideshare services such as Lyft or Uber where available for travel between airports and hotels.
Optional activities
Activities and services not specifically shown as included are separate. This includes optional arrival-day activities, selected group dinners and independent free-time experiences.
Personal expenses
Personal spending, additional meals and services outside the published inclusions are paid separately.
Photo gallery
Along the Newfoundland eastbound route
Trip questions
Before you go
Use the enquiry form for departure-specific questions or requests.
The published style is low intensity and does not require a high level of fitness, but travellers should expect a moderate amount of walking during included activities such as the Tablelands, Western Brook Pond and city or village walks.
The supplied package lists two hotel nights, one Bed & Breakfast night, two inn nights and two cabin nights. Specific properties can change when availability requires a similar-standard substitute.
No. Whale, seabird, puffin and iceberg viewing depends on season, weather and natural conditions. Boat departures are also subject to marine conditions.
The supplied package lists seven breakfasts, one lunch and one dinner. Other meals should be treated as separate unless confirmed for your departure.
Private airport transfers are not listed as a core inclusion. The supplied information recommends taxis or rideshare services where available for airport-to-hotel travel.
Non-binding availability request
Interested in Newfoundland Adventure: Eastbound?
Send your preferred date and traveller details so current availability, accommodation, pricing and seasonal experiences can be checked for your departure.
