ACTIVE JOURNEYS Tel: (416) 236-5011 or 1-800-597-5594 Fax: (416) 236-4790 E-mail: [email protected]

Guided Hiking Holiday

Newfoundland Walk, This adventure explores the breathtaking new East Coast Trail: a trail that winds along 200 kilometers of Atlantic coastline on the , the most easterly point in . Created as a counterpart to the popular on Canada’s Pacific Coast, it follows the original cliff-side paths used for centuries by soldiers watching for enemy ships during wars, local people traveling between coastal communities …and berry pickers.

Our guides lead you along the most scenic, and interesting ‘easy’ to ‘moderate’ portions of the trail. At , the trail skirts a major archaeological dig of Lord Baltimore’s Mansion built in the 1620s, so we get a firsthand view of history, as it is unearthed. At the abandoned fishing village of La Manche the trail includes a spectacular 50-metre-high suspension bridge.

We also take a whale watching/nature boat trip to the Ecological Reserve, a nesting site in July and August for thousands of Atlantic puffins, murres, razorbills and guillemots. Minke and humpback whales may hang around nearby too.

Stroll through traditional a village on Bell Island and tap your feet to the music that is the heartbeat of culture. Hang on to every word of compelling stories of a sometimes-hardscrabble history, told in the lilting cadences of a unique Irish-English accent.

In early July you’ll marvel as blue-green icebergs glide along the coast and wildflowers creep out between ancient stones and burst out on fields. Enjoy historic inns and cottages and the fresh homemade cuisine of the area. Your adventure starts and ends in St. John’s, the capital of Newfoundland. LEVEL OF DIFFICULTY: Easy to Moderate This is a fairly easy walking tour with moderate or intermediate options for those looking for more of a challenge. You can walk up to about 4-5 hours a day and the terrain is not very steep and always along the trails. You should be walking at least 4 times a week, at least one month prior to your holiday. On one or two of those days, you should go for a good long walk up to 3-4 hours, preferably on hills or undulating terrain (a Stairmaster type of work out is good as well, if you cannot go out hiking).

ACCOMMODATION and MEALS: All meals are included during your holiday (alcoholic beverages and extras are at your own expense). The accommodations throughout this trip are first rate. We use lovely inns, B&B’s and hotels all with private facilities.

1 OUTLINE ITINERARY DAY 1 You’ll meet your guides at 10:00 AM in historic St. John's at a downtown inn. Your Newfoundland adventure begins with a picnic and a visit to Signal Hill, where Gugleilmo Marconi received the first transatlantic wireless signal in 1901. Return to St. John's by way of the scenic North Head path, which winds down the headland providing a panoramic view of the Atlantic Coast and the city. We’ll return to the inn where we’ll have time to relax and change before dining at a restaurant in St. John’s. (Walk up to 5 km or 3 miles, drive up to ½ hour).

DAY 2 This morning, we’ll transfer by van from St. John's to Maddox Cove and Petty Harbour, fishing villages overlooking the Atlantic. From here we’ll walk a coastal trail to , the easternmost point in North America. High atop the cape, a lighthouse constructed in 1836 is restored to its mid-19th Century appearance. During World War II, a coastal defense battery protected St. John's from attack; much of the structure remains. We’ll overnight at the same inn. (Walk up to 12 km or 7.5 miles, drive up to 1 hour).

DAY 3 Transfer to the coastal community of Bay Bulls for a whale watching/nature boat trip (Canadian Coast Guard approved transport) to the Witless Bay Ecological Reserve, nesting site in July and August for puffins, murres and kittiwakes. The four islands that make up the reserve are home to thousands of pelagic birds, which stay on shore only long enough to breed and rear their young; the rest of their lives are spent at sea. The sights and sounds of the islands are truly spectacular, and often icebergs are seen in spring. In the afternoon, we'll walk the easy Tinker’s Point Path from Mobile to Tors Cove. We are always near the ocean on this path. Overnight at a cottage near . (Walk up to 5 km or 3 miles, drive up to 1 hour).

DAY 4 We'll hike the La Manche Village Path from East to La Manche and stop for a picnic along the way. This afternoon we will walk the Gun Ridge Trail to the Bull Head Lighthouse which went into operation in 1908. We'll relax that evening at the same Cottages. (Walk up to 12 km or 7.5 miles, drive up to 1 hour).

DAY 5 We'll hike the exciting Michaleen’s Path as it passes through the quiet woods to an imposing headland. We’ll end our hike at Bears Cove to enjoy our picnic lunch. In the afternoon, we’ll walk the Beaches Path from Witless Bay to Mobile, following the sea edge thought woods and meadowland. We’ll enjoy a farewell dinner and stay at the same cottages. (Walk up to 14 km or 9 miles, drive up to 1 hour).

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DAY 6 We'll visit an archeology dig and walk to Ferryland to discover where Lord Baltimore built his cottage and enjoy lunch at the Ferryland Lighthouse. We will arrive back in St. John’s at approximately 4:00 PM.

This itinerary could change due to unforeseen circumstances. You will be asked to sign a standard waiver form when you arrive.

TRAVEL TIP: Make sure that your airline ticket is to St. John's, Newfoundland. There is a Saint John in New Brunswick which is confusing to Travel Agents, and people can arrive in the wrong place. Check your ticket to make sure the abbreviation for the city is YYT.

Trip Logistics: ACCESS: St. John’s, Newfoundland

Trip Details 2009 GUIDED HIKING DATES: July 12-17 August 9-14

COST: $2795 per person SINGLE SUPPLEMENT: $450

GRADE: Moderate LENGTH: 6 days/5 nights INCLUDES: Hotels, meals, guide & support STARTS/ENDS: St. John’s Newfoundland

All Canadian Trips are subject to a 5% sales tax. Keep your invoice and half of this can be refunded to you with the form you receive when you depart the country at borders or at airports.

Note: Itinerary and price subject to change

12/4/2008 LD

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