About the Experience
Wild, remote, staggering. Newfoundland is built on a dramatic landscape of glacier scars, stunted spruce, erratic rock and the pounding Atlantic. Tectonic plates shifted and kaboomed to create a terrain full of surprises from the desert-like Tablelands to soupy bogs and famed Iceberg alleys.
The story of earth’s geological history is opened wide here and you can walk right across it! Gros Morne National Park is as important to Plate Tectonics Theory as Ecuador’s Galapagos Archipelago is to the Theory of Evolution. There’s no pop quiz at the end of this trip but you’ll learn a lot about what lies below on the daily guided hikes. This itinerary will definitely give your Vibram soles and soul a solid workout!
Gros Morne National Park’s Long Range Mountains, Arctic alpine environment, curious tuckamore trees and towering, landlocked fiords compelled the United Nations to declare it a World Heritage Site in 1987.
On this Wild Women east coast romp you will visit the bright palette of the vibrantly painted fishing villages and be treated to the undeniable hospitality of Newfoundlanders. Visit local art studios, try Jam Jams, beachcomb and kayak in the company of eagles (and starfish and jellyfish below) on Bonne Bay.
Walk on the Earth’s rusty orange mantle, trace your fingers over the fossils of Green Point and summit the second highest mountain in Newfoundland. How does that sound?
Let’s “Rock” and roll!
About the Experience
Wild, remote, staggering. Newfoundland is built on a dramatic landscape of glacier scars, stunted spruce, erratic rock and the pounding Atlantic. Tectonic plates shifted and kaboomed to create a terrain full of surprises from the desert-like Tablelands to soupy bogs and famed Iceberg alleys.
The story of earth’s geological history is opened wide here and you can walk right across it! Gros Morne National Park is as important to Plate Tectonics Theory as Ecuador’s Galapagos Archipelago is to the Theory of Evolution. There’s no pop quiz at the end of this trip but you’ll learn a lot about what lies below on the daily guided hikes. This itinerary will definitely give your Vibram soles and soul a solid workout!
Gros Morne National Park’s Long Range Mountains, Arctic alpine environment, curious tuckamore trees and towering, landlocked fiords compelled the United Nations to declare it a World Heritage Site in 1987.
On this Wild Women east coast romp you will visit the bright palette of the vibrantly painted fishing villages and be treated to the undeniable hospitality of Newfoundlanders. Visit local art studios, try Jam Jams, beachcomb and kayak in the company of eagles (and starfish and jellyfish below) on Bonne Bay.
Walk on the Earth’s rusty orange mantle, trace your fingers over the fossils of Green Point and summit the second highest mountain in Newfoundland. How does that sound?
Let’s “Rock” and roll!
Day One: Welcome to “The Rock”!
Meet your expert and energetic Wild Women guides and fellow group members at Deer Lake Airport at 2:30pm. We will travel one hour north into the jawdropper known as Gros Morne National Park. Before our first dinner and orientation session together, you’ll have time to unpack and get into the relaxed groove of the trip in your cozy cabin.
Meals Included: Dinner
Tonight’s Sweet Sleep: Gros Morne Basecamp
Day Two: Hiking on the Earth’s Mantle
We’ll start the day with an informative visit to the Discovery Centre to learn about the park’s endemic species and anomalies. In the afternoon we will hike the rugged Tablelands to take in the unparalleled views of Bonne Bay at the top. This barren environment is lunar-like and half a billion years in the making! The area is unable to support vegetation because the rocks forged from the Earth’s mantle lack the nutrients necessary to support plant life.
What the heck are the Tablelands? They formed deep in the middle layer of the Earth, in the mantle. As ancient continents collided like bumper cars way back when, it was thrust up and resulted in the peaks of the Appalachian Mountain chain and the supercontinent of Pangea!
The eroding mountains and 400 million years of wear and tear are visible in the distinct barren orange expanse–the mantle!
The hike will be 4-5km long, depending on the group’s interest with a 500m elevation gain/loss. It’s a short walk really when you consider the 400 million years it took to ‘build’ the trail!
The evening we will stay in the outport community of Trout River and share tall tales over dinner at a local restaurant. There will also be time to poke along the beach!
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Tonight’s Sweet Sleep: Gros Morne Basecamp
Day Three: Down to Green Gardens
Today we’ll hike over the boundary (yes, it’s okay to cross this boundary) where the peridotite (coarse-grained dark rock) abruptly ends and the ancient oceanic crust begins.
We’ll snake down through the boreal forest trail to the jagged coastline where pillow lava and sea stacks dominate the shoreline. Yes, we said pillow lava! The pillow-shaped structures are evidence of the extrusion of lava underwater or, “subaqueous extrusion’, if you want to be all professional-like.
Fun fact: Speaking of snakes, they are not native to Newfoundland but garters have been found in the western part of the province in the last decade.
Green Gardens (10km roundtrip) is your warm-up hike for Gros Morne Mountain! Stretch those calves! You won’t even notice the miles as countless sea stacks, secluded coves and waterfalls will distract. Note: the trail can be rough and boggy in sections but the reward is easily found in the unmatched views and intimacy of exploring an area on foot.
After lunch on the beach, we’ll climb the 300m elevation back to the trailhead. This evening will be free to explore the artsy village of Woody Point. There are several art studios and craft shops offering a selection of authentic Newfoundland: 100% wool sweaters, mitts, jams and jellies!
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Tonight’s Sweet Sleep: Gros Morne Basecamp
Day Four: Kayaking in a Marine Wonderland
We will explore the biodiverse marine environment in the sheltered fjord of Bonne Bay by tandem sea kayak today. Minke whales, eagles, kingfishers, common terns, Arctic terns and Caspian terns are regular visitors. Don’t worry–you’ll soon learn how to distinguish the terns and turning a kayak too!
The uninterrupted views of Gros Morne Mountain and the Tablelands are simply mesmerizing by kayak! We’ll spend 3 hours on the water today with a picnic lunch and breaks. If the wind cooperates, we may be able to squeeze out 4 hours of paddling but Mother Nature likes to rock the boat!
Tonight, there will be time to explore Rocky Harbour. For dinner, perhaps we’ll have some fresh cod and Iceberg beer? Rocky Harbour is the largest community in Gros Morne National Park and there are several studios and shops to pick up the perfect reminder of your time in Newfoundland–whether it’s partridge berry jam, a quilt or a carved antler!
Or, take in that relentless briny breeze and poke around the beaches and easily accessible viewpoints from the wharfs.
Please note: The kayaking activity is not guaranteed due to the unpredictable weather conditions of the province. There is a 100% guarantee that any alternative is going to be pure fun!
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Tonight’s Sweet Sleep: Gros Morne Basecamp
Day Five: Summiting Gros Morne Mountain
Today we will hike to the highest point in the park–Gros Morne Mountain at 806m (for perspective, Everest is 8,849m!). This hike puts the rock (and roll) in the province affectionately known as “The Rock”. It’s rigorous, rough and challenging with steep sections that will make you wish you had never stopped using Suzanne Somers Thighmaster and Buttmaster. It can take 8-10 hours to complete the 17km loop.
The trail leads to the stony and rugged alpine plateau where rare vegetation clings to this barren landscape. Hardy (and sure-footed) inhabitants like the Woodland caribou, rock ptarmigan and Arctic hare are often seen.
The spectacular 360-degree views of the glacier-sculpted fjords of Bonne Bay, Ten Mile Pond and the Gulf of the St. Lawrence are worth the scramble and pounding heart! You’ll see.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Tonight’s Sweet Sleep: Gros Morne Basecamp
Day Six: Boat Tour of a Landlocked Fjord
We will strike off on a one-hour coastal lowland walk across bogs and limestone ridges to Western Brook Pond fjord, a spectacular freshwater lake hemmed in by 650m-high rock walls.
We’ll join a boat tour to explore the length of the famed pond to witness the spectacular waterfalls that tumble and cascade from the alpine plateau. The afternoon will be spent hiking coastal trails (6km return on a level gravel trail with boardwalks) or sightseeing in the area, depending on the group’s interest.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Tonight’s Sweet Sleep: Gros Morne Basecamp
Day Seven: Bye Bye, B’ye!
After punchy coffee and laughs at breakfast, there will be time to mill around the local craft shops and studios or beachcomb the shores. Take one big inhale of the briny ocean, wet rocks and clarity of the east coast air.
We will return to the Deer Lake airport late in the morning for departures and hugs. Where will you travel next with your new Wild Women pack?
Meals Included: Breakfast
Click here to see upcoming trip dates to book your spot!
Plan to arrive into Deer Lake by noon or early afternoon on Day 1. Flights to Deer Lake (YDF) are operated by Air Canada and Swoop. Most flights to YDF have a layover/connection in either Toronto, Montreal or Halifax.
There is also a bus service that travels from Port aux Basques to St. John’s (and St. John’s to Port aux Basques) each day. The bus service is operated by DRL Coach Lines and it connects with the gulf ferry service that joins Port aux Basques, Newfoundland and North Sydney, Nova Scotia. The bus stops in Deer Lake at the Circle K (Deer Lake Motel is across the road)—you should be at the bus stop 20 minutes in advance.
Group Rendezvous Point
There are two rendezvous options:
Deer Lake Motel OR Holiday Inn Express
- Date: Day 1
- Time: 1:30-2:00 PM
- Location: Hotel lobby (Deer Lake Motel or Holiday Inn Express)
Deer Lake Regional Airport
- Date: Day 1
- Time: 2:30 PM
- Location: Beside rental car kiosks inside the airport
Notes about Pick-Up
- Taxis are available at the airport for 24 hours. Should you arrive early on Day 1, you can take a taxi (about $10 USD) to either hotel.
- The Deer Lake Motel has a flight lounge, where you can relax, grab a bite and store your luggage if you arrive the day of and don’t want to hang out at the airport. Please let us know where to find you!
- Our tour guide(s) can pick you up at either of these hotels before the rest of your Wild Women crew at the airport. If you’re at either hotel, please meet in the main lobby. Please indicate your pick up location on your Travel Details Form (you will receive this via email).
If you plan on arriving early, Wild Women Expeditions recommends staying at either of the hotels below. Visit their websites for more information and to book your room. Taxis are available at the airport 24 hours.
The Deer Lake Motel has a flight lounge, where you can relax, grab a bite and store your luggage if you arrive the day of and don’t want to hang out at the airport. Please let us know where to find you!
Telephone Number: (709) 635-2108 or 1-800-563-2144
Telephone Number: (709) 635-3232 or 1-877-660-8550
Please schedule your departure flight or other plans for after 1 PM. Deer Lake Airport is very small, so one hour is a sufficient amount of time to be at the airport before your flight.
Drop-Off Point:
- Date: Day 7
- Time: Approximately 12 PM (noon)
- Location: Deer Lake Regional Airport or Deer Lake Motel
If you plan on departing at a later date, Wild Women Expeditions recommends staying at the Deer Lake Motel or the Holiday Inn Express.
You are responsible for booking your own flights or other transport arrangements to the trip start location. These arrangements and any other independent arrangements that you may make are not a part of the trip booked with Wild Women Expeditions and are entirely at your own risk. Wild Women Expeditions accepts no responsibility, directly or indirectly, for any loss, damage or injury to property or person in connection with such arrangements.
Should you require assistance with your travel arrangements, please contact:
Megan and Zale | Now Boarding Travel Travel Specialist
Email: wildwomen@nowboarding.travel
Note: Now Boarding Travel only provides services of 3-star quality or greater. For budget alternatives, please refer to the Lonely Planet guide for your destination.
Important: For international and remote destinations, there is always the risk of flight delays, baggage delays and flight schedule changes which may cause late arrivals, which may, in return, result in you missing the group tour departure. For these reasons, we encourage you to consider arriving a day early, which will also help you overcome any jet lag from traveling!
- Passport
Most countries and airlines recommend passports be valid for at least six months beyond the date of your expected return to your home country. Before you leave, ask your transportation company about its requirements related to passport validity, which may be more stringent than the country’s entry rules.
Before you leave, ask your transportation company about its requirements related to passport validity, which may be more stringent than the country’s entry rules.
- Visa
Visitors to Canada may require a visa to enter the country. Check with your consulate or government travel website for details.
Note: As fees and policies can change, we highly recommend that you contact your local embassy or consulate for the most up-to-date visa requirements, or see your travel agent.
All tips for wait staff on the included meals are already paid. Leave it to us! If you’re staying in the province longer, just note that it is customary to leave a tip to thank waiters and other service providers. At restaurants, bars and coffee shops, it is customary to leave 10% of the total amount of the bill; if the service was very good, you may wish to leave up to 15%. Tips for your restaurant meals are included in the trip price.
There is no obligation to tip your guides, but after the crunch of the prolonged pandemic, everyone in the travel industry is grateful for the extra thank-you. The appropriate amount to tip is a personal decision but it varies from $15 – $25 CAD per day, per guide if you would like a guideline (US dollars are equally and happily accepted!). You may choose to tip as an individual or combine the tip as a group—either way, it’s immensely appreciated.
- Rooming Arrangements
Our trip prices are based on a twin-share (minimum of two people per room), so we’ll team you up with another solo wild woman to share with if you’re on your own, or of course, you can share with your travel partner.
- Bathrooms
There are ensuite bathrooms in the cottages and suites at Gros Morne Basecamp. Each bathroom is shared between two women.
- Internet / WiFi
Internet is expected to be available at your accommodations, so you can expect some access during the trip. WiFi is slower in remote areas and won’t usually allow for photo or video uploading, but you will be able to send emails and use WiFi texting functions.
- Potable Water
Tap water throughout Newfoundland is potable, unless otherwise specified/posted.
If you would like to join Wild Women Expeditions in its commitment to reducing single-use plastic, you can travel prepared with your own water treatment system!
Located within metres from the ocean in the charming community of Norris Point in the heart of Gros Morne National Park.
Contrary to popular belief, western Newfoundland receives great summer weather. Days are usually sunny, with scattered clouds and light winds. Rain is always possible but we do not get fog like the east coast of the island. In general, by late June, the temperatures range from 5°C to 20°C now, with 75% snow-covered mountains and can be very cold wind, especially the first week of June. Better to be prepared!
Travelers are cautioned to avoid contact with animals. Do not touch, pet or feed any animals. Approaching them too closely or taking flash photography will disturb them. Taking a selfie with a moose is NEVER advised, no matter how cute it looks or how cute you look. Here’s a helpful guide to the wildlife and birds of Newfoundland. For bird nerds – here’s a checklist of the province’s species. Harlequin ducks! Lucky you!
- Currency Exchange Offices & Banks
If you need to change currency you will usually find a currency exchange counter at international airports in Canada. You will have to show your passport in order to be able to exchange money.
Please check online for current exchange rates. Wild Women Expeditions likes XE Currency Converter
We highly suggest you read this article: Where to Exchange Currency Without Paying Huge Fees for more information about this for your trip.
- Automated Teller Machine (ATM)
One of the most convenient ways to get cash in Canadian dollars is by using an ATM. You will often receive better exchange rates, even though you have to pay a service fee, as with most ATMs outside your bank network. There is a BMO bank in Rocky Harbour and there are ATMs at restaurants, bars, and gas stations on Norris Point and Woody Point.
Know that there may be a chance you can’t use the few ATMs available in the area to purchase Canadian currency directly. There is also no currency exchange at the BMO bank. It’s best to have it already done on arrival.
- Credit Cards
Credit card is widely accepted in all stores and restaurants.
- Cash
This is the best way to pay for items in the communities we will be visiting. All services needed are already paid for except for tips.
- Taxes
Newfoundland uses the Harmonized Sales Tax (HST) and the current rate is 15%.
Please be sure to provide complete, accurate, and up-to-date information about your health & fitness level and keep us updated if there are changes. Wild Women Expeditions trips travel to remote areas where limited or no sophisticated medical facilities exist.
A medical emergency situation is extremely unlikely; however, should it arise we need to be prepared with the necessary information to help you.
Important Note: If you choose not to disclose a condition, infirmity, injury, or ailment herein and are subsequently deemed to be unfit for expedition travel due in whole or in part to such condition, infirmity, injury or ailment, Wild Women Expeditions guides, and partners shall have the right to remove you from the trip with no refund or compensation payable. Any evacuation expenses incurred are payable by the evacuee via their medical travel insurance or personal expense.
Getting Fit
You don’t have to be a professional athlete to enjoy your Wild Women expedition. Not by a long shot! You’ll be surprised at what you can achieve with our experienced guides at your side and a little camaraderie.
That said, you’ll definitely enjoy yourself far more if you do some preparation so your body is conditioned and ready to enjoy and make the most of the outdoors.
Here are a few ideas to help you get ready:
- Take every opportunity you can to be active.
You can improve your fitness a lot just by adopting some new habits; take the stairs at work, go for a walk at lunchtime, park your car away from work and walk. Aim for 30 minutes a day and keep a diary so you can look back on it and feel proud. These may sound trivial but they’re all building blocks!
- Rev up your ticker!
Think ‘interval training’, which means doing short bursts of high intensity work with recovery time in between. Depending on how fit you are this can mean strolling with bursts of power walking, or jogging with sprints. Either way the aim is to get your heart rate up.
- Join a local walking or running group.
This is a great way to get fit and you’ll also see new places, meet great people… and make them all jealous when they find out what you’re about to go on your travels.
- Hill training.
The most spectacular views aren’t from the bottom of a valley – so the places we go on our trips aren’t flat. A little time training on hills and stairs is an investment that’ll pay off big-time when you’re on your trip. When it comes to hills there’s no hurry – get into a slow steady rhythm and you’ll be at the top before you know it.
Most of the trails have elevation changes, and there are some challenging hikes. Try to spend some training time on hills if you can!
- Warm up, cool down and stretch.
If you’re doing a workout then make sure you start and finish gently and stretch any tight muscles – this will help you avoid any aches, pains and pulled muscles. If you’re a member of a gym try some yoga, tai chi or pilates classes to build up your flexibility, stability and balance.
- Practice ‘backpacking’.
Grab your backpack (or borrow one) and head for the hills! If you’re bringing your own backpack, practice adjusting the various straps so you know how it feels in different positions. We aren’t multi-day hiking everyday, but you’ll be carrying a day pack almost everyday, so it’s well worth a bit of practice. Backpacks sit differently and so change your centre of balance when it’s full of gear so make sure you put a few pounds of weight in it in training.
- Break in your hiking boots.
Blisters and sore feet are no fun at all! So make sure that while you’re getting yourself ready you’re doing the same for your boots. Start by just wearing them around the house, then down the road, and walking the dog. Then ideally do a couple of decent length weekend hikes to prepare them for what is to come.
- Hydration.
When you suddenly ask your body to walk or be active, it needs a bit more fuel than it needs when, say, sitting at a desk all day! The main thing your body needs is water, so stay hydrated and practice sipping water often. Getting a water bottle or hydration bladder is a great way to make sure you have it on hand at all times. Make a habit out of taking a bottle of water with you wherever you go.
- Nutrition.
Eating little and often will keep your body well fuelled for outdoor exercise, especially food like nuts, dried fruit and bread. The odd bit of chocolate and a few boiled lollies are good for keeping your blood sugar levels up while you’re hiking as well!
- Have fun!
The most important point of all! You are about to embark on the trip of a lifetime. You’re going to meet some amazing people, see some wonderful places and create memories that will stay with you for life. The more prepared you are to tackle the various challenges, the more fun you will have. Also, with all the endorphins you create from all this training, you’ll be smiling from ear to ear! It’s a great way to boost your happy vibes.
-
BOOK NOW -
Starting At$3,795Deposit$495Duration7 DAYS
- 🇨🇦CAD PRICEFOREIGN EXCHANGE FEES MAY APPLY
-
RISK FREE GUARANTEE!
Sign up now with a deposit to book your spot and it’s fully refundable for the first 7 days after your booking! This gives you a week to sort out flights, vacation time, a cat-sitter… and ensure that no one else takes your spot!IS THIS THE RIGHT TRIP FOR YOU?
This is an active multisport adventure travel trip. You must be comfortable and confident with the following:
- Hiking over rough and uneven terrain for 6-10 hours, covering 9-16km and gaining up to 806m of elevation
- Paddling for 4 hours (in a tandem kayak)
- In and on the water, as there may be unexpected swims. WWE must know if you’re a non-swimmer!
What's Included
- Professional local and AWESOME female Guide(s)
- All meals from dinner on Day 1 to breakfast on day 7
- 6-nights shared cottage accommodation
- Fully-outfitted sea kayak day trip on Bonne Bay in tandem kayaks
- Guided hikes and walks throughout Gros Morne
- Ground transportation around Gros Morne and return to Deer Lake Airport
- Gros Morne National Park pass
- Western Brook Pond Fjord boat tour
- Optional private room upgrade, subject to availability
- All Canadian taxes included
- All applicable taxes are included in the trip price