Nova Scotia to Newfoundland - 13 days
Nova Scotia to Newfoundland - 13 days
Nova Scotia to Newfoundland - 13 days
13 Days Starting in Halifax, Canada and ending in St. John's, Canada
Visiting: Halifax, Port aux Basques, Port au Choix, L'Anse aux Meadows, St. Anthony, Gros Morne National Park, Gander, Clarenville, St. John's
Tour operator:
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Group size:
2 - 48
Age range:
12-110
Interests:
Activities:
Tour Overview
Embark on a captivating 13-day journey from Nova Scotia to Newfoundland, exploring the rich history and stunning landscapes of Eastern Canada. Begin in Halifax, the vibrant capital of Nova Scotia, before taking an overnight ferry to Port aux Basques. Discover the ancient cultures of Port au Choix and the Basque whaling history at Red Bay National Historic Site. Uncover Viking history at L'Anse aux Meadows and enjoy whale watching in St. Anthony. Experience the breathtaking scenery of Gros Morne National Park and the unique geological formations of the Tablelands. Visit Gander's North Atlantic Aviation Museum and explore the charming towns of Bonavista and Trinity. Conclude your adventure in St. John's, North America's oldest city, with a tour of its historic sites and a boat tour in Witless Bay Ecological Reserve. Enjoy comfortable accommodations, guided sightseeing, and the expertise of a local tour leader throughout this unforgettable small group tour.
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1: Halifax
Location: Halifax
Accommodation Name: hotel
Upon arriving in Halifax, check in to your accommodation, ideally located in the downtown of this city on the Atlantic Ocean. As the capital of Nova Scotia, Halifax is rich in culture and history, and tonight is free for you to head out and explore.
There is also a welcome meeting with our tour guide this evening, so you can get to know the rest of the group.
Day 2: Halifax
Location: Halifax
Accommodation Name: Overnight: Port aux Basques (overnight ferry)
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Halifax - North Sydney - Port aux Basques. We travel through Truro and Antigonish, crossing over the Canso Causeway to reach Cape Breton Island.
In North Sydney, we board the ferry for a relaxing overnight crossing to Port aux Basques, our port of entry for the island of Newfoundland.
Please note: The Marine Atlantic ferry schedule varies annually, so a daytime crossing may be required, which could necessitate an overnight stay in Port aux Basques. This accommodation will be included in your tour price, if required.
Day 3: Port Aux Basques
Location: Port aux Basques
Accommodation Name: hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Port aux Basques - Port au Choix. Disembarking the ferry in Newfoundland this morning, we head through the Codroy Valley and the stunning Gros Morne National Park, which we will have the opportunity to explore later on during our tour.
Our destination today is the fishing community of Port au Choix, where we will learn about the ancient cultures that have inhabited the Port au Choix Peninsula. This area, which juts slightly into the Gulf of St. Lawrence on Newfoundland’s northwest coast, has been home to people for 5,500 years.
Please note: Some members of the tour may have started their tour in Corner Brook, instead of Halifax. The whole group will link up today, but the maximum group size of the tour will never be exceeded.
Day 4: Port Au Choix
Location: Port au Choix
Accommodation Name: hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Port au Choix - L'Anse au Clair. We board the ferry from St. Barbe across the Strait of Belle Isle to reach Labrador this morning. Our next stop is Red Bay National Historic Site, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, where the Basques operated a whaling station in the 16th century. We're spending the night in Labrador.
Day 5: L'anse Au Clair
Location: L'Anse aux Meadows
Accommodation Name: hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
L'Anse au Clair - St Anthony. We return to Newfoundland and travel to L’Anse aux Meadows National Historic Site, the first cultural discovery in the world to be recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Here, we will learn about the Vikings who roamed this area over a thousand years ago. After our visit, we will proceed to our accommodation in St. Anthony for the night.
Day 6: St. Anthony
Location: St. Anthony
Accommodation Name: hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
St Anthony - Cow Head. We begin our day with a morning whale-watching boat tour off the coast of St. Anthony (weather permitting). We will enjoy wonderful views of the coastline and hope to spot species including minke whales, humpbacks and white-sided dolphins.
Afterwards, we will head to Cow Head in Gros Morne National Park, where we will stay for two nights. The months of June and early July offer the best opportunities to see icebergs as large as the Titanic!
Day 7: Cow Head
Location: Gros Morne National Park
Accommodation Name: hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Today we are exploring UNESCO-listed Gros Morne National Park, beginning with a scenic boat tour on Bonne Bay. We’ll be on the lookout for bald eagles that are frequently spotted near the deep waters of the fjord.
Additionally, we will visit the Tablelands, an impressive flat-topped mountain made of rock typically found deep within the Earth’s mantle, which offers a truly awe-inspiring sight. Today promises to be unforgettable, as many believe the scenery in Gros Morne is unparalleled in Eastern Canada. We spend a second night in Cow Head.
Please note: You may request when booking that instead of today's included Bonne Bay boat tour and Tablelands visit, you take a scenic boat tour on Western Brook Pond and visit the Broom Point Fishing Premises instead. There is a 45-minute walk (3 km/2 miles) from the parking lot to the dock and a 45-minute walk back. This option must be requested on booking.
Day 8: Cow Head
Location: Gander
Accommodation Name: hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast
Cow Head - Gander. As our time in Gros Morne National Park comes to an end, we’ll journey through Central Newfoundland to Gander, famously known as the inspiration for the hit Broadway musical, "Come From Away". While in Gander, we’ll learn about the incredible hospitality and generosity shown by the local residents during the aftermath of the September 11, 2001 attacks, when 38 planes were unexpectedly diverted there.
We will also visit the North Atlantic Aviation Museum, which houses a fascinating collection of artifacts and exhibits detailing Gander’s pivotal role in the history of transatlantic aviation.
Day 9: Gander
Location: Gander
Accommodation Name: hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Gander - Clarenville. We take a scenic drive along the rugged coast of Notre Dame Bay to the beautiful outport of Twillingate, where we’ll visit the Long Point Lighthouse and the Prime Berth Fishery & Heritage Centre.
Keeping our cameras ready for potential wildlife sightings, we’ll continue through Terra Nova National Park before arriving in Clarenville, where we’ll stay for the next two nights.
Day 10: Clarenville
Location: Clarenville
Accommodation Name: hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Today, we’ll explore two quaint and historic towns in the area. Our journey begins in Bonavista, where John Cabot made his first landing in North America in 1497. At the Cape Bonavista Lighthouse Provincial Historic Site, we’ll learn about the challenging lives of the lighthouse keepers.
We will then continue to the charming town of Trinity, where we can stroll through its lanes and explore the many historic buildings preserved from the 18th century. Then we head back to Clarenville for the night.
Day 11: Clarenville
Location: St. John's
Accommodation Name: hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Clarenville - St John's. We continue to the fascinating old seaport of St. John's, where we’ll stay for the next two nights. As the oldest city in North America and the capital of Newfoundland, St. John's is set against the striking granite cliffs and slopes of the Avalon Peninsula.
We’ll enjoy an included city tour showcasing the Victorian architecture of the downtown area, the bustling modern waterfront, the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist, and the Confederation Building. To finish, we will take in the panoramic views from Signal Hill.
Day 12: St. John's
Location: St. John's
Accommodation Name: hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast
This morning, we head to Bay Bulls for a memorable highlight of our trip: a boat tour (weather permitting) through the Witless Bay Ecological Reserve, where we can look for puffins and other seabirds. Afterwards, we visit Cape Spear National Historic Site, the most easterly point in North America. The afternoon is free for you to further explore St. John's at your own pace.
Day 13: St. John's
Location: St. John's
Accommodation Name: hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast
Our tour comes to an end today, after a final breakfast at the hotel and check out.
What's Included
-
12 breakfasts, 4 lunches & 9 dinners
-
11 nights 3-4 star hotels & 1 overnight ferry from Halifax - Port aux Basques
-
Escorted by an expert local tour leader
-
All relevant transfers and transportation in a private coach
-
Strait of Belle Isle return ferry from Newfoundland - Labrador
-
Guided sightseeing in Port au Choix, Red Bay, L’Anse aux Meadows, Gros Morne National Park, Gander, Twillingate, Bonavsita, Trinity & St Johns
-
Whale watching boat tour in St Anthony
-
Bonne Bay boat tour (or Western Brook Pond boat tour, see Itinerary for details)
-
Witless Bay Ecological Reserve boat tour
-
Note: This tour is operated in conjunction with our trusted partner and you will join travellers from different operators, not solely On The Go
What's Not Included
-
International flights & visas
-
Airport transfers
-
Any meals or drinks not specified in the inclusions
-
Tips for your tour guide - an entirely personal gesture!
Mode of Transport
Travel in comfort with all relevant transfers and transportation provided in a private coach, including a return ferry across the Strait of Belle Isle from Newfoundland to Labrador.
Accommodation
Enjoy 11 nights in comfortable 3-4 star hotels and experience an overnight ferry journey from Halifax to Port aux Basques, ensuring a restful stay throughout your adventure.
Age Policy
Min:12yrs, accompanied by an adult / Max:110
Check out our Q&As
-
What kind of wildlife can I expect to see during the tour?
During the tour, you can expect to see a variety of wildlife including minke whales, fin whales, blue whales, and puffins. In Gros Morne National Park, you might spot bald eagles, and in Terra Nova National Park, there are opportunities for wildlife sightings as well.
-
Are there any UNESCO World Heritage Sites included in the tour?
Yes, the tour includes visits to several UNESCO World Heritage Sites such as Red Bay National Historic Site, known for its Basque whaling history, and L'Anse aux Meadows, which is recognized for its Viking history.
-
What is the accommodation like during the tour?
The tour includes 11 nights in 3-4 star hotels and 1 overnight ferry from Halifax to Port aux Basques. Accommodation is ideally located to enhance your experience in each destination.
-
Is there a whale watching tour included in the itinerary?
Yes, there is a whale watching boat tour included in St. Anthony, where you can spot various species of whales and enjoy views of the coastline.
-
What is the significance of Gander in the tour?
Gander is significant for its role during the September 11, 2001 attacks when 38 planes were unexpectedly diverted there. The tour includes a visit to the North Atlantic Aviation Museum to learn about Gander's pivotal role in transatlantic aviation.
-
What activities are included in Gros Morne National Park?
In Gros Morne National Park, the tour includes a scenic boat tour on Bonne Bay and exploration of the unique geological formations of the Tablelands. Alternatively, you can opt for a boat tour on Western Brook Pond and visit the Broom Point Fishing Premises.
-
What is the focus of the visit to St. John's?
In St. John's, the tour focuses on exploring North America's oldest city, including a city tour of its Victorian architecture, the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist, and panoramic views from Signal Hill. There is also a boat tour in the Witless Bay Ecological Reserve to see puffins and other seabirds.
-
What Ethical Travel credentials does the tour company have?
Ensuring our footprint is light and that the benefits of travelling reach the local communities you visit is paramount to us. We’re proud to say that when travelling with us, the large majority of your holiday funds remain within the countries you visit, supporting local economies at a grass roots level.
-
How long has the tour company been trading?
Since 1998
-
Who will be my travelling companions on the tour?
With English-speaking tours, it's not a huge surprise that most on our travellers are from English-speaking countries or have English as their second language. Our group tours cater for everyone from 18 years old to 70+
-
Will the accommodation included meet local health and safety regulations?
Yes
Reviews of this operator
1 Select your preferred date
Friday - Wednesday
Jun 06, 2025 - Jun 18, 2025Friday - Wednesday
Jun 20, 2025 - Jul 02, 2025Friday - Wednesday
Jun 27, 2025 - Jul 09, 2025Friday - Wednesday
Jul 18, 2025 - Jul 30, 2025Friday - Wednesday
Aug 01, 2025 - Aug 13, 2025Friday - Wednesday
Aug 15, 2025 - Aug 27, 2025Friday - Wednesday
Sep 05, 2025 - Sep 17, 2025Book with Confidence
-
Low Deposit
On The Go Tours requires a minimum deposit of 600 USD per person or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 60 days before departure.
-
Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of on the go tours charges.
Up to 60 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.
At 59 days before tour starts: Forfeit 50% of booking price.
At 30 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.
Enquire for huge savings
Rated 5* on Trust Pilot & ABTA Protected.