Join a Wildland Tours naturalist on our 2008 quest to study and catalogue the humpbacks and orcas of northern Newfoundland and southern Labrador. The area is incredibly rich with wildlife but is one of North America's least studied marine areas.
Enjoy comfortable nights, wild days, and some of our planet's most dramatic landscapes as we count humpbacks and pioneer the study of eastern North America's orcas. We travel to Battle Harbour, Labrador; gateway to the north when Peary and Bartlett journeyed to the pole. And we explore the northern coast of Newfoundland - home to Vikings 10 centuries ago and now eastern North America's most prolific orca sighting area.
This is a gentle expedition to safe but remote areas beyond the highways and urban portions of North America. Bring your sense of adventure, your sense of humor, and your reasonably fit self....and prepare for the holiday of a lifetime on the arctic's southern edge.
* Itinerary
- Day 1
Arrive Deer Lake, Newfoundland (YDF). Overview of expedition.
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- Day 2
Travel to L'Anse au Clair, Labrador with a stop at Port aux Choix, Newfoundland to look at ancient orca carvings. The ferry to Labrador is famous for pelagic seabird watching. Whales and seals are also frequent highlights on this 90-minute crossing.
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- Day 3
If time allows, we visit the 1540s World Whaling Capital, Red Bay, where we learn the story of the bowhead and right whales who once called these productive waters home. Travel through old growth Labrador forest along the new Labrador Highway to Mary's Harbour where we meet the Battle Harbour ferry. Watch for the black bears, wolves, and other wildlife along the route and around Mary's Harbour.
Overnight in the beautifully restored, historic premises of Battle Harbour. From here Peary declared, "The Pole is ours." Today the area has been restored to the glory it enjoyed when it was the Capital of Labrador. We use generators for electricity and enjoy comfortable rooms and the local food.
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- Day 4
Coastal boat trips searching for humpbacks, orcas, and other whales. We will attempt to gather some of the region's first humpback tail photographs. Our hope is that we can also attempt orca dorsal fin photography and use hydrophones to listen in on the underwater vocalizations of orcas and dolphins. We enjoy the coast's whales, abundant seabirds, and seals by day while soaking up the historic atmosphere of Battle Harbour by night.
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- Day 5
As with day 4 we do more coastal boat trips searching for humpbacks, orcas, and other whales. We will attempt to gather some of the region's first humpback tail photographs. Our hope is that we can also attempt orca dorsal fin photography and use hydrophones to listen in on the underwater vocalizations of orcas and dolphins. We enjoy the coast's whales, abundant seabirds, and seals by day while soaking up the historic atmosphere of Battle Harbour by night. We voyage by Cape Charles - the most easterly tip of Continental North America.
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- Day 6
We enjoy another day on the waters of the Labrador Straits. Some evenings we get a spectacular light show courtesy of the aurora borealis. We have always enjoyed the company of humpbacks and dolphins along this coast and most times we see orcas.
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- Day 7
Depart Labrador for the St. Anthony, Newfoundland area and our local hotel. The ferry trip between mainland Labrador and the Island of Newfoundland provides prime whale and seabird watching opportunities for us again.
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- Day 8
Depending on the sea conditions and local reports, we will explore the whale and dolphin-rich areas around St. Anthony and the Grey Islands on one of the area's tour boats. This is another orca hotspot and we hope to photograph orca dorsal fins and humpback tails. We also know some of the area's white-sided dolphins by sight. Nature photography and the region's Norse history add to the fun.
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- Day 9
The last day of our expedition will likely see more moose and caribou than whales as we leave northern Newfoundland for the charming Glynmill Inn in Corner Brook. Here we enjoy a sumptuous farewell supper.
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- Day 10
Depart from Deer Lake airport. Bon Voyage! Remember to send us your photos for our famous photography contest....and for the various whale census catalogues.
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Notes:
Airfare is not included in the tour price.
Explore Labrador and Newfoundland on this program from August 31 -September 9, 2008. Tax of 6.5% (13% for Canadians is extra).
Also see tour packages in:
Canada
Newfoundland
Marine Biology
Wildlife Viewing
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