Newfoundland is a land like no other. It’s the far east of the western world, with thousands of islands, coves, guts, and bays that exude a strange and startling beauty. You’ll never have to go looking for wildlife in Newfoundland. In addition to having the opportunity to help sail the ship, you’ll enjoy a gentle paddle around a sheltered bay, watching humpback whales, and visiting sea caves and remote pebble beaches. With geology professor Clint Cowan ’83, you’ll experience a relatively unpopulated and geographically ancient land, where the hiking and walking opportunities are both endless and breathtaking. Around every corner and every bend you will find a piece of heaven, a delightful sight, and a playful breeze.

FACULTY

Clint Cowan '83 has taught geology at Carleton since 1997 and has led student and alumni trips to a variety of sites, from Tasmania to the Bahamas. Cowan did his graduate work in the terrains of Newfoundland and Labrador, so this trip perfectly fits his expertise.  For his dissertation, Clint spent a total of 8 months in western Newfoundland doing geological research along the coast, using Zodiac boats and hiking in the Long Range Mountains.  Many of the places this trip will visit or cruise by are well known to him both geologically and tourist-wise.  He is looking forward to sharing his experiences and knowledge of this unique land.

VOYAGE ITINERARY

DAY 1, SUNDAY, AUGUST 23 -LET THE VOYAGE BEGIN… Fly into Deer Lake (you may need to fly in the day before depending on your departure city).  Boarding takes place in Corner Brook. The landscape of the Corner Brook region is rugged and the scenery is spectacular. The surrounding coastline holds magnificent fjords, jagged headlands, thickly forested areas and many offshore islands. Wildlife, forest and water mingle with the city’s borders on all sides and mountains fill the horizon in all directions. It’s a perfect place to start our journey. This coastline was chartered by Captain James Cook in 1767 and not much has changed since then. The region enjoys spectacular natural scenery, isolated coves and islands yet to be settled. It is also famous for authentic cuisine, where the chef will create mouth watering treats such as snow crab, succulent bake apples and wild berries. The ship is at anchor for the night in Goose Arm, providing an excellent opportunity to grab a paddle and explore the private shoreline or relax and enjoy the sunset.

DAY 2, MONDAY, AUGUST 24 –We wake to a sunrise off the mountains as the ship continues along Newfoundland’s West Coast. We’ll pass historic fishing villages and marvel over the numerous sightings of wildlife. Keep a look out for humpbacks, minke, and pilot whales that all frequent this area. We continue into the fjord arriving late afternoon to a warm welcome in the beautiful village of Lark Harbour, named after Captain Cook’s ship, H.M.S. Lark. Join in a hike for all levels at Bottle Cove. Spend the afternoon exploring remote coves, sea stacks, caves and an amazing view overlooking the ocean. Or hike the trails at Blow Me Down Mountain, the name says it all! In the evening get ready to experience a true “Scoff ‘n Scuff” as the village entertains with a night of traditional food and revelry.

DAY 3, TUESDAY, AUGUST 25 – Our morning is full of discovery, a Parks Canada guide sails with us to give insight on the region on our way to Norris Point. Once arriving in the afternoon join one of the best hikes to see wildlife in their natural habitat, the challenging Gros Morne Mountain. It’s one of the province’s most extensive trail systems, millions of years of tectonic plate movement has yielded an otherworldly landscape of varied rock formations and diverse vegetation. You can wander over the earth’s mantle, see fjords unlike anything else this side of Norway, and encounter flora and fauna found nowhere else on earth. Others may enjoy a boat tour into a land-locked freshwater fjord called Western Brook Pond followed by a visit to the sandy beaches of Cow Head. A visit to the Marine Biology Station is a must with a chance to touch sea urchins and other fascinating creatures of the deep. The evening offers the perfect chance to catch live, outdoor theatre in the magical setting of Cow Head.

DAY 4, WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 26 – In the morning we set sail to another magical place, with calm waters and sheer shoreline as the backdrop. It’s a perfect setting for learning and we’re joined by a biologist from the Norris Point’s Marine Biology Station to get a hands-on chance to explore the unique microcosm of the Bonne Bay fjords. Lunch is served on deck which is an excursion in itself. The chef has prepared a mixed grill of local specialties; moose, caribou, fish and wild berries. We continue to sail through Bonne Bay and anchor for the night at Man O’ War Cove. It’s a chance to relax on a deckchair and enjoy the superb scenery or grab a kayak for a paddle. This night is the Captain’s Dinner, providing us with a traditional evening of toasts to new friends and song.

DAY 5, THURSDAY, AUGUST 27 – We start the day with a breakfast sail to Woody Point, located at the base of the famous Tablelands. This morning is an excellent opportunity to enjoy the numerous hiking trails and explore the secrets of the Tablelands, “where the Earth shows its’ bones”.

The ultramafic rock - peridotite - which makes up the Tablelands is thought to originate in the earth’s mantle and was forced up from the depths during a plate collision several hundred million years ago. Others may choose the Trout River Pond boat ride, where you can journey deep into the Earth. The sense of discovery heightens as you glide through the Narrows into the upper pond, having the beauty of this landlocked fjord surrounding you. Or take a quiet paddle along the coastline to see the many small communities located nearby. Craft stores in town offer a variety of items from Inuit carvings to hand knit sweaters, contemporary jewellery, and partridgeberry jam. Take a stroll to discover these treasures and meet the people who make them.

DAY 6, FRIDAY, AUGUST 28 – It’s a day to relax as we voyage, viewing dramatic seascape and an abundance of marine and wildlife. Today is the perfect combination of tradition and beauty, all fused together with friendly hospitality. We receive a warm welcome in Cox’s Cove, our stop for the evening. The night ends with a special Newfoundland ceremony of food, drink, music and laughter. In the morning we have a sunrise sail to Corner Brook where our journey comes to an end but our memories will last a lifetime!

WHAT’S INCLUDED IN THE VOYAGE?

• The expertise of a Carleton faculty leader
• Modern, finely appointed cabin
• Local gourmet cuisine for all meals
• Complimentary soft drinks, coffee and tea
• Hands-on sail training program while underway
• Onboard guest lectures and entertainers
• Daily excursions such as sea kayaking, mountain biking, zodiacs, hiking, exploring local towns
• Access to the ship's well-stocked library.

EXCLUSIONS:

• Rate does not include HST (federal and provincial sales tax of 13%)
• Select shore excursions that involve any additional expenses (such as going out with a local fisherman for a day, a formal tour of a local town, any entry fees)
• Transportation from Deer Lake airport to ship (taxis are approximately $45 Canadian)

PRICE PER PERSON DOUBLE OCCUPANCY IN CANADIAN DOLLARS (as of April 2009 $1 Canadian = $.79 US)

Suite: $2442

Double Plus: $1974

Double: $1740

Dbl-Shared: $1506

Quads: $1506

For cabin layouts, click HERE.

• All prices are in Canadian dollars, based on double occupancy. Prices are subject to applicable taxes.
• For single supplements add 50% to cruise cost.
• If you wish to share your cabin, we will try to match you with a roommate. You will have the chance to contact the roommate ahead of time.
• Payment Method: A 25% deposit is required to reserve. Cabin bookings can be held on a credit card until checks arrives. Checkes can be made payable to Canadian Sailing Expeditions, PO BOX 2613, HALIFAX, NOVA SCOTIA, B3J 3N5. Visa and MasterCard are accepted, a surcharge of 2% will be applied to the total. If you reserve your spot with a credit card, before processing the charge a staff member from Canadian Sailing Expeditions will contact you to discuss your payment options.

Cancellation Policy

Terms of purchase shall be a non-refundable deposit of 25% of the total cost upon reservation with the balance due prior to departure. All cancellations must be received in writing. Any changes in name will be considered a cancellation. If cancellation is 119-90 days or before, the refund is 50%. No refund given if cancelled 89 days or less. Cancellation and interruption insurance is strongly recommended.

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PRE-CRUISE OPTION (also see information in blue box)

St. John’s across the island to Corner Brook to meet vessel

3 days-2 nights

Friday, August 21, 2009 - Fly into St. John's (you may have to fly in a day early depending on your departure city). This morning we tour old St. John's with plenty of time to see such National historic sites as Cabot Tower, Signal Hill, the Anglican Cathedral of St. John the Baptist and the Basilica. Hear the legends of Dead Man's Pond, and Government House and the history surrounding the Colonial Building. En route, we will also see such modern edifices as the campus of Memorial University, the Confederation Building and City Hall. This tour will orient you and give you a feel for the history, legend and lore of St. John's, the oldest community in North America. Then we will visit the National Park at Cape Spear, the most easterly point of land in North America. Here the lighthouse has been restored to circa 1836. Explore the bunkers built by Canadian soldiers in the side of the cliffs here during the Second World War. Now you can say you have been to the other "far East" where you can stand with your back to the Atlantic and face every other being in North America - or turn your back on them. The choice is yours. This afternoon we drive down the Southern Shore to Bay Bulls where you will join the O'Brien's for a boat ride out to the Bird Islands to see the Puffins. On the way, they will scout for whales and icebergs and sing a few ditties.

Overnight St. John’s. Midday Meal & Dinner

Saturday, August 22, 2009 - Today we will go "around the Bay" along the picturesque coastline of Conception Bay, the home of pirates of centuries ago. We will stop along the way for picture taking and to visit some of the more interesting villages such as Brigus, one of the historic sailing ports of Conception Bay and home of the late, famous Captain Bob Bartlett who took Perry to the North Pole. This afternoon we travel to Terra Nova National Park to view the vistas of Newman Sound before heading on to the Gander area.

Overnight Gander. Breakfast & Midday Meal

Sunday, August 23, 2009 - Today we travel to Corner Brook, the largest community in Western Newfoundland. The landscape of the Corner Brook region is rugged and the scenery is spectacular. If time permits, we will visit Twillingate and Lewisporte along the way.

Breakfast

PRICE INCLUDES

• Newfoundland Guide Services
• 2 nights accommodation with private bath and/or shower
• Baggage Handling of one suitcase per person
• Entrance Fees to National Historic Sites
• Excursion to Conception Bay
• Two Breakfasts
• Two Midday Meals
• One Dinner
• Ground Transportation
• Airport Transfer upon Arrival

PRICE PER PERSON DOUBLE OCCUPANCY, CANADIAN DOLLARS (as of April 2009 $1 Canadian = $.79 US) :

$1000 6-30 passengers (all taxes included)

$ 885 30-40 passengers

$ 160 Single supplement

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POST-CRUISE OPTION (also see information in blue box)

Three-day, 2-night tour of the Northern Peninsula

August 29, 2009
This morning we leave Corner Brook and take the Viking trail to beautiful Gros Morne National Park. We will travel along some of the most spectacular coastline in North America and visit the National Historic Park at Port au Choix, which interprets the intriguing history and lifestyle of the Maritime Archaic people who lived here over 3000 years ago. This afternoon we travel to St. Anthony.

Overnight St. Anthony. Midday Meal.

August 30, 2009

Today we visit the home of the famous medical missionary, Sir Wilfred Grenfell, who brought modern medicine to northern Newfoundland and the remote communities of coastal Labrador. The highlight of this day is our visit to the UNESCO World Heritage site at L'Anse aux Meadows, home of Lief the Lucky and the Viking people who settled this area as early as the year 1000 A.D. This evening you have the option of enjoying some of the local entertainment in the area.

Overnight Shallow Bay. Breakfast, Midday Meal & Dinner.

August 31, 2009

This morning we travel to Deer Lake where you will fly home with many delightful memories of an authentic Newfoundland experience that will be recalled for years to come.

Breakfast & Airport Transfer.

PRICE INCLUDES

• Newfoundland Guide Services
• 2 nights accommodation with private bath and/or shower
• Baggage Handling of one suitcase per person
• Visit to Sir Wilfred Grenfell Mission
• Tour to L'Anse Aux Meadows
• Sightseeing in Gros Morne Park
• Entrance Fees to National Historic Sites
• Two Breakfasts
• Two Midday Meals
• One Dinner
• Ground Transportation

PRICE PER PERSON DOUBLE OCCUPANCY, CANADIAN DOLLARS (as of April 2009 $1 Canadian = $.79 US):

$1000 each for 6-29 passengers (all taxes included)

$ 775 each 30 - 40 passengers

$ 160 Single supplement

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TOUR OPERATOR: Canadian Sailing Expeditions

QUESTIONS?

Contact Amy Goerwitz at the Alumni Affairs Office: 800-729-2586 or 507-222-5645 (direct line) or by e-mail at amy.goerwitz@carleton.edu.