Compare Hike the Discovery Trail: Five Centuries of Newfoundland Coastal Life by Road Scholar vs Canada (Western): See & Experience it ALL in 10 Days, 1st Class Custom Tours by Charlie The Traveler

Day 1 Check-In, Registration, Orientation, Welcome Dinner St. John's, Newfoundland

Hotel check-in 3 p.m.

Arrive to beautiful St. John's and transfer to the hotel. Program Registration is between 4:00-5:00 p.m. Come meet our group leader in the lobby and get your welcome packet. If you arrive late, please ask for your packet when you check in and the front desk will be happy to help you.

We’ll begin our evening with an orientation session where we’ll get to know each other as well as review the up-to-date program schedule and any changes. We’ll go over important information as well as have time for questions. Program activities, schedules, personnel, and indicated distances or times may change due to local circumstances/conditions. In the event of changes, we will alert you as quickly as possible. Thank you for your understanding. Continue getting to know your fellow Road Scholars or settle in for the night. You may also wish to explore what the city has to offer. The hotel is located downtown on St. John's picturesque harbor.

Welcome dinner at the hotel at 6:00 p.m.

Day 2 Hiking Signal Hill, The Rooms St. John's, Newfoundland

Hiking 4.5 miles over 3 hours, on rugged trails with many rocks to climb over; close to cliff edges and very steep with many stairs. Walking and standing at museum.

We will hike up Signal Hill for sweeping views overlooking the Atlantic. Signal Hill was the site of St. John’s harbour defences from the 17th century to the Second World War and where Guglielmo Marconi received the world’s first transatlantic wireless signal in 1901.

In the afternoon, we will visit "The Rooms" for an introduction to the people of Newfoundland. A unique blend of art gallery, archives and museum; its controversial design mirrors the colorful "fishing rooms" where families came together to process their catch. This is a wonderful opportunity to be exposed to local culture and craft as well as traditional and modern looks at life in Newfoundland and Labrador as it houses the largest collection of artefact's and specimens - from the First Nations, Vikings, French, and English.

Breakfast at hotel.

Boxed lunch on the trail.

Dinner on your own. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions.

Day 3 Hiking the Coast, Cape Spear, Transfer to Port Union Port Union, Newfoundland

Hiking 4.5 miles over 3 hours on rugged trails with some uneven and potentially muddy sections. Terrain is rough underfoot, with low growth, hills and cliff edges. Walking/standing at museum. Driving about 200 miles over 4-5 hours with rest stops.

We will check out and board the coach this morning on our way to Port Union. Our first stop will be at picturesque Cape Spear. The eastern-most point in North America (not counting Greenland), this Cape has been inhabited all the way back to the extinct Beothuk people. It is also home to the Cape Spear Lighthouse, a National Historic Site of Canada. The lighthouse was first operated in 1836 and was the second lighthouse to be built in Newfoundland, to help protect the entrance to St. John's harbor. We will hike along the coast, seeing firsthand the scenery that prompted the building of the lighthouse.

Coach transfer to Port Union, approximately four hours with rest stops en route. Arrive to Port Union in time to unpack and freshen up before dinner.

At leisure.

Breakfast at hotel.

Boxed lunch on the trail.

Dinner at the hotel.

Day 4 Hiking Skerwink Trail, Trinity Walking Exploration Port Union, Newfoundland

Today's hike along Skerwink Trail is 3.5 miles along maintained paths with sometimes uneven terrain and is considered moderate to difficult; steep slopes and cliff edges on trails, stairs. Walking about 2 miles along streets with some busy sidewalks and potential uneven terrain. Driving 43 miles over an hour.

This morning, we will depart by bus for Port Rexton to hike the Skerwink Trail. This looped trek offers fantastic photo opportunities. Hilly terrain along high cliffs, it is rated moderate to difficult but worth every minute we spend on the trail. This trail is one of the most popular in the area and provides fantastic views of the ocean and sea stacks with magical names like the “music box”.

Enjoy an expert-led walking exploration of Trinity. Trinity has been a viable North Atlantic community for hundreds of years. Its defensible harbor, with abundant room for the ships of the day and shores well suited for outbuildings, wharves and fish-flakes, made it ideal for the early migratory fishery. The preservation of Trinity's cultural and built heritage has made it perhaps the most notable historic community in the province. After the walk, there will be some time to explore the town independently. You may wish to see a play at the Rising Tide Theatre, one of Newfoundland's best loved professional theatre companies, visit historic sites or go kayaking.

We will return to Port Union by coach after dinner.

Breakfast at hotel.

At a local restaurant in Port Rexton.

Dinner on your own in Trinity. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions.

Day 5 Hiking Murphy's Cove, Lodge's Pond Trail, Port Union Port Union, Newfoundland

Today's hike to Murphy's Cove on the Lodge's Point is on a 4.8-mile looped trail; approximately 2 - 3 hours. Trail is narrow with hilly terrain, rocks, tree roots, hills, cliff edges. Rated as moderate to difficult. Driving 33 miles over 1 hour.

We will depart from hotel for our hike to Murphy's Cove/Lodge's Pond trail, Port Union. This looped trail has a variety of headlands that provide viewing platforms where surrounding communities, whales, seabirds and fishing vessels can be photographed. The halfway point provides a lookout where we can view the Green Island Lighthouse, one of the last remaining manned lighthouses in Newfoundland. The trail follows the coastline offering great photo opportunities. Local guides will talk about the area and how the trails were once used by hunters and berry pickers.

This afternoon, we will learn about historic Port Union and why it is the Only Union Built Town in North America. Hear about Sir William Coaker who in the early 1900's organized a union of fishermen, built a town, formed a large Trading Company, became a politician with his own union party and fought the merchants of the day. We will visit his home, now a museum, see some of the newly restored buildings, walk around the shipyard park, where more than 30 schooners were built, walk along the waterfront boardwalk and at low tide view 550-million year old fossils.

We will take an evening trip to Cape Bonavista to view puffins and possibly whales and enjoy some spectacular scenery.

Breakfast at hotel.

In Port Union.

In Port Union.

Day 6 Hiking Klondike Trail, Root Cellars, Bonavista Port Union, Newfoundland

The Klondike Trail is a 3.7-mile linear trail; rated easy-moderate. Driving 45 miles over 1.5 hours.

Hike along the Klondike Trail and go from forest to wetlands, heathlands to sea. Learn about the plants and animals inhabiting our area. Look for puffins, whales, kittiwakes and other sea life as well as spectacular coastal scenery. This area was initially called Bird Island Cove and offers hikers spectacular oceanfront scenery with plenty of seabirds and wildlife along the way. We will depart for Elliston to see the root cellars; take a walk back in time and enter cellars originally built in the 1850s, many of which are still used today to store root crops. At the Sealer's Museum and Memorial, we will learn the history of Newfoundland's sealing industry, including the story of the Great Sailing Disaster of 1914.

There will be some free time to independently explore the Historic Town of Bonavista, the Landfall of John Cabot when he discovered Newfoundland in 1497. You may wish to talk with local residents to learn the history of the town and their unique dialect.

Following dinner with local residents there will be traditional Newfoundland stories, music and dancing. Try your hand at playing the "ugly stick" and spoons. Also, participate in a "screech-in" ceremony where you will be made honorary Newfoundlanders. It is an unforgettable evening of fun and laughter.

Breakfast at hotel.

In Bonavista at a local restaurant.

Community dinner in Port Union with local residents. Dinner will be a buffet style meal featuring traditional Newfoundland dishes.

Day 7 Hiking King's Cove, Transfer to St. John's, Free Time St. John's, Newfoundland

Today's hike on the King's Cove Lighthouse Trail is 2.2- miles, on a well-maintained though occasionally uneven trail, rated moderate. Driving 250 miles over 4-5 hours with rest stops en route

We'll check out and transfer to King's Cove by coach this morning to hike the King's Cove Lighthouse trail to Brook Point. The first and last parts of the trail are through meadows known as “Pat Murphy’s Meadow”, and were the inspiration for the famous folk song of that name. Most of the trail is through boreal forest with bogs and ponds. Coastal vegetation consisting of stunted or scrub spruce and fir predominates as we approach the coast. Tuckamore occurs on the coastal cliffs - a thicket of small stunted evergreen trees with gnarled spreading roots, forming closely matted ground-cover or thickets on the barrens and coastal regions. Shrubs of bog and sheep (goo-witty) laurel, Labrador Tea and rhodora grow in and around bogs, open areas and as forest undergrowth. Blackberry earth, irises, sedum, blueberry bushes and bakeapple plants are common. Brook Point is at the end of the trail and provides views of layer upon layer of multi-coloured, 570-million-year-old sedimentary rocks are exposed in these spectacular coastal cliffs.

We'll transfer to St. John's, a journey of about 3.5-4 hours. We'll arrive with time to check-in and do some independent explorations, or rest up for departure the next day.

At leisure.

Breakfast at hotel.

Boxed lunches en route.

Farewell dinner at a local restaurant.

Day 8 Program Concludes St. John's, Newfoundland

Check-out is 11:00 a.m.

Departures from the hotel in St. John's per individual travel plans. We hope you enjoy Road Scholar learning adventures and look forward to having you on rewarding programs in the future. Please join our Facebook page and share photos of your program. Visit us at www.facebook.com/rsadventures. Best wishes for all your journeys!

Hotel breakfast buffet at 7:00 a.m. Program concludes

Day 1: Welcome to the Rocky Mountains

Through the city of Edmonton, we reach our first destination. This is none other than the resort town of Jasper. It is home to the largest national park in the Canadian Rockies. Jasper National Park attracts those seeking vast wilderness, majestic peaks and lots of wildlife.

Note that if you cannot arrive at the Edmonton Airport by 2:00pm, you will need a ‘pre-tour’ day. You would sleep in Downtown Edmonton for that evening and would start our tour the following day. We would make all arrangements for you in the event you need to sleep in Edmonton.

Day 2: A Fantasy Boat Ride & Abundant Wildlife

As a daytrip from Jasper, we visit Maligne Canyon and Medicine Lake as well as do a boat cruise from Maligne Lake to Spirit Island. Maligne Canyon contains waterfalls, underground stream outlets, birds and plant life. Wildlife is surprisingly abundant along Medicine Lake. Grizzly bear, black bear, mule deer, wolves, moose, mountain sheep and bald eagles are some of the animals which frequent the lake area during the summer season. The lake cruise is scenic and is arguably the highlight of the day.

Day 3: A Monster Bus on a Glacier & One of the Most Scenic Drives on Earth

Although we are relocating from Jasper to the resort town of Banff, a lot of important stops are made along the way: Athabasca Falls, Columbia Icefield (ride on the actual glacier with a specially designed, stretched out monster bus!), Weeping Wall Waterfalls, Bow Lake, Crowfoot Glacier and Peyto Lake. Today is best described as one of the most scenic drives on Earth! Note that lunch is included on today’s tour.

Day 4: A Pilot’s View of Paradise & a Canyon Deservedly Displayed on Postcards

As a daytrip from Banff, our morning starts with a visit to the town of Canmore. It is from there we take a helicopter ride. The mountainous scenery is like no other. In the latter part of the day, after returning to Banff, we visit the nearby Johnston Canyon. Limestone rock eroding over thousands of years led to a picture-perfect creation combining sheer canyon walls, waterfalls, tunnels and natural pools.

Day 5: Instagram-Famous Photo Stops, a Lake Cruise & Thundering Waterfalls

As another daytrip from Banff, today we visit Bow Falls, Surprise Corner Lookout, Hoodoos Viewpoint, Lake Louise and Moraine Lake. We also go on an enjoyable boat cruise at Lake Minnewanka. The evening ends with a ride on Banff Gondola. We ascend Sulphur Mountain (2,281 meters or 7,484 feet) and then follow the well-designed skywalk.

Day 6: The Ultimate Seaplane Tour & an Ice Bar

After relocating by both land and air from Banff to the resort town of Whistler, we go on a seaplane ride: rugged peaks, majestic glaciers, lush alpine meadows and turquoise glacial waters. After this flightseeing tour, we return to town. Over two million people visit Whistler annually. Its pedestrian village has won numerous design awards. Whistler has been voted among the top destinations in North America by major magazines since the mid-1990s.

We encourage you to end the day with a visit to the town’s most famous ice bar. It is fascinating even to those who do not drink.

Day 7: The Outdoor Adventurist’s Favorite Day of All

As excursions from Whistler, we go off-roading, whitewater rafting and ziplining. These are three of the very most popular activities in Whistler…and we are doing them all in one day! Even if we ignore the thrill aspect, the nature we see today gives enough reason why not to miss out.

Day 8: Walking a Suspension Bridge, Touching Peak to Peak by Cable Car & Nightlife

Before relocating by land to the city of Vancouver, we go on the so-called ‘Peak 2 Peak’ Gondola. Until 2017, it held the world record for the longest free span between ropeway towers. Adding to the overall experience is the ski lift ride and a 425-foot suspension bridge called Cloudraker Skybridge.

Once in Vancouver, we head to another suspension bridge. It is called Capilano. It is 140 meters (460 feet) long and 70 meters (230 feet) above the river. Capilano draws over 1.2 million visitors per year. We recommend you end your evening in Downtown Vancouver, specifically in an area called Gastown. There you will find lots of restaurants, galleries, shops and places to party.

Day 9: Whales, Islands, Beaches & a Food Market

Before making a daytrip by seaplane to the village of Tofino, we visit Vancouver’s most famous public market. It is located on Granville Island. Established in 1979, Granville Island Public Market is located in an enclosed facility where customers can purchase fresh produce, meat, seafood, cheeses and other products, many of which are locally sourced. There are approximately 50 vendors in the market, some of which are food vendors. They sell a range of items from Mexican, Asian, Greek and deli food to candy and snacks. The market attracts both local residents and tourists.

The seaplane ride between Vancouver and Tofino is quite scenic. On a clear day, we can see whales as well as Clayoquot Sound. This is a body of water with many inlets and islands. While in Tofino, we have time to walk around town. A visit to Chesterman Beach is recommended for those who wish to swim.

Day 10: Our Tour Ends This Morning

Transportation will be arranged for you to reach the airport or port in Vancouver.