Plan to arrive into Deer Lake by noon or early afternoon on Day 1. Flights to Deer Lake (YDF) are operated by Air Canada. 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:

1. 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)

2. 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).

RECOMMENDED PRE-TRIP ACCOMMODATIONS

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.

Deer Lake Motel

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

Holiday Inn Express

Telephone Number: (709) 635-3232 or 1-877-660-8550

DEPARTURES FROM DEER LAKE

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

RECOMMENDED POST-TRIP ACCOMMODATIONS

If you plan on departing at a later date, Wild Women Expeditions recommends staying at the Deer Lake Motel or the Holiday Inn Express.

TRANSPORTATION ARRANGEMENTS

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 Specialists

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. We encourage you to consider arriving one or two days early, which will help you overcome any jet lag from traveling!

PASSPORTS & VISAS

You are fully responsible for your own visa requirements, permits, and certificates for your trip. It is the sole prerogative of each country or region to determine who is allowed to enter. It is your responsibility to check with the country's Consulate and your country's travel website such as Canada’s for up-to-date information about traveling internationally.

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.

US citizens at land and sea borders have other options, such as an enhanced driver’s license, permanent resident card or NEXUS card. See Canada Border Services for approved identification documents.

Visa:

Visitors from certain countries require a visa to enter Canada. Those who are exempt require an Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA; $7 USD), with the exception of Americans. This must be applied for prior to traveling and can be completed online. It usually takes minutes but can take days. See how to apply Electronic Travel Authorization.

If you would like additional assistance in securing your visa, we recommend you consider using the services of CIBTVisas.

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.

TIPPING

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 15-25% of the total amount of the bill; if the service was very good, you may wish to leave up to 20%. 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.

ACCOMMODATION DETAILS

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!

Lifestraw

GRAYL Canada | OnePress™ Global Protection

Travelers Against Plastic | Take the TAP pledge

Water-To-Go

Overnight Arrangements During Your Stay

Gros Morne Basecamp

Located within metres from the ocean in the charming community of Norris Point in the heart of Gros Morne National Park.

QUICK FACTS ABOUT NEWFOUNDLAND

Common Animals:

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!

Climate & Weather:

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 41 - 68°F (5-20°C), with 75% snow-covered mountains and can be very cold wind, especially the first week of June. Better to be prepared!

MONEY MATTERS

Wild Women Expeditions recommends that each participant should bring enough cash in local currency or available credit/debit funds to cover their meals during travel to and from their destination. Please consider your own spending habits when it comes to allowing for drinks, meals not included in the trip package, shopping, etc., and we also suggest you have access to emergency funds.

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%.

GETTING FIT

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. Generally, our expeditions are intended for travelers in reasonably good health for their safety, along with that of their fellow travelers.

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.

GENERAL FAQ'S

For general Wild Women Expeditions FAQs please click [HERE].