Weaving through South-east Alaska’s magnificent Alexander Archipelago we have exclusive encounters with iconic and abundant wildlife such as brown and black bear, humpback whale, orca, Steller’s sea lion, sea otter and bald eagle.
Our Seldom Seen Alaska Photography Tour navigates a pristine and spectacular landscape where humpbacks erupt out of the water in feeding spectacles, bears patrol the coastlines for spawning salmon and the sheltered waters are the domain of orca, sea otter and gargantuan Steller's sea lions. The charismatic tufted puffin with its elaborate head plumage and auklets, waders and icons such as the bald eagle will feature in our portfolio of birds.
This small group trip of only six participants explores by day in a specially modified private catamaran, providing us with exclusivity during encounters through this off-the-beaten track region. We come ashore at night to stay in several remote lodges, filled with character and warm hospitality.
With personalised tuition from a photography tour leader, we have the opportunity to develop our photographic skills and build a fantastic portfolio of landscape and wildlife images during this 12-day tour. One opportunity to gather unique images comes in the fascinating spectacle of humpback whales bubble-net feeding, as we visit one of the few places in the world where you can see this.
Every day is active and engaging. During August, we can admire and capture the thrilling behaviour of both brown and black bears as they catch salmon on remote coastal rivers. We cruise past immense forests that harbour a rich web of life and discover the unique ports, colourful history, and inspiring Native Alaskan Culture.
Read the highlights from a previous trip in wildlife photographer Bret Charman's blog.
Typical Itinerary
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Day 1:
Depart UK
We fly from London Heathrow to Seattle–Tacoma International Airport and take the complimentary shuttle service to our airport hotel.
Accommodation: Cedarbrook Lodge, 1-night
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Day 2:
Fly to Petersburg
We return to the airport and fly to Petersburg. We're then collected from the airport and transferred to our accommodation in Petersburg.
After we've had the chance to settle in, we explore some of Petersburg, perhaps walking around the harbour and other points of interest.
Accommodation: Scandia House, 2-nights
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Day 3:
LeConte Glacier
Today we board our vessel “Catdaddy” for a cruise through the waters across Frederick Sound to North America’s southernmost tidewater glacier, the LeConte Glacier.
As we work our way through the intricate maze of the sapphire blue iceberg filled fjord, we keep an eye out for mountain goats on the glacially carved cliffs and harbour seals resting on the floating islands of ice. This active glacier makes for an incredible spectacle and offers some interesting photographic opportunities.
The area is also home to large rafts of sea otters.
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Day 4:
Whale watching Frederick Sound and travel to Kake
Today, we leave Petersburg behind to travel most of the day to the remote village of Kake. During our journey, we continue through Frederick Sound and Stephens Passage, looking for wildlife as we go. The waters here are rich in marine life with Steller's sea lions, Dall's porpoises, and humpback whales all commonly found in the area. As we travel through Fredrick Sound, we hope to encounter bubble-net feeding events with humpback whale. It is not uncommon to witness numerous bubble-net events in a single afternoon.
We arrive in the village of Kake this afternoon, where we spend the next two nights. Once we are settled into our accommodation, we visit the local hatchery where black bears are visiting to give us further photographic opportunities with this endearing species.
Accommodation: Waterfront Lodge, 2 nights
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Day 5:
Explore Gunnuck Creek and Waters surrounding Kake
Today we have a relaxing morning, giving us a chance to rest after an activity-filled itinerary. You may want to take this opportunity to look through the photographs you have taken so far, discuss editing techniques with your leader, or explore the village.
In the afternoon, we set out across town to the Gunnuk Creek hatchery. The hatchery is a fantastic location to photograph black bears, which are frequent visitors that feed on the chum salmon that use the creek to spawn. This is an exhilarating experience that can offer some great photography opportunities as we watch the bears fishing at close range.
After dinner, the weather and sea conditions will determine our course as we explore the waters of either Hamilton Bay, Port Camden or Kadake Bay. This is an excellent area to encounter bubble-net feeding humpbacks. Alternatively, we may drive up the mountain track out of the village, where we hope to find Sitka black-tailed deer and American porcupine.
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Day 6:
Travel to Honnah
Today we set our course for the town of Honnah, passing through some stunning, wild, and remote landscapes as we travel. Wildlife abounds along the journey; bald eagles are regularly seen in the trees, and humpback whales or orcas may turn up anywhere. We may visit Midway Reef located along Catherine Island, or we may travel down a stretch of Baranof Island nicknamed the Waterfall Coast.
We might also call on the captivating Red Bluff Bay, a typical slice of Alaskan paradise where a flat meadow and numerous thundering waterfalls, soaring eagles, jumping salmon, and the promise of bears are all framed by majestic snow-capped mountains.
Accommodation: Icy Strait Lodge, 2 nights
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Day 7:
Boat based bear and whale watching from Hoonah
Today, we continue our exploration of northern Chatham Strait and Icy Strait, possibly along the shores of Admiralty and Chichagof Islands. These waters are famous for their abundance of humpback whale and regular sightings of orca, Dall’s porpoise and even the occasional grey or sperm whale. We hope to enjoy some prolonged and excellent photographic opportunities with the marine life we find.
We may also investigate Tenakee Inlet, Port Frederick, and Freshwater Bay. During this season, it is common for coastal brown bears to peruse the shoreline, unearthing crustaceans along the rocky shoreline and harvesting salmon near the many streams feeding into the bays and inlets.
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Day 8:
Boat excursion from Honnah to Sitka
Leaving Honnah behind, we depart early and begin our journey south, with sea and weather conditions playing a part in determining our course. Whichever route to Sitka is chosen, we will be travelling through stiunning wild and remote landscapes and always watching for groups of bubble-net feeding humpback whales and hunting orcas.
We may also explore the charming boardwalk town of Elfin Cove (if there is room on the small public dock) before continuing our journey past the Inan Islands in Cross Sound and into Sitka Sound, to reach the town of Sitka, where we spend our final two nights.
Accommodation: Southeast Resort, 2 nights
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Day 9:
Bear Cove and Sitka Sound
Today, we board our vessel 'Catdaddy' for the final time as we cruise through the waters in and around the biologically rich Sitka Sound.
We begin our day with hopefully a thrilling photography session at Bear Cove next to the Medvejie Hatchery. Here we hope to witness the spectacle of coastal brown bears feasting on salmon returning to spawn. This hotspot, often visited by sow bears and their playful cubs, provides a unique opportunity to observe their interactions, including playful fights. Brace yourself for an up-close encounter, with the boat manoeuvring within 20 yards of these awe-inspiring creatures.
Later, our expedition takes us beyond the sound of Sitka to circumnavigate St. Lazaria Island, a six hectare island where a staggering 500,000 seabirds’ nest earlier in the season. It is one of the most productive seabird colonies in the State of Alaska. Among the tangle of tree roots are the abundant burrows of nesting fork-tailed and Leach’s storm-petrels, ancient murrelet, tufted puffin, and rhinoceros auklet. During August, most of the birds will have left their nest sites, but many remain to feed in the area.
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Day 10:
Depart Alaska
After a leisurely morning in Sitka we transfer to the airport for our flight to Seattle.
Accommodation: Cedarbrook Lodge, 1-night
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Day 11:
Return UK
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EXPEDITION VESSEL
