Alaska Photo Safari

Arrival: Your trip will begin in Anchorage, Alaska. Fly into Anchorage International Airport (per own arrangements, air not included). Meet your Alaska Photo Safari host and group outside the Anchorage Airport baggage claim at 3:00pm

Day 1: Enjoy a scenic drive south along Turnagain Arm and through the Chugach National Forest to the quaint community of Cooper Landing. Your home for the next three nights is Kenai Riverside Lodge, located on the banks of the turquoise Kenai River. The Kenai River is also home to a large Bald Eagle population. Relax with a welcome dinner and orientation, followed by an evening slide program. (D)

Day 2: Spend a full day exploring the wilderness of the Chugach State Park. Hike the Russian River trail and travel through several fascinating ecological communities. The trail's destination is the Russian River Falls, where we will attempt to photograph Sockeye Salmon as they leap and swim to spawning grounds above the Falls. The area features plenty of beautiful Alaskan foliage to capture on film. With your host's help, you'll learn the best angles and techniques for photographing in the long Alaskan light. Return to the lodge late afternoon and enjoy the wood-fired sauna or simply relax at the lodge. This evening, your host will review the day's highlights and lead a photo seminar. Overnight at the Kenai Riverside Lodge. (B, L, D)

Day 3: Take a scenic drive to the seacoast town of Seward and enjoy a full day small ship tour of Kenai Fjords National Park onboard a private charter. Explore a coast rich in wildlife and scenic beauty. The tour includes visiting a tidewater glacier and searching for marine wildlife to photograph such as sea otters, puffins (and many other bird species), harbor seals, Steller sea lions, and whales. Since we have chartered the boat, you can spend as much time as needed to get that perfect shot. If time allows this evening, we will stop for some photographs of the Exit Glacier located just outside of Seward. Overnight at Kenai Riverside Lodge. (B, L, D)

Day 4: Begin the journey north through the scenic Chugach National Forest and Chugach State Park to Talkeetna, gateway to the Alaska Range. Take an optional flightseeing tour of Mount McKinley (Denali) and photograph its adjacent glacial canyons or wander through "downtown" Talkeetna and learn about mountaineering and Talkeetna's history. The town is an interesting place, offering many distinctive and unusual photographs of life in a small Alaskan town. Overnight at Talkeetna AlaskanLodge. This evening your host will meet with the group for a sildeshow presentaions and to discuss additional photography techniques. (B, L, D)

Day 5: Continue traveling north to Denali National Park. Enjoy a Denali Wildlife Drive along the full stretch of the Denali Park Road allowing us to watch for caribou, moose, Dall sheep, grizzly bears, resident & migratory birds, and weather permitting, Denali, the tallest peak in North America. Upon arrival to Kantishna Roadhouse, have dinner and settle in to your cozy cabin accommodations. (B, L, D)

Day 6: Enjoy a full day of exploration and hiking in the Kantishna region of Denali National Park. Depending on the weather, the day may be spent at famous Wonder Lake, located only a few miles from the Kantishna Roadhouse. Wonder Lake is the most photographed lake in Alaska, as the magnificent mountain Denali and the Alaska Range is often reflected in its waters. The late summer tundra offers fall colors of intense reds, oranges, and yellows, creating amazing opportunities for foliage photos. Other activities available at the Kantishna Roadhouse include guided hiking, natural history programs, gold panning, dog sled demonstration, and mountain biking. Optional add-on flightseeing tours may be offered during your stay at the lodge. However, these activities are weather and space-dependent. Overnight at Kantishna Roadhouse. (B, L, D)

Day 7: Following an early breakfast, embark on your return Denali Wildlife Drive and watch for wildlife while heading to the entrance of the park. This afternoon, travel south to Anchorage, arriving around 7:00 PM. (B)

Departure: You will arrive at the Anchorage Airport by approximately 7:00 p.m. on the last day of your Safari. See the "Alaska Travel Information" section of your Trip Planning Booklet for recommended lodging. If you choose to fly home this night, we suggest you book a flight that departs after 10:00 p.m., in case of possible transportation delays.

Note: We do not expect any major changes from this schedule. However in the spirit of adventure, we allow our itinerary to remain flexible so that we may take advantage of spontaneous events.

Trip Cost: Prices are in U.S. dollars, per person, double occupancy, plus tax. For triple and quad, deduct $100. For solo, add 25% to cost of double. Trip cost includes meals as noted, lodging, special programs, private boat charter, all land transportation, best of gear and equipment, porterage, and full guide services by a professional photographer during your entire stay. Trip cost does not include beer, wine or liquor, optional flightseeing tour, or gratuities to staff, and meals as noted.

Gratuities to Staff: First, we firmly believe that a gratuity is not to be "expected," but "deserved." The amount is a matter of personal preference; we offer the following only because we are frequently asked for guidance. Since we are so often asked, we suggest $10 -$12 per guest per day as a moderate gratuity guideline. Most guests extend their gratuity to the Trip Leader toward the end of the trip. Please make checks payable to the Trip Leader, not to Alaska Wildland Adventures. Gratuities are shared by all Alaska Wildland Adventures employees who work all or part of the trip.

Dates		Price
* Jun 30 to Jul 06 * Jul 30 to Aug 05 * Aug 08 to Aug 14		Adult $2,895
Check back in August for 2009 Alaska Wildland Adventures' updates!
* Dates in red are sold out at this time. Please call us to learn about comparable trips, custom options, or to be placed on wait list.