It has been many years since I have offered a photo tour into Kenai Fjords National Park. It seems so wrong to be flying all the way to Juneau for trips when I have such an amazing back yard, with maybe the best wildlife viewing in the state! This is an area I have called home for more than 25 years, an area I have explored with my own boat, and even home to my first book project. But I didn’t want to offer a trip unless it could be amazing - finally all the pieces have come together and I am able to offer a trip that will be amazing!
Here are some of the highlights:
- Only 4 guests
- Five full days and four nights on a beautiful yacht staying in the heart of Kenai Fjords National Park
- Helicopter trip with doors off for photography, and an extended remote mountain landing
- Paddling amongst huge icebergs in Bear Glacier Lagoon
- Gold Star Alaska Railroad between Anchorage and Seward
- All inclusive; including great meals, and lodging at top hotels
- Guided by a professional photographer who has lived in the area for over 25 years
Now I could literally offer this trip for half the price if we brought 10 or more guests, used a van or bus between Anchorage/Seward, stayed at less desirable hotels, used a day charter boat for wildlife viewing requiring a long ride back to Seward each day, skipped the helicopter and Bear Lagoon trips. You get the idea. We pride ourselves in offering the best trips to the best parts of Alaska, at the best times, and we refuse to cut corners. As you compare our Alaska Photo Tours trips with other operators, be sure to look at the details.
The vessel is a 65 foot Bertam yacht. With 4 guests we will have lots of room. I may take more guests in the future, but want to play it safe this first time and make sure there is room for all. The boat has large windows, a big back deck, lots of room in the wheelhouse, and even room on the bow. There is also a large outdoor flying bridge for elevated wildlife viewing.
ADD ON TO THIS ITINERARY: If anyone wants to continue and do more in Alaska, Janine is a certified travel agent and has developed relationships with the best lodges and travel operators in the state, and would be happy to assist in planning other activities to do while here.
For example, after you return from Kenai Fjords let us arrange for a four night trip to Denali. Denali is a place photographers aren’t allow to guide, but we will provide lots of advice before you go. After Denali return to Anchorage and join us on our Alaska Bear and Puffin trip for the ultimate Alaska experience!!!
Finally, I am able to run this trip at different times during the summer. As long as we have 4 guests the price would be close to the same (hotels might be higher in July affecting the price slightly). If you have a group of 4 let us know what dates you are considering and lets make it happen!
Included
- Dinner and lodging at The Lakefront Anchorage the first night
- Transportation from Ted Stevens International Airport to hotel via hotel shuttle
- Transportation between The Lakefront Anchorage and train depot
- Gold Star, round trip transportation between Anchorage and Seward, aboard the Alaska Railroad
- Lodging at Hotel 360 in Seward
- Comfortable 4 nights of lodging aboard yacht
- Helicopter Charter
- Bear Lagoon Kayak Trip
- Lodging the last night at The Lakefront Anchorage
- Meals and snacks
- Beer and Wine
- Guiding and instruction
What's not included
- Airfare to and from Anchorage.
- Tips for yacht crew.
Day 1: Arrive Anchorage and check into The Lakefront Anchorage. This evening we will have a welcome dinner. The hotel is located on Lake Hood, the busiest float plane lake in the world, with lots to see and photograph as you walk along the lake shore in the evening.
Day 2: Starts early with a shuttle to the Alaska Railroad train station. The trip to Seward passes through some amazing scenery, well away from the road system. Ron has photographed this trip for the railroad many times from on-board and from above in a helicopter and will share tips. Our first class Gold Star service includes a wonderful breakfast and a changing view that can’t be beat.
But this day is just beginning. Once we arrive in Seward we will check into the Hotel 360 located right in the boat harbor. By the way, this may be the best place in Alaska to photograph sea otters as it is not uncommon to be able to walk up to within feet of them while walking the docks.
From the hotel we will grab a bite to eat, head out to the airport and meet our friend helicopter pilot Mike! Ron has flown with Mike many times over the years, and has photographed from helicopters in many parts of Alaska, Hawaii and California. We will be flying with the doors off on the view side. Having the doors off means no window reflections and allows you to use a polarizer - Ron will provide lots of advice and tips before we lift off. This is absolutely a peak experience! We will have two separate flights so that everyone can be on the view side with the door off if you so choose. We will fly over the mountains and around Bear Glacier Lagoon, with its huge icebergs, before heading across Resurrection Bay and landing on a high mountain ridge where we will be dropped off for an hour or two of amazing photography. I recently did an engagement session from this spot, it is stunning.
This evening we will have dinner at the best restaurant in Alaska, The Cookery, before calling it a day. Most folks will be tired by this evening, but the sun will still be out, so feel free to walk the docks and photograph otters, eagles, boats and more.
Days 3-7: After breakfast at the hotel, we will board our beautiful 65 foot yacht, home for the next 5 days. Here I’ll take advantage of 25 plus years of living in Seward, and will stay in touch with researchers, friends and other boat captains so we know where the action is. Since we are chartering the whole boat we won’t have a set itinerary, we are completely flexible.
As an amazing bonus, on the first morning aboard the yacht we will be met by my friends at Liquid Adventures who will pick us up in their state of the art jet boat and transport us into Bear Glacier Lagoon! We will have flown over it the day before in a helicopter, but now to be among the icebergs is even more amazing. Once outfitted in dry suits, we will use wide, stable sit on top kayaks for getting around. Again, Ron will help with technique. Dry bags will also be available. If totally uncomfortable, walking the shore would be an option, but I’ll encourage everyone to give it a go.
Then back to the yacht in search of orcas and humpbacks. I have chosen early June because historically, this is a fantastic time to see orcas as they gather to feed on the migrating king salmon. It is also a great time for humpbacks, black bears are often found working the shoreline feeding on fresh greens, mountain goats are usually low to shore giving birth, and a whole bunch of other wildlife opportunities. Tidewater glaciers, puffins, eagles and many other pelagic birds, frankly the list of wildlife is long! We will have kayaks for anyone interested in an evening paddle, and a skiff for going to shore for land exploration.
I certainly anticipate visiting Aialik Bay and Northwestern Fjords along with the Chiswell Islands, which are part of the Alaska Maritime National Wildlife Refuge and contain lots of pelagic birds including tufted and horned puffin, plus a sea lion rookery. Depending on what else is going on, we might even venture further up the coast to parts that are seldom visited, although there may be so much wildlife around, we may not have time. However, our Captain is open to further exploration if we so decide. The Yacht is fast, cruising at 15 plus knots which gives us more options. The beauty is in the flexibility. At the end of the day, when all the day boats return back to town, we will have this beautiful region largely to ourselves as we anchor in a beautiful remote bay.
We will return to dock around 4:00 or 5:00 on Day 7. This is where I will say a sad goodbye, and you will board the Alaska Railroad and return to Anchorage, again enjoying first class Gold Star service. One the way North you will have dinner on the train and enjoy the wonderful views. A shuttle will pick you up at the Railroad terminal and take you back to The Lakefront Anchorage for the evening, which is also included.
What guests are saying about our photo tours
"This tour around Lake Clark National Park promises bear sightings, and thanks to a precision-timed itinerary, they're prolific: brown bears walking, sleeping and feeding on salmon." Time Magazine
"Thank amazing week with the bears in Alaska. Endless energy, positive attitude, sense of humor, patience, spirit of adventure and your leadership made this trip perfect for all." Judi
"This trip exceeded our every expectation...a 5 star adventure that we will always remember." Mike and Irene
Seven day/seven night trip costs On-Suite Cabin $9450 pp / Regular Cabin $8950 pp (based on double occupancy) **Single supplement not available for yacht portion of trip.
Payment Schedule
$3,500.00 non-refundable deposit due at registration.
Balance of $5950/$5450 is due by March 1, 2024.
Payment may be made by check or credit card. We accept Visa, MasterCard and American Express. Checks should be made payable to Niebrugge Images, LLC and mailed to: Ron Niebrugge, PO Box 463, Marana, AZ 85653.
Deposits are non-refundable unless we cancel the workshop.
WE HIGHLY RECOMMEND PURCHASING TRIP INSURANCE. One option is: www.travelinsurance.com
To Register For The Photo Tour
RESERVE NOW! Call (907)224-7280 or email: info@wildnatureimages.com
Cancellations and Refunds
All cancellation requests must be received in writing. All payments and deposits to Niebrugge Images, LLC are non-refundable if you cancel for any reason. Niebrugge Images, LLC is a family owned and operated small business and we are significantly impacted by cancellation of spaces that we cannot refill. If you need to cancel your trip and if our trip is full and we are able to refill your space we will apply deposits and payments received toward a future photo tour with Niebrugge Images, LLC. You have two years to apply the credit to a trip. We will try our best to resell your space but success cannot be guaranteed. We are unable to make exceptions, for any reason, to our cancellation policy.
In the event that we cancel the trip you may transfer all of your payments to a future trip or receive a refund for payments made to the extent we are able to recover from our suppliers. If you paid by credit card a 3% fee will be deducted from your refund. Niebrugge Images, LLC does not assume responsibility for any other costs incurred by customer as a result of the cancellation.
There will be no refunds for delays or cancellations because of weather, flights, or other reasons before arriving or during the photo tour. Niebrugge Images is not responsible for additional costs that may be incurred by such delays.
We have the right to cancel this photo tour for lack of registrants up to 60 days prior to photo tour date.
We are unable to make exceptions, for any reason, to our cancellation policy.
WE HIGHLY RECOMMEND PURCHASING TRIP INSURANCE. One option is: www.TravelInsurance.com
