Alaska Into the Wild
CHF 13'900
per person
Fully booked
Alaska Photo Tour
Over the course of two weeks, this tour takes you to see selected Alaskan highlights. Impressive mountain scenery, vast glaciers, cascading waterfalls, and idyllic valleys await. In addition to photographing Alaska’s impressive landscapes, you will also capture a diverse range of wildlife: bears, moose, eagles, whales, caribou and many more.
This exclusive photo tour of Alaska cannot be compared to other Alaskan photo tours. We take you to unique locations, far from the tourist crowds. You will get the chance to take photos from bush planes, helicopters and boats, amongst others. Your main photographic guide, professional photographer Jeff Schultz, has lived in Alaska for over 35 years and has been the official photographer of the Iditarod Sled Dog Race since 1982. A second photo guide will also be on hand.
Partners who are not engaged in photography, will also enjoy this unique natural experience and the possibility to observe bears in their natural environment.
This Alaska Photo Tour offers extraordinary highlights!
- Brown bears in the remote natural paradise of Lake Clark National Park
- Four days in the heart of the Denali National Park, far from the hustle and bustle at the park’s entrance. Enjoy a unique experience in a small, remote lodge with unparalleled views.
- The impressive nature and wildlife of the tundra: bears, moose, caribou, Dall sheep and many more. And with a bit of luck, by mid-August the tundra will show a first glimpse of autumn colors.
- Exclusive boat tour (for our group only) in Prince William Sound with great photo opportunities: vast glaciers, picturesque mountain landscapes, bald eagles, whales, orcas, otters, seals, sea lions, puffins and many more
- Exclusive helicopter flight and landing at remote glacier-fed lake
- Helicopter and bush plane flights for spectacular aerial shots
- Typical, rustic Alaskan lodges – some of which are very remote, and thus close to photographic highlights
- Personal support and assistance from renowned Alaskan professional photographer: Jeff Schultz (Jeff will be supported by another photographic guide). Throughout the whole trip, we will be offering short, hands-on tutorials on relevant photographic topics.
Photo Guides
Price
6 – 21 August 2021
CHF 13’900.- | Price per person sharing (double occupancy)
CHF 15’390.- | Price per person (single occupancy)*
*(Lake Clark und Lodge im Denali Nationalpark only in a double room)
Included in the Price
Not included in the Price
- Destination
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Departure
06.08.2021
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Return Time
21.08.2021
From our gallery
The most beautiful impressions from Alaska.
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Day 1 – Arrival in Anchorage
Independent travel to Ted Stevens International Airport (ANC) in Anchorage. You should arrive in Anchorage no later than 3 pm. From the airport, the hotel’s free shuttle service will deliver you to your accommodation with the minimum of fuss.
Later in the afternoon, you will meet the other tour participants, your photography guide, Jeff Schultz, and a further guide from Amazing Views. Jeff will give you an introduction to wildlife and landscape photography and the details on your upcoming trip. Then we all head off for dinner together. To help you get over the jetlag, it is advisable to arrive a day early.
We will be happy to help you with hotel bookings in Anchorage.
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Day 2 – Onward journey to Lake Clark Nationalpark
After breakfast, we take a quick shuttle to the Lake Hood seaplane base near the hotel. This is the busiest take-off and landing point for seaplanes in the world. A typical Alaskan bush plane takes us directly to our lodge in Lake Clark National Park.
Day 2: Onward journey to Lake Clark Nationalpark
After breakfast, we take a quick shuttle to the Lake Hood seaplane base near the hotel. This is the busiest take-off and landing point for seaplanes in the world. A typical Alaskan bush plane takes us directly to our lodge in Lake Clark National Park.
After a flight of just under an hour, we land on the sandy beach next to the lodge where we will spend the next three nights. Each guest cabin and lodge room is unique, modern, spacious and very comfortable with a combination of queen and twin beds, full baths, sitting areas, individual heat sources, and electricity. The fully furnished cabins have one, two or three bedrooms and all have private decks with views of the tidal flats and Cook Inlet.
Upon arrival, we will head to look for bears, accompanied by two highly trained guides who are responsible for your safety. To allow us to move through the area rapidly, transport from one location to the next will make use of ATVs/quad bikes.
With any luck, we’ll capture our first images of the impressive bears. After a break for dinner, we will set out to look for bears again, taking the time to observe them and take photos as long as the light permits.
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Day 3 to 4 – Lake Clark Nationalpark
We spend two whole days in the Lake Clark National Park, following bear tracks, and with plenty of time to observe and take photos. In this region, it is common to see bears digging up mussels on the beach or catching salmon in the rivers and streams that flow to the sea. We will return to the lodge for lunch and breaks.
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Day 5 – From Lake Clark National Park to Whittier
After breakfast, we have more time for bear watching and photography. Around noon, we are picked up by bush plane for the return journey to Anchorage.
Our own private minibus then takes us further to Whittier. We will travel along Turnagain Arm with many stops along the way for photography.
After arriving to our Bed & Breakfast you will have the afternoon free to do whatever you wish. We'll meet again in the early evening for some photography in the area, hopefully with beautiful evening light. After the dinner there is a possibility to do some more photography, to take part in a Jeff’s tutorial of landscape photography or just enjoy the evening.
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Day 6 – Prince William Sound
Today you’ll enjoy a full-day boat trip, photographing tidewater glaciers, ice bergs, bald eagles and various species of birds and marine wildlife in Prince William Sound. We board a boat which is exclusively chartered for our group. We will spend the entire day on the water in Prince William Sound including one or two shore excursions. With some luck, we will get an opportunity to observe & photograph whales, sea otters, sea lions, seals and sea birds. The landscape and the giant glaciers will fascinate you. After spending the day on Prince William Sound we will head back to Anchorage for an overnight stay at a cozy Bed & Breakfast.
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Day 7 – On the way to Matanuska Valley
After a delicious breakfast we will drive along the Glenn Highway to Sheep Mountain Lodge. We will have fantastic views along the way, and we will make plenty of stops for photography. One of the highlights is Matanuska Valley and its famous and imposing glacier. If the weather is clear, the region is ideal for star photography.
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Day 8 – Palmer
Today your journey continues to Palmer. On the way you will stop at various scenic highlights.
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Day 9 – Enjoy an unforgettable Helicopter adventure
Today you'll experience another highlight of the itinerary: a helicopter flight over a glacier to the shores of a stunning glacial lake far away from the civilization. The lake, the ice bergs, the glacier and the mountain range in the background offer truly unique scenery. This will enable you to get the best birds’ eye view pictures. After landing, the helicopter flies off and we will spend time with Jeff and our second guide, photographing the glacier, lake, icebergs, wildflowers and much more.
Later in the afternoon we will drive to Talkeetna. Weather permitting, you will have the opportunity to take an optional flight over Denali National Park in the late afternoon.
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Day 10 – Denali Highway
Early risers can already take pictures of the wonderful mountain world in the first light before breakfast. Later you will continue your journey northwards. On the way you will stop for photo stops and during the afternoon you'll have the opportunity to take pictures along the very scenic Denali Highway.
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Day 11 – Denali National Park
Before breakfast, early birds can capture some images of the beautiful scenery in the dawn light. After breakfast, we drive along the idyllic Parks Highway in the direction of the Denali National Park.
Essential information about our accommodations in Denali National Park
The Denali National Park is one of the absolute highlights of North America and provides the ideal conditions for landscape and wildlife photography. Shortly after noon, we start on a 6-hour drive with our minibus to the lodge through the centre of the national park. The landscape along the route is incredibly beautiful and with some luck, you will see wildlife, such as bears, moose, caribous, dall sheep and much more. We will stop at particularly beautiful viewpoints to give you the opportunity to capture the panorama on your camera.
This lodge is not for everyone. It is not a luxurious resort. It does not have internet connection, cell service, T.V. (no other Denali lodges do either) or even unlimited electricity. Instead, creative handwork, attention to detail, and careful stewardship of the land create a simple elegance that does not detract from the wildlands you come to explore. Long-standing family ownership is committed to preserving and refining these fundamental elements. The experience of staying at Camp Denali is a unique blend of camaraderie among fellow adventurers and staff in a wilderness setting without parallel. Your private cabin may be up to a 5-minute walk to the main lodge where the dining room, shared modern shower facility and library are located. Each cabin has a short path to a private, meticulously maintained outhouse, and sink basin. Drinking water comes from a spigot just outside your door and may be heated on your cabin’s propane hotplate.
The visit to the park is highly regulated by the National Park Service. Only the first 14 miles of the 90-mile park route can be accessed by private vehicles. Only official park vehicles, buses, equipment and other special transports are allowed beyond Mile 14. Subsequently, only shuttle buses are available, with fixed routes and stops to explore Denali National Park. Most visitors must leave the park in the evening. This implies that only a few will have the opportunity to take photographs during the best lighting conditions and at the best time of the day in the park.
During this tour, you will stay overnight at one of the few lodges at the heart of the national park. Its idyllic location offers a direct view of Mount Denali. With the lodge's own minibus, we have the possibility to explore the park individually and to photograph at the heart of the national park. This is a unique experience you’ll never forget.
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Day 12 to 14 – Denali National Park
During the 3 full days of your tour of the Denali National Park, you will have ample opportunity for landscape- and wildlife photography. The lodge minibus will take us to interesting sites, at which we can discover beautiful photo motifs. Various short hikes will be arranged, during which you will be able to access the best spots. On one morning, we will drive to the Wonder Lake before sunrise and with a bit of luck, we will get a chance to photograph the Mount Denali, which is reflected in the lake.
Due to the reduced size of the group and the accompaniment by two photographic guides, there will be sufficient time to meet the individual needs and wishes of all participants. Our renowned professional photo tour guide Jeff is available for individual coaching. During the entire tour, we will also offer brief, practice-oriented tutorials on relevant photography topics.
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Day 15 – From Denali National Park to Talkeetna
After three eventful days in the heart of the Denali National Park, the minibus returns us to the park’s entrance around noon. From this point our private minibus takes us back to Talkeetna. You then have the late afternoon free to do whatever you wish. In the evening we meet for our last dinner of this fantastic photo tour.
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Day 16 – Back to Anchorage
Today is the end of our fascinating Photo Alaska trip. After enjoying breakfast together, we will take a leisurely trip in our minibus back to Anchorage, in time for your international flight connection or follow-up itinerary.
Accommodation
Anchorage
The hotel enjoys a beautiful location on the scenic Lake Spenard, approx. 6 km from the city centre and less than 1 km from Ted Stevens International Airport and the Lake Hood seaplane landing site.
The hotel has a good restaurant with a terrace and great views, lobby with fireplace, bar and fitness centre. Rooms are equipped with bath/shower, toilet, hairdryer, TV, Internet, coffee machine and refrigerator.
Later in the trip you will stay in a comfortable Bed & Breakfast in Anchorage.
Lodge Lake Clark National Park
Our remote lodge can only be reached via a spectacular flight along the Cook Inlet. The flight take you past three active volcanoes, and several rivers and glaciers. The plane lands right on the sandy beach on the coast. Thanks to the open grassland along the coast, the area surrounding the lodge is ideal for bear watching.
This beautiful, family-run lodge is located within the Lake Clark National Park, and offers a lounge, dining room, and outdoor decking area with breath-taking views of the Cook Inlet. The lodge is well known for its delicious food.
The cabins and lodge rooms are spacious and lovingly decorated, and feature comfortable beds, bath/shower and heating.
Accompanied by our experienced guides, you will go bear watching by quad bike or on foot.
Whittier
Our hotel in Whittier offers all amenities and has its own restaurant. The rooms have their own bathroom, WLAN, TV and coffee machine.Matanuska Valley
You will spend a night in a comfortable lodge on the Glenn Highway, not far from the Matanuska Glacier. The lodge features 11 cabins, restaurant, bar, whirlpool and sauna. The restaurant in the lodge is known for its excellent cuisine. All cabins have showers, WC and a private terrace.Palmer
Very nice B&B between Palmer and Wasila with comfortably furnished rooms. All the cabins and rooms have refrigerators, coffee / tea makers, free WiFi and flat-screen TVs with cable channels. The cabins have two rooms sharing a living area. From the accommodation we have wonderful views of the Chugach mountains.Denali National Park
Located 90 miles within Denali National Park in the shadow of Denali, our lodge is a unique wilderness retreat for those seeking an in-depth experience in the sub-arctic. Founded in 1951, the lodge is Alaska’s original wilderness vacation lodge, which strives to help visitors gain knowledge and appreciation for the natural history of Denali National Park.
Lodging at this lodge is in individual cabins with handcrafted quilts, a wood burning stove and unparalleled views of Denali. There is an outdoor water spigot with cold running water. A short path leads to a private, meticulously maintained outhouse.
Delicious, wholesome meals made with fresh, local ingredients are featured in the dining room. Daily activities have a strong natural history focus including wildlife observations and hikes led by staff naturalists. Canoeing, fishing and biking are also available. Nightly programs focus on various aspects of Denali’s natural and cultural history, including birds, mammals, wildflowers, tundra ecology, geology, mountaineering, wilderness, and land management.
The dining hall, lodge, natural history resource collection and a modern bath and shower facility (hot water showers) are a three to seven-minute walk from your cabin. This style of lodge makes your visit to Denali Park a much more serene experience.
This remote lodge may not be for everyone, but if you desire an experience away from the fast pace of urban life and you enjoy the camaraderie of kindred spirits, you will not be disappointed.
Talkeetna
In our B&B outside Talkeetna you will feel at home. The house is located in the middle of nature and offers a spectacular view of Mount Denali and the Alaska Range on a clear day. The rooms have private bathrooms.
