OVERVIEW: The vast untamed Alaskan frontier is very much an unspoiled menagerie of wildlife, flora and a traditional way of life. Our chartered boat will provide us with exclusive access to some very remote regions where the wildlife will behave naturally despite our presence. Occasionally during our sojourn we will anchor in serene and secluded coves and bays, and you can also dine on the main level in plain view of Alaska's foremost marine environments, and spend the early and late hours photographing the sunrises and sunsets. Many subjects, including spectacular scenics and wildlife, are very ‘photographable’ from the spacious observation deck, which is very accommodating to tripods. Lastly, if you’d like to add a fishing experience to this photographic potpourri, you will have the opportunity to fish for Alaska's famed Halibut and Salmon.

TRAVEL TO THE GATEWAY AIRPORT
o It is recommended that clients arrive a day early to be fresh for the trip, and to also counteract possible flight delays.
o Early arrival also enables you to explore the gateway city should you wish to do so.
o When booking flights, add a day for overnight travel or two days if also crossing the Pacific Ocean/International Dateline.
o The last day of the trip is the date you should arrange your flight home unless you plan to stay on. Thank you!

DAY 1  |  To JUNEAU, ALASKA
I’ll meet your afternoon flight into Juneau, and take a short break following check-in to our waterfront hotel. We’ll then casually explore the downtown and waterfront areas. Dinner in Juneau tonight followed by sunset photography around the harbor.
JUNEAU, 1 night

DAY 2  |  The INSIDE PASSAGE
We’ll pursue some dawn photography this morning, then following breakfast we’ll depart Juneau harbor on board our chartered boat, and head north around the tip of Admiralty Island into Lynn Canal and Chatham Straits. This is one of the many protected waterways of Southeast Alaska, and sightings of Humpback Whales, seabirds, Eagles and marine mammals etcetera will be frequent. As we enter Chatham Straits, sightings of Humpback Whales will increase, along with those of Orcas which are known to ply these waters in search of food. Depending on our headway, we’ll have the option of a short visit to Tenakee Springs village where a small group of people make Tenakee home year round. Since the 1800's, fishermen, miners, trappers and explorers have wintered in this small village, spending long cold nights in one of Alaska's most famed natural hot spring regions. The area is also rich with the history of the Tlingit Indians. We will find a suitable anchorage for our first night aboard our boat, and plan on some beach photography presenting itself.

DAY 3  |  The INSIDE PASSAGE
After a restful evening, we will ‘pull anchor’ and continue south through Chatham Strait arriving at the southernmost tip of Admiralty Island. At the spot where the Chatham Straits meet Frederick Sound is Yasha Island, which is home to Stellar Sea Lions, Orca Whales and is the favorite feeding grounds of the worlds most active and exciting Whales, the Humpbacks. Here surely, we will witness these 40 ton mammals rocketing completely out of the water to briefly deny the rules of gravity. Winders and motor drives will be most useful when the Whales surprise us with aerial displays throughout the trip. You’ll also be amazed by bubble-net feeding, with as many as 8 Whales synchronized and in tune with the dominant Whale. You’ll also have the opportunity to listen on the underwater microphone as an individual Whale communicates with the others, as one of the most incredible displays of nature and wildlife combine. After ‘interacting’ with various marine mammals and birds we will find ourselves in a wonderful secluded bay, and take advantage of the low tide for photography, beach combing, and perhaps discover a fossil or two.

DAY 4  |  The INSIDE PASSAGE
We’ll go ashore again today, as we retrieve provisions and quality pictures in a remote village, colorful with the rich history of Native culture. Another photographic opportunity will emerge at the native village of Kake, when we disembark for an interesting photo-walk on narrow paths to explore and photograph flowers, village homes, totem poles, art and many relicts of the past. Later in the day, we’ll be ashore again to spend time photographing the remote and secluded beaches where tide-pools form, and driftwood, plus many small treasures, have washed up over the years. Man has rarely walked these areas, even though ancient villages line many shores of the Inside Passage. Old growth forests, [where tripods are a must!] will be the provider of vegetation in verdant greens such as grasses, ferns, mosses and flowers, plus smaller creatures that have inhabited these ‘cathedral’ forests for thousands of years.

DAY 5  |  The INSIDE PASSAGE
Today, ample time will be spent ‘focusing’ on Stellar Sea Lions; 3 species of Porpoise; marine Birds; 8 species of sea Duck and the Orca Whales as they pass near the boat. After spending an incredible 2 days in Frederick Sound, it will be time to head into the Seymour Canal which is ‘sandwiched’ between Admiralty Island and the Glass Peninsula. This will take us to the Pack Creek Brown Bear Reserve. During our trek there, we hope to encounter the Admiralty Island Brown Bears as they fish for Alaska's famed Halibut and Salmon. We’ll also explore remote bays and coves, sometimes just sightseeing, but enjoying the Inside Passage in all it’s pristine splendor. We will then locate known protected anchorage, and place ourselves in readiness for our fifth day on the water.

DAY 6  |  The INSIDE PASSAGE
Our morning photography, after we shuttle to shore, will be for more close up photography of the famed Admiralty Island Brown Bears on Pack Creek. Closely related to Polar Bears, these special animals became isolated when Admiralty Island split from the mainland many, many years ago during intense geologic activity. Just in case you’re wondering!, we do our photography in designated areas where the Bears will be used to our presence. This will be the ideal time to use those long lenses on sturdy tripods! After a fulfilling day at Pack Creek, it will be time to move on to another highlight of the trip, Holkham Bay, which is the gateway to Tracy and Endicott Arms. Stunning radiant blue icebergs float peacefully by in emerald green waters, sometimes beaching themselves for world class photography from the boat or shoreline. We shall go ashore at this spot for close-up photography of icebergs, wildflowers, tide-pools, driftwood, and an array of rock formations. 

DAY 8  |  Flights home
If you’re still willing, at dawn we’ll be out photographing the first light on Hodgkins Peak plus the rugged Coast Mountain Range to the east - the peaks of which are in Canadian territory. Breakfast in Juneau will be followed by trips to the airport for morning flights home.