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north america: alaska

Alaska & British Columbia Photo Expedition

This specially crafted photo cruise aboard National Geographic Sea Bird and Sea Lion small ships offers photographers, aspiring to pro-level, the time and guidance needed to get your best shot on a 12-day expedition along Alaska's famed Inside Passage and the British Columbia coast. A maze of fjords, channels, rivers and glaciers gliding towards the sea, this mountainous coastline hosts some of the most spectacular scenery and wildlife in North America. These waters are among the best for whale watching, with good chances of finding humpback and orca whales. Along the way, meet people of Native American, Russian and Scandinavian ancestries. Kayak, beachcomb and explore forest trails under the guidance of expert naturalists.

The expert National Geographic guest photographers on board know how to scout out the abundant wildlife and offer the best angles for your lens. On-board seminars offer tips and tricks on shooting as well as post-production.

With National Geographic greats Flip Nicklin and Rich Reid leading the way, and opportunities to kayak and zodiac up close to your subjects, this photo cruise offers memories and photographic moments of a lifetime. Choose from the southbound photo cruise, from Sitka to Seattle, or the northbound itinerary, from Seattle to Sitka.

Day 1 - Embark Sitka, Alaska

In the native Tlingit language, Sitka means the village behind the island, and it has been home to various cultures for thousands of years. Sitka has a strong Russian heritage, which is seen as you visit St. Michael’s Russian Orthodox Church with its onion domes right in the middle of town. Gaze up at the grand totem poles throughout Sitka National Historic Park. At the Raptor Rehabilitation Center, get up-close views of species normally only seen from afar in the wild — bald eagles, hawks, falcons and owls. Sitka’s oceanfront setting is framed by the volcanic peak of Mount Edgecumbe and a string of small islands. The crystalline waters of Sitka Bay abound with sea stars and translucent moon jellyfish as you are served dinner aboard.

Accommodations: M/V Sea Lion or M/V Sea Bird
Included Meals: dinner

Day 2 - Southeast Alaska's Islands, Bays and Fjords

Today is a day with the luxury of no specific plan. There are many options for landings on islands such as Baranof and Chichagof, where bald eagles nest and brown bears make themselves at home. If you’re a beachcomber, the shoreline is rich with treasures. The forest trails are dense and beautiful, whether you choose the long walk option or a short stroll, accompanied by one of the onboard naturalists familiar with the local terrain. Hemlock and spruce abound in the old-growth forest. When kayaking, you can always choose your adventure. If you’re looking for exercise and excitement, select a more strenuous course. If you want scenery and relaxation, you’ll have the option to paddle slowly — exploring, poking into little inlets and relishing the quiet and up-close, personal view.

Accommodations: M/V Sea Lion or M/V Sea Bird
Included Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 3 - Glacier Bay National Park

Spend the entire day amidst the coves, fjords, tidewater glaciers, freshwater lakes and majestic mountains of Glacier Bay National Park. You'll see glaciers that end abruptly at the water's edge and observe them "calving" - tons of ice crashing into the sea - accompanied by an exhilarating, thunderous sound. Mountain goats scaling the peaks as well as harbor seals and Steller sea lions are some of the creatures you may observe in these icy waters. You may have the opportunity to see not only one, but two kinds of puffins: the tufted and the horned puffin. A visit to Tidal Inlet may bring the sight of brown bears lumbering up the hillside. If the timing is right, a bear and her cub may be playing in the water. Watch their interactions, knowing the cub will be on its own next year. Plus, a native Tlingit interpreter joins us to share the lore and legend of the area.

Accommodations: M/V Sea Lion or M/V Sea Bird
Included Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 4 - Juneau, Alaska

Today visit Juneau, Alaska's state capital. Explore the Alaska State Museum, viewing its fascinating permanent collection with an emphasis on Alaska's native peoples and natural history. Then visit Mendenhall Glacier and observe the stunning, ice-carved valley up close.

Accommodations: M/V Sea Lion or M/V Sea Bird
Included Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 5 - Tracy Arm-Ford’s Terror Wilderness

Voyage into Tracy or Endicott Arm, both spectacular fjords, with waterfalls cascading from glacially carved walls. See the soaring Dawes or South Sawyer Glacier up close and take a zodiac cruise for an unbeatable view of sculpted icebergs. Keep an eye out for harbor seals and porpoises, Arctic terns and Bonaparte gulls.

Accommodations: M/V Sea Lion or M/V Sea Bird
Included Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 6 - Frederick Sound & Chatham Strait

These waters are prime areas for both killer whales and humpback whales. It is also fertile ground for the majestic bald eagle which you may see keeping watch atop a tall spruce. As for whales, it's not uncommon here to see herds of up to 30 humpbacks or orcas. Observe their fascinating behavior - breaching, tail-slapping and variations on feeding - as you fill the deck, delighting in their activities and listening to the play-by-play from the ship's expert naturalists. Once ashore, have the opportunity to walk along a quiet forest trail, accompanied by naturalists, and visit the fishing village of Petersburg, known as "Alaska's Little Norway."

Accommodations: M/V Sea Lion or M/V Sea Bird
Included Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 7 - Misty Fiords

Misty Fiords National Monument, often referred to as "Yosemite of the sea" for its sheer majesty, is 2.3 million acres of pristine wilderness that will leave you with exquisite memories of your stay in Alaska. Head out on a personal kayak reconnaissance or take a Zodiac cruise beneath glacier-carved cliffs with sawtooth tops. Float past sheer cliffs and icy waterfalls, easily navigating in and out of areas the "big white boats" that ply Alaska's waters can't get near.

Accommodations: M/V Sea Lion or M/V Sea Bird
Included Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner

Days 8-9 - Inside Passage of British Columbia

You'll feel like a true explorer as your journey continues northward. Look for whales, dolphins, bears, deer and other wildlife. This is an area where vast sections of untouched coastal rain forest still exist - and where a small expedition ship proves to be the perfect vessel. Without a specific plan, open to spontaneity and adventure, your ship is free to explore any intriguing bay or inlet you happen upon, or reverse course to follow a sighted whale pod. A small ship gives us this freedom. The onboard kayaks and Zodiacs can be lowered swiftly to bring it all closer. Wherever you happen to stop and explore, you're certain to be the only human life, accompanied by spectacular birds and animals. In such a populated and busy world, these opportunities are tonic for the mind, body and soul.

Accommodations: M/V Sea Lion or M/V Sea Bird
Included Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 10 - Johnstone Strait & Alert Bay

Johnstone Strait is one of the foremost viewing areas for orca whales in the entire Northern Hemisphere, and since nineteen whale pods are known to spend part of the year here, there is a chance of exciting whale watching.

Arrive in Queen Charlotte Sound on course for Alert Bay on Cormorant Island. Once the ship is secured, make your way to the U'Mista Cultural Center, home to a stunning collection of potlatch masks created by the Kwakwaka'wakw peoples. At the Center, anyone related to any member of this tribe is able to trace their ancestry. Then walk or ride to the Big House, just a short distance away where the Tsasala Cultural Group puts on a dance and the performers explain the story of the dance movements.

Accommodations: M/V Sea Lion or M/V Sea Bird
Included Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 11 - Gulf Islands, Washington

Search for orca whales, kayak around forested islands and explore the town of Nanaimo.

Accommodations: M/V Sea Lion or M/V Sea Bird
Included Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 12 - Disembark Seattle

After breakfast, disembark the ship in the heart of Seattle, with the Olympic Mountains, majestic Mount Rainier and the Seattle skyline as the backdrop. Transfer to the airport for your flight home.

Accommodations: n/a
Included Meals: breakfast

Alternative Itinerary: In addition to the southbound Sitka to Seattle photo cruise itinerary, this trip also runs in reverse, northbound from Seattle to Sitka.

Reverse/Northbound Itinerary
Day 1 - Embark Seattle, Washington
Day 2 - Gulf Islands
Day 3 - Johnstone Strait & Alert Bay
Days 4-5 - Inside Passage of British Columbia
Day 6 - Misty Fjords
Day 7 - Frederick Sound & Chatham Strait
Day 8 - Tracy Arm-Ford's Terror Wilderness
Day 9 - Juneau, Alaska
Day 10 - Glacier Bay National Park
Day 11 - Southeast Alaska's Islands, Bays and Fjords
Day 12 - Disembark Sitka, Alaska

Itinerary Notes: We may occasionally alter itineraries slightly for safety, or to take advantage of weather, wildlife, and unplanned photo opportunities. Our ability to be flexible makes this style of small ship cruising unique.

Included: All accommodations aboard ships or in hotels per itinerary or similar, all meals and nonalcoholic beverages aboard ship, meals on land as indicated, air transportation where indicated as included, shore excursions, sightseeing and entrance fees, special access permits, transfers to and from group flights, use of snorkeling equipment and wet suits, use of kayaks (where available), gratuities (except to ship's crew), taxes and service charges, services of a ship physician on most voyages, and services of our expedition staff.

Exclusions: Airfare to Alaska, air transportation (except where shown as included), extensions, passport, visa, immigration fees, baggage/accident/travel protection plan, meals not indicated, scuba diving (where available), e-mail, laundry, voyage DVD, and items of a personal nature, such as alcoholic beverages. Gratuities at your discretion.

Room Configurations: For solo travelers wishing to share accommodations, we will be glad to make arrangements at the double occupancy rate in Category 1 or 2 cabins only.

Families & Children: Travelers aged 17 years old and under save $500, at double occupancy. Special programming for kids on all departures includes photo workshops, journaling, scavenger hunts, zodiac-driving lessons, hands-on nature and science programming, and kid-friendly menu options with a special kid's pizza and movie night.

Arrival & Departure: The Alaska & British Columbia photo cruise begins in Sitka, Alaska, and ends in Seattle, Washington, or reverse. If arriving to the airport on departure day, please arrive no later than 2:30pm; embarkation is at 5:30pm. The photography cruise will end at approximately 9:00am. All outbound flights should be made after 12:00pm.

Payment & Cancellation: To secure your cruise reservation, an advance deposit payment of $900 per person is due at the time of reservation. A Reservation Form, which includes a release of liability, must be completed and signed by all travelers. The balance of the trip price is due 90 days before the departure date. Guests who must cancel their trip for any reason must do so in writing. Cancellations are subject to the following fees, based on number of days prior to departure:
Up to 91 days - 50% of deposit
90 to 31 days - 50% of total trip cost
30 to 0 days - 100% of total trip cost

Terms & Conditions: This trip is subject to AdventureSmith Explorations Terms and Conditions. Please read this information carefully and call us if you have any questions. A packing list and extensive pre-departure and travel insurance information is sent upon confirmation.

Travel Insurance: We highly recommend our travelers protect their investment with travel insurance. Please note that you must purchase your travel insurance policy within 14 days of booking your trip for it to cover pre-existing medical conditions. Click the link below for a selection of policies from our partners at Travelex.



Activities: A fleet of 4 zodiacs plus 12 tandem and 8 single kayaks enables up-close Alaska exploration. One naturalist for every 10 guests ensures dedicated access and attention to any questions you may have. A wellness specialist offers wellness treatments, massages and complimentary morning stretching. Off-vessel activities including hiking and kayaking excursions range from 2-4 hours each day.

Qualifications: This trip is available to any traveler with a love of nature and sense of adventure.

Photo Expeditions: All Alaska & British Columbia Photo Expedition departures feature an award-winning guest photographer that has graced National Geographic pages, as well as at least two National Geographic certified photo instructors on board. These special Photo Expeditions are designed expressly to move at a photographer's pace so that you can take advantage of some of the most photogenic places on the planet. For the 2013 season, join National Geographic photographer, writer and Alaska resident Kim Heacox on April 30; renowned whale photographer Flip Nicklin on May 1 or Sept. 1; or travel, environmental and adventure specialist Rich Reid on Aug. 31.

For additional information and reservations, please contact us:

800-728-2875 | 530-583-1775 | fax 530-583-1711 | travel@AdventureSmithExplorations.com