Across the Bering Sea

Arrive in Anchorage and transfer to Seward, Alaska to embark the ship in the late afternoon. 

Spend two days exploring the shorelines and waters of coastal Katmai National Park & Preserve, observing and photographing its abundant brown bear population. Explore Geographic or Hidden Harbors and Kukak Bay by ship, Zodiac, or, conditions permitting, kayak.

Watch from deck as Orion transits Baby Pass en route to the Baby Islands, just to the east of Unalaska. Dynamic tides here offer exciting potential to spot sea otters and fur seals, as well as rare seabirds. Arrive at Dutch Harbor, site of a fierce WWII battle and now one of the world’s most important fishing ports.

These rugged and remote volcanic islands, which separate the North Pacific from the Bering Sea, support vast colonies of seabirds, and marine mammals such as northern fur seals, Steller sea lions and a variety of whales. WWII history buffs will recognize names like Attu and Kiska, islands to explore during these days.

After crossing the international date line, sail into the protected waters of Avacha Bay and dock at Petropavlovsk-Kamchatskiy, the gateway to Kamchatka. Be on deck for the approach, as Koryaksky, Avachinsky, and Kozelsky volcanoes provide a stunning backdrop to this port city. 

This 100-mile–long immaculate waterway in Kamchatka is teeming with enormous rainbow trout, salmon and char. Explore the lower river by Zodiac, in search of one of the world’s largest raptors, plus numerous wading birds, other waterfowl and spotted seals hauled out on sandbars.

Watch for whales, large rafts of sea otters and countless nesting seabirds who inhabit the rich waters surrounding the Commander Islands. On land, visit the gravesite of Danish explorer Vitus Bering. Weather permitting, take Zodiacs to the fur seal rookery at Cape Severo-Zapadnyi.

There’s much to explore as the ship makes its way up the seldom-visited east coasts of Kamchatka and Chukotka, in far eastern Siberia. Hike from one bay to the next, surrounded by volcanic mountains and tundra plants. Photograph brown bears, walruses feeding and three species of seals in rookeries onshore. Learn about Koryak reindeer-herding culture in either Tymlat or Ossora village. 

At the western limit of the rich transboundary area known as Beringia, Provideniya is often called The Gateway to the Arctic. It’s also the administrative center where the ship will conduct its outbound clearance from Russia. Visit the excellent museum and witness a traditional Yupik dance performance.

Spend the final day at sea, crossing one of the most iconic bodies of water on the planet. Linger on deck with binoculars in hand—the chances are high to spot whales and rare seabirds.

Arrive in Nome this morning and transfer to the airport for flights to Anchorage and onward.

Included

Accommodations; meals indicated; alcoholic beverages (except premium brands); excursions; services of expeditions’ leader, naturalist staff and expert guides; use of kayaks; entrance fees; all port charges and service taxes; gratuities to ship’s crew.

Exclusions

Air transportation; mandatory charter flight between Nome, Alaska and Anchorage, Alaska (inquire for pricing); personal items such as emails, laundry, voyage DVD and insurance of any kind.

Payment & Cancellation

In order to confirm this trip, a deposit of $2,500 ($3,000 for alternative itinerary) is required per person at time of booking. The balance of the trip price is due 120 days before the departure date. Special holiday payment and cancellation terms may apply. Guests who must cancel their trip for any reason must do so in writing. Standard cancellations are subject to the following per-person penalties, based on number of days prior to departure:
180 or more days – $750 of deposit retained (may be applied to future trip by trip operator)
179-120 days – 100% of deposit
119-90 days – 25% of total trip cost
89-60 days – 50% of total trip cost
59-0 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 Traveler Information Form, which includes a release of liability, must be completed and signed by all travelers. Your Adventure Specialist will send you a unique link to complete this form along with a packing list and extensive pre-departure and travel insurance information upon booking confirmation.

Arrival & Departure

The 22-day Across the Bering Sea: From Katmai to Kamchatka cruise begins and ends in Anchorage, Alaska (ANC). We highly recommend arriving one day prior to your trip start date in case of any flight delay, cancellation or lost luggage issues. Plan flights to arrive to Anchorage by 8:00am on day 1 of the itinerary. Plan flights to depart Anchorage no earlier than 4:30pm on day 22.

Internal Flights

A group charter flight between Nome, Alaska and Anchorage, Alaska is required on this trip’s itinerary; see this trip’s Exclusions and inquire with an Adventure Specialist for pricing. There is a strict luggage limit of three checked bags, with each checked bag subject to standard fees when weighing up to 50 lbs (additional fees for oversize or overweight luggage, up to 100 lbs each). One carry-on bag plus a personal item that can be stowed under the seat may be brought on board without a fee.

Activities

Whether you are looking for light activity options or more challenging outdoor pursuits, the ship’s crew can tailor most excursions to suit your skill level. Adventure activities may include hiking, birding, Zodiac cruising, cultural experiences and whale watching.

Room Configuration

In addition to listed Solo cabin rates, select double-occupancy cabins may be available for single occupancy with a single supplement fee. If you would like to share accommodations with another guest of the same gender, we will be happy to try to accommodate you in select cabin categories. This program allows you to pay the per person double-occupancy rate whether or not a roommate is found. Contact AdventureSmith for further details and availability.

Families & Children

Children under the age of 18 are eligible for $500 off the double occupancy rate. Skilled staff members trained with National Geographic Education organize activities that inspire curiosity in young people of all ages. Programming for kids may include activities like photo workshops, journaling, scavenger hunts,Zodiac-driving lessons, hands-on nature and science programming and kid-friendly menu options.

Travel Insurance

Protect your travel investment with insurance. Our partners at Travelex Insurance offer a variety of plans and policies to fit every trip and budget. You must purchase your travel insurance policy within 15 or 21 days of booking (depending on plan) for it to cover pre-existing medical conditions; refer to plan details. Learn more about travel insurance or get a free quote.

Itinerary Notes

Use the itinerary as a guide only. Itineraries may be altered due to weather, wildlife, national park regulation or at the captain’s discretion. The ability to be flexible makes this type of small ship cruising unique.

Arrive in Anchorage and fly to Nome, Alaska to embark the ship.

Spend the first day at sea crossing one of the most iconic bodies of water on the planet. If conditions permit, the ship may stop at the very remote Little Diomede Island, in the center of the Strait. 

The western limit of the rich transboundary area known as Beringia, Provideniya is often called The Gateway to the Arctic. It’s also the administrative center where the ship will conduct clearance into and out of Russia. Visit the excellent museum and witness a traditional Yupik dance performance.

A naturalist’s paradise, the Pribilof Islands welcome three million seabirds and a million marine mammals each summer as they arrive to breed. Go ashore at St. Paul to explore on land, and at St. George go by Zodiac to view puffins, kittiwakes and red-faced cormorants, as well as a northern fur seal rookery. 

This morning, arrive at Dutch Harbor, on Unalaska Island, site of a fierce WWII battle and now one of the world’s most important fishing ports. Continue to the Baby Islands, just east of Unalaska, where dynamic tides offer exciting potential to spot sea otters and fur seals, as well as rare seabirds, both from the ship’s deck and from Zodiacs. Continue along the eastern shore of the Alaska Peninsula, with time for exploration and wildlife watching.

Go ashore on Unga Island to explore incredible tundra and scattered remnants of a unique petrified forest of sequoia trees that were buried in a volcanic mudslide nearly 25 million years ago.

Spend today exploring the shorelines and waters of coastal Katmai National Park & Preserve. Known for its abundant brown bear population, this area provides countless opportunities to watch and photograph bears digging for clams at low tide, or fishing for salmon in the creeks.

The second largest island in the U.S., Kodiak is best known for its brown bears and its fishing industry. Less well known is its unique mix of Native Alutiiq and Russian-American history. Join the Undersea Specialist for a dock walk among the commercial fishing boats in Kodiak’s inner harbor. Photograph the beautiful Holy Resurrection Church on a photo walk, or peruse native art and artifacts at the Alutiiq Museum. Later, explore one of the island’s outer bays by Zodiac.

Nearly 40 glaciers flow out of the Kenai’s Harding Icefield, so the opportunities for exploration abound. Cruise one of the ice-scoured fjords to the face of a tidewater glacier, while searching for mountain goats and other wildlife along the way. 

Arrive in Seward this morning and transfer to the airport in Anchorage for flights home or onward. 

Included

Accommodations; meals indicated; alcoholic beverages (except premium brands); excursions; services of expeditions’ leader, naturalist staff and expert guides; use of kayaks; entrance fees; all port charges and service taxes; gratuities to ship’s crew.

Exclusions

Air transportation; personal items such as emails, laundry, voyage DVD and insurance of any kind.

Payment & Cancellation

In order to confirm this trip, a deposit of $2,500 ($3,000 for alternative itinerary) is required per person at time of booking. The balance of the trip price is due 120 days before the departure date. Special holiday payment and cancellation terms may apply. Guests who must cancel their trip for any reason must do so in writing. Standard cancellations are subject to the following per-person penalties, based on number of days prior to departure:
180 or more days – $750 of deposit retained (may be applied to future trip by trip operator)
179-120 days – 100% of deposit
119-90 days – 25% of total trip cost
89-60 days – 50% of total trip cost
59-0 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 Traveler Information Form, which includes a release of liability, must be completed and signed by all travelers. Your Adventure Specialist will send you a unique link to complete this form along with a packing list and extensive pre-departure and travel insurance information upon booking confirmation.

Arrival & Departure

The 13-day Bering Sea Wilderness: Pribilofs, Katmai & Kodiak cruise begins and ends in Anchorage, Alaska (ANC). We highly recommend arriving one day prior to your trip start date in case of any flight delay, cancellation or lost luggage issues. Plan flights to arrive to Anchorage by 8:00am on day 1 of the itinerary. Plan flights to depart Anchorage no earlier than 4:30pm on day 13.

Internal Flights

A group charter flight between Nome, Alaska and Anchorage, Alaska is required on this trip’s itinerary; see this trip’s Exclusions and inquire with an Adventure Specialist for pricing. There is a strict luggage limit of three checked bags, with each checked bag subject to standard fees when weighing up to 50 lbs (additional fees for oversize or overweight luggage, up to 100 lbs each). One carry-on bag plus a personal item that can be stowed under the seat may be brought on board without a fee.

Activities

Whether you are looking for light activity options or more challenging outdoor pursuits, the ship’s crew can tailor most excursions to suit your skill level. Adventure activities may include hiking, birding, Zodiac cruising, cultural experiences and whale watching.

Room Configuration

In addition to listed Solo cabin rates, select double-occupancy cabins may be available for single occupancy with a single supplement fee. If you would like to share accommodations with another guest of the same gender, we will be happy to try to accommodate you in select cabin categories. This program allows you to pay the per person double-occupancy rate whether or not a roommate is found. Contact AdventureSmith for further details and availability.

Families & Children

Children under the age of 18 are eligible for $500 off the double occupancy rate. Skilled staff members trained with National Geographic Education organize activities that inspire curiosity in young people of all ages. Programming for kids may include activities like photo workshops, journaling, scavenger hunts,Zodiac-driving lessons, hands-on nature and science programming and kid-friendly menu options.

Travel Insurance

Protect your travel investment with insurance. Our partners at Travelex Insurance offer a variety of plans and policies to fit every trip and budget. You must purchase your travel insurance policy within 15 or 21 days of booking (depending on plan) for it to cover pre-existing medical conditions; refer to plan details. Learn more about travel insurance or get a free quote.

Itinerary Notes

Use the itinerary as a guide only. Itineraries may be altered due to weather, wildlife, national park regulation or at the captain’s discretion. The ability to be flexible makes this type of small ship cruising unique.