Grand Alaska: Jun 12—27, 2008

Set amidst the finest scenery on the planet, participants can expect exhilarating birding through the forests, tundra, and coasts of one of the world's truly elite destinations. Focus on all Alaskan specialty birds and mammals, with possibility of Siberian vagrants at Nome and St. Paul Island. Divided into two sections to allow participants greater scheduling flexibility. Part I visits Nome and the Pribilofs (St. Paul), while Part II covers Anchorage, the Kenai Peninsula, and the Denali region.

Rock Ptarmigan— Photo: Kevin Zimmer

Part II of our Grand Alaska adventure focuses on the forested interior and southern coasts of Alaska. Three days spent in the magnificent Denali Highway wilderness will acquaint us with the grandeur of the Alaska Range and some of the continent's finest scenery. Based out of a comfortable lodge set amidst dazzling surroundings, we'll be treated to all of the birding and wildlife viewing possibilities of the Denali region without the congestion of cruise line tour buses and rampant commercialization that is coming to dominate the National Park itself. We'll bird tall boreal forest, taiga, subalpine and alpine habitats for Trumpeter Swan, Spruce Grouse, Rock and Willow ptarmigans, Northern Hawk Owl and Great Gray Owl (rare), Northern Shrike, Northern Wheatear, Bohemian Waxwing, Arctic Warbler, Smith's Longspur, White-winged Crossbill, Pine Grosbeak, and many others. Moose, caribou, Dall sheep, grizzly, red fox, beaver, and porcupine are all good possibilities as well.

A boat trip to Kenai Fjords National Park will offer spectacular scenery—immense ice fields, glaciers cutting into the sea, sheer-walled fjords, fog-draped spruce forests, and rugged headlands awash with nesting seabirds. Alcids are the primary attraction with such possibilities as Kittlitz's, Marbled, and Ancient murrelets competing with guillemots, puffins, and murres for our attention.

Parts I and II of Grand Alaska may be taken separately or in combination. They are also designed to connect with both the Gambell/Nome tour and the Barrow Extension. Taken in concert, Gambell/Nome, Grand Alaska (Parts I and II), and the Barrow Extension comprise the most complete and exciting Alaska birding tour available.

Good to excellent accommodations; easy to moderate terrain; easy, short walks with one optional hike at Nome (Part I) involving difficult terrain; internal flights to Nome and the Pribilofs on Part I, with a full-day boat trip to Kenai Fjords on Part II; some long drives; full birding days with optional post-dinner birding at some locations; cold to mild climate.