Alaska and the Pribilof Islands
Pribilof Islands, Kodiak Island and Nome
The Pribilof Islands - an intensely remote outpost of the 49th State - lie roughly 750 miles south west of Anchorage in the Bering Sea, north of the Aleutian chain. Here hundreds of thousands of Northern Fur Seals gather every summer in their huge breeding colonies; the profusion of wild flowers is breath-taking; wonderful birds such as Red-legged Kittiwake, Horned Puffin and Parakeet Auklet nest on the cliffs while Arctic Fox prowl the shores. A visit to the Pribilof Islands is a lifetime experience which you will never forget.
The frontier town of Nome is a cool 540 miles north west of Anchorage. It has a character all of its own and those who enjoy the quirky, remote outposts of this world will love it. The coastal tundra surrounding the town is very rich in birdlife but Nome's great asset is that it also has three dirt roads, each radiating out for some eighty miles to the north-west, north and north-east. In a part of North America that is not exactly well-endowed with roads this is an enormous boon as it means that we can penetrate the hinterland and look for iconic species such as Gyr Falcon and Bristle-thighed Curlew while Musk Oxen are also a distinct possibility.
One of the things everyone wants to see in Alaska is the mighty Brown or Grizzly Bear and there is nowhere better than Kodiak Island. And so we're splashing out on a horribly extravagant but unforgettable three nights at Afognak Wilderness Lodge. Afognak is itself an island off Kodiak which we reach by float or mail plane. Once there, we use small boats with local guides to enjoy outstanding - almost mosquito-less - wildlife viewing. Awaiting you is a wide array of wildlife including the popular Kodiak Brown Bear, assorted sea mammals including the enormously attractive Sea Otter, soaring Bald Eagles and Horned and Tufted Puffins.
The new Afognak Island State Park has been established to preserve this delightful combination in its stunningly beautiful "enchanted" forest and fjord setting.
The hub of our holiday is Anchorage and we'll spend four nights there - one at the beginning, one in the middle and two at the end of the holiday. It's a small but fascinating city and there's some excellent birding in the vicinity which we'll take time to enjoy.
Overall this holiday is the "crème de la crème" of Alaska, giving the opportunity to experience the remote wilderness and the incredible wildlife which goes with it.
