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Polar Bear Photo Safari 2020
Join us at the top of the world to photograph one of the world’s most iconic mammal species and the beautiful Aurora Borealis! Kaktovik is hands down the best location on the planet for Polar Bear photography. We will see both male and female bears along with sub-adults and even Polar Bear cubs preparing for their first winter! We will embark daily on a private chartered boat for our group. The photographic sessions will be conducted on a small boat that allows us to approach the animals at a safe distance, but photograph them at eye level. This is something that can’t be achieved in a traditional tundra buggy or large ship as used in all other Polar Bear photography destinations. The polar bear is actually identified as a marine mammal because it spends so many months of the year at sea. Its preferred habitat is the annual sea ice covering the waters over the continental shelf and the Arctic inter-island archipelagos. The polar bear tends to frequent areas where sea ice meets water to hunt the seals that make up most of its diet. Polar bears are therefore found primarily along the perimeter of the polar ice pack, rather than close to the North Pole where the density of seals is low. The Polar Bears we’ll photograph on Kaktovik will be congregating there to wait for the winter ice pack to set in. They will be the perfect subjects and provide endless entertainment with their antics and interactions. This is an exceptional experience. If you’ve had Polar Bears on your bucket list, this is the trip to check them off with!
For the ultimate Alaskan bear experience combine this trip with our Wonders of Alaska Photo Tour!
ITINERARY
Polar Bear Photo Safari 2020
* In order to provide participants with the best photographic opportunities the itinerary is subject to change based on weather, lighting and other variables.
DAY 1: September 15th, 2020 – ARRIVE in FAIRBANKS
– Dinner Provided
After you arrival into Fairbanks Airport you will transfer to your accommodations. We will meet at 6:00 p.m. in the lobby of our hotel and enjoy a group dinner meal. I’ll have a NOW Tours sign on the table to help you locate our group. There we will get to know each other and discuss our itinerary and the exciting days ahead. Our hotel is situated in a Migratory Waterfowl Preserve that boasts 115 acres of trails and wetlands. We will closely monitor the forecast for Northern Lights and plan to go out and photograph the breathtaking Aurora Borealis after dark! Overnight in Fairbanks.
ACCOMMODATIONS: Minimum ☆☆☆ Hotel
DAY 2: September 16th, 2020 – FAIRBANKS to KAKTOVIK
– All Meals Provided
We will rise early to catch our flights up to Kaktovik. Our route will take us from Anchorage to Prudhoe Bay. We will have a layover in Prudhoe bay and then continue on to Kaktovik. This layover will be the perfect time to get our gear dialed in prior to starting our first shooting session. Upon arrival in Kaktovik we will drop our luggage at the hotel and head right out to shoot Polar Bears for the remainder of the afternoon. The photographic sessions will be conducted on a small boat that allow us to approach the animals at a safe distance but photograph them at eye level, something that can’t be achieved in a traditional tundra buggy. There is an enclosed cabin on the boat, but plan to dress warm for our time on the water.
ACCOMMODATIONS: Minimum ☆☆☆ Hotel
DAY 3: September 17th, 2020 – KAKTOVIK
– All Meals Provided
We will meet early for a hearty breakfast. Our morning photography shoot will begin in search of Polar Bears. We will photograph the bears for 4 hours and then return to the hotel for lunch. Today we will focus on photographing the regions polar bears in their natural habitat. Following our afternoon meal we will return for our afternoon session with another four hours of shooting. We will enjoy our dinner meal and retire for the evening.
ACCOMMODATIONS: Minimum ☆☆☆ Hotel
DAY 4: September 18th, 2020 – KAKTOVIK
– All Meals Provided
We will meet early for a hearty breakfast. Our morning photography shoot will begin in search of Polar Bears. We will photograph the bears for 4 hours and then return to the hotel for lunch. Again we will focus on photographing the regions polar bears in their natural habitat. Following our afternoon meal we will return for our afternoon session with another four hours of shooting. We will enjoy our dinner meal and retire for the evening.
ACCOMMODATIONS: Minimum ☆☆☆ Hotel
DAY 5: September 19th, 2020 – KAKTOVIK to FAIRBANKS
– All Meals Provided
Today we will enjoy a morning meal. Following that we will collect our luggage and head to the airstrip for our flight back to Fairbanks. We are scheduled to arrive in Fairbanks late afternoon. We will transfer back to our hotel and enjoy a dinner meal before heading out to photograph the Northern Lights display that evening!
ACCOMMODATIONS: Minimum ☆☆☆ Hotel
DAY 6: September 20th, 2020 – DEPARTURE
– Breakfast Provided
After breakfast you will depart Fairbanks with a new group of friends, wonderful experiences and memory cards loaded full of image files to remember it all by. Upon arrival at Fairbanks International Airport you will check in for your flight home or continue on to the next destination. Bon Voyage!
CANCELLATION POLICY
Polar Bear Photo Safari 2020
This cancellation policy protects our business losses and as such is strictly adhered to. Exceptions will not be made. We strongly encourage participants to purchase travelers insurance through an agency like Global Rescue so that you’ll have coverage should you unexpectedly need to cancel your trip. At his discretion, Nathaniel may lead the tour even if it does not meet the minimum number of participants required.
1). Cancel more than one year prior to the original tour start date:
Full refund, minus any initial deposit and all PayPal transaction fees. Refunds will be paid via PayPal and processed within 72 hours of the request being approved.
2). Cancel less than one year prior to the original tour start date:
A refund will only be issued if the tour is sold out and your vacated spot filled by another participant signing up. This refund would exclude your initial deposit, single supplement payments and any PayPal transaction fees.
* Should you fail to complete the payments as scheduled for this tour you will forfeit your deposit, all payments and your spot on this tour.
** You’ll be promptly notified and provided a full refund (including your deposit) should the tour be canceled by Nature Odyssey Worldwide Tours.
TRAVEL PLANNING
Polar Bear Photo Safari 2020
• Participants must arrive in Fairbanks, Alaska prior to 4pm on September 15th, 2020!
• We strongly encourage participants to purchase travelers insurance through an agency like Global Rescue so that you’ll have coverage should you unexpectedly need to cancel your trip.
• Traveling in remote locations can present challenges that may require slight changes to the itinerary. We will always try to run the tour as the initial itinerary. In the event, beyond our control, such as political unrest, natural disasters, over bookings by the lodge, where a change is required, we will do our best to keep you close to the original shooting location. It is our intention for you to have the best possible experience. We will try to notify you of any changes as soon as we are made aware of them. If, however these changes cause an increase to the price, the increase will be passed on to the participant.
PAYMENTS & REGISTRATION
Polar Bear Photo Safari 2020
September 15th, 2020 – September 20th, 2020
Only 2 Spots! (Maximum 6 Participants)
8,495 USD – Based On Double Occupancy- $1,500 Non-refundable deposit is required to secure your spot
- Single Supplement not available on this tour
* A late fee of $250 may be added to the balance for any payments not received by the due date.
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INCLUDED
1. Exclusive group of only 6 participants
2. Hotel accommodations in Fairbanks day of arrival and before departure
3. Transportation by charter plane to Alaskan Village
4. Accommodations For 6 Days and 5 Nights Total (Double Occupancy – Shared Bath in Kaktovik)
5. All meals starting with dinner on Sept 15th to breakfast on Sept 20th
6. Pro Photographer Mentoring by Nathaniel Smalley
7. Guide Services by Licensed Guide
8. Any applicable park fees and permits
9. Drop off to Wedgewood Hotel
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EXCLUDED
1. Airline flights to and from Fairbanks, Alaska
2. Any luggage fees associated with the flights to Kaktovik
3. Taxi transfers to/from Wedgewood Hotel
4. Snacks or alcoholic beverages
5. Any meals not listed in itinerary
6. Travel, Equipment or Health Insurance
7. Items of a personal nature
8. Gratuities
9. Any Passport or Visa fees
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WHAT TO BRING
1. Camera with manual mode capability
2. Cable release or remote control for your camera
3. Lens filters of your choice (ND, CPL, GRAD, etc.)
4. Telephoto Lens (minimum 300mm lens recommended)
5. Wide Angle and/or Portrait Lens
6. Extra batteries for your camera & charger
7. Panning Plate with gimbal head
8. Warm clothes (down jacket, softshell jacket, polartec jacket, long underwear)
9. Waterproof / Windproof Clothes (GoreTex jacket + pants)
10. Waterproof Insulated Boots
11. 2 pairs of Insulated Gloves (Link#1) and/or (Link#2)
12. Headlamp with extra batteries
13. Wool and silk socks
14. Gratuities
DIFFICULTY
This is an outdoor nature photography tour, so being fit and in good health will allow you to enjoy the trip more comfortably. However, our planned activities should be within the ability of most people in moderate to good shape. Conditions can be cold and wet rocks can sometimes be unstable and slippery, so please pack appropriate clothing for the conditions.
Participants are required to sign a standard medical and waiver of liability form. Every effort is made to keep participants safe during all stages of the tour, but each person is solely responsible for avoiding personal injury or damaging their equipment during the trip.
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TESTIMONIALS
“Recently in 2018 I guided Nathaniel and his photo workshop participants at one of Alaska’s premier bear viewing lodges. As the senior guide there for the past 8 years I have worked with countless photo workshop leaders. Nathaniel stands out as one of the very best! He is hands on, giving each participant 100% of his attention. His knowledge in photography such as camera use and image processing is impressive. (I even picked up several valuable tips from him!) Overall if you want to learn more about photography Nathaniel is your guy! You will take away a wealth of information and with his help capture some amazing images!”
~ David R. | Washington, USA
“I enjoyed my trip to Alaska with Nathaniel photographing the Coastal Brown Bears so much in 2018, that I joined the 2019 trip in addition to going with Nathaniel to the Arctic to photograph Polar Bears. Nathaniel provides safe and unique opportunities to photograph these magnificent apex predators and so much more in his Wonders of Alaska Photo Tour and Polar Bear Experience.
He has gathered the finest guides in the best locations, transports and accommodations all wrapped in a package with your comfort, pleasure and photographic education at the center. Nathaniel is a delightful, polite, educated and fun instructor, leader and trip organizer. My photography skills and general nature photography knowledge has improved exponentially because of his thoughtful and effective guidance on all of the trips I’ve been fortunate enough to attend. I look forward to my next adventure with him.”
~ Lois C. | Oregon, USA
“My wife and myself took Nathaniel’s Alaska Photo tour at Lake Clark National Park. What a other-worldly place to be. To experience the wildlife on foot and being so close to them, but also in a safe distance is something that is very unique and will create memories forever. Nathaniel would constantly be by our side and assist with camera settings and give tips on how to compose and what action to expect. He kept reminding every time we changed the composition or move around to check our histograms first. For a amateur photographer like us the tips he was giving us in the field was like gold. He also spent time every evening discussing the photographs on a computer and teaching editing techniques. I kept asking him questions back and forth by email before the trip and he would respond within a day or so, even when he was in remote locations. He such a polite person, I would definitely take his tour again. He has done lot of ground work for his trip and shared that knowledge to us as well. He also had the best wildlife guide for his teaching group so that did reflect in the best wildlife viewing experience we had. Good Luck Nathaniel, we are looking forward to more photo tours in the near future!”
~ Vik V. | California, USA
“I was attracted to Nathaniel’s course because of the beauty and the unique perspective exhibited in the photos of the bears at the Alaska photography experience. I was not disappointed. The opportunity to photograph bears was ever present, the access easily acquired and the support from both Nathaniel and the staff from the lodge was outstanding. Nathaniel immediately was able to correct some settings and equipment uses that I had been utilizing as I had been aware I was not getting as crystal clear images as I wanted and, Voila! I had them! As I travel for work, it had been especially important to me to have my husband accompany me on the trip and Nathaniel jumped in and set up the trip so both my husband and son could come on the trip and fish and the three of us spend time together. I would highly recommend spending your valuable time and resources and one of Nathaniel’s photographic opportunities.”
~ Amy K. | Wyoming, USA
“Wonders of Alaska 2017 was my first workshop with Nathaniel, but I’m sure it won’t be my last; he was as kind, caring and patient as he appears online. Nathaniel was extremely attentive during the entire workshop, he shared technical and artistic knowledge during shooting, spent time reviewing and editing files in the evenings so that we really learned as we went along, and were able to put the learning into practice while still on the workshop. The weather conditions were difficult at times, but Nathaniel’s experience and attention to his students meant that the group learned how to work around suboptimal lighting and we all went home with great photographs! I love bears and this trip afforded us hours of watching every day, not the usual glimpse here and there that I was used to in Yellowstone, we even got to watch a mom nurse her two cubs! I couldn’t have asked for more.”
~ Jackie H. | Texas, USA
“I just returned from Nathaniel’s Wonders of Alaska trip, he is a fantastic photo workshop leader. He is able to give his participants close attention which is so important on these trips. He is patient and takes the time to teach. He is kind and without attitude, which I have not found with other instructors. He makes sure to keep his trips small so he can ensure everyone is getting the personalized attention they need. He takes time to review pictures at the end of the day and to give feedback ensuring you are prepared for the next day. The photo book that he provides the participants of the trip is an added bonus! He makes everyone feel respected and welcome no matter what level of photographer they are. I really appreciated the effort and enjoyed reminiscing about the trip. The effort Nathaniel put forth for his guests did not go unnoticed! I highly recommend a workshop or safari with him.”
~ Mindy R. | California, USA
“Nathaniel of Nature Odyssey Worldwide is wonderful. I observed him for almost a year before booking with him. He truly believes in the “leave no trace behind” principle, he does not like baiting animals for a shot and he limits his workshop sizes so that everyone gets time with him one-on-one. Before booking with him, I asked him questions and he was very kind and attentive. Another feature that I appreciated is that he took care of all of the accommodations and he checked every room before handing us our keys. He spends time helping each participant while processing pictures and he provides personal as well as group instruction. He is easy going and truly cares about all of us. It is important to feel very comfortable with the person who you book with and he/she should be approachable.”
~ Thea M. | Oregon, USA
“I had the best experience with Nathaniel on his N.O.W. tour to Alaska in September. Nathaniel was an excellent instructor and we had such an amazing experience! It was so much fun, I can’t wait to travel with Nature Odyssey Worldwide again!”
~ Anita R. | California, USA