Itinerary

Day 1

May 1st-
Upon arrival in Anchorage you will take the hotel shuttle to the Comfort Inn. Enjoy a good night's sleep, in anticipation of tomorrow's activities.

Day 2

May 2nd-
After an early breakfast, you will be picked up at 9:00 and depart for Whittier where we board the ferry for the scenic trip to Cordova. Cordova is a uniquely Alaskan community, shaped by its dramatic natural setting, rich cultural heritage, and colorful residents. It is a working town, nestled in the heart of a spectacular wilderness, which still looks to the ocean and forests for its livelihood. Cordova is the gateway to our adventure. The Copper River Delta lies at the confluence of the Copper River and the Gulf of Alaska and is the crown jewel of North America's wetlands. At 700,000 acres it is the largest wetlands complex on the Pacific Coast of North America--an ecosystem of almost unparalleled productivity. We arrive at the Orca Adventure Lodge and settle into our rooms before dinner. The lodge is Alaska's most unique adventure destination, located on the shores of Prince William Sound where sea otters play outside your front window. This evening, you will have an orientation on the trip schedule. Our itinerary is flexible, based on weather and tides during our visit. Anticipate rain! After dinner we are joined by Mary Anne Bishop for a discussion on local shorebirds. BLD

Day 3

May 3rd-
Today we fly by small plane over the Bering Glacier, North America's largest. Over the past century, warmer temperatures and changes in precipitation have thinned the Bering Glacier by several hundred meters and while it advances and retreats regularly, the glacier has retreated about 7 miles since 1900. Afterwards stop at the Martin Island Bird Refuge for a boat trip to photograph puffins. BLD

Day 4

May 4th-
Full day adventure by jet skiff down to the Alaganik Slough. There will be a large number of shorebirds in this area. Enjoy a picnic lunch and more photography before returning to the lodge this afternoon. BLD

Day 5

May 5th-
Visit Hartney Bay and the Eyak River today for fantastic opportunities to photograph eagles and other wildlife. BLD

Day 6

May 6th-
After breakfast we take a boat trip in the Orca Inlet, where we will have the opportunity to see the world's largest population of sea otters and observe their interaction within the pod. Our guide for the day has been involved in sea otter studies for 15 years. Afterwards, we head to Hinchinbrook to another remote beach for lunch. The island is 20 by 24 miles in size with long sandy beaches lined with spruce, hemlock and muskeg. It is home to numerous deer, bear and seabird colonies. A few back-to-earth human inhabitants also call it home. Once we are on the island, we'll observe and identify bird life, shells, marine worms and marine mammals with our guide, noting the relationships forged on the island among the many different residents. Visit the kittiwake colony. In the late afternoon, when we return to Cordova, we may explore downtown, the museum as well as the Eyak Cultural Center. The harbor is extremely photogenic as well. BLD

Day 7

May 7th-
Today we enjoy a short hike with plenty of time for photography along the Copper River Delta boardwalk and trail. Return to the lodge. After dinner enjoy a lecture by author Rikki Ott on the Exxon Valdez oil spill.

Day 8

May 8th-
After breakfast, we depart for a full day van tour of the Copper River Delta traversing the 56-mile “road to nowhere.” Cordova has one road, the Copper River Highway, which ends just past the Copper River and the Million Dollar Bridge. The Million Dollar Bridge is an amazing site to see and is an important part of Cordova's history. Built around 1910 for the railroad to haul copper ore from the Kennecott copper mines to the port of Cordova, it was severely damaged in the 1964 earthquake. At the end of the Copper River Highway, we will witness Childs Glacier “calve” into the turbulent Copper River. Please note if conditions permit, the group will view the glacier on a boat excursion instead of the road trip. We may have the opportunity to observe moose, mountain goats, beavers and waterfowl. Today's activities include some of the highlights of the Cordova Shorebird Festival. BLD

Day 9

May 9th-
Time for last minute photography this morning before heading to the airport to board our flight back to Anchorage. We have free time after we shuttle to the Comfort Inn Hotel, where we have a day room. Some options to consider are photographing Potters Marsh, exploring downtown Anchorage or the Alaska Native Heritage Center, if desired. Evening take shuttle to the airport to catch flight back to Lower 48. B

Day 10

May 10th-
Arrive home

Extra Information

Extras -

Inital land cost is $2,829
Plus $205 airfare from Cordova-Anchorage and flights to and from your home city to Anchorage
Rate is based on double occupancy with 9 participants. Single rooms available for an additional $145 supplement.
Program Includes: all transportation, accommodations, photography instruction by your leader, expert local guides, meals and activities as stated in the itinerary.
Program does not include: airfare to Anchorage, additional activities, beverages and gratuities. Please call Holbrook at 800-451-7111 for an airfare from your city.
Payment: In order to secure your space on the trip, a $200 deposit and completed enrollment form is due immediately. Final payment is due on or before January 26, 2009. Final payments are non-refundable. Optional travel/trip cancellation insurance is strongly recommended. For more information about insurance coverage, see or call 800-243-3174. Holbrook’s Agency number is 15849. For additional trip information contact Jerry Goffe at 505-346-4220
or Debbie Sturdivant at 866-748-6146