Day 1 Anchorage | Seward | Embark
Arrive in Anchorage and transfer to Seward, Alaska to embark National Geographic Orion in the late afternoon.
Day 2-3 Katmai National Park
- Ship
- 2 Breakfasts, 2 Lunches, 2 Dinners
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.
Day 4-5 At Sea | Unalaska
- Ship
- 2 Breakfasts, 2 Lunches, 2 Dinners
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.
Day 6-10 Exploring the Aleutian Islands
- Ship
- 5 Breakfasts, 5 Lunches, 5 Dinners
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 you’ll explore during these days.
Day 11 Petropavlovsk-Kamchatskiy, Russian Federation
- Ship
- 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
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.
Day 12 Zhupanova River
- Ship
- 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
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.
Day 13-14 Commander Islands
- Ship
- 2 Breakfasts, 2 Lunches, 2 Dinners
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.
Day 15-19 Exploring the Koryak and Chukotka Coasts
- Ship
- 5 Breakfasts, 5 Lunches, 5 Dinners
There’s much to explore as you make your 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.
Day 20 Provideniya
- Ship
- 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
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 you will conduct your outbound clearance from Russia. Visit the excellent museum, and witness a traditional Yupik dance performance.
Day 21 At Sea, Crossing the Bering Strait
- Ship
- 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
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
Day 22 Nome | Disembark | Anchorage | Home
Arrive in Nome this morning, transfer to the airport for flights to Anchorage and onward.
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