THE PHOTOGRAPHIC JOURNEY
Go beyond the view
Photograph Alaska's glaciers, forests and wildlife, with a planned visit to Brooks Falls in Katmai National Park to look for brown bears. Sightings, animal behavior, viewing-platform access and photography opportunities depend on natural and local conditions.
About the route
Alaska Glaciers + Brown Bears Homer | Katmai | Brooks Seward | Kenai Fjords | Knik Glacier Palmer | Denali | Chugach State Park <The images below were provided by the local ground operator> For photography lovers, Alaska holds an almost sacred status, arguably the finest choice for American scenery. Entering this vast land feels like stepping into a giant natural viewfinder: wherever you point your lens, breathtaking scenes await. America's largest state, distant from the contiguous mainland, resembles an untouched sanctuary beyond everyday life. Human traces are sparse, with only two major cities and seven principal highways lightly marking the land. Brown bears stride steadily and moose forage gracefully: they are this land's true inhabitants.
Itinerary Highlights
Alaska wildlife and landscapes Look for brown bears feeding at Brooks Falls in Katmai National Park, and seals, sea otters and sea lions in Kachemak Bay. The Seward Highway offers fjords, rocky shores and mountains. Owen Ou leads the July 2027 route, with planned visits to Katmai, Denali and Lake Clark national parks. Sightings, animal behavior and viewing distances depend on natural conditions and park rules.
The journey in pictures
Photographers linked to this route: Owen Ou →
Itinerary images · Select a photo to enlarge
PHOTOGRAPHY LEADERS
A different way of seeing
Owen Ou
Graduated from the Photography Department of South China Normal University in 2009. Specializes in landscapes, property environments and commercial portraiture. He has worked with the Shenzhen procuratorate, land bureau, Shenzhen Library, cultural centers, China Merchants Bank, Standard Chartered, Agricultural Bank of China, China Telecom, China Mobile, Guosen Securities, Topway Video, and BMW and Porsche owners' clubs. Photography journeys He regularly leads organizations and photography schools on trips to the Balkans, Iceland, Germany, Greenland, Cuba, South Korea, Canada, Kenya, Laos, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Morocco, Mexico, Namibia, Nepal, Japan, Chiang Mai, Tanzania, Turkey, Uganda, Semporna and New Zealand. Chinese destinations include Anhui, Beijing, Fujian, Guangdong, Guangxi, Henan, Hunan, Jiangxi, Inner Mongolia, Shanghai, Sichuan, Suzhou, Hong Kong, Xinjiang, Yunnan and Zhejiang. Selected awards Outstanding Work award at the 2009 Pingyao International Photography Festival; silver in the art category of the 2014 Guangdong provincial exhibition; gold in the monochrome category of the 2014 Al-Thani International Photography Competition; Zeyida Photography Club's 2022 Outstanding Instructor award and a 2023 instructor appointment issued in 2022; Fujifilm's 2022–23 Club Gardener Award, received in 2023.
THE DAYS AHEAD
A rhythm shaped by light
DAY 01Jul 18 · America/AnchorageDay 1 | July 18: Hong Kong–San Francisco–Anchorage
[Reference flights] Hong Kong–San Francisco CX870/13:25/11:30 San Francisco–Anchorage AS269/17:25/21:21 [Itinerary] Arrive in Anchorage, rest, and adjust to the time difference. [Photography theme] None [Accommodation] Three-star hotel in Anchorage
DAY 02Jul 19 · America/AnchorageDay 2 | July 19: Anchorage–Homer
Itinerary Drive south along the Seward Highway for approximately 5 hours, enjoying viewpoints such as Turnagain Arm and Beluga Point along the way. Arrive in Homer toward evening and photograph twilight seascapes at Homer Spit. [Photography themes] Curving coastlines, sunset at the pier, aerial views of the bay [Accommodation] Three-star hotel in Homer
DAY 03Jul 20 · America/AnchorageDay 3 | July 20: Homer–Bear viewing in Katmai National Park–Homer
DAY 04Jul 21 · America/AnchorageDay 4 | July 21: Homer–Seward
Itinerary After breakfast, leave Homer and drive to Seward, approximately 3.5 hours. Enjoy the Kenai Peninsula's magnificent coast along the way. Toward evening, photograph reflections in Seward's harbour, the fishing port, and sunset colors. [Photography themes] Harbour light and shadow, harbour reflections, aerial coastline views [Accommodation] Three-star hotel in Seward
DAY 05Jul 22 · America/AnchorageDay 5 | July 22: Seward–Kenai Fjords National Park glacier cruise–Seward
DAY 06Jul 23 · America/AnchorageDay 6 | July 23: Seward–Knik Glacier helicopter flight + glacier SUP or glacier hiking–Palmer
DAY 07Jul 24 · America/AnchorageDay 7 | July 24: Palmer–Hatcher Pass–Maclaren scenic road
Itinerary Photograph Hatcher Pass's alpine meadows, old gold-mine ruins, and magnificent valleys in the morning. In the afternoon, cross Alaskan valley tundra and enter the eastern section of the scenic Denali Highway, arriving in the Maclaren area toward evening. [Photography themes] Mountain roads, tundra terrain, mountain cabins, highway scenery [Accommodation] Three-star hotel in Maclaren
DAY 08Jul 25 · America/AnchorageDay 8 | July 25: Maclaren–Talkeetna–Denali National Park entrance
DAY 09Jul 26 · America/AnchorageDay 9 | July 26: Denali National Park
Itinerary Spend the full day photographing in Denali National Park. Hike areas such as Savage River Trail and look for moose, caribou, foxes, Dall sheep, and other wildlife. In clear weather, view Denali's snowy summit in the distance. [Photography themes] Moose, snowy mountains, tundra, wildlife, park scenery [Accommodation] Three-star hotel in Denali
DAY 10Jul 27 · America/AnchorageDay 10 | July 27: Denali–Hatcher Pass
Itinerary Head south toward Palmer in the morning, photographing magnificent valleys, road scenery, and evening light around Hatcher Pass. In clear weather, photograph the summer stars. [Photography themes] Valley scenery, sunset colors, starry skies, road photography [Accommodation] Three-star hotel near Hatcher Pass
DAY 11Jul 28 · America/AnchorageDay 11 | July 28: Hatcher Pass–Anchorage
Itinerary Photograph sunrise, morning mist over streams, and valley scenery at Hatcher Pass early in the morning. Return to Anchorage at midday. Spend the afternoon exploring freely or shopping for souvenirs in preparation for the return journey. [Photography themes] Morning valley light, streams, aerial perspectives [Accommodation] Three-star hotel in Anchorage
DAY 12Jul 29 · America/AnchorageDay 12 | July 29: Anchorage–San Francisco–Hong Kong
[Reference flights] Anchorage–San Francisco UA2070/16:08/21:47 San Francisco–Hong Kong UA877/23:30/05:00+1 day Itinerary Take international flights via San Francisco back to Hong Kong.
DAY 13Jul 30 · America/AnchorageDay 13 | July 30: Arrive in Hong Kong
Arrive at Hong Kong International Airport at 5 a.m. Beijing time, concluding an enjoyable photography journey in Alaska.
Trip staff
- Photography leader · Owen Ou
- Up to 10 travelers
- IncludedChinese-speaking driver-guide service;
View trip staffing details
Photography leader · Owen Ou Up to 10 travelers Included · Chinese-speaking driver-guide service; Excluded · Overseas driver-guide tips throughout: US$20 per person per day, US$240 per person in total;
Transport
- IncludedSix participants per 12-seat Ford vehicle, offering spacious, bright, comfortable seating;
- ExcludedMajor transportation between participants' departure points and Anchorage, round trip;
- ExcludedOptional activities such as seaplane flights and glacier hiking are not included;
Photography
- IncludedUnlimited aurora, sunrise, and sunset photography outings, with no night-time or overtime surcharge;
- IncludedPhotography instructor's tour-leading and teaching fees.
Photography details
About the route Alaska Glaciers + Brown Bears Homer | Katmai | Brooks Seward | Kenai Fjords | Knik Glacier Palmer | Denali | Chugach State Park <The images below were provided by the local ground operator> For photography lovers, Alaska holds an almost sacred status, arguably the finest choice for American scenery. Entering this vast land feels like stepping into a giant natural viewfinder: wherever you point your lens, breathtaking scenes await. America's largest state, distant from the contiguous mainland, resembles an untouched sanctuary beyond everyday life. Human traces are sparse, with only two major cities and seven principal highways lightly marking the land. Brown bears stride steadily and moose forage gracefully: they are this land's true inhabitants. Itinerary Highlights Alaska wildlife and landscapes Look for brown bears feeding at Brooks Falls in Katmai National Park, and seals, sea otters and sea lions in Kachemak Bay. The Seward Highway offers fjords, rocky shores and mountains. Owen Ou leads the July 2027 route, with planned visits to Katmai, Denali and Lake Clark national parks. Sightings, animal behavior and viewing distances depend on natural conditions and park rules.
Accommodation
- 12 nights
- IncludedStandard rooms in three-star US hotels listed in the itinerary, two people per room (except within scenic areas);
- ExcludedA single-room supplement applies if a male or female participant has no roommate, or requests a single room;
Meals
- IncludedBreakfasts listed in the itinerary;
- ExcludedAll meals are shared expenses (including breakfast not eaten in the hotel)
Visa
- ExcludedVisa and visa service fees;
A CLEAR PICTURE
Know what is included
Deposit in the operator’s published information
per personThis amount reflects the payment terms in the operator’s published information. When booking through this platform, follow the payment schedule shown at checkout.
Public prices may change. Checkout quotes expire at a stated time; your confirmed order records its price and payment deadlines.
Included
1. Standard rooms in three-star US hotels listed in the itinerary, two people per room (except within scenic areas);
2. Breakfasts listed in the itinerary;
3. Initial main admission fees for listed attractions;
4. Six participants per 12-seat Ford vehicle, offering spacious, bright, comfortable seating;
5. Unlimited aurora, sunrise, and sunset photography outings, with no night-time or overtime surcharge;
6. Chinese-speaking driver-guide service;
7. Travel accident insurance;
8. Photography instructor's tour-leading and teaching fees.
Not included
1. Major transportation between participants' departure points and Anchorage, round trip;
2. All meals are shared expenses (including breakfast not eaten in the hotel)
3. Optional activities such as seaplane flights and glacier hiking are not included;
4. Visa and visa service fees;
5. Overseas driver-guide tips throughout: US$20 per person per day, US$240 per person in total;
6. A single-room supplement applies if a male or female participant has no roommate, or requests a single room;
7. Other costs not mentioned in the itinerary;
8. In force majeure circumstances, such as natural disasters, war or strikes, or exceptional events including flight delays or cancellations and consular visa delays, the organizing team reserves the right to cancel or modify the itinerary. Additional costs, including extended visas abroad, accommodation, meals, transport and national airfare adjustments, may be charged at cost. We will nevertheless try within our ability to minimize participants' losses;
9. Other additional costs not listed under inclusions;
10. Prices above exclude tax. An additional invoice-related tax charge applies if an invoice is required.
Single-room supplements, additional local expenses and the final total must be confirmed in writing.
BEFORE YOU GO
What to know before you go
Availability and booking
Let us know if you’re interested in this trip. Availability is not updated in real time, so please contact us to check whether the trip is confirmed, how many places are available, and the final total and booking terms.
Trip information
[Transport] 1. Flights arranged by the organizing team use economy-class group tickets. Before tickets are issued, check the airline's rules for changes and refunds. 2. Flight, road and boat journey times may vary with conditions on the day. 3. The airlines and flight times listed are for guidance only. Flight changes may require minor adjustments to the itinerary. Please follow the final trip details sent before departure. [Accommodation] The total is based on two people sharing a room. We'll try to match solo travelers with a roommate of the same gender. If you prefer not to share, or no roommate is available, you must pay a single supplement for your own room. [Group meals] We aim to serve meals suited to Chinese tastes. We make sure everyone has enough to eat. [Photography] 1. Photography sessions follow the itinerary, but conditions on the day may affect how long we spend at each location. 2. Read the itinerary carefully and choose a trip that suits your health and circumstances. Skipping part of the itinerary for health or other personal reasons, or choosing not to use the arranged accommodation or transport, counts as voluntary withdrawal from those arrangements. You are responsible for your own safety while not taking part in the itinerary. 3. Stay with the group during photography sessions unless you have permission to leave. This does not apply during free time. The organizing team is not responsible for accidents that occur while you are away from the group. 4. Typhoons, blizzards or other events beyond our control may require changes to the itinerary. [Fuel surcharges] The organizing team reserves the right to adjust the amount payable if fluctuations in global oil markets lead to a substantial rise in fuel surcharges. If the team can absorb the increase, the amount payable will remain unchanged. [Before departure] 1. We'll send your final trip details no later than the day before departure. If arrangements are confirmed sooner, we'll let you know as soon as possible. 2. If the online itinerary differs from the final trip details sent before departure, the final trip details take precedence. [Optional activities at your own expense] Under the Tourism Law provisions prohibiting travel agencies from arranging optional paid activities, please contact the provider directly for details, charges and bookings if you wish to take part. If you need language assistance from a guide or tour leader, any help is provided in a personal capacity, whether paid or unpaid. It is not provided on behalf of the organizing team or the local tour operator. The organizing team is not involved in the payments, transactions or service standards for activities during free time. You are responsible for the outcome of those arrangements. The images above were supplied by the local instructor. They will be removed if they infringe copyright.
Itinerary notes
Photography locations, accommodations and transportation are subject to final confirmation before departure. Weather and local conditions may affect the itinerary.
[Reference services] The instructor will take the following services: Outbound: July 18: Hong Kong–San Francisco CX870/13:25/11:30 July 18: San Francisco–Anchorage AS269/17:25/21:21 Return: July 29: Anchorage–San Francisco UA2070/16:08/21:47 July 29: San Francisco–Hong Kong UA877/23:30/05:00+1 day Before booking transport, please confirm the departure and travel arrangements through this website.
Itinerary dates use America/Anchorage. Flight, transfer and other times follow the time zone stated for each location. Please confirm any time without a stated time zone before departure.