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Private Alaska Photo Tour and Guiding

What you dream, we can design!

Why Choose us?

Private Alaska Photo Tour and Guiding offers a unique and customizable experience with local, longstanding expertise, endless photo opportunities, and professional guidance for photographers of all levels.

photo rich destination

Alaska’s photo-rich environment is expertly captured with Private Alaska Photo Tour.

Land & Marine Wildlife

Private Alaska Photo Tour provides unique opportunities to photograph diverse land and marine wildlife of Alaska.

Photographers Of All Levels

Private Alaska Photo Tour caters to all-level photographers with customized tours and high-quality equipment.

A Vast, Photo-Rich Destination

Alaska is a land of remote environments, ever-changing conditions, and unpredictable wildlife and elements. We provide local, longstanding expertise to help you safely get your Alaska dream shot. Our private photo trek option caters to all levels of photographers, novice to pro. Based on your wishes, style, and budget, our private photo trek services can be all-inclusive, or partially inclusive; guided by a professional photographer with extensive experience in guiding and photographic instruction.

We can design a full-day or multi-day private photo trek based on your particular needs at any time of the year . But, over the years, we have had guests come to us with some common interests. These inquiries have produced itineraries that we have used successfully time and time again. So, we thought we would present some single-day and multi-day itinerary options that you could consider.

people fishing in Anchorage
Anchorage snowy landscape

These itineraries can simply provide you some ideas, or you can request these itineraries as-is. We want to make sure that you are provided an experience that meets your photographic interests and helps you accomplish your goals of a photo trip to Alaska. These samples are meant to give you ideas not only of itineraries but costs of these types of trips.

You will note some differences in costs. Traveling the road system in Alaska is the least-expensive way of getting around, as compared to travel by air or boat (those are almost exclusively private charters, which by their very nature can be expensive). Final prices will be based on time of year, type of charter transportation, nature of accommodations, location, or other aspects unique to your itinerary. A precise, detailed quote will be provided after we have received your request.  

Open-Ended Custom Tours

man in Alaskan river on photo tour
STARTS AT $209
Half-Day Private Trek
Alaska is a vast and photo rich destination with remote environments, ever-changing conditions, and unpredictable wildlife and elements.
mountain landscape in Alaska
STARTS AT $449
Full-Day Private Trek
Alaska is a vast and photo rich destination with remote environments, ever-changing conditions, and unpredictable wildlife and elements.

Nighttime Private Tours

small aircraft in Alaska
STARTS AT $179
Alaska Nightscapes
For this nighttime photo tour, you will embark on a journey through the photographic night life in the Anchorage area.
two people in front of Aurora Borealis
STARTS AT $995
Private Aurora Tour

Welcome to our Private Aurora Tour! Much like our Anchorage Aurora Quest, this tour is designed to maximize your opportunity to see the northern lights at scenic locations.

Full Day Itineraries

Turnagain Arm - Full Day Tour

Join us for a photographic exploration of the stunning coastal and mountain landscapes of the Turnagain Arm south of Anchorage. Itinerary includes Turnagain Arm, Chugach National Forest, and Chugach State Park, with the opportunity to photograph mountain streams, waterfalls, coastal mudflats, glaciers, and both the Chugach and Kenai mountains. Depending on the season, wildlife opportunities may include bears, moose, Dall sheep, Bald eagles, and Beluga whale. The itinerary also includes a visit to the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center. This itinerary is available year-round.

Hatcher Pass - Full Day Tour

For this full day tour, we head up into the Talkeetna Mountains and explore the diversity of the Hatcher Pass State Management Area. Photo opportunities will include mountains, streams, wildflowers (seasonal), and a variety of potential wildlife from collared pika to hoary marmot. Additionally, we photograph the historic buildings of the Independence Mine State Historical Park. This itinerary is only available June through September.

Matanuska Valley - Full Day Tour

For this full day tour, we explore the Knik River and Matanuska River valleys north of Anchorage. We follow the winding Glenn Highway to photograph stunning mountain and valley landscapes and take a guided hike on the Matanuska Glacier. This itinerary is available year-round.

Coastal Explorer - Four Nights, Five Days

This itinerary allows you to explore the coastal areas of Prince William Sound with the unique opportunities provided through use of the Alaska Ferry System. Explore waterfalls, mountains, glaciers and abundant wildlife.

Mountains and Valleys - Two Nights, Three Days

This itinerary combines our three standard full-day itineraries of Turnagain Arm, Hatcher Pass, and Matanuska Valley into one trip.

Taste of Alaska - Two Nights, Three Days

We designed this itinerary to encompass common wish lists for those seeking a photographic experience in Alaska: photographing wild brown bears, capturing stunning mountain landscapes, and spending time on a boat with marine mammals and glaciers.

Multi-Day Itineraries

Alaska by Air - Two Nights, Three Days

Flying is a major part of the Alaskan way of life, and a great way to get out for fantastic photographic opportunities. We designed this itinerary to provide you with a trip that includes the best of photo and flying experiences based in and near Anchorage.

Aurora South - Four Nights, Five Days

The Southcentral Region offers incredible photo opportunities in the winter, particularly with the diversity of landscapes available to photograph the aurora borealis. We combine daytime activities with planned nights chasing the aurora in this tour of the fantastic photo spots near Anchorage.

Aurora North - Four Nights, Five Days

This package provides the opportunity to photograph the aurora borealis closer to the aurora oval, with potential for time in the Arctic. The Interior region of Alaska also traditionally has more clear nights in the winter, increasing chances for aurora viewing. Depending on availability, this itinerary is based either in Fairbanks or Wiseman, Alaska.

Coastal Explorer - Four Nights, Five Days

This itinerary allows you to explore the coastal areas of Prince William Sound with the unique opportunities provided through use of the Alaska Ferry System. Explore waterfalls, mountains, glaciers and abundant wildlife.

Mountains and Valleys - Two Nights, Three Days

This itinerary combines our three standard full-day itineraries of Turnagain Arm, Hatcher Pass, and Matanuska Valley into one trip.

Taste of Alaska - Two Nights, Three Days

We designed this itinerary to encompass common wish lists for those seeking a photographic experience in Alaska: photographing wild brown bears, capturing stunning mountain landscapes, and spending time on a boat with marine mammals and glaciers.

What to Expect

During your Private Alaska photo tour with Private Alaska Photo Tour and Guiding, you can expect to receive expert guidance from professional photographers with extensive knowledge of Alaska’s unique environment, a customizable itinerary tailored to your preferences, safe and comfortable travel by helicopter, fixed-wing aircraft, or ground transportation, high-quality photography equipment provided by the company, endless photo opportunities of Alaska’s diverse landscapes and wildlife, and a memorable experience of experiencing the natural beauty and wilderness of Alaska, creating memories that will last a lifetime.

Discover the Beauty of Alaska with a Customized Photography Tour
Capture Stunning Photos with Professional Guidance and Equipment
Create Lifelong Memories with a Unique and Memorable Alaska Adventure

THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW

Base Rates

  • Up to a 10-hour, full day trek for 1-3 guests: $950
  • Per 24-hour overnight trek for 1-3 guests: $1250
  • Per 24-hour overnight trek for 4-6 guests: $1450

What Is Included in the Base Rate?

  • Photo-guide and driver (you can choose among four potential guides when submitting your request)
  • Ground transportation
  • Photo instruction services
  • Trip planning and logistics, including time spent on making reservations for accommodations and charters
  • Guide meals

What is Additional to Base Rate?

  • Lodging for both photo guide and client(s)
  • Client meals
  • Any additional or upgraded transportation services (air-taxi, boat charter, helicopter, other guiding services, etc.)

What makes Private Photo Tours expensive?

  • Modes of transportation used; i.e., private boats and aircraft
  • Types of lodging available, seasons, and locations
  • Complexity of itineraries
  • The fewer the number of travelers, the more the individual share of itinerary cost
  • More time and individual attention

Next Steps After Booking

Once you submit a custom itinerary or a request based on the above sample itineraries, we will contact vendors to get final rates. We will provide you that final rate along with an invoice. A 50% deposit on the invoice will be required to secure the booking.

Booking Policies & Liability Waiver

Remember that once your itinerary has been accepted and payment is made, you are confirming your acceptance of Alaska Photo Treks Booking Policies and Liability Waiver. Please read carefully.

Tour Registration Form

WHO WE ARE

Founded in 2013, Alaska Photo Treks [APT] is the premier operator providing Alaska photography tours in the Southcentral region. We are fully licensed and permitted, Adventure Green Certified, and 2016 – 2019 Certificate of Excellence award winners on TripAdvisor.

We also provide an invaluable service for advanced and professional photographers by knowing where to be and when to be there for the best scenic and wildlife photo ops, with expert guides to remote locations.

Whales in waters of Alaska

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Find the answers to your questions on our FAQs.
  • Up to a 10-hour, full day trek for 1-3 guests: $950
  • Per 24-hour overnight trek for 1-3 guests: $1250
  • Per 24-hour overnight trek for 4-6 guests: $1450
  • Photo-guide and driver (you can choose among four potential guides when submitting your request)
  • Ground transportation
  • Photo instruction services
  • Trip planning and logistics, including time spent on making reservations for accommodations and charters
  • Guide meals
  • Lodging for both photo guide and client(s)
  • Client meals
  • Any additional or upgraded transportation services (air-taxi, boat charter, helicopter, other guiding services, etc.)
  • Modes of transportation used; i.e., private boats and aircraft
  • Types of lodging available, seasons, and locations
  • Complexity of itineraries
  • The fewer the number of travelers, the more the individual share of itinerary cost
  • More time and individual attention

Once you have agreed upon a custom itinerary, or you have submitted a request based on one of our above package itineraries and paid a deposit, a final price will be provided. We cannot quote prices in advance due to seasonality of some costs as well as availability of additional transportation services.

Remember that once your itinerary has been accepted and payment is made, you are confirming your acceptance of Alaska Photo Treks Booking Policies and Liability Waiver. Please read carefully.

Insider Tips – Top 30 Things to Photograph in Alaska and When to Shoot Them

Alaska by Air

Day One: Day flight to Lake Clark National Park to photograph bears and aerial landscapes, overnight at a classic Alaskan lodge north of Anchorage

Day Two: Knik helicopter excursion (upgrade to private charter with doors off), drive up to Talkeetna with overnight

Day Three: Denali National Park flightseeing with glacier landing, return to Anchorage in the evening.

Starting at $8,350 for solo travelers. Per-person costs are reduced with more members in the party, assuming double occupancy.

This specific itinerary is only available July through September. In other months, the Lake Clark trip is replaced with a fixed winged flight seeing trip involving mountains and glaciers near Anchorage.

Additionally, in the non-summer months, opportunities to photograph the aurora borealis may be available.

Order of activities will be dependent upon availability of various vendors.

This package includes all meals, lodging, and a video documenting your trip.

Aurora South

Day One: Stay the night in Anchorage and explore aurora borealis opportunities along the Turnagain Arm and in the Chugach National Forest.

Day Two: Photograph Turnagain Arm during daylight hours with a visit to the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center, then head north to stay at a classic Alaskan lodge near Palmer to photograph the aurora borealis in the vicinity of Matanuska Valley and Hatcher Pass

Day Three: Photograph the Knik River and Matanuska Valleys during daylight hours. Optional helicopter trip to glacier with ice canyon or substitute of snowmobile or ATV trip to glacier. After dinner we head out for aurora chasing and photography.

Day Four: Drive up to Talkeetna, staying at a classic Alaskan lodge. Optional Denali flight seeing with glacier landing in the afternoon. Dinner and chasing the northern lights in the vicinity.

Day Five: Return to Anchorage

Starting at $6,300 for solo travelers. Per-person costs are reduced with more members in the party, assuming double occupancy.

This itinerary is only available August 21 to April 24.

Order of activities will be dependent upon availability of various vendors.

This package includes all meals, lodging, and a video documenting your trip.

Aurora North

Day One: Meet in Fairbanks, with an evening aurora presentation and first night chasing the northern lights.

Day Two: Daytime activities will depend on location, aurora chasing after dinner. Optional for Fairbanks, a daytime snowmobile tour. If in Wiseman, we will explore photo opportunities in the Brooks Range along the Dalton Highway and chase the aurora after dinner.

Day Three: If in Fairbanks, optional evening trip to Chena Hot Springs and Ice Museum with aurora chasing. If in Wiseman, we will explore photo opportunities in the Brooks Range along the Dalton Highway and chase the aurora after dinner.

Day Four: Activities will depend on location and conditions. Optional for Fairbanks, a daytime ice fishing trip, optional nighttime dog mushing trip. If in Wiseman, we will explore photo opportunities in the Brooks Range along the Dalton Highway and chase the aurora after dinner.

Day Five: Conclusion of tour

Starting at $6,395 for solo travelers. Per-person costs are reduced with more members in the party, assuming double occupancy.

This itinerary is only available August 21 to April 24. In February and March, this itinerary will include a nighttime visit to the World Ice Art Championships.

Order of activities will be dependent upon availability of various vendors.

This package includes all meals, lodging, and a video documenting your trip.

Coastal Explorer

Day One: Turnagain Arm, overnight in Whittier. Morning departure, with photo opportunities to include mountain streams, waterfalls, coastal and mountain landscapes, wildflowers, and wildlife opportunities including moose and Dall sheep. Sunset landscape photography in Whittier.

Day Two: Prince William Sound cruise for glacier and marine wildlife opportunities (upgrade option to private boat charter)

Day Three: Sunrise in Whittier, photograph small boat harbor, transit to Valdez via ferry, evening light around Valdez

Day Four: Explore the stunning landscapes of Keystone Canyon and Thompson Pass (optional add-on of kayaking experience)

Day Five: Transit back to Anchorage via the Richardson and Glenn Highways, stopping along the way for photo opportunities

Starting at $10,200 for solo travelers. Per-person costs are reduced with more members in the party, assuming double occupancy. 

This itinerary is only available July through September.

Order of activities will be dependent upon availability of various vendors.

This package includes all meals, lodging, and a video documenting your trip.

Mountains and Valleys

Day One: Explore the mountains, coastal landscape and waterfalls of Turnagain Arm. We start in Anchorage in the morning and then overnight at traditional Alaskan lodge near Palmer.

Day Two: We explore the mountains and stress of Hatcher Pass, with an overnight at traditional Alaskan mountain lodge.

Day Three: Explore Matanuska valley, including a guided hike out on Matanuska Glacier, returning to Anchorage in the evening.

Starting at $5,400 for solo travelers. Per-person costs are reduced with more members in the party, assuming double occupancy.

This itinerary is available year-round.

For the non-summer months, time in Hatcher Pass will be limited and photo opportunities may also include photographing the northern lights.

Order of activities will be dependent upon availability of various vendors.

This package includes all meals, lodging, and a video documenting your trip.

Taste of Alaska

Day One: Flight to Lake Clark National Park for brown bears and aerial scenic

Day Two: Explore coastal and mountain landscapes of Turnagain Arm, visit to the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center, with overnight in Whittier

Day Three: Sunrise and small boat harbor in Whittier, small boat cruise in Prince William Sound for wildlife and glaciers, return to Anchorage (upgrade to private boat charter)

Starting at $7,100 for solo travelers. Per-person costs are reduced with more members in the party, assuming double occupancy.

This itinerary is only available July through September.

Order of activities will be dependent upon availability of various vendors.

This package includes all meals, lodging, and a video documenting your trip.