The Aleutian Islands possess a remote romance that few if any other places within the United States can claim. Scattered in an arc, from the Alaskan Peninsula, west virtually all the way to Russia, this line of 200 or so islands form a wall of volcanoes at the northern edge of the “Pacific Ring of Fire”.
About halfway between mainland Alaska and Russia, about 1200 miles west of Anchorage is the island of Adak. Also known as “the birthplace of the winds”, Adak means father in the native Aleut language, Unangam Tunuu. The main town on the island goes by the same name which though it is home to fewer than 400 people, but once held thousands. Ninety thousand troops were stationed here during World War II and today there is still considerable infrastructure in place for birders to take advantage of.
We seek a mix of birds, including regular breeders or spring residents such as, Cackling Goose (ssp. leucopareia) Gray-crowned Rosy-Finch (ssp. umbrina), Rock Sandpiper (ssp. couesi), Black Oystercatcher, Rock Ptarmigan (ssp. chamberlaini), Snow Bunting, Pacific Wren (alascensis group), Aleutian Tern, Laysan Albatross, Ancient Murrelet, and Kittlitz’s Murrelet. Only slightly less reliable are species such as Horned Puffin, Tufted Duck, Arctic Loon, Yellow-billed Loon, Red-faced Cormorant, and Bar-tailed Godwit. Also fairly regular if unpredictable are other sought after birds, such as Emperor Goose, Wood Sandpiper, Common Snipe, Gyrfalcon and Whiskered Auklet. Always, the knowledge that rare species from Russia can drop in at any time will dance in our dreams and keep us vigilant.
Luck and weather are the main variables upon which our birding tides shall turn, but even the most mundane visit to Adak sees one surrounded by an extraordinary landscape with a unique history and a series of fascinating regionally endemic taxa. The majesty of Alaska, the turbulence of the Bering Sea, and the allure of Adak, all are undeniable.
Join us for a short but thrilling expedition to a truly remote corner of the United States.
Daily Overview
-
Day 1, May 17th: Meet at Alaska Airlines to board our flight to Adak.
-
Day 2-4, May 18th, 19th, and 20th: Birding around Adak. One day we will attempt a ½ day pelagic trip.
-
Day 5, May 21st: AM Birding, PM flight back into ANC. Tour concludes upon arrival in ANC.
PRICE & BOOKING INFO
Tour Price/person*: $4595
Deposit: $1000
Single supplement: $550 (cannot guarantee single rooms; inquire about availability)
Final Payment: Due via check or ACH by January 14, 2025, or upon booking if after.
*Based on double occupancy at lodgings, with a group size of 4 to 5 registrants. Maximum group size is 5 registrants, plus guide(s) and driver(s). If less than 4 registrants, the trip may be canceled or re-negotiated. Note that if you want a roommate we can try to find you one, but we cannot guarantee anyone a roommate, and if none is available, you will be charged the single supplement.
The tour price (fee) includes services from upon flight on Day 1 into Adak (ADK) until our return to Anchorage Airport (ANC) on Day 5, including:
· All meals from dinner on Day 1 through lunch on Day 5.
· Accommodations for four nights in Adak, Day 1 through Day 4.
· Roundtrip flight from ANC to Adak and back to ANC.
· All ground transport from arrival into Adak on Day 1 through to Day 5, until guests arrive back into ANC.
· All guiding services, access permits and entrance fees to birding areas.
· 1/2-day pelagic boat trip (weather permitting)
· Tips for drivers and staff at hotels and restaurants.
Excluded from your tour fee are:
· Any services in Anchorage, though these can be arranged for a fee
· Alcoholic beverages, laundry services, charges for phone calls, and any other items of a personal nature.
· Visa fees, airport taxes, airline baggage fees, etc.
Note: Travel insurance
Travel insurance that covers trip curtailment, trip interruption and medical evacuation is strongly recommended.
Adak has a medical clinic staffed by physician's assistants, but an emergency could require (a very expensive) evacuation off the island. Also weather can disrupt flights on occasion, and so to help cover any associated losses we strongly recommend travel insurance.
Cancellation Policy
If a guest/participant cancels registration:
● 120 days or more prior to the start of the tour, a refund is issued minus a $500/person processing fee.
● Between 119 and 90 days prior to the start of the tour, half of the tour fee will be returned to the registrant.
● 89 days or less prior to departure, no refund of payments or deposits are issued.
View Hillstar Nature’s Terms & Conditions of Booking