The Pribilof Islands are a storied archipelago, smack in the middle of the Bering Sea and anchored 600 miles from mainland Alaska. Well known as a key part of the Alaska Purchase in 1867, and rich in history and as the largest Aleut community today, Saint Paul Island has long been famous among birders as well, in particular for hosting some of the largest colonies of alcids (auks and other seabirds) in the world, as well as the largest Northern Fur Seal colony on Earth. An isolated and charming island, the natives have long had a mind for wildlife and ecotourism, and in addition to the stunning breeding seabirds, Asian vagrants also visit St. Paul in May and June. We shall hope for a few of the long list of possible vagrants, along with the amazing resident species. The undoubted highlights of this adventure are the huge colonies of seabirds nesting on the cliffs and in the rocks on the island, including Parakeet, Least and Crested Auklets, Horned and Tufted Puffins, Thick-billed and Common Murre, Northern Fulmar and both Black-legged and Red-legged Kittiwakes.
Single Rooming is highly improbable on this tour.
This tour is offered in partnership with High Lonesome Birdtours. These are large group tours (up to 16 guests & multiple leaders), and will almost certaintly have participants from both Rockjumper and Highlonesome.
King & Steller’s Eider (uncommon), Red-faced & Pelagic Cormorants, Red-legged Kittiwake & Sabine’s Gull (uncommon), Tufted & Horned Puffin, Least, Crested & Parakeet Auklet, Ancient Murrelet, Short-eared & Snowy Owl, Grey-crowned Rosy Finch, Snow & MacKay’s Bunting (rare). Asian rarities possible: Bean Goose, Common Pochard, Smew, Tufted Duck, Common & Wood Sandpiper, Common Greenshank, Great Knot, Black-tailed Godwit, Siberian Rubythroat, Eye-browed Thrush & Brambling. Other rarities, e.g., Chinese Pond Heron, Little Stint, Far Eastern Curlew, Brown Shrike, Dusky Thrush, Olive-backed Pipit, Hawfinch have all been recorded, mostly in May & early June.
Arctic Fox, Grizzly Bear, Gray Wolf, Caribou, Moose, Dall Sheep, Sea Otter, Humpback Whale, Musk Ox, a chance for Polar Bear.
barren tundra, pelagic waters, rocky shorelines.
cold with high winds possible.
12 with 1 Rockjumper leader & local birding leader
Our Mega tours are very fast-paced birding adventures designed for the dedicated lister and serious birder. The focus of the tour is to see as many of the endemics and area specials as possible in our given time. In order to cover the necessary route to maximise the species list we tend to spend a single night at most sites and travel large distances. There is very little down time aside from that spent driving from one site to the next. These tours are not suitable for dedicated or avid photographers; inexperienced or new birders; as well as anyone with serious mobility or health challenges.
comfortable Anchorage hotel; on St. Paul Island: basic but comfortable, with shared baths (only lodging on the island).
easy
170 -180
pribilof Islands, Mt McKinley views, Aleut and Eskimo cultures.
excellent
Our trip to Alaska was great. Our guide, Stephan Lorenz, was greatly appreciated for his knowledge of the birds, of the sites, and his leader qualities. Thanks to Stephans sharp eyes we observed Grey-crowned Rosy Finch, my objective, which was less than zero chance according to Stephan :-). It was a very exciting moment for us ! Apart from seeing all the covoted birds we saw a great deal of animals including 11 grizzli bears, several orcas and a few polar bears which was the cherry on the cake ! What a great thrill ! Having our list done on eBird was also greatly appreciated.
Stephan was an outstanding guide, as usual, and Claudia was a great spotter and helper. The lodging in Barrow was better than expected, as was the food there.
Stephan Lorenz is an outstanding guide. His knowledge of birds - including their identification, behaviours and biology - is exceptional. He and his partner Claudia provided excellent service to the clients. They made sure all our interests and needs were attended to, and they actively engaged in making the trip both educational and fun.
Stephan as lead guide was one of the best guides I have ever had the privilege of working with. Wonderful at finding birds, making sure participants saw them, managing the challenging logistics, and a truly excellent group leader. Dave was an excellent partner guide. I will definitely seek them out to travel with again. Thanks to both of them.
The weather adversely affected the Gambell visit such that hoped for vagrants were minimal during our stay. The Siberian Express mostly failed to stop there. That was beyond anyone’s control and, thanks to the efforts of the guides, the birding experience was still very good. Stephan Lorenz did an exceptional job. Between Covid and the weather his job seemed unusually difficult but he handled things extremely well. I would definitely go on another tour with Mr. Lorenz as guide.
Tour Leader: Claudia Cavazos
Tour Leader: Local Leader
Tour price (Per person): USD4,950 * GBP3,956 * EUR4,614 * AUD7,589
Single Supplement: USD650 * GBP520 * EUR606 * AUD997
Can be linked with: Alaska - Gambell: The Siberian Express 2024
03 Jun 2024 - 06 Jun 2024 (4 days)
USD4,800 - 2 Spaces Available
Tour Leader: Claudia Cavazos
Tour Leader: Stephan Lorenz
Tour price (Per person): USD4,800 * GBP3,837 * EUR4,474 * AUD7,359
Single Supplement: USD450 * GBP360 * EUR419 * AUD690
Can be linked with: Alaska - Gambell: The Siberian Express 2024
Alaska - The Aleutian Islands; Dutch Harbour & Whiskered Aucklet I 2023 - June 2023
Alaska - Utqiaġvik & Kenai: The Fjords & the Arctic Circle 2023 - June 2023
Alaska - Nome & Denali: Alaska Gold Rush 2023 - June 2023
Alaska - Gambell: The Siberian Express 2023 - May 2023
Alaska - The Pribilof Islands I 2023 - May 2023
Alaska - Adak: Aleutian Specialties & Asian Vagrants 2023 - May 2023
Alaska - Utqiaġvik: Ross’s Gull Quest 2021 - October 2021
Alaska - Utqiaġvik & Kenai: The Fjords & the Arctic Circle 2021 - June 2021
Alaska - Nome & Denali: Alaska Gold Rush 2021 - June 2021
Alaska - The Aleutian Islands; Dutch Harbour & Whiskered Aucklet 2021 - June 2021
Alaska - Gambell: The Siberian Express 2021 - May 2021
Alaska - Nome & the Seward Peninsula 2019 - May 2019
Alaska - Nome & the Seward Peninsula 2018 - May 2018