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.

Top Birds

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.

Top Mammals

Arctic Fox, Grizzly Bear, Gray Wolf, Caribou, Moose, Dall Sheep, Sea Otter, Humpback Whale, Musk Ox, a chance for Polar Bear.

Habitats Covered

barren tundra, pelagic waters, rocky shorelines.

Expected Climate

cold with high winds possible.

Max Group Size

12 with 1 Rockjumper leader & local birding leader

Tour Pace & Walking

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.

Accommodation

comfortable Anchorage hotel; on St. Paul Island: basic but comfortable, with shared baths (only lodging on the island).

Ease of Birding

easy

Number of Species Expected

170 -180

Other Attractions

pribilof Islands, Mt McKinley views, Aleut and Eskimo cultures.

Photographic Opportunities

excellent

What our clients say about us

Stephan Lorenz
KE, Alaska 2022

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.

Stephan Lorenz
TC, Alaska 2022

Gambell was great, an adventure I’ll not soon forget.

Stephan Lorenz
RS, Alaska 2018

Stephan Lorenz was great. He knew every bird and plant and was helpful to me in getting the photos that I wanted.

Stephan Lorenz
JW, Alaska 2023

As always, Stephan Lorenz was considerate, organized and adaptable, as well as being a fabulous birder and good teacher. This is a very well-organized and well thought-out tour and we were successful in seeing all target species and also having an enjoyable tour. Thank you. Looking forward to traveling with Stephan again.

Stephan Lorenz
EL, Alaska 2018

Stephan Lorenz is an exceptional guide, being both a wizard at finding and identifying birds and also dealing with people. He has a kind and funny manner that puts everyone at ease. I am glad that Rockjumper has hired him and look forward to being on some of his trips in the future.

Alaska - The Pribilof Islands I 2024

22 May 2024 - 26 May 2024 (5 days)

USD4,950 - Spaces Available

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Tour Leader: Claudia Cavazos

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Tour Leader: Local Leader

Tour price (Per person): USD4,950 * GBP3,978 * EUR4,648 * AUD7,709

Single Supplement: USD650 * GBP522 * EUR610 * AUD1,012

Can be linked with: Alaska - Gambell: The Siberian Express 2024

Alaska - The Pribilof Islands II 2024

03 Jun 2024 - 06 Jun 2024 (4 days)

USD4,800 - 2 Spaces Available

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Tour Leader: Claudia Cavazos

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Tour Leader: Stephan Lorenz

Tour price (Per person): USD4,800 * GBP3,858 * EUR4,507 * AUD7,475

Single Supplement: USD450 * GBP362 * EUR423 * AUD701

Can be linked with: Alaska - Gambell: The Siberian Express 2024

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