Wild Alaska Travel — Local services in Alaska

Words cannot describe the joy that we experienced during Alaska Polar Bear Viewing and Photo Tour last month and we did not want to come back! It was an impeccably organised tour and the credit does to Laurent who is the owner of Wild Alaska travel company and was also our guide. Laurent is really passionate about what he is doing and that made a big difference. Right from the start he was at the Fairbanks Airport to receive us with a smiling face despite our delayed flight! We had only one evening in Fairbanks, but he took us to very nice restaurant with beautiful view for dinner and then Alaskan cultural programme. Next day we flew to Kaktovik by a small and extremely cute aeroplane (Beechcraft 1900 by Ravn air). We saw a couple of polar bears immediately after landing! The hotel chosen by him in Kaktovik was also the best in town and people were extremely warm and welcoming. The food was super and they even cooked vegetarian food specially for me. One day we were served fresh strawberries and ice cream in this extremely remote and perhaps the northern most town in the USA with population of 300 inupiants! We were taken on a bus to watch polar bears twice a day, each day. Normally these excursions are done on a boat but the lagoon had frozen by the time our tour started. But it was very comfortable to go in a bus since it was warm and we could go very close to the polar bears. We saw over 30 polar bears and once around 23 together! We had plenty of opportunities for photographing these bears patiently! Our group of six were the only tourists and there was another Mexican television crew so the place was not commercialised and we had all the time in the world to watch the polar bears. We were extremely blessed to have seen the Northern lights on our last night in Kaktovik! From Kaktovik, we went back to Fairbanks and this time we were put up in a hotel around 45 miles from the city at lovely location. We were lucky to see the Northern lights again and for that we had to just step outside our rooms to photograph, but we could see the lights while in bed too! This was an incredible experience! The next day we were taken for dog mushing, a truly Alaskan experience! We also went to wonderful Chena hot spring and the ice museum and we had another unforgettable day. In the evening we were taken to another popular restaurant for dinner! The forecast for Northern lights again on the third consecutive night was very high so Laurent tirelessly drove us outside the city limits to watch and photograph the lights! During this tour we had the opportunity to meet four likeminded wonderful people. Laurent pre-screens his clients and sees that all fellow travellers would get along! There are only six people in a group and hence it feels like a personal tour. I would strongly recommend this tour to anyone who wishes to see polar bears and Northern lights in a non-commercialised way with a personal touch! It was indeed a trip of...

I was lucky enough to join the Alaska Polar Bear Viewing & Photo Tour Sept/Oct 2019 and it was fantastic! Laurent has everything planned smoothly, with back up plans in case of poor weather getting in the way. The main goal for me was to see the polar bears and this tour is an excellent way to do this. Our group of 6 (plus Laurent and the boat captain) went out on 5 viewing trips, spending a few hours out there each time and watching some incredible polar bear activity. Going out on the boats means that you get to see the polar bears at eye level, and can also watch them swim between islands or play in the water. The key to capturing breathtaking wildlife activity is patience and we were rewarded by the ability of Laurent and the group to wait with the bears and trust that something special will happen, rather than rushing about from bear to bear in search of the action. The boat was small and had outdoor viewing at the front and back, and a small heated cabin in between. It looked as if the other few boats touring from Kaktovik were essentially the same, although they didn't all have the shelter of a cabin. Weather is the biggest obstacle on this trip as the winds can be strong and bitterly cold. We were lucky enough to get some beautiful weather, although even a moderate wind will make it challenging to capture photos due to the movement of the boat. The lodgings at Marsh Creek Inn are not fancy but they are clean, comfortable, warm and very friendly. We were in double rooms with 2x single beds and shared bathroom down the hall. The food was plentiful and tasty and they are able to accommodate for dietary preferences (chef Matt always made me my own vegetarian meals which was so lovely). Laurent knows a lot about the bears, the community and the area but he also organised for us to talk to someone from Fish and Wildlife for further information and insight, and to spend a morning with a lovely local to learn more about Kaktovik and the inupiat culture. We also got to see and photograph the northern lights whilst we were in Kaktovik - with Laurent going above and beyond to keep an eye on the predicted aurora activity and cloud cover, and then wake up in the middle of the night to monitor the situation and wake up the whole group!! There are a couple of northern lights viewing opportunities on this trip (almost every night really) but of course only if the weather and the aurora are cooperating. Laurent has worked as a photographer for decades and happily helped with camera questions and adjusting settings.

The dog mushing was another highlight and soaking in Chena hot springs was delightful.

Mostly it was great to spend time watching the polar bears and meeting lovely interested/interesting people. I highly recommend this trip and advise you to...

When I first contacted the owner, Laurent, of Wild Alaska Travel, I had some very basic questions. For example, should someone who lives in a warm climate consider a trip to Alaska in spring or wait until fall. Yes, I was a bit apprehensive (how much clothing will I have to wear to ensure that I don’t feel cold all the time!). He responded to every question quickly and with honesty. Whew!

Happily, I just returned from an incredible week-long trip to central and northern Alaska focused on viewing the Northern Lights ("Alaska Northern Lights Tour"), and it exceeded all expectations. We were fortunate to see, and photograph, the aurora borealis on multiple nights -- a truly magical experience that's hard to put into words. Keeping in mind that the lights are elusive and rarely visible to the naked eye, you must be prepared to get up in the middle of the night and know how to use your camera! Laurent and the friend I travelled with helped me deal with the challenges (for me) of using my digital SLR, so I have proof that I was there. Even if I hadn’t taken any of my own shots, Laurent makes sure to take pictures throughout the entire experience. Did I mention that he’s a professional photographer? More “whew!”.

What made this trip exceptional was Laurent, who brought remarkable expertise and personality to every aspect of the journey. His intelligence and quick wit kept our group engaged and entertained throughout the week, while his generosity was evident in countless small touches that enhanced our experience. Most impressively, he had an intuitive understanding of each person in our group, adapting his approach to match different personalities and comfort levels. One of the best aspects of spending a bit more money to be part of a small group is that customization is so accessible. Weather change? No problem, let’s do this instead!

The Northern Lights displays we witnessed were breathtaking - the highlight we came for. But the overall experience, shaped by outstanding leadership and attention to detail, coupled with a group of incredibly warm, like-minded, flexible people, made this trip truly memorable.

I highly recommend this Alaska adventure to anyone hoping to see the aurora borealis. Even if all you see is snow-covered mountains, the tundra dressed in her fall colors, and a moose or two, I promise that you’ll feel refreshed and rejuvenated. I know now that the owner has repeat customers, and I completely...