Recommendations on Packaged Alaskan Tours to Fit In Photography

[SignifDigits]

So we took an 9-day circle the island tour of Iceland in 2024 and loved it.  I was typically taking too many photos and holding the group back, but it worked out as there were others on the tour like me.

We've decided NOT to take an Alaskan cruise in 2027, but book a ground-based tour as our priority is seeing Alaska, not being on a ship.  That said, I am not interested in spending the 3 to 5 times as much to have a dedicated photography tour, as my travelling partner does not enjoy photography as much as me.  Plus I'm a tightwad.

I'd be interested to hear advice from others who have been in Alaska.  Things I'm curious about:

• Can you get good photos from those clear glassed trains?  (some say they have an outdoors area)  Some tours use these for more travel than others.
• How much time would you want to spend where?  Denali vs Seward vs Anchorage vs ???  Museums/centers vs outdoors?  I clearly lean more outdoors, but some wildlife centers might be a "must see" from others' experiences.
• Would you feel safe to be outdoors after dark near the lodge or hotel doing star tracking astro shots? (will probably buy bear spray locally to be on the safe side)
• Flights from Talkeenta landing on the glacier worth it and gave you enough time to set up a tripod and shoot?
• We'll probably go in June - hear August is typically wetter, but would love to hear from others.

I am currently leaning towards one company that is more ala-carte and only had a dedicated tour guide for excursions, not the whole time.  Road Scholar sounds like an amazing cultural and environmental learning experience, but I'm worried that the time in museums might be better spent for me in having the freedom to walk around and shoot.

Thanks in advance for any and all advice!

[atam1]

Hello there SignifDigits

I was in Alaska last year (late May to June) on a cruise. I think I can help you answer some of your questions, plus, give you some tips about the system you would need.

Are you referring to White Pass-Yukon Route train ride at Skagway? Yes, you can definitely shoot through the clear glass window. I had a CPL to get rid of reflections though, but it worked. (Lens tip: wide and fast prime) 

We were in Juneau for some walk-around. Our ship docked late than scheduled so our shore time was cut shorter than expected (4 hours instead of 8!) We burned daylight so straight-onward to important spots without unnecessary stops (except coffee break). Up to the mountain via Goldbelt Tram: a scenic ride x number of feet up to the top- while you watch everything down at the pier getting smaller as you go. (Lens tip: guess what? Wide and fast prime!) Time spent 90 minutes plus change for walking to and from the cruise port. You're good- nothing to worry about getting left behind by the ship! 

Astro/Nightscapes were some of the best targets I got from the ship: While docked (departure was quite late, pull-out was 11:00PM I think but the light was still good (twilight-like brightness mixed with blue hour) against the city lights at the skyline-good stuff! (Lens tip: yep, you got it right- a wide and fast prime!)

Never been to Talkeenta Glacier experience but bring a tripod for your peace of mind. And yes, those time of the year in Alaska is wet. (Tip: bring a Zip-lock bag enough to fit you camera+lens. Don't forget to remove your card) Everything was grey here and there there wasn't contrast to lean on. But you can adjust your Picture Control settings and White Balance for correction.

Whatever your preferences maybe- either indoors or outdoors, I'm sure you'll enjoy both. Just keep making a lot of memories! What's in my camera bag tip: 1 APS-C body, 1 wide prime, 1 tele-zoom, 1 Speedlite 90EX, 1 CPL, 4 batteries, 1 Multi-port charger, a Shutter Release Cable, 1 portable/bendable mini tripod, 2 large Zip-lock bags, lots of Silica gels, and the most important gear for me: my back-up and venerable Canon Powershot S90 with fast f/2.0 lens! This one never leaves hanging around my neck. I can shoot from the hip anytime and never failed me.

I hope this helps answer some of your questions. Enjoy your trip and good luck!

[SignifDigits]

Thanks.  I am thinking that I will take:

• R6 Mark II
• RF 15-35 f/2.8
• RF 24-105 f/4-7.1 (mostly for it's close focus, near macro ability)
• RF70-200 f/2.8
• RF200-800 f/6.3-9
• 3 batteries, charger, 2 cards, no flash, carbon travel tripod, laptop, external SDD, card reader

Considering:

• Move-shoot-move Nomad astro kit

We will on land except for a day in Resurrection Bay and a river raft ride, and maybe a few hours in the air.  I plan to just rely just on my phone for the raft trip.  We'll have connections to make for land transportation, but no ship to catch.

Thanks for the input on the train.  I expect most of them are pretty similar.  I could take the 16mm 1.8, but I don't expect to need more than the 15-36 f/2.8.