Wild Hokkaido in Winter : Feb 2025

Arrival Day:  09th Feb 2025.

To ensure we are all on the ground and ready for Day 1, the hotel room for the night before the start of the tour is included in your package.
Participants to make own way to the designated city hotel. This hotel room is included in the tour price. (Excluding meals and beverages)
During the evening we take time to meet and greet all participants and discuss the tour.

Day 1 – Red-Crowned Cranes.

Early domestic flight to Kushiro – northern part of Japan, we head out to Akan and thus the start of our Hokkaido photography adventure.
We spend this day and the following two days with the Red-Crowned Cranes in locations around Akan and Kushiro. (D)

Day 2, 3 – Red-Crowned Cranes.

Red-Crowned Cranes photography in locations around Akan and Kushiro, if we are lucky we will also encounter Black Kites, White Tailed Eagles, Foxes and Ezo Deer.

On one of the days, we will make a side trip for Owl Photography. (BD)

Day 4 – Red-Crowned Cranes.

Morning Red-Crowned Cranes Photography.
After an amazing four days in Kushiro / Akan area by midday on the 4th day, we head out to our next location where we spend the next two days photographing Sea Eagles. (BD)

Day 5, 6 – Sea Eagles / Whooper Swans.

Morning Sea Eagle photography.

By midday on the 6th day, we head out to Lake Kussharo where we spend the next two days photographing the graceful Whooper swans. (BD)

Day 7, 8 – Whooper Swans.

Early morning and afternoon Whooper Swans photography.

By mid morning on the 8th day, we make our way by over to the Shiretoko Peninsula and the quaint fishing town of Rausu. Time and weather permitting we may have a short side trip for Fox photography. (BD)

Day 9 – 11 – Sea Eagles. – At Sea and Land.

Over the next 4 days we will explore several locations in Eastern Hokkaido for Sea Eagle photography. This includes at least 3 boat cruises – This is a fast paced action packed birds in-flight photography session that will leave your heart pounding and the thirst for more!!
Our land location presents excellent opportunities to capture these birds in flight, in trees and on land with some very good chances of aerial combat.

On two of the days we will make a side trip for some Fox photography. (BD)

Day 12 – Sea Eagles – Land.

Another amazing morning with the Sea Eagles, by mid day we make our way over to the Airport.

Afternoon flight back to Tokyo Haneda Domestic Airport (B)

The Tour ends at Haneda Domestic Airport.

We say our farewells and then depart for our respective transfers to Narita / Haneda International Airports.

NOTE: This Photo Tour Does Not Include The Snow Monkeys.

Accommodation:

• Comfortable traditional Japanese hotels / Inns and some western style hotels

• Single room accommodation for the entire tour. You do not need to share your room at any location .

• Double / Twin rooms are available upon request. (Additional expense will be confirmed at time of booking)

• Please make any dietary needs known when you fill in the online booking form

What is included:

• All accommodation (Single occupancy) and meals ( BD – see schedule ) during your tour.

• Meals as indicated  (B = Breakfast,  D = Dinner)

• Flights from Tokyo Haneda airport to Hokkaido and back.

• Internal bus ( Chartered ) transfers within Hokkaido and Nagano for the entire trip . Ample space for all  !

• All location admission fees / cruise boat fees.

What is excluded:

• Your flight / transportation cost to / from Narita International Airport.

• Your flight / transportation cost to / from  Haneda Airport.

• Hotels costs while traveling prior to the start or after the Photo Tour.

• Costs  of meals / beverages on Arrival  Day 0 .

• You are advised to schedule your arrival a day before the start of the Photo Tour, this not only reduces the impact of any international flight delays, but also enables international guests to sleep off any jet lag – Assistance with this additional booking is available , please make this know at the time of your tour  booking.

• Your Travel and Medical Insurance

• Visa fees ( If applicable )

• Laundry , Phone calls, Internet use (most places will have free WiFi )

• Any kind of drinks (alcoholic, non-alcoholic ,mineral, aerated)

• Snacks, Souvenirs , Tips

Insurance:

You are required to take out comprehensive insurance to cover your entire time on the tour.

Your insurance should cover but NOT limited to the following  –  medical, travel , camera equipment , in addition to any other areas you deem required.

You are advised to ensure your medical insurance covers COVID-19.

Personal Care Information:

Please seek professional medical advice from your Doctor/GP/Physician on your intention to travel to an area of extreme cold . Vaccination might be required prior to travel!!
We will be travelling in rural Japan, where little medical facilities will be available, so please ensure you bring any needed medication along.

Participants with any form of breathing difficult or health issues in environments with extreme cold are advised to seek medical advice before booking a place on this tour. .

Scheduling Your Arrival:

It is imperative you ensure your flight arrives in Tokyo at least a day before the start of the tour.

We are able to assist with pre and post tour accommodation bookings if required.

What is required for this photo tour?

• Love to travel and a passion for wildlife photography – All level welcome – Newbies to Guru!

• At bare minimum a camera (film or digital) and a telephoto lens.

Note: A long range 300 – 600mm telephoto lens is ideal for this tour.

• Thermal clothes, Gloves, and Thermal boots – It will be very cold. Trust me!

During the tour, the average temperature in Hokkaido will be in the single low digits and sometimes well below freezing, while Nagano will be in the mid  10’s range.

>>It is imperative you wear appropriate clothing<<

The early morning and evening being the coldest time of the day.

• Anti-slip Ice Cleats Boot Grips (Not a must, but may come in handy)

• A relatively good level of fitness (A degrees of walking and standing is required)

NOTE: Full details on what you need bring along and how to fully prepare for your adventure will be sent along with your confirmed booking details.