Katmai and Brown Bears

Come experience the wildness of Katmai National Park in Alaska. Our trip will begin in the fishing town of Kodiak, where we will meet and fly on a floatplane across the Shelikof Strait. As we cross the Strait there is a chance of seeing Orca or humpback whales. The huge glacial peaks of Katmai will greet us as we approach the bay where our 95’ motor yacht, our home for the next week, awaits us. On Le Canard you will have all the comforts of home, including wonderful meals.

 

Each day we will spend our time observing and photographing brown bears. Katmai is a location where you can sit and watch bears living their lives without humans bothering them. You will feel the joy and honor of being in this special place, deep in the wilderness. Be prepared to make more images than you ever have before. At any one moment we may have at least 15 bears in our sight. We will also locate and photograph other birds and sea life.

 

DETAILS

Cost: $8,195 (Dbl Occupancy)

Single Supplement: $1,000

Deposit $2,500 (non-refundable)

Limited to 8 guests

Katmai Trip Itinerary August 10-17, 2024

DAY 1 – AUGUST 10

Breakfast in Kodiak at the hotel. Board floatplane mid-morning. Fly out to our motor yacht, Le Canard. Unpack and settle into your cabin on the boat. Lunch and then spend the afternoon on shore photographing brown bears.

 

DAYS 2 – 6: AUGUST 11-16

Up early and out for bear viewing. A flat-bottomed skiff, with a drop bow, making it easy to get in and out, will take us to shore. The timing of our excursions to shore will be dependent on tides. When the tide is low we may have to walk out to where the boat can pick us up. Sometimes that can be a mile or so on mudflats, not hard walking but you have to keep that in mind with carrying your camera gear. We will also take skiff rides around the bays looking for eagles, sea otters, fox and other waterfowl and wildlife.

 

DAY 7 – AUGUST 17

Pack up and depart. Floatplane arrives mid-morning. We should have time for a skiff ride in the bay or a short trip to shore before departure. There is a late afternoon flight back to Anchorage that is recommended or spend the night in Kodiak and depart in the morning. If you fly back to Anchorage on the 17th you will be able to connect to red-eye flights back to the lower 48.

 

NOTE:

To make sure you are Kodiak in time for the morning floatplane flight to the boat on August 10 we recommend that you arrive in Kodiak on August 9. There will be a group dinner for everyone that night. The hotel, on Aug. 9th, is not included.

Notes and Details

FULL COST: $8,195

Deposit $2,500 (nonrefundable)
Remaining balance due 120 days prior to departure

NOT INCLUDED

• Flights to and from Kodiak

• Floatplane: Kodiak to and from the boat (see **note below)

• Hotel in Kodiak pre- and post- trip

• Alcoholic beverages

• Gratuities

CANCELLATION POLICY

• 121+ days prior to departure – full refund, less $1000 administration fee

• 91 – 120 days prior to departure – 75% refund

• 59 – 90 days prior to departure – 50% refund

• 59 days or less prior to departure – no refund

We reserve the right to cancel the trip due to inadequate registration or unforeseen circumstances. If that is the case all deposits and payments will be refunded in full, less the 3% credit cards fees.

Travel insurance is highly recommended. Especially due to the weather that can happen in coastal Alaska. We are not responsible for weather related delays and/or changes in the itinerary due to weather.

OTHER NOTES

We won’t know exactly where in Katmai we will be – it depends on the bear activity. The joy of being on the boat is that we can go where the bears are. The usual bays are: Geographic Harbor; Hallo Bay; Kukak Bay; and Kinak Bay.

Travel as light as possible with gear. The floatplane carries 4 – 5 people plus gear, but it is easy to be overweight. Weight limit for gear is 50 pounds. Please do your best to meet that. **The floatplane company is not able to set their price for next year so that cost it not included. It will be approximately $900-$1,000 RT per person.

Hip waders are required, they will be provided but you can bring your own.

We will maximize our time with the bears. We hope to spend 10 -12 hours in the field each day.

It will rain in Alaska – GOOD rain gear is necessary.

It is advisable to fly on the Alaska Air jet flights in and out of Kodiak. The jets are more reliable in bad weather.

A list of suggested camera gear and clothing will be sent after your deposit is received.

The single supplement will apply if you specifically request a single room. If you are willing to have a roommate and that does not happen you won’t pay the SS.