Katmai and Brown Bears

Adventure with wild bears

“Tell me, what is it that you plan to do with your one wild and precious life?” -Mary Oliver

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 98’ motor yacht, our home for the next week, awaits us. On Le Canard you will have all the comforts of home, including wonderful meals. Traveling by boat is the best way to experience all the Katmai has to share. We will go to different bays and find the best locations for bear viewing.

What’s Included

• Welcome dinner in Kodiak, the night before we fly to the boat

• Floatplane to and from Le Canard

• Full board accomodations while on M/V Le Canard

• Experienced guide while on shore

• Photography instruction

• Lots of fun

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 on skiff rides around the bay.

You must be able to hike 1 - 2 miles over uneven terrain carrying your camera gear. We will be getting on and off the skiff near shore, we will be walking through water 3” - 12” deep.

Details

Cost: $10,950 (dbl Occupancy)

Single Supplement: $3,000 (limited availability)

Deposit: $2,500 (non-refundable)

Limited to 8 guests

Day 0 - August 20

Arrive in Kodiak, enjoy walking around the scenic fishing town. Check out the harbor for some photography or grab a beer at the local brewpub. We will have a group dinner at The Chart Room restaurant. Hotel this night is not included.

Day 1 - August 21

Breakfast in Kodiak at the hotel. Board the floatplane mid-morning. Fly out to M/V Le Canard. Unpack and settle into your cabin on board. Lunch and then spend the afternoon on shore photographing brown bears.

Days 2 - 6: August 23-26

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 27

Our last bear viewing session in the morning, either onshore or from the skiff. Then pack up and depart. Floatplanes arrive mid-morning to take us back to Kodiak. There is a late afternoon flight back to Anchorage or spend the night in Kodiak and depart in the morning. Due to potential bad weather we cannot insure that you will make it back to Kodiak for the afternoon flight to Anchorage. It is recommended to spend another night in Kodiak. Hotel is not included.

Notes and Details

Full cost

$10,950 (dbl occupancy)

$3,000 single supplement (limited availability)

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

Not Included

• Flights to and from Kodiak from your home

• Hotel in Kodiak pre- and post- trip

• Alcoholic beverages on board the boat

• Gratuities for boat staff

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.

Hip waders are required, they will be provided but I would advise bringing chest waders, the style with the external boots.

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.

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

Contact Information

Sue Cedarholm
PO Box 323
Jackson, WY 83001

307-413-0325
Sue@TakeItWithYouTravel.com