COASTAL BROWN BEARS OF ALASKA
WILDLIFE PHOTOGRAPHY TOUR 2024
The Best of Alaska's Coastal Brown Bears
A new wilderness lodge location with exclusive bear opportunities.
DATES
June 26 - July 2, 2024
DURATION
7 Days
GROUP SIZE
4 Guests **Currently Full**
GUIDE
Sean Sharp & Adam Rice
FITNESS LEVEL
Low Impact
COST
$6,495 USD* *Based on double occupancy, inquire about limited single supplement)
DATES
June 26 - July 2, 2024
DURATION
7 Days
GROUP SIZE
4 Guests **Currently Full**
FITNESS LEVEL
Low Impact
GUIDE
Sean Sharp & Adam Rice
COST
$6,495 USD* *Based on double occupancy, inquire about limited single supplement)
COASTAL BEARS OF ALASKA
Embark on an extraordinary Alaskan odyssey beyond the ordinary tourist trail. “Coastal Bears of Alaska” invites you to delve into the intimate world of brown bears, guided by wildlife photographer Sean Sharp, in collaboration with Adam Rice of KAR Photography.
Imagine stepping off the beaten path, into a secluded wilderness lodge embraced by breathtaking mountains. The scent of crisp Alaskan air mingles with the salty sea breeze as you gaze out at stunning waterfront views. But the true magic lies beyond: exclusive access to coastal brown bears rarely encountered by others.
Forget crowded viewing platforms and rushed encounters. We offer a personalized experience, with a maximum of 4-5 guests in my group, ensuring optimal learning and unparalleled photographic opportunities. Under my seasoned guidance, you’ll witness cubs playfully wrestling, mothers teaching their young to forage, and majestic giants roaming through awe-inspiring landscapes.
Our adventure unfolds from our historic, newly remodeled lodge. Savor delicious, locally sourced meals while enjoying the lodge’s unique charm. Each day, short, scenic boat rides transport us to secluded areas teeming with bear activity. We leave the crowds behind, setting out on foot to capture intimate moments at our own pace. Witness bears graze in vibrant meadows, explore the rugged coastline, and even traverse tranquil sloughs – all against a backdrop of breathtaking Alaskan scenery.
This isn’t just a photography tour; it’s a sensory immersion. Feel the adrenaline rush as a bear saunters by, hear the playful squeals of cubs, and breathe in the invigorating wilderness air. As your guide, I’ll not only help you refine your photography skills but also deepen your understanding and appreciation for these incredible creatures.
Embrace the whispers of the wild and join me on this unforgettable journey. Whether you’re a seasoned photographer or a curious newcomer, this is your chance to capture unique bear portfolio opportunities in a truly intimate setting. Claim your spot today and unlock the secrets of Alaska’s coastal bears!
What's Included
- Backcountry flights to/from lodge
- Secure luggage storage in Kenai
- All boat trips for the week
- All snacks, hot fresh cooked meals, and beverages
- All lodge amenities
- Park permits
- Photography & Bear Guide (Sean)
What's Not Included
- Personal travel insurance
- Travel to/from Anchorage
- Commercial flights or transportation to/from Kenai, AK (our group’s meeting location for our backcountry flights to/from our lodge),
- Accommodations in Kenai prior to tour start date
- Tour single supplement (limited availability, $500 USD for single room)
- Gratuities for lodge staff
Fitness Level: Easy to Moderate
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Fairly flat land hiking, occasional slough or stream crossings, overall slow-paced days with lots of long breaks for photographing bearsEASY
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Alaskan weather - possible cool, windy, rainy days that might lead us to pursue photographing bears in the rain. Bringing rain protection for your camera equipment is advised.EASY
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Long days, although, well paced days with lots of stopping for bearsMOD.
ITINERARY
Please plan to arrive in the town of Kenai, Alaska at least one day before the start of our tour to help ensure you are able to meet up with the group on Day One of our tour together. Our meet-up location for Day One will be the local airport in Kenai, which is a short taxi (or Uber/Lyft) ride from the local accomodations in Kenai.
Kenai is fittingly located on the west side of the Kenai Peninsula. There are local hotel accommodations (not included), restaurants, and even rental car locations in Kenai. There are also easy ways to get to Kenai from Anchorage (commercial flights, rental cars, shuttles, Uber/Lyft). Once you book, we will be happy to help with transportation suggestions that fit your preferred way to travel – exploring the Kenai area early is a fantastic idea if interested.
The Kenai Peninsula has many incredible places to explore, so if interested, please feel free to reach out to Sean for tips on wildlife locations that might be worth visiting before or after our tour. Sean will be happy to share any information he can to help you make the most out of your time in Alaska.
Additionally, personal trip insurance is highly recommended for your adventure. Start your research here with our recommended provider, World Nomads.
We will meet up as a group at the Kenai Airport at 9:30 A.M. on Day One of our tour. Our group will then set out on our backcountry flights to our perfectly located lodge.
Once on the ground at our beautiful lodge, you will be given a chance to settle into your comfortable accommodations, grab a bite to eat, and stroll the grounds of this historic location before heading out for our first bear viewing adventure.
The best part of Day One, barring any challenging weather conditions, is that we should arrive to our lodge by early afternoon which will allow for several hours to do what we came to do: photograph bears!
The summer daylight hours in Alaska are long at this time of year and will provide us lots of photographic opportunity on our tour together – as well as some appropriate downtime to rest, recover, and enjoy our views from our perfectly situated wilderness lodge.
Specific daily plans will be communicated each day, and our plans will be flexible and based on tides and weather to maximize the best light and bear viewing opportunities. We will have access to multiple spots for bears on this adventure, all of which are only a short, beautiful boat ride away. Along with the tides and weather, we will adjust our plans to go after the best bear activity and behaviors for the day. We will also use the tides to our advantage and may choose to stop by a nearby island to photograph puffins or photograph eagles right at the lodge between each bear photography excursion. Our days are sure to be packed with lots of variety, and of course, tons of bear photography opportunities!
Meals: We will wake up to a freshly prepared breakfast each day before heading out to photograph bears. Then we will either eat lunch at the lodge or bring it with us on our excursion. At the end of the day, we will return to the lodge each night to a freshly prepared dinner. Then if interested, we can share a night cap next to a beach side fire to end the day.
We will enjoy one last hearty breakfast together and then will be free to relax or explore the coast of our lodge location for a few last (potential) eagle photos before our planes arrive to take us back to Kenai.
Once back to Kenai, we will say our goodbyes and will look forward to our next adventure together.
