Alaska Brown Bear Photo Adventure

Dates: August 1-8, 2027
Fee: $11,795 (Includes internal flight and all lodging after leaving Anchorage)
Deposit: $2,000 (balance due March 1, 2027)

Limit: 6-8 participants (only 2 single supplements available)

Alaska, USA

Fee

$11,795

Dates

Aug. 1-8, 2027

Fitness Level

Easy to Moderate

Location Images

View Gallery

Step into Alaska’s wild heart, where brown bears roam freely just steps from our private lodge. Avoid the crowds and capture bears fishing, playing with cubs, or wandering along pristine beaches and in the sedge…all from eye level! In this remote setting, we often encounter bears that are accustomed to respectful human presence, allowing for remarkably close, natural, and intimate photographic experiences. With expert bear guides and top-notch photography instruction, you’ll safely experience once-in-a-lifetime encounters amidst breathtaking scenery.

Five nights at the bear lodge provide ample time to explore, photograph, and experience the bears without the usual crowd pressures. Short hikes of 1–2 miles or less and nearby bear trails bring you right into their world, from the comfort of the cabin living room to the peak of the salmon run. To make our outings safe, convenient, and comfortable, we provide complimentary chest waders and boots ($600 value), so you can explore streams and rivers right alongside the bears. This private property near Lake Clark National Park, one of the world’s premier bear-viewing destinations, offers rustic luxury and total solitude against the dramatic backdrop of the Aleutian Range.

At up to 1,600 pounds, brown bears are the planet’s largest terrestrial predators, and witnessing them up close is life-changing. Every excursion is accompanied by a highly-trained bear guide, ensuring your safety with proven methods including bear spray and marine signal flares. You can focus fully on photography while we take care of the rest.

This is more than a tour…it’s an immersive Alaska brown bear photography masterclass, designed for those who want exclusive access, intimate wildlife encounters, and unforgettable images. From fishing bears to playful cubs, from dramatic beaches to alpine vistas, this is your chance to capture one of Alaska’s wildlife icons like never before.

Your adventure begins in Anchorage, where we will meet. An orientation will prepare you for the photographic opportunities on this adventure. Then we take a private charter flight over glaciers, active volcanoes, and the pristine Cook Inlet to our lodge. From the moment you land on the private beach, you are immersed in bear country.

Itinerary

The itinerary below is primarily to give you an idea of the logistics and transfer days. For location info and details of possible photographic opportunities, please read the section above.

Day 1 (August 1 - Anchorage)

Arrival in Anchorage. Orientation and a presentation on photographing bears will help you prepare for the opportunities ahead. If time allows, you may explore Anchorage on foot or by Uber. Overnight in Anchorage.
Note: you may want to arrive a day early, especially if you are not flying directly to Anchorage.*

Day 2 (August 2 - Anchorage to Bear Lodge)

We are scheduled to fly directly to the bear lodge this morning. Upon landing, the group will be immediately shuttled to the lodge to check in and get fitted for their outside gear, including complimentary chest waders and boots ($600 value). Participants should travel dressed in rain-proof gear, multiple layers, and ready to take some pictures when they land so they can remain comfortable in case there is incredible action happening at that moment. The bear guide will meet us upon landing.

Day 3-6 (August 3-6 - Close encounters at the Bear Lodge)

During our stay at the bear lodge, mornings begin with a hearty breakfast (unless we are out early for photography), followed by excursions with your bear guide. Be ready for close encounters with the bears! If you choose to stay at the lodge, bears often use the nearby trail, which can be viewed safely from a built-in ground-level blind or from the upper levels, where rooms overlook the sedge.

Expect a variety of bear behavior, with the most exciting being salmon fishing. An ATV is available to save a hike when visiting certain areas. Keep your camera ready even while at the lodge—you may capture forest scent-marking and tree-scratching under guide supervision with doors open or just outside the lodge. Bear viewing can continue until sunset, often after 10 PM. Each day is planned to take advantage of peak bear activity, which depends on tides and salmon runs, meaning peak times may shift daily. Between excursions, you’ll have plenty of rest and meals. Rest assured, you will get your fill of brown bears!

Day 7 (August 7 - Bear Lodge to Anchorage)

After a hearty breakfast and some final bear viewing and photography, the group will transfer out to the landing spit on ATVs to wait for the plane. The exact flight time is determined by low tide. We will fly to Anchorage and make our way to the hotel. Overnight in Anchorage.

Day 8 (August 8 - Departure from Anchorage)
This is a buffer day just in case we cannot fly back to Anchorage due to weather the previous day. Depart Anchorage after 7 PM.

*As is typical for Alaska, it is possible the weather may cause a delay or a one-day postponement of our flight in or out of the bear lodge. This is why you may want to arrive a day early and schedule your departure a day later. This is recommended but it is your personal choice, as hotels in Anchorage are not covered in the cost of the tour. An extension to this tour is being planned and will be posted when ready.

Itinerary Includes:

Shared lodging (single supplement available)*
All photographic guiding, instruction, and feedback sessions
6 days of bear guiding with an experienced bear guide
5 nights at the Bear Lodge
Meals, unlimited snacks, and tea/coffee at the Bear Lodge
Private charter flight from Anchorage to Bear Lodge
Private charter flight from Bear Lodge to Anchorage
Transfers to airport or hotel in Anchorage on Day 7

* $3,975 single supplement for Bear lodge

**Forced Overnights at Bear Lodge: In case of inclement weather, if we are not able to fly out from the bear lodge, a discounted fee of $500 per person per night will apply.

Itinerary Does Not Include:

Flights to and from Anchorage
Hotels in Anchorage
Travel/medical insurance (we recommend insuremytrip.com)
Transfers to your hotel in Anchorage on Day 1
Meals outside of the Bear Lodge
Forced overnight fees at Bear Lodge**
Alcoholic beverages
Tips and service charges
Personal shopping
Incidentals
Services not listed above