Customized Bear Viewing
Customized Brown Bear Trips
Expedition Highlights:
World class wildlife photography opportunities of famous Katmai Bears fishing
Small group wilderness camp under the leadership of former Katmai Ranger, Emily Lester
Moderate hiking from camp lodge or float plane to explore and take photos of wildlife and landscape
Flights from Anchorage to Bristol Bay and air taxi to our remote base camp
Gourmet meals to fuel our daily adventures
This trip is an Alaskan wildlife safari focused on Katmai's brown bears who grow to legendary size as they feed on rich nutrient dense salmon. Salmon runs at Moraine Creek start late July after a hundred mile journey up the Alagnak River and through Kukaklek Lake. Northern Sun Tours will be hosting 5 day bear viewing expeditions to a remote base camp located in Katmai National Park's backcountry where you will stay for your 5 days in the wilderness. This expedition is for those who want to feel immersed in Katmai's expansive wilderness and our camp will be your base as you explore the landscape, learn and observe brown bears and of course see the famous Sockeye Salmon runs that fuel the Alaskan landscape. This is a trip that will give you a glimpse of what life is like for these solitary brown bears in their habitat. We will remain visitors to the area and will practice leave no trace principles.
Our guide team will lead you on the experience of a lifetime! Our clients benefit from decades of experience in backcountry travel and knowledge of bears and as we travel together through the landscape you will learn more and see more with us compared to other bear viewing programs. Former Katmai ranger and naturalist, Emily Lester will provide you with excellent instruction on brown bear physiology, behavior, how to stay safe in bear country, geology, cultural history of the area as well as plant and animal identification. Professional photographer, Frank Stelges will be your photography guide and will assist you with your equipment and camera settings enabling you to get the best shot possible. These two leaders bring their passion and professionalism for wilderness travel and photography that you will benefit from on this incredible Alaskan safari experience. Educating and assisting clients is our focus and our guide team has an incredible resume of knowledge that we look forward to sharing with you.
Our base camp will be rugged but comfortable. Clients can expect hearty, fresh gourmet meals everyday to help fuel our daily adventures. We provide customized meals according to your dietary needs and each meal is served buffet style. Our camp is designed with cleanliness and privacy in mind and clients will appreciate the procedures set up to stay healthy. Our bathroom stations include: handwashing stations, toilet and the portable shower while in camp.
Bring your camera because this is a once in a lifetime opportunity to photograph these bears in an amazing landscape! This is as good as it gets for bear viewing!
*Participants will be given a checklist of personal items and clothing in preparation for this expedition. Airfare is included from Anchorage with a transfer in Illiamna to the air taxi and out to our base camp. This is an all inclusive trip, get in touch to book now.
Bring your camera because this is a once in a lifetime opportunity to photograph these bears in an amazing landscape! This is as good as it gets for bear viewing!
Now Booking Summer 2024 Dates!
July 28-Aug 2nd please inquire here.
TRAVEL INSURANCE
We understand a trip to Alaska is often a trip of a lifetime and we highly encourage guests to purchase travel insurance for a variety of reasons. The investment in your trip with us should include the proper precautions to protect yourself in the events of cancellations. Please check out the link below to a highly reccomended agencies below.
https://www.travelinsure.com/
https://www.sevencorners.com/
TRANSPORTATION
Your flights from Anchorage to our base camp in Katmai will be arranged and provided by Northern Sun Tours via local airlines to Illiamna. From Illiamna you will take an Air Taxi float plane to our base camp.
REFUND POLICY
Northern Sun Tours will refund you 50% of your trip deposit if canceled 30 days prior to start of the trip. The full trip cost is due 30 days prior to the trip.
PAYMENT
50% Down payment is required to reserve space on planned tour groups. If you are interested in customized dates for the same itineraries please email us to discuss availability. Customized trips require 4 participants.
GEAR
All group gear and basecamping gear will be provided by Northern Sun Tours. Sleeping cots will be provided, sleeping bags are the responsibility of the client. Clients will receive a comphrensible personal gear list upon booking and we are happy to make reccomendations on brands and items and talk through the packing process. Each person is allowed 60lbs of personal gear in their backpacks or duffels.
FOOD
This is an all inclusive tour and all meals and beverages will be provided with the exception of alcohol. Alcohol is allowed and will be counted in the weight of your personal gear (60lb limit). Meals include: breakfast, lunch, dinner and snacks.
