Kodiak Island, in the State of Alaska, has a legendary status as home to the world’s largest brown bears. Separated from their mainland cousins, the Kodiak bear here has evolved into the most impressive variant of its species, and we will have the unique opportunity to observe these giants at close quarters.
In September (2nd – 9th) next year, to coincide with the peak sockeye salmon run in the area, I will take just six people to the Karluk Lake area of the island, where from our comfortable lodge, we will make daily excursions to watch and photograph bears doing what they do best. We will have exclusive access to 112,000 acres of privately-owned prime grizzly habitat in the heart of the Kodiak National Wildlife Refuge. Here there are no platforms, no time limits and no crowds, just you, me, our local guides for safety and the bears. We will have exclusive lodge of the facilities and viewing areas during our stay, and be completely flexible in our routine in order to maximize the light and viewing opportunities. By September we will not only hope to see mothers and cubs of year, but also some of the dominant males that the region is famous for. The trip is timed so that our local guides will have a good handle on bear movement by the time we get there, and as such should enable us to get a viewing experience like no other.
If you have ever wanted to see and photograph brown bears going about their daily routines far from the intrusions of overly popular traditional bear viewing locations, then this once in a lifetime photographic-based adventure is the one for you.
In addition, the Karluk lake area of Kodiak is also host to plenty of other Alaskan wildlife, and opportunities for bald eagles, deer, red fox and otter to name a few. The other great advantage here is that our small group size means you will be able to enjoy this true wilderness as it should be…and not having to jostle with a thousand other tripods or day trippers.
Full information is contained on the other pages within this document, but in summary, the headlines are:
Price: £6,595 (US$8,350) per person based on double occupancy*
Start/End: 2 September to 9 September 2018 (8 days, 7 nights)
Start point: Kodiak Island, Alaska
Note: guests are responsible for all travel to/from the island, but intra-island flights to the lodge are included. I can provide you with assistance in booking your flight from Anchorage to Kodiak if required as well as help recommend other activities for you if you wish to extend your stay in this beautiful part of the world. More information on Kodiak itself is contained in the full briefing guide, but if you would like some pointers on the wider opportunities in Alaska or the Pacific Northwest, then simply ask.
*single accommodation is possible; please enquire at time of reservation for details on any applicable supplement.
Booking: to secure your place on this trip, a 50% deposit is required by 31 July 2017, with the remainder payable 90 days before the trip is scheduled to take place. However, please confirm your intention to take part as soon as possible as I have very limited openings on this trip and a long waiting list.
Included:
• Pick-up at Kodiak airport and transfer to the float ‘plane base
• Return float ‘plane transfer (45 mins) from Kodiak airport to the lodge
• 7 nights accommodation at the lodge (details in the download)
• All food and beverages (non-alcoholic) at the lodge (three meals per day)
• All daily excursions to view the bears
• All guiding and photographic support throughout the trip
• Local taxes
Not included:
• International (or domestic if coming from the USA) flights to Anchorage, Alaska
• Return flights from Anchorage to Kodiak Island
• Alcohol (although you can purchase in Kodiak city and bring to the lodge)
• Tips and gratuities
• Insurance to cover weather cancellations and delays. Please see the notes on this in the downloads.
Of course, you can always visit somewhere and stand on a wooden viewing platform for an allocated amount of time, or fight with ‘plane loads of bear-hungry day trippers for your grizzly experience…or…you can opt for something a little more exclusive!
I hope you can join me on this exciting, unique bear-viewing adventure and visit one of the most untrammelled wilderness regions on the planet to see brown bears at their very best. I look forward to hearing from you! Please click on the links below for full information!