Description
A week of adventure showcasing two wildlife icons of Alaska's southwest coast. This unique trip offers volcanoes, beachcombing, hiking, wilderness solitude, and world-class wildlife viewing.
Overview
The Alaska Peninsula is incomparably rich and rugged. Four days will be spent with enormous brown bears and salmon on the Pacific Coast of Katmai National Park. From the camp in the flower-filled dunes, you can watch sea birds fish, observe bears cruising the beach, and watch the dramatic weather move over this wild landscape, and the days filled with exploration. The end of the trip finishes with a trip to Alaska’s most reliable walrus colony, 500 miles west of Anchorage on the Bering Sea Coast which we reach by small aircraft.
What makes this trip extraordinary
- Camp in Katmai National Park which boasts some of the highest densities of brown bears and the largest brown bears in the world
- Hiking, nature walks, and bears (as well as other wildlife) at Katmai National Park
- Observe and photograph walrus at Cape Seniavin and Round Island on the Alaska Peninsula
- Fly along the Bering Sea, scanning for wildlife and other treasures
- Perfect for a family adventure in the remote wilderness
Itinerary
Arrive in King Salmon
Arrival in King Salmon where we rendezvous at a local lodge. You can spend the afternoon fishing on the Naknek River for salmon of just relax and enjoy being in Alaska.
King Salmon - Pacific Coast
Weather permitting our flight across the Alaska Peninsula departs in the morning. We fly over the great volcanic spine of the Peninsula and then into the steep fjords of the Pacific Coast. After a bit of reconnoitering, we land on the beach near to where we plan on camping. The mountains are close, vegetation lush, and (with luck) there are bears everywhere.
Camping on the Pacific Coast among numerous bears and formidable weather may seem a little intimidating to some. Our sturdy and comfortable base camp including a big “cook-tent” near the beach provides adequate shelter no matter what the weather throws at us. By surrounding our camp with a portable electric fence, we take some of the worry out of having an inquisitive bear investigating our gear. With our qualified guides to teach bear etiquette and the quality equipment, we will be able to relax and enjoy the weather and wildlife in one of the most remote and wild places on earth.
(B, L, D)
Pacific Coast
We have 2 full days to explore and enjoy the Pacific Coast and the bears who live here. We may see bears fishing the creeks, grazing the sedge meadows, or scouring the tide flats. When not entranced by the bears, we can hike up the valley, explore down the beach, or pick a nearby promontory for views of the rocky coast and storm-lashed Pacific.
(B, L, D)
Pacific Coast - King Salmon
Wake to the sound of breakers and Kittiwakes. After breakfast, we pack camp and await the return of our pilot. Weather permitting, we fly back over the peninsula, through the crater of a volcano (still smoking) and back to the comforts of King Salmon. A hot shower and a meal at a table are welcome, but you may miss the solitude and the bears we’ve left behind.
(B)
Bering Sea Coast
The day will start with breakfast at the lodge before we board the now-familiar bush plane. We will make our way down the Bering Sea coast and land in the sand 3/4 of a mile from the walrus haul-out. Walrus can be observed from the beach or we can climb to the top of the bluffs for sweeping views up and down the Alaska Peninsula. Below, the walrus should be resting and bellowing. After a nice afternoon in the company of these one-ton beasts, we will wing back to King Salmon for one more night.
(B)
Brook Falls/King Salmon - Anchorage
After a week in the wilds and a great many wildlife sightings, there is still time for one more experience, this one not so far off the beaten path, but just as compelling as the rest. We will spend the final morning of the trip at the famous Brooks Falls watching bears snatch salmon from the river and negotiate with each other for the best fishing spots. We won’t have the place to ourselves but it makes a great way to end the trip and the photos will be unbelievable! We arrive back in King Salmon in the afternoon in time to catch a flight back to Anchorage.
(B)
Cancellation Policy
Life is unpredictable and we understand that sometimes you have to cancel or change your trip dates and it is our endeavor to make it as easy as possible for you. However, please understand that we plan everything including guide fees, permits, accommodation, and ration in advance. Therefore, any cancellation means inconvenience and certain losses to the people involved in various stages of the program. Keeping that in mind, our cancellation charges are as below,
- Cancellations prior to 30 days from the start of the event: Full refund as cash.
- Cancellations between 30 days and 15 days to the start of the event: 50 % refund as cash.
- Cancellations less than 15 days to the start of the event: No refund.
- Cancellations will be accepted only by email.
Note: We reserve the right to cancel a program before departure in the event of logistical problems arising due to natural calamities, strikes, wars or any other circumstances that make the event inadvisable. In this case, we will refund 50% of the event fees.
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