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Backcountry Journeys
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Brown Bears of Alaska: Katmai Coast
Wilderness Camping Photo Safari
No Current Departures For This Trip
This is a trip that we may consider opening additional departures for, so let us know if you're interested by joining our waitlist.
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Single Supplement: +$200.00
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Deposit: $2,000.00
Start/End
Kodiak, AK / Kodiak, AK
Length
5 Days/4 Nights
Fitness Level
Level 3 - What's This?
Group Size
Up To 8 Guests
Highlights
- Small groups
- Incredible wilderness experience along Alaska’s Cook Inlet
- Highest density of brown bears in the world
- All-Inclusive camping trip
- Cozy, remote wilderness camp with great meals
- Spectacular bush flights, overlooking mountains, glaciers & rugged coastlines!
If you have any questions about a trip, itinerary, or gear, our Photo Experience Coordinators are available for a personalized one-on-one consultation to provide all the details you need.
Trip Description:
On this workshop and photo safari we will be immersed in brown bear photography from the beginning until the end. Alaska is the best place in the world to photograph brown bears. 98% of brown bears in the United States live in Alaska, and 70% of the total North American population. The western coast of the Cook Inlet in particular is home to the highest densities of brown bears in the world – and that’s exactly where we’re heading on this trip.
This trip offers countless opportunities to photograph bears. Depending on the time of year, bears may be feeding on sedges & clams, fishing for salmon, or just meandering & playing around. Expect opportunities to photograph big male ‘boars’ and tiny cubs too.
We’ll spend three nights at our remote private wilderness camp – equipped with tents, gear, and all the necessities needed for a comfortable camping experience. For the utmost protection, camp is protected by an electric fence. Our wilderness camp not only makes this the ultimate Alaska experience, but also puts us in close proximity to excellent bear viewing areas. This is a one-of-a-kind photo adventure. You’ll not only experience Alaska in its rawest form, but also capture once
in a lifetime photos of Alaska brown bears.
Fantastic, full-frame images are possible, zoom out a little and you can photograph bears with beautiful, rugged mountains in the background, the possibilities are endless! Aside from brown bears we may also have the opportunity to photograph other species such as moose, fox, wolf, Bald Eagles, sea otters and harbor seals.
Ready for the adventure of a lifetime? Join us for world-class bear photography on our Brown Bears of Alaska: Katmai Coast departure.
This trip offers countless opportunities to photograph bears. Depending on the time of year, bears may be feeding on sedges & clams, fishing for salmon, or just meandering & playing around. Expect opportunities to photograph big male ‘boars’ and tiny cubs too.
We’ll spend three nights at our remote private wilderness camp – equipped with tents, gear, and all the necessities needed for a comfortable camping experience. For the utmost protection, camp is protected by an electric fence. Our wilderness camp not only makes this the ultimate Alaska experience, but also puts us in close proximity to excellent bear viewing areas. This is a one-of-a-kind photo adventure. You’ll not only experience Alaska in its rawest form, but also capture once
in a lifetime photos of Alaska brown bears.
Fantastic, full-frame images are possible, zoom out a little and you can photograph bears with beautiful, rugged mountains in the background, the possibilities are endless! Aside from brown bears we may also have the opportunity to photograph other species such as moose, fox, wolf, Bald Eagles, sea otters and harbor seals.
Ready for the adventure of a lifetime? Join us for world-class bear photography on our Brown Bears of Alaska: Katmai Coast departure.
What's Included
- All listed meals and non-alcoholic beverages during the workshop
- All transportation and flights during the workshop
- Camping gear (tent, air mattress, pillow, bear resistant food containers, and safety equipment) *You need to bring your own sleeping bag
- All permits and park fees
- Professional photography guiding and instruction
- Gratuity for pilots and service staff
What's Not Included
Transportation to and from Kodiak, Alaska
Sleeping bag
Meals not listed as included on the itinerary
Lodging outside workshop dates
Alcoholic beverages
Souvenirs and personal items
Gratuity for photography guide(s). Please refer to our FAQ section for more details about gratuities
Trip Insurance & Medical Evacuation Insurance - see plans here.
Trip Itinerary
Trip Itinerary
Most meals included – (B,L,D) denotes Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 1 (D)
Arrive in Kodiak, Alaska for orientation and welcome dinner.
Day 2 (B,L,D)
Today we will board a bush plane for the coast of the Alaskan Peninsula. After a safety briefing, we will begin photographing brown bears! We’ll spend the entire rest of the day photographing the bears as they run, swim, fight, fish the streams, roam the sedge meadows, and clam along
the tidal flats.
Days 3 - 4 (B,L,D)
Full days of hiking & photography as we photograph countless bears along the coastal habitat of the Cook Inlet.
Day 5 (B,L)
We’ll have a morning session of photography during magic hour lighting and then have a delicious breakfast before we board the bush plane.
Please note: Weather delays are possible, and we highly recommend travel insurance.
Day 1 (D)
Arrive in Kodiak, Alaska for orientation and welcome dinner.
Day 2 (B,L,D)
Today we will board a bush plane for the coast of the Alaskan Peninsula. After a safety briefing, we will begin photographing brown bears! We’ll spend the entire rest of the day photographing the bears as they run, swim, fight, fish the streams, roam the sedge meadows, and clam along
the tidal flats.
Days 3 - 4 (B,L,D)
Full days of hiking & photography as we photograph countless bears along the coastal habitat of the Cook Inlet.
Day 5 (B,L)
We’ll have a morning session of photography during magic hour lighting and then have a delicious breakfast before we board the bush plane.
Please note: Weather delays are possible, and we highly recommend travel insurance.
Please note that the exact sequence of the itineraries on all photography trips will be based on weather and lighting conditions. The goal on these trips is to make sure we are at the right place at the right time for the perfect light on our subjects. Also, itineraries can change for a variety of other circumstances including floods, forest fires, national park closures, road closures, and more. Due to the nature of wildlife and landscape photography, we do not guarantee any specific sightings or specific compositions.
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Why Choose Backcountry Journeys?
UNPARALELLED
PHOTOGRAPHY
TRIPS
PHOTOGRAPHY
TRIPS
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Explore over 100 worldwide photo tours and workshops tailored to photographers of all skill levels, from iconic U.S. National Parks to Africa's untamed savannahs.
THE BEST TEAM
IN THE
BUSINESS
IN THE
BUSINESS
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We're proud to offer unmatched photography trips led by exceptional instructors who not only excel in photography but also serve as expert guides.
WORLD-CLASS
PHOTOGRAPHY
COMMUNITY
PHOTOGRAPHY
COMMUNITY
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Join the Backcountry Journeys Tribe, where shared adventures in breathtaking locations foster lasting connections with fellow photographers in a warm, inclusive atmosphere.
Testimonials From Our Customers
Julie K.
"I have traveled with Backcountry Journeys (BCJ) several times over the last 4 years to Glacier NP, Costa Rica (2x), Smoky Mountains NP, Joshua Tree, Zion and Bryce NPs, and most recently to Alaska.
Every trip with BCJ has been an outstanding experience. The guides are professional photographers who put the experience of the guests first. They are willing to provide as much hands on help as you need/want. The guides are also extremely knowledgeable and well trained in wilderness safety as well as the areas they guide.
BCJ trips are well run from the time of reservation through the entire trip. They will take you to great places and find great photographic opportunities."
Every trip with BCJ has been an outstanding experience. The guides are professional photographers who put the experience of the guests first. They are willing to provide as much hands on help as you need/want. The guides are also extremely knowledgeable and well trained in wilderness safety as well as the areas they guide.
BCJ trips are well run from the time of reservation through the entire trip. They will take you to great places and find great photographic opportunities."
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Scott S.
"BCJ provides an outstanding experience for photographers of all levels of experience/expertise. Each day's excursion is well planned-out and the guides always have a back-up plan if the weather is less than cooperative.
I have now been on 5 trips and each one seems better than the last. I find the guides to be very helpful and personable. The guides provide the level of hands-on assistance each participant wants.
The accommodations are always good, taking into consideration what each particular destination has to offer. I plan to continue doing these trips with BCJ and can't recommend them highly enough."
I have now been on 5 trips and each one seems better than the last. I find the guides to be very helpful and personable. The guides provide the level of hands-on assistance each participant wants.
The accommodations are always good, taking into consideration what each particular destination has to offer. I plan to continue doing these trips with BCJ and can't recommend them highly enough."
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Katherine P.
"I have now been on 8 trips with Backcountry Journeys. I love traveling with this company, as I am a woman traveling alone, and all I have to do is show up and they take care of everything else.
They have wonderful, caring, helpful, FUN, and knowledgeable guides who make the days fly by. They get us to the best photography sites possible and are always willing to help with anything and answer all questions.
We stay in great places and there is always too much wonderful food! I have met other travelers on their trips who will be friends for life, plus the guides are more than guides--they become friends too. I know I will be doing more traveling with them in the future."
They have wonderful, caring, helpful, FUN, and knowledgeable guides who make the days fly by. They get us to the best photography sites possible and are always willing to help with anything and answer all questions.
We stay in great places and there is always too much wonderful food! I have met other travelers on their trips who will be friends for life, plus the guides are more than guides--they become friends too. I know I will be doing more traveling with them in the future."
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Worry Free Travel Guarantee!
Worry Free Travel Guarantee!
HERE’S THE DEAL
We offer one of the most rock solid guarantees in the travel industry - our worry free travel, peace of mind guarantee to you!We’re so confident that the Photography Trips we offer will not only meet but exceed the lofty expectations set forth on our website – if your trip experience does not 100% match the promises laid forth on our website we will gladly give you a credit toward a future trip.
Natural events such as wildlife & weather are certainly out of our control but every aspect of the trip including logistics, accommodations, vehicles, itinerary & your expert trip leaders will match the lofty promises we’ve made on the site – we guarantee it!
BACKCOUNTRY JOURNEYS
"Backcountry Journeys offers guests the unique opportunity to explore our natural world from behind their own lens. We run a selection of hand-crafted Photo Tours, Workshops & Safaris connecting passionate people to exceptional experiences. Locations worldwide.
All Images & Content are property of Backcountry Journeys Photography Tours, Workshops & Safaris LLC - Copyright 2024
TRIP CATALOG
Download our Trip Catalog for detailed information on our many destinations for photography tours, workshops, and safaris.
BACKCOUNTRY JOURNEYS
"Backcountry Journeys offers guests the unique opportunity to explore our natural world from behind their own lens. We run a selection of hand-crafted Photo Tours, Workshops & Safaris connecting passionate people to exceptional experiences. Locations worldwide.
- Russ Nordstrand, Backcountry Journeys Founder & Director
- Russ Nordstrand, Backcountry Journeys Founder & Director
TRIP CATALOG
Download our Trip Catalog for detailed information on our many destinations for photography tours, workshops, and safaris.
All Images & Content are property of Backcountry Photography Tours, Workshops & Safaris LLCs - Copyright 2024