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Homer, Alaska / Homer, Alaska
8 Days/7 Nights
Level 2 - What's This?
Up To 8 Guests
Exclusive Boat-Based Expedition: Journey on a private charter to Katmai's secluded coastlines, home to the highest densities of brown bears in the world, with comfortable cabins and gourmet dining onboard.
Unparalleled Photography Opportunities: Access pristine and rarely visited stretches of the Katmai Coast, offering unmatched settings for bear photography against stunning Alaskan landscapes.
Photographic Education: Receive personalized instruction to enhance your wildlife photography skills, capturing the natural behaviors of bears in extraordinary locations.
An Invitation to Adventure: Join a select group of photography enthusiasts for an unforgettable journey into the wild beauty of Alaska!
Join us for a unique boat-based photo expedition to the secret coastlines of the iconic Katmai Coast. This photo adventure is designed with a singular focus: to put you in the best bear photography locations on the planet with a backdrop of Alaska's breathtaking coastal landscapes. The Katmai Coast is renowned for hosting the highest densities of brown bears worldwide, offering unparalleled photographic opportunities. But, this trip is exclusive. Why? Read on.
Our journey takes us to pristine stretches of the Katmai Coast, areas rarely tread by people and even fewer photographers, providing a truly exclusive experience. Aboard our comfortable private charter ship, we gain access to these untouched locales, ensuring our expedition reaches the heart of untouched bear territories with beautiful coastal mountains.
Backcountry Journeys Founder & CEO Russ Nordstrand lives in Homer, Alaska and has used his excellent local connections to organize this trip. It simply would not be possible without his local knowledge and partnerships in Alaska.
This expedition sets sail from Homer, Alaska, steering towards the Katmai Coast's secluded realms, where the landscapes are untouched and the brown bears abundant. Our focus is singular: to offer you unparalleled opportunities to photograph bears in settings few have ventured, making this the centerpiece of our expedition. In addition to bears, opportunities for marine wildlife, like otters and humpback whales also exist.
As we navigate aboard our privately chartered vessel, we control our itinerary. This means we can navigate to areas where bear activity is high and explore untouched stretches of coastline where day tour flights never venture.
Our vessel is optimally equipped for this adventure, manned by a crew with over 15 years of experience navigating the Cook Inlet and Katmai Coast. The ship features four cabins, each with four beds. For extra space, there will be two guests per cabin and with two empty beds providing additional space for gear storage. Dining onboard is a highlight, with a menu that ranges from classic Alaskan seafood to succulent steaks, and we can accommodate dietary restrictions upon request.
Guided by experienced photographers and local guides, we'll utilize a skiff for shore landings, our approach is respectful and informed, allowing for close yet safe interactions with the bears.
The main objective of this expedition is to offer you an unparalleled opportunity to photograph the brown bears of the Katmai Coast. We aim to take you to the world's most beautiful habitats for brown bears, locations that provide the backdrop for truly remarkable images. Thanks to the adaptability of our private charter, we have the freedom to adjust our itinerary, ensuring we're always in the best position to find and photograph active bears during the best light periods. This comfortable photo expedition presents a rare opportunity to venture into Alaska's remote wilderness and capture images of bears and locations that few photographers will ever get to see.
Join us for a photography adventure that places you at the heart of Katmai's coastal wilderness and face-to-face with the majestic brown bears that call it home.
All group meals and non-alcoholic beverages during the trip
All transportation during the trip
All lodging during the trip (double occupancy)
Professional photography guiding and instruction
Internal flights from Homer to Katmai Coast
Privately chartered vessel
Waders and wading boots
Flights to and from Homer, Alaska (HOM)
Meals and lodging outside the 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 (recommended) - see plans here.
Most meals included – (B,L,D) denotes Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 1 (D)
Fly from Anchorage to Homer. On arrival, you'll be escorted to our cozy Alaskan lodge for an evening orientation dinner. Here, we'll share insights and expectations for our adventure ahead.
Day 2 (B,L,D)
As morning breaks, we take off in bush planes towards the Katmai Coast, where our privately charter boat awaits. We'll board and the first afternoon will offer an exciting excursion ashore to photograph the region's majestic bears.
Day 3-7 (B,L,D)
Day by day, we explore the Katmai Coast, home to the highest concentrations of coastal brown bears in the world. Through daily skiff landings to dramatic coastal habitats, we'll capture the beauty of these bears and the mountains that surround them during best light. Comfort returns on our private ship, where delicious meals and the warmth of new friendships enrich the experience in this remote wilderness.
Day 8 (B)
On our final day, we enjoy breakfast before heading back to shore for our return flights to Homer, arriving back around 2-3 pm. There is an evening flight back to Anchorage that you can book.
This is a Level 2 trip and you should expect to walk through coastal habitats and tide flats. We may do 1-4 miles throughout each day. Note, this is throughout the day and often involves multiple stops for photographing. With that said, you should still be prepared to walk those distances while carrying camera gear.
Download our Trip Catalog for detailed information on our many destinations for photography tours, workshops, and safaris.
Download our Trip Catalog for detailed information on our many destinations for photography tours, workshops, and safaris.
