August 21st - 28th, 2016
2016 Alaska Brown Bear Photography Tour – We LOVE this trip!
Daniel has photographed grizzlies in the wilds of Alaska for well over a decade. His guidance and experience assists in giving guests the opportunity to take their own amazing images. We invite you to join us in this exceptional bear viewing location – no permits are needed and no viewing platforms are used. Peaceful encounters with these magnificent giants of the north… there is nothing more exhilarating than photographing these bears! Beware: this trip can be addictive!!
Meet Daniel and Tanya Cox
2016 Alaska Brown Bear Photography Tour Travel Plans
Sunday, August 21 (D)
Meet the group in Anchorage, Alaska. Group welcome dinner. Overnight Crowne Plaza Anchorage Midtown
Monday, August 22 (B, L, D)
Mid-morning departure to lodge by charter plane. The flight is one hour with a beach landing during low tide. We’ll be greeted by the lodge staff in ATV’s with trailers, a.k.a. the chariots of the north. After we get settled into the lodge and have lunch, we’ll venture out for our first photo opportunities with the bears.
Tuesday, August 23 – Saturday, August 27 (B, L, D)
Five full days of bear viewing. Each day after a hearty breakfast, we travel by foot hiking together or hop on an ATV with a trailer to locate the bears that are often near the lodge. These unstressed bears usually appear to be somewhat uninterested and rarely pay attention to our presence. The landscape is vast and wild, providing beautiful backdrops for images. We may also be fortunate enough to photograph puffins, kittiwakes, bald eagles or fox.
There are no crowds of people or limit to the amount of time we can photograph the bears. Usually the only determining factors are light and weather conditions. August is the perfect time of year to photograph the big male bears chasing salmon through the rivers. We will regularly see mom with cubs, however, they keep their distance from the individual males. Nothing will prepare you for the feeling you will receive when you encounter these magnificent bears just yards away…
We call Alaskan Brown Bears “fat and happy bears”. They feast on salmon and clams and do not struggle like other bears who need to forage for berries, roots and tubers. They learn to live in close proximity of each other and usually do not see people as a threat or as a meal…
Fishing between photo excursions is possible. Each guest can have their salmon cleaned and packaged to take home with them.
Dan will be there for anyone who has questions about camera settings, exposures or learning digital – anything photography. We’ll return to the lodge for lunch and have some time to download digital cards or take a rest. We’ll return to the field to photograph in the late afternoon. A great dinner will be awaiting when we return – perhaps some fresh salmon or halibut. We finish the days with a good night’s sleep.
Sunday, August 28 (B)
Today we’ll return to Anchorage by charter plane, departing around 10:00am. We’ll have a group day room available at the Crowne Plaza Anchorage Midtown if you wish to fly directly home today. Many flights leave hourly from Anchorage, including late evening flights to the lower 48. We suggest a late day departure in case of any bad weather delays during the charter flight.
Guest Limits
13 Guests Maximum
Trip Cost
$6200 per person, based on double occupancy
Single Supplement: $600
Limited single rooms availableDeposit
$500 Per person due at time of booking
Visa, MasterCard, AmEx, Discover, or check acceptedDeposits are non-refundable. If cancellations are necessary, we require this request in writing. We will do our best to resell your space. Only if we can resell your space, we will refund (minus deposit and discounts given to sell your space). No partial refunds are possible for unused services.
Installments
September 1, 2015: $3000 First Installment
April 1, 2016: Final PaymentCheck only for first installment and final payment. Please make check payable to Natural Exposures and mail to:
Natural Exposures
810 N. Wallace, Suite E
Bozeman, MT 59715Included
- 1 night hotel accommodation in Anchorage, August 21
- Group welcome dinner and drinks, August 21
- Charter plane to/from fly-in lodge
- 6 nights accommodations at bear-viewing lodge
- All meals at lodge + meals where indicated (B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner)
- All guiding
- Daily park service fee
- Sales tax
Not Included
- Flights to/from Anchorage
- Refund if the weather is not cooperating. This would include flight rescheduling fees or extra hotel nights.
- Alcoholic beverages/soft drinks
- Gratuity for guide and lodge staff
- Fishing licenses/equipment
- Travel Insurance
Flights to Book
August 21, 2016
Arrive Anchorage (ANC) any time of day
Group welcome dinner this eveningAugust 28, 2016
Depart Anchorage (ANC) late or evening/midnight flight
We suggest a late day departure in case of any bad weather delays during the morning charter flight.Travel Insurance
Travel/emergency medical evacuation insurance is not required for this photo tour, but we always recommend purchasing it for any trip. We recommend one or more of the following, depending on your needs:
Global Rescue
(use code natexp)Allianz Global Assistance
(use travel agency ID F203564)Terms & Conditions
Natural Exposures cannot control nor is responsible for abnormal weather, natural disasters, or any other disaster that might affect the trip. Travel insurance should be purchased to cover any missed flights or medical problems that may affect/delay your travel. National Parks have the right to change our itinerary.
By booking a trip with Natural Exposures, you agree to the following CANCELLATION AND LIABILITY POLICY
Accommodations for 2016 Alaska Brown Bear Photography Tour
August 26, 1 Night
Crowne Plaza Anchorage Midtown
This stylish hotel is the newest in Anchorage, built in 2008, and offers complimentary Internet, airport shuttle, pool, hot tub, business and fitness center. Onsite lounge and restaurant. Guests will stay on the executive floor with complimentary breakfast, appetizers, evening drinks, and 24 hour access to the concierge lounge and private business center.Extra Accommodations
If you need rooms pre/post accommodations during the trip, we would be happy to help book these for you at the Crowne Plaza Anchorage Midtown.August 27 – September 1, 6 Nights
The full-service lodge is located in the wilderness on private land next to a pristine stream with mountain backdrops. Having a small group makes it easy to search out the best locations of bears chasing salmon for optimum photographs.Accommodations vary depending on whether you are in the main lodge or cabins. All rooms will have either one queen bed or two twin beds with private bath or a bath shared between rooms.
The lodge’s menu features local seafood including salmon, halibut, clams and mussels, as well as fresh greens and herbs from their garden. It is not uncommon for a bear to appear in the meadow in front of the lodge during dinner time, creating the ultimate Alaska dining experience. Three meals a day are cooked by the resident chef and homemade breads and desserts are created by the resident baker.
There is a sauna and also a lounge with a guest computer that allows access to the Internet. Cell service is available depending on provider. A wood fireplace is located in the lounge to enjoy during any rainy days if desired.
The lodge is open May through October. Bear viewing quantity cannot be guaranteed, however, they have had a safe and successful bear viewing program for over 18 years. There may also be opportunities to see puffins and eagles – the tail end of bird viewing is usually in September.
Helpful Information for 2016 Alaska Brown Bear Photography Tour
Guests should be able to walk short distances on uneven ground and possibly wading through low waters with their camera packs. When we encounter the bears, we’ll walk together slowly as a group. The bears are accustomed to human encounters. Our experienced guides often know the bears individually from their yearly returns to the same areas to feed on clams, sedges or salmon. Caution and patience is always needed to photograph bears in the wild. Fishing between photo excursions is possible. Each guest can have their salmon cleaned and packaged to take home with them or cooked up for the group dinners.
Boots are supplied by the lodge however it is your option to bring your own. If you have any food or allergy issues the chef and dining staff are happy to accommodate your needs.
CAMERA GEAR
Daniel will phone each guest personally prior to trip time to discuss camera gear and make suggestions for what to bring. You can also visit Dan’s Gear for the Brown Bear Photography Adventure blog post for additional information.
FISHING LICENSES/EQUIPMENT
Licenses can be purchased at the lodge. Aside from incredible bear viewing, this area has world-class salmon fishing. Late July through August and early September provide good opportunities for silver salmon, dolly varden char, pink and chum salmon and also sometimes offshore halibut. The lodge has a supply of spin or fly gear available for rent.
A package including an itinerary will be sent out to each guest closer to trip departure time.
Natural Exposures works with a authorized concessioner in Lake Clark National Park.
Have a question?
Have a question about this tour? We're happy to answer any queries you may have.
Testimonials from Natural Exposures' Explorers
"This morning I had a wonderful surprise waiting for me in my mailbox... my Natural Exposures package! OMG! So, cool and informative. I've traveled on other photography tours and even have done a Nat Geo Expedition and your package is far and above the very best I have received. I can't wait to get to Alaska! Thanks for the trip info. Until Aug."
Misty Nichols, Florida
"Still in the afterglow of spending so much time so close to Coastal Brown Bears! Thanks SO MUCH for an amazing Alaska Brown Bear experience. One of the best vacations we've had complete with great photographs (and salmon in our freezer!). Special shout out to Tanya for ensuring we made our flight despite weather problems! You two are really great!!"
Ian Enright, Alberta
"This is my fifth trip with you, as always, great photo opportunities,accomodations, food, transportation and instruction. What more can I say? Thank you for the fun and for taking such good care of me."
Dorothy Murray, Iowa
"Rob and I had an amazing time in Alaska, it exceeding our expectations!!!"
Shawynn Zaremba, Illinois
