Spend seven nights on board our exclusive vessel, MV Dream Catcher, as we search the Katmai National Park in southwest Alaska for the finest bear photography opportunities.
From the picturesque Alaskan fishing town of Homer, we fly on a chartered floatplane to the Katmai National Park where we board our vessel. Once on board we explore the coast of Katmai in search of bears. We will make landings and head out on foot in the company of a professional bear guide to make sure the photography is as good as it can be. Throughout the itinerary professional wildlife photographer, Chris Weston, will be on hand to provide guidance and tuition for your images.
From lush, wide open bays, such as Hallo Bay, to secret inlets known only to us, each destination we visit in Katmai provides a different aspect and perspective on the bears, their behaviour and their environment. We expect to see bears of all shapes and sizes from mothers with cubs, to frolicking yearlings, mischievous adolescents and huge dominant males. This really is an immersive wildlife experience which provides all manner of photographic opportunities.
Typical Itinerary
Day1: Depart UK & fly to Seattle
Today we depart the UK on international flights to Seattle. On arrival in the Emerald City, we transfer to our accommodation near the airport where we spend the night.
Following breakfast, we return to Seattle Airport to board our domestic flights (via Anchorage) to the small town of Homer on the south coast of Alaska. Once we land in Homer, we transfer to our hotel in town and the rest of the day is free to spend as you wish.
Accommodation: Land’s End Resort, 1-night
Day3: Fly to Katmai & board MV Dream Catcher
This morning we take a floatplane and fly across the waters of Cook Inlet to the Katmai National Park. We land close to our exclusively chartered vessel, the MV Dream Catcher, who will be waiting for us. After embarkation and we have settled into our cabins there will be a safety briefing followed by a photographic presentation from leader Chris Weston.
In the afternoon, it is time for our first shore excursion of the trip and this marks our first chance to photography the brown bears of Katmai. We leave the vessel on the skiff and we head to shore where we then set off on foot in company of a highly experienced bear guide.
Accommodation: MV Dream Catcher, 7-nights
Days4-9: Bear Photography in Katmai National Park
For the next six days we enjoy multiple daily excursions ashore to photograph the brown bears as well as other captivating species. Over the course of these days in itinerary we sail between different bays, coves and inlets to give us the best opportunities for wildlife photography. The choice of locations is left flexible and will depend on the bear activity, tides and weather conditions. Sailings between locations during these days of the itinerary take place in down time to ensure that we do not miss any of the bear activity or the best of the light for photography.
During our excursions we should encounter not only a range of different individual bears, but also a fascinating range of behaviours. From adult bears fishing for salmon, juveniles sparring and mothers with their yearling cubs, there will be numerous subjects for us to focus on and compliment our portfolios with. This is an immersive wildlife experience that offers no end of intriguing photographic possibilities.
Day10: Return to Homer & fly to Seattle
This morning it is time to disembark and board our floatplane back to Homer. On arrival in Homer, we make our back to the airport to connect with our domestic flights back to Seattle (via Anchorage). In Seattle, we return to the same airport hotel for another overnight stay.
The morning is free to spend as you wish before we head back to the airport to board our overnight flights back to the UK.
Day12: Arrive UK
Please note: The order and duration of the excursions are kept flexible throughout the itinerary and will depend on the wildlife activity and the weather conditions. Also, a highly experienced bear guide will accompany us on all excursions for our safety.
Key info
Duration and price including flights from/to UK: 12 daysfrom £10,995 pp
Duration and price excluding international flights: 11 daysfrom £9,995 pp
Single supplement:
On request – please contact us.
Trip type:
Group Tour
Group size: 12
When to go: Jun-Sep
Group Departures: Please contact us for departure date details.
Included in the price/package:
Return floatplane flights between Homer and Katmai National Park
Chris Weston became a professional wildlife photographer in 2001, walking out on his career in IT sales to follow his passion for the extra-ordinariness of nature.
His contemporary approach to photography led Amateur Photographer to describe him as one of the most dynamic wildlife photographers working today. He is renowned for his ability to connect with his subjects, revealing through his images their often-hidden personalities. A committed advocate of wildlife conservation and co-founder of the US-based charity Animals on the Edge, Chris was listed in Outdoor Photography as one of the world’s 40 most influential wildlife photographers.
He is the author of over 30 books on photography and natural history, and in 2018 his print titled The Crossing won the ArtHaus Gallery and Manhattan Arts International awards. His commercial credits include the BBC, ITV, The Times, The Sunday Times, Daily Telegraph, Independent and Guardian newspapers, and National Geographic; and he has presented lectures on photography in the UK, US, Japan and India.
Katmai has two spectacular attractions: brown bears and volcanoes. Bears can be seen in huge numbers during the Sockeye salmon run in July, late August and September, whilst in August they can be spotted feeding on the shorelines. The park is home to the impressive Valley of 10,000 Smokes, lined with active volcanoes.
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Where: Alaska Peninsula
Ideal for viewing: brown bear, moose, caribou, pine marten, orca
