Join Sean Weekly on an exclusive tour to Alaska Bear Camp for an immersive brown bear photography extravaganza in the remote and spectacular Lake Clark National Park.
Brown bears fishing on the salmon run is arguably one of North America’s most spectacular wildlife extravaganzas. Each year, the bears of Lake Clark gorge on the fish in preparation for the winter months ahead. Whilst male bears gain formidable weight in this time of plenty, mother and cubs are also feasting and are an enchanting sight. With an expert naturalist guide, we experience intimate and exclusive encounters with these bears, providing us with incredible photographic opportunities.
The bears are our main focus of the tour and with guidance from professional photographer Sean Weekly, we have great opportunities to capture some very compelling images. From around the camp, at the private viewing platforms and on foot excursions into the adjacent Lake Clark National Park, we will encounter bears.
Wildlife Worldwide has exclusive use of Alaska Bear Camp during our six night stay and this gives us precious privacy as we immerse ourselves in this spectacular wilderness and discover its inhabitants.
Typical Itinerary
Day1: Depart UK & arrive Seattle
Arrive in Seattle and overnight in an airport hotel.
Accommodation: Marriott Hotel, 1-night
Day2: Fly to Alaska
We fly from Seattle to Anchorage before flying onward to Homer.
On arrival we transfer to our accommodation for the night. We are met by our local expedition leader and enjoy an orientation meeting before tucking into our welcome dinner.
Accommodation: Land's End Resort, 1-night
Day3: Fly into camp and afternoon bear photography
This morning we depart Homer on a private charter flight. This is more than just a transfer as it gives us the opportunity to enjoy exquisite views of snow-clad volcanoes and jagged glaciers, tundra, meadows and forests. This flight introduces us to the pristine bear habitat which we are soon to explore.
Arrival is timed for midday, depending on the tides. Once you have had time to settle into your accommodation, lunch is provided at the dining tent. After which, it is time for our first bear watching excursion. With such a healthy environment and abundant food supply, the bears of Lake Clark National Park are very relaxed, allowing us to walk safely in their midst on guided outings, often observing them from just metres away.
While bears usually abound in the vicinity of camp, we will also venture into the adjacent Lake Clark National Park for added variety.
Bear activity varies according to the season, weather conditions and timing of the salmon runs. However, it is always a riveting spectacle. In August the salmon run is usually in full swing and we will find bears fishing as it becomes a priority to gain as much weight as possible going into the winter months.
Alaska's mighty brown bears - the coastal version of the interior grizzly bear (which is the same species, Ursus arctos) are the largest land predators in North America, with adult males weighing up to 1,500 pounds.
We have the opportunity to photograph bears in various behaviours as they chase salmon and interact with one another. Whilst the main focus of our tour is the bears, we will also be on look out for the area's other spectacular wildlife and enjoying the spectacular scenery which is the backdrop throughout.
Day9: Morning bear photography and afternoon flight
During our final morning at Alaska Bear Camp we have the oportunity to watch the bears on a last excursion. Depending on the forecast which can affect the charter flight, you may have lunch in camp before our departure. Returning to the beach, we await our flight to take us back over the fjords and meadows to Homer.
Accommodation: Marriott Hotel, 1-night
Day10: Depart Seattle
Day11: Arrive UK
Please note: General mobility, including the ability to climb into and out of small planes, is essential. Trip participants must be able to walk at least 1.5 kilometres without assistance to join this adventure. Most of your time is spent standing out in the elements viewing bears for hours at a time, both from viewing platforms and on guided walks. You must be able to carry all your own gear, including daypacks and camera equipment. Travellers are not required to participate in every activity, but all guests must be in general good health. Guests must also come prepared with a positive attitude and the ability to be flexible in a wild and remote setting where weather conditions are highly changeable.
Key info
Duration and price including flights from/to UK: 11 daysfrom £6,995 pp
Duration and price excluding international flights: 9 daysfrom £6,495 pp
Single supplement:
From £695
Trip type:
Group Tour
Tailor-made can be arranged
Group size: 12
When to go: May-Aug
Group Departures: Please contact us for departure date details.
Tailor-made Departures:
A tailor-made holiday or private departure can be arranged, please contact us to tailor a trip to suit your requirements.
Included in the price/package:
Private charter between Homer and Alaska Bear Camp
Multi award-winner and full time photographer, Sean's work is regularly featured across a range of national and international publications.
After a career as a Royal Marine, Sean moved to the diverse habitats of Singapore where long-tailed macaques, snakes, lizards and tropical birds were just a stones throw away from his home.
Travelling through South East Asia and Australia with his camera was what ignited his love of the natural world and now he ventures across the globe to expand his wildlife photography. Sean has led numerous workshops in the UK and further afield in Europe at locations including Skomer, Greece, Finland, Spain and Scotland.
The landscape of Lake Clark National Park is visually spectacular as well as ecologically healthy, supporting an abundant and varied number of wildlife species. The most iconic animal to this wilderness is the Alaskan brown bear which forage in the pristine waters that annually hosts the salmon run.
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Ideal for viewing: brown bear, bald eagle, American black bear, caribou, moose
The remote Alaska Bear Camp sits on a private eight hectare area within Lake Clark National Park. This camp is purpose built to provide you will an immersive and exclusive wilderness experience as you enjoy an exceptionally secluded bear encounters away from other travellers.
Find Out More about Alaska Bear Camp
