Experience the Majesty of Alaska – Katmai/Kodiak Brown Bears on a Bucket-List Photography Tour
Home to over 3,000 bears, Kodiak Island is a large expanse of verdant landscape and scenic coastline. It is from this vast, remote wilderness that we will based for this exciting opportunity to photograph one of Alaska’s fiercest predators, Brown Bears!
Join Wildlife Photographer, Traci Sepkovic on this bucket-list photography tour. Taking advantage of Katmai’s close proximity via plane, you will have maximum opportunity to photograph bears in both Kodiak and Katmai. Expect to see lots of the classic bear activity from ground level, including fishing. Moms with cubs are also a strong possibility. You will be accompanied by two local, experienced bear guides who are also photographers and know how to give you the best photographic opportunities while ensuring your safety.
6 Participants
$6,800
$600 Single Supplement*
Payment Schedule: Payment in full is due by Feb. 15th, 2025. If you would like payments broken down into two invoices, please make this request after paying the deposit.
*If you request a shared room, we will do our best to pair you with another participant. However if we are unable to find a roommate for you, the single supplement will be applied to your final invoice.
Check our other photography tours details: Australian Wildlife
AUG. 21ST – 27TH, 2025
Day 1 (Aug. 21st) Arrival
Guests fly into Kodiak (ADQ) and take shuttle to the Best Western/Kodiak Inn. Depending on arrival times, dinner will be as a group at the hotel or nearby.
Day 2 (Aug. 22nd) Katmai
After an early breakfast at the hotel, your guides will pick the group up and transfer to the air strip for a short flight to Katmai. Full day of bear photography ending at 6 or 7pm. We will not be stopping for lunch so please be sure to eat a full breakfast. Protein bars will be provided throughout the day. Return to Kodiak, dinner back at the hotel or nearby.
Day 3 (Aug. 23rd) Kodiak
Breakfast at hotel or nearby coffee shop then you will be off to explore Kodiak. Bears will be the focus but Kodiak also offers epic landscape photography opportunities as well as many other wildlife species. You will likely see Bald Eagles and numerous other bird species. Cross Fox and Ermine are possibles as well as Hare and Mink. Guides will provide transportation to a location for lunch as decided upon by group. Dinner back at the hotel or nearby.
Day 4 (Aug. 24th) Kodiak
Breakfast at hotel or nearby coffee shop then you will be off to explore Kodiak. Bears will be the focus but Kodiak also offers epic landscape photography opportunities as well as many other wildlife species. You will likely see Bald Eagles and numerous other bird species. Cross Fox and Ermine are possibles as well as Hare and Mink. Guides will provide transportation to a location for lunch as decided upon by group. Dinner back at the hotel or nearby.
Day 5 (Aug. 25th) Katmai
After an early breakfast at the hotel, your guides will pick the group up and transfer to the air strip for a short flight to Katmai. Full day of bear photography ending at 6 or 7pm. We will not be stopping for lunch so please be sure to eat a full breakfast. Protein bars will be provided throughout the day. Return to Kodiak, dinner back at the hotel or nearby.
Day 6 (Aug. 26th) Kodiak
Breakfast at hotel or nearby coffee shop then you will be off to explore Kodiak. Bears will be the focus but Kodiak also offers epic landscape photography opportunities as well as many other wildlife species. You will likely see Bald Eagles and numerous other bird species. Cross Fox and Ermine are possibles as well as Hare and Mink. Guides will provide transportation to a location for lunch as decided upon by group. Dinner back at the hotel or nearby.
Day 7 (Aug. 27th) Departure
Shuttle service to airport for departures from Kodiak (ADQ)
End of tour.
- Accommodations day 1-7
- Breakfast day 1-7
- All ground transportation
- Flights to and from Katmai
- Mentoring from your leader as needed
- Guide service day 1-7
- Camaraderie with other women photographers
- Airfare for arrival to Kodiak on Aug. 16th and departure on Aug. 22nd
- Lunch and dinner day 1-7
- Waders (either bring your own or we are looking into rental possibilities)
- Travel Insurance
Moderate. You need to be comfortable lugging your equipment in and out of vehicles and planes. There will be short hikes to photography locations.
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WHAT TO EXPECT It’s important to keep in mind as you are packing that you will be traveling in small planes between Kodiak and Katmai with a weight requirement of no more than 30 lbs, combined for gear and any clothing you decide to bring for the day. Expect temperatures to range from mid 30’s to mid 60’s, even upper 70’s is possible. Wind and rain are always a possibility and we won’t be stopping due to inclemate weather, in fact bears love rain! Heavy duty rain gear is a must. Be sure to have waterproof (not water resistant) pants and jacket such as this; https://www.hellyhansen.com/en_us/w-moss-jacket-53253?color=290002https://grundens.com/collections/womens-fishing-jackets/products/womens-pisces-jacket CLOTHING Please dress in neutral earth tones. Layers is the key as conditions can vary from day to day and even hour to hour. warm base layers (non-cotton is best, like Cuddl Duds) T-shirts for warmer days lightweight warm jacket (like a puffer jacket) |
WADERS
Please keep in mind that you do not need top of the line waders. The links below are items we feel will perform well on your trip and if taken care of will last you a few trips. The most important thing is comfort and keeping you dry. We do not recommend the cheaper waders with boots attached; you will be walking on gravel bars, and you’ll want your feet comfortable, and those wader/boot combos are not comfortable at all. A very good option is eBay as many items were used once and are still in great shape.
A few suggestions….
Cabela’s Premium Breathable Stocking-Foot Fishing Waders Redington Women’s Escape Waders
Women’s Whetstone Breathable Waders
Caddis Women’s Wading Shoe
Orvis Ultra Light Wading Boot
Flyweight Wading Boot
FreeSalt Wading Boot
GEAR
DSLR OR Mirrorless Camera Body
Wide Angle Lens, something in the 70-200mm range
Long Lens, 400-500mm, you would rarely need 600mm Memory Cards
Camera backpack (without wheels)
Batteries
Raincover
Monopod or Tripod
Camera Straps or Carriers (ie Blackrapid or Cotton Carrier)
MISCELLANEOUS
Sun Block
Sun Glasses
Chapstick
Dramamine (if you are prone to motion sickness) Allergy medication and any other medications you take
*A note about food…you are welcome to bring dry, sealed, unscented snacks such as granola bars or protein bars but absolutely no chocolate!