Alaska Bears with Frans Lanting and Chris Eckstrom
Overview
Beyond their considerable talents and accomplishments as a photographer / cinematographer team and as conservationists, we invited Frans and Chris to lead this Visionary Wild expedition in part because they are consummate professionals and excellent teachers who take great care of our guests and are always fun to travel with.
Join Frans and Chris for this rare opportunity aboard our comfortable privately-chartered Alaskan research vessel, Island C, for a seven-day Alaskan adventure that promises incredible views and jaw-dropping bear viewing in Katmai National Park, along with a warm camaraderie that only a small group expedition can create. Island C gets our small group of six passionate wildlife photographers close to the action while providing comfortable lodging and delicious meals.
A RICH ECOSYSTEM FULL OF PHOTOGRAPHS
On this trip you’re going to see captivating images pop from the pages of a nature magazine into your own viewfinder. Everywhere you turn is picture-perfect: mountains, glaciers, dense greenery, rocky beaches, massive brown bears and their playful little cubs, and marine mammals and seabirds expertly navigating the nutrient rich waters of the northland. We might even spot foxes or wolves on the hunt.
One of our destinations – Geographic Harbor – was named during a 1919 National Geographic Society survey of the nearby Valley of Ten Thousand Smokes. Its secluded location is the perfect vantage point to photograph brown bears in their natural habitat. So focused are they on feeding – digging for clams, fishing for salmon or stalking otters – that you can watch them for hours from a close vantage point.
ECO-TOUR WITH THE EXPERTS
Frans, Chris and our wildlife guides know the area and its wild inhabitants well and will teach you about the local flora and fauna and how to act as a group to safely approach and photograph the bears. They will also guide you in afternoon activities such as taking photos from a Zodiac, or even kayaking (if you wish).
We meet in Kodiak for an evening gathering and dinner, before catching our private charter flight to Katmai the next morning to board the Island C and begin our adventure that afternoon. We will spend the next five and a half days seeking out wildlife along the coastline. The primary emphasis at Katmai will be on maximizing time with brown bears. Along our route, there will be good chances for sightings of wolves, sea otters, harbor seals, whales, and numerous bird species.
Life aboard Island C
The 80-foot steel-hulled research vessel, Island C, is our private vessel on this voyage, providing the flexibility to travel from bay to bay as weather conditions or wildlife opportunities dictate. We are limiting this expedition to six guests though Island C will comfortably hold more, to allow for extra room and a small group experience when out photographing the bears.
You’ll sleep in a comfortable stateroom, but the salon is the heart of the boat. This is the spot to gather to review your images on a 40-inch flat screen, swap stories, and plan the next day’s adventure. The salon is also where you’ll dine on fresh seafood and other delicious cuisine. Meals are personalized based on your dietary restrictions/preferences, with emphasis on fresh ingredients. Offerings such as local halibut and salmon, prime rib, stuffed chicken, and fresh vegetables are real crowd-pleasers. Click here for more information about the vessel and experience.
The camaraderie that develops during this immersive small-group experience elevates this high-quality expedition to a whole new level. (And there’s nothing that builds a team spirit faster than getting into hip boots for the first time!). On behalf of Frans, Chris, and the Island C crew, we hope you’ll join us.
Itinerary
August 3: ARRIVE IN KODIAK
Fly into Kodiak Airport and take the hotel shuttle to the Best Western Kodiak Inn. Meet for an introduction and orientation dinner in the evening at the hotel restaurant.
Overnight: Best Western Kodiak Inn (D)
August 4: KODIAK TO KATMAI
After breakfast we will board our private charter flight to Katmai, enjoying stunning views of the Katmai Coast and the distant ice fields of the Alaska Peninsula. We will arrive in Katmai and board our vessel, the Island C. After getting settled in and a brief orientation, we will have our first field excursion.
Overnight: Island C (B,L,D)
August 5-9: KATMAI NATIONAL PARK
We will spend the next five days cruising the coastline of Katmai National Park looking for wildlife. We will have a particular focus on seeking out Brown Bears, but will also have the opportunity to see wolves, sea otters, harbor seals, and numerous species of loons, among other wildlife.
Overnight: Island C (B,L,D)
August 10: RETURN TO KODIAK
After breakfast we will enjoy our final morning field session, followed by lunch on board the Island C. We will say good-bye to our crew and guides on the Island C, then board our private charter back to Kodiak arriving in the late afternoon. We will return to the Best Western Kodiak Inn, and gather together to enjoy a final celebratory group dinner in the evening.
Overnight: Best Western Kodiak Inn (B,L,D)
August 11: DEPARTURE DAY
After breakfast, take the hotel shuttle back to the airport for your flights home. (B)
Instructors
Frans Lanting
- FRANS LANTING has been hailed as one of the great nature photographers of our time. His influential work appears in books, magazines, and exhibitions around the world. Born in ...
Chris Eckstrom
- Christine Eckstrom is a writer, editor, and videographer whose ...
Gallery
Pricing
Cabin #2
Cabin #3
Cabin #4
CABINS AND PRICING
All prices are per person.
Shuyak Room (Cabin #2): Located on the lower deck, the Shuyak Room has two twin beds, bunk-style. These cabins share a bathroom with the Katmai Room.
Double occupancy: $13,995 per person
Single occupancy: $27,695
Katmai Room (Cabin #3): Located on the lower deck, the Katmai Room has three twin beds, two lower beds and one upper bunk. The Katmai Room shares a bathroom with the Shuyak and Kodiak Rooms.
Double occupancy: $14,750 per person
Single occupancy: $29,195
Kayak Room (Cabin #4): Located on the main deck of the vessel. The Kayak Room has four twin beds, bunk-style, and an en-suite bathroom.
Double occupancy: $15,750 per person
Single occupancy: $31,195
Kodiak Room: Instructor Accommodation – two twin bunks.
INDIVIDUAL TRAVELERS BOOKING DOUBLE OCCUPANCY
Individuals traveling alone are welcome to book at the double occupancy rate and we will match you with a cabin mate on Island C.Hotel rooms in Kodiak will be single occupancy for individuals booking double occupancy. There is a $300 supplement to register in this category. Please note that we will attempt to match cabin mates of the same sex, but due to the small group size, this cannot be guaranteed. If you have pre-arranged to share a room with another participant, you can book at the double occupancy rate.
PAYMENT SCHEDULE AND TERMS
- 30% deposit is required upon registration
- 30% payment due November 5, 2022
- 40% payment due April 6, 2023
Please note that due to the significant commitments involved in chartering the vessel for this expedition, deposits and all payments are non-refundable. Trip cancellation insurance is strongly recommended to enable recovery of deposits in the event of a need to cancel participation for medical or personal reasons covered by the policy. Other terms and conditions apply.
INCLUDED:
- Two nights’ accommodations at the Best Western Kodiak Inn, and six nights aboard the Island C
- Round-trip charter flight from between Kodiak and Katmai
- All meals and beverages (including wine and beer with dinner), from dinner on August 3 to breakfast on August 11.
- Photographic guidance and instruction throughout the expedition
- A highly experienced crew and a naturalist guide
- National park fees
NOT INCLUDED:
- International and domestic air travel, or any other travel services required to arrive at the tour commencement location, along with all associated taxes, levies and insurances.
- Immigration, duty, passport and visa fees where applicable.
- Travel insurance and emergency medical and evacuation insurance
- Personal items including gifts or other purchases
- Any paid communications, alcoholic beverages other than wine and beer served to the group at dinners, hotel room service or minibar charges
- Any additional costs to extend your stay, such as hotel nights and meals, beyond the dates and meals specified in the itinerary
- Gratuities for ship crew
Highlights
- Photograph brown bears and other native species in their natural habitat, in a little visited area
- Generous photographic instruction from Frans Lanting throughout the expedition
- Small group size – limited to just six guests
- Private charter of the 80’ research vessel, the Island C
- Frequent landings to make the most of photographic opportunities
Travel
