Included
Accommodations; meals from dinner on Day 1 to breakfast on the final day, with select complimentary drinks during the first and final group dinners; services of expedition leader, local guides and lodge(s) staff; airport transfer on Day 1 and final day; some gratuities; all activities, permits, entrance fees, service fees and taxes.
If necessary due to weather or high water levels, the tour operator will provide chest waders and boots, as well as waterproof gloves for use during bear-viewing excursions. If you require an especially large or small size, please confirm upon booking.
Exclusions
Travel to and from the start and end point of your trip; alcoholic beverages at King Salmon Lodge; some gratuities; passport and visa fees (if any); optional activities; items of a personal nature (phone calls, etc.); airline baggage fees; airport and departure taxes (if any); required medical evacuation insurance; optional travel protection insurance; insurance of any kind; cost of internal air, which includes private floatplane flights between Anchorage & King Salmon, and King Salmon & Katmai National Park ($2,587 per person, to be added to your invoice).
Payment & Cancellation
In order to confirm this trip, a nonrefundable deposit of $500 is required per person at time of booking. Deposit may be transferred to a new departure date of this trip anytime before the balance of the trip price is due, 120 days before the departure date. Special holiday payment and cancellation terms apply. Guests who must cancel their trip for any reason must do so in writing. Standard cancellations are subject to the following per-person penalties, based on number of days prior to departure:
Up to 121 days – 100% of deposit
120 to 61 days – 50% of total trip cost
60 to 0 days – 100% of total trip cost
Terms & Conditions
This trip is subject to AdventureSmith Explorations Terms and Conditions. Please read this information carefully and call us if you have any questions. A Traveler Information Form, which includes a release of liability, must be completed and signed by all travelers. Your Adventure Specialist will send you a unique link to complete this form along with a packing list and extensive pre-departure and travel insurance information upon booking confirmation.
Arrival & Departure
The Fat Bears of Brooks Falls Photo Expedition begins and ends in Anchorage, Alaska (ANC). Plan flights to arrive to Anchorage by 4:00pm on Day 1 of the itinerary, ahead of a 6:00pm orientation and welcome dinner. Plan to depart Anchorage anytime on the final day of the itinerary. Airport transfers are included on Day 1 and on the final day of the trip.
Internal Flights
Most floatplane flights will depart in late morning, and return mid-afternoon if making a round trip. The exact times will vary according to weather and other logistical factors. There is a strict luggage limit of 50 lbs of baggage per person (including carry-ons and camera equipment) on floatplane flights. Hard shell luggage is not recommended. Any excess luggage can be stored at The Wildbirch Hotel and retrieved upon return.
Activities
The Fat Bears of Brooks Falls Photo Expedition requires a moderate degree of physical fitness. This expedition to see bears at the end of the season in the Brooks Falls region ventures into terrain that can be difficult to navigate, requiring travelers to be confident on their feet in varying and challenging conditions. A full day of bear viewing typically involves walking up to 6 miles on multiple outings to daily bear-viewing locations. When conditions are dry and water levels in the river are low, you will wear chest waders to wade up the Brooks River to view bears. When water levels are higher, the bears will typically be at the falls, and walking to view them will be less taxing. At any time, however, conditions can include rough, uneven terrain, bushwhacking through heavy brush, walking in shallow water, and walking through mud—while carrying all of your own gear including camera equipment. Weather is highly changeable at this time of year and may be inclement, with rain or even snow possible. In order to maximize bear-viewing opportunities, you will spend long days in the field. Once at the bear-viewing site, physical activity is quite limited. You may spend several hours sitting on the ground in essentially one spot with little movement. For safety reasons, it is not possible to split the group: individuals may not opt to return to the lodge early or to stay in one place while the rest of the group moves on. Travelers must be of sound health and able to maintain a positive attitude in a wild, remote and unpredictable setting.
Room Configuration
Single travelers wishing to book a double-occupancy room may do so at a $1,695 supplement in addition to the per-person listed rate in select cabins upon availability. Solo travelers willing to share, please ask your Adventure Specialist about the possibility of matching with a roommate; this program allows you to pay the per person double-occupancy rate whether or not a roommate is found.
Families & Children
Due to the expedition nature, isolated location and photo theme of this program, children must be 16 years of age at time of travel.
Travel Insurance
Emergency medical evacuation insurance is mandatory for this trip, with a minimum recommended coverage of $250,000 per person. If you decline the operator’s insurance, then you must provide proof of third party insurance. Trip cancellation insurance is optional but highly recommended. Protect your travel investment with insurance. Our partners at Travelex Insurance offer a variety of plans and policies to fit every trip and budget. For best value and coverage for pre-existing medical conditions, consider purchasing a policy at time of booking. Learn more about travel insurance or get a free quote.
Itinerary & Bear Viewing Notes
Use the itinerary as a guide only. Itineraries may be altered due to weather, wildlife, national park regulation or at the captain’s/expedition leader’s discretion. The ability to be flexible makes this type of small ship cruising and land tours unique.
Note that at this time of year, Brooks Lodge has closed for the season and there are no flush toilets available—only basic outhouses near Brooks Camp will be available during the day while you are observing bears in the field.
Bears are attracted to the Brooks River at multiple times during the summer, and their precise location varies depending on seasonal elements including weather and fish movements. More intimate experiences with bears (due to fewer tourists) tend to happen in late August and September (versus late June and July), when bears are found throughout the area, rather than primarily fishing atop the falls.
Variable Departure Details
Rates and dates are tentative and will be allocated to guests on a first-come, first-serve basis. Your Adventure Specialist will confirm details at time of booking.
