2026 Alaska Brown Bear Viewing Tour
Our Alaska Brown Bear Viewing Tour takes you to some of the most amazing places in Alaska! Here, you can see Alaskan brown bears in their natural habitat. The areas you fly to are in the middle of the largest population concentration of brown bears in the world!
You will watch brown bears on four consecutive days in four different locations in Katmai and in or near Lake Clark National Park. Each of these locations offers incredible opportunities to observe brown bears in their natural environment. You will watch bears as they dig for clams; graze on sedge grasses; establish dominance; and fish for salmon and teach new cubs how to catch salmon themselves.
This tour is a wilderness tour. You will walk along the same trails as the bears do. In addition, you will sit on the same riverbanks as they do. Further, you will observe them from a skiff as they go about their day-to-day life. There are no barriers, fences or platforms separating you from bears and other wildlife.
Your flights depart from Homer (by wheel & floatplane) and from Soldotna (by floatplane). You will fly across Cook Inlet and past glaciers and volcanoes along the rugged, wild coastlines of Katmai and Lake Clark National Park.
Alaska Brown Bear Viewing Tour highlights:
In summary, on this tour you will experience brown bear viewing in some of Alaska’s most scenic areas.
See brown bear sows as they teach their cubs.
Above all, aerial views provide a glimpse of the vast wilderness of Lake Clark National Park.
Mount Redoubt is an active volcano in the largely volcanic Aleutian Range.
You will fly in to the Alaska wilderness by floatplane (landing on lake)s, as well as by wheelplane (landing on beaches).
Altogether, Katmai and Lake Clark National Parks provide some of the best brown bear viewing opportunities in the world.
In essence, on our Alaska brown bear viewing tour, you can see and photograph brown bears up close and personal in their natural habitat!
- Observe brown bears for four days in their natural habitat
- Fly by floatplane (3x) and wheel plane (1x)
- Explore Katmai National Park and Lake Clark National Park from the air and on foot
- Discover Homer and some of the beaches along Katchemak Bay
- 6 days/five nights accommodations with million dollar view of Homer
- Fully guided
- All expenses (accommodations, three meals a day, transportation & activities) included in tour price
- 6 daus (five nights) of lodging in Homer
- All meals (breakfast, lunch & dinner)
- All transportation during the tour
- All activities
- National Park Service fees
- Professional instruction on how to capture the best brown bear photos
Day 1 – Saturday, August 12: Homer (arrival)
Welcome to Homer! You will either arrive by scheduled flight from Anchorage or you are welcome to drive with us by van from Anchorage. Nestled at the southern tip of the Kenai Peninsula, Homer is a captivating gem that beckons adventure seekers, nature lovers, and anyone yearning for an authentic Alaskan experience. Known as the “Halibut Fishing Capital of the World” and adorned with breathtaking landscapes, Homer you a unique blend of outdoor adventures, cultural richness, and a laid-back charm. You will be staying in a comfortable Airbnb with sweeping views of Homer Spit, Katchemak Bay and the Kenai Mountains. This will be your home base for the next six days.
Day 2 – Sunday, August 13: Near Mount Redoubt and Lake Clark National Park
Today, we drive to Soldotna to catch a floatplane that will take you across Cook Inlet and to the base of Mount Redoubt. The western shores of the Cook Inlet are the ultimate brown bear habitat. The creeks that run through the prairies are loaded with salmon, attracting resident brown bear populations to the areas all summer long. After a quick 30-minute flight, you will get into a skiff and start looking for brown bears. The bears are here to fish for sockeye and silver salmon and to teach their cubs how to eventually do their own fishing. You can get as close as 30 feet from these magnificent animals in the complete safety of the boat while the bears go about their business of fishing and relaxing. After about five hours of bear viewing and exploring some of the scenery, you will return to the floatplane base and fly back to Soldotna. You will explore the sights between Soldotna and Homer on our leisurely drive back.
Day 3 – Monday, August 14: Katmai National Park
Today we will fly into Halo Bay in Katmai National Park. After a short safety briefing, you’ll put on a pair of waterproof hip boots, and climb aboard a bush plane.
The one hour flight will take you over and around several volcanoes, glaciers, and rivers where you’ll land on long sandy beaches or one of many floatplane lakes or rivers. From there, you will walk along the shoreand observe bears in their natural habitat. You will watch bears they dig for clams, graze on sedge grasses, establish dominance, and teach new cubs how to catch salmon in the river. After spending the day in the heart of bear country, you will fly back to Homer in the afternoon.
Upon our return to Homer, we will explore its small-town charm. The streets are lined with quirky shops, local eateries, and friendly faces. The Homer Spit in particular exudes a quaint fishing village ambiance, offering a relaxing atmosphere to unwind and savor the simplicity of life in Homer.
Day 4 – Tuesday, August 15: Lake Clark National Park
This morning we drive back up to Soldotna for another floatplane trip, this time into Crescent Lake in Lake Clark National Park. The 45-minute flight in itself is a spectacular flightseeing tour; this scenic route takes you by Mount Redoubt, an active volcano, numerous salmon streams, glaciers, and other Alaskan sights. Your floatplane will land on the lake, and after disembarking your pilot will give you a brief bear orientation. We will take a trip upriver to look for bears, as they fish for salmon or meander along the shore. Afterwards, we will cruise along the shoreline of the lake and keep an eye out for bears. There’s a shallow estuary where bears often congregate to fish for salmon. Lake Clark National Park is beginning to be well known as the best bear viewing in Alaska, and for good reason. This area is home mostly to brown bears, but it is not uncommon to see a few black bears in the area as well. We will drive back to Homer in the late afternoon.
Day 5 – Wednesday, August 16: Lake Clark National Park
Today you will fly into Chinita Bay. The nutrition-filled estuaries of Chinitna Bay attract brown bears from spring to fall. Much like in Halo Bay, brown bears munch on sedges (grass-like plants that are rich in protein) and other plants that grow along the salt marsh, extract clams from the tidal flats, and feast on running salmon. After a 45-minute flight you land effortlessly on the gently curving beach, you will have another bear safety briefing, before setting off on foot through grasses to reach a wooded area along the marsh. You will spend the next three hours in the company of brown bears, getting to know them and feeling connected to them in a way you never thought possible. After you fly back to Homer, you will enjoy a Farewell Dinner as well as a leisurely walk along one of Homer’s most scenic beaches.
Day 6 – Thursday, August 17: Homer (departure)
This morning you will say farewell to your This morning you will bid farewell to Homer and your travel companions. You can either fly back to Anchorage on a a scheduled flight or ride back with us. You return home enchanted by an appreciation for Alaska’s brown bears. You will bring back memories that will last a lifetime.
This itinerary is fluid to adapt for changes in weather, wildlife and/or partnering subcontractor’s schedule changes. For instance, be flexible with possible flight delays due to poor aviation weather or mechanical issues that are out of our control.
ARRIVAL AND DEPARTURE TRANSPORTATION Please arrive August 12 in Homer by 4:00 PM. There are scheduled flights from Anchorage to Homer. You are also welcome to drive by van with us. We will leave Anchorage at 10:00 AM on August 12. If you fly to Homer, we can pick you up upon your arrival, provided your flight doesn’t arrive before noon. We will meet for a group orientation at 4:00 PM, with the Welcome dinner in Homer thereafter to kick off the tour. Please note: Airfare to and from your departure city and Homer, as well as trip insurance, are not included in the trip fee. The tour is over on August 17 in Homer after breakfast. You can either book a flight back to Anchorage and your home airport, or drive back with us to Anchorage in the van. We plan to arrive in Anchorage around 6:00 PM.
“This expedition was organized by Wild Alaska Travel, specialists in immersive small-group experiences. Expedition leader Laurent Dick guided the team through the remote regions with expertise, ensuring we were always in the right place at the right time to capture unforgettable bear encounters.”
Patrick Quigley, Ohio
“This was a fantastic trip, you are a fantastic guide and an even better person!”
Brian Cleaver & ConnieNicklin, Florida
“Thank you for your guiding expertise. We will be back for sure and try to scratch a bit more of the surface.”
Marc & Nicole Benzler, Germany
