Alaska Bears Photo Workshop
- 7 Days
From $11,495 - Interests
- National Parks, Wildlife
- Activity Level
- Moderate
- Group Size
- 10
Get up close with brown bears in Alaska’s Katmai National Park & Preserve
Join us for a small group Alaskan brown bear photography adventure in Katmai National Park & Preserve. We’ve timed this trip to coincide with the peak of the salmon run, when bears gorge on salmon as they prepare for winter. We’ll put on our waders daily and take a private seaplane to various photo locations along the rivers deep inside the park, where we’ll photograph bears fishing, eating, and interacting. We may encounter other wildlife, such as otters, eagles, foxes, or moose.
We’ll also visit the famous Brooks Falls, where many bears congregate to catch salmon leaping up the falls. Because we have a private seaplane and nearby accommodations, we can stay at the falls later in the day, after the day-trip crowds have returned home, giving you more photo opportunities and a better experience at the falls.
Visiting the interior rivers via seaplanes each day gives you more photo locations and far more time with the bears compared to ship-based trips along the Katmai coast. In addition, visiting the interior rivers means bright red sockeye salmon, which are more colorful and photogenic than the salmon species found at coastal inlets on ship-based trips.
We’ll stay in a comfortable remote backcountry lodge deep in the Katmai wilderness, overlooking a beautiful river scene. We’ll eat delicious gourmet meals for breakfast and dinner and pack a lunch for our daily photo excursions.
Read more about what it’s like to be up close with the brown bears.
Consider adding to your Alaskan photo adventure by joining us for our Southeast Alaska Wildlife trip, which precedes this trip.
Akari Photo Tours is an authorized permittee of the National Park Service.
Highlights
- Up-close access to brown bears at the height of the salmon run. Photograph these iconic giants in full action, with dramatic feeding scenes that only happen once a year in the wild.
- Daily private seaplane charters to remote, crowd-free locations. Leave the tourist hordes behind — each day brings new terrain, fresh light, and untapped photo opportunities.
- Local guides who live and breathe Alaska wildlife. Our field-tested guides know where the bears are before breakfast, so you spend less time searching and more time photographing.
- Personalized instruction to elevate every skill level. Whether you’re dialing in composition or mastering wildlife timing and focus, we’ll fine-tune your craft in real time.
- Delicious meals and cozy, wilderness-lodge comfort. Recharge between epic days behind the lens with great food and a lodge that feels like home in the heart of bear country.
Your Guides
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James Begeman
Jul 25–31, 2027Jul 30–Aug 5, 2028 -
Mindy Huston
Jul 25–31, 2027Jul 30–Aug 5, 2028
Activity Level
You must be able to board a seaplane and walk over uneven, wet ground while carrying your photo gear and wearing waders. We will cross shallow, running streams while wearing waders. We may walk up to 1–4 miles each day, but the walks are spread out over the day.
This tour has an activity level of Moderate. Read more about the Activity Levels for our trips.
Itinerary
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This tour offers opportunities to photograph wildlife. We'll maximize our chances of encountering wildlife, but we want to remind you that we don't control wildlife and cannot guarantee encounters with particular species. Itineraries for wildlife trips are subject to change based on wildlife activity.
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Day 1: Arrive in King Salmon, Alaska
Arrive at King Salmon Airport (AKN) before 2:00 PM on this day. Air travel delays are possible, so please consider arriving early, possibly the day prior. We don't want you to miss out on trip activities. Airport transfer is included on arrival.
Our seaplane will pick us up in King Salmon and fly to our wilderness lodge. We’ll then get settled in, have a welcome dinner, and discuss our upcoming adventures with the bears.
While arriving in King Salmon on the same day via Alaska Airlines may be possible, you may consider an overnight stay in Anchorage. We can assist with Anchorage accommodations. Please consult us before booking your flights to Alaska, as you need to be on a specific flight to King Salmon.
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Day 2–6: Photographing brown bears
We’ll have breakfast and then fly to various remote locations inside Katmai National Park & Preserve. We’ll select our locations based on recent bear activity and to vary our scenery.
One of these days, we’ll fly to Brooks Camp, home of the famous bear fishing scene along Brooks Falls. We’ll wade along the river early to photograph bears to avoid the day trip crowds. Because we have private seaplanes, we’ll stay after the day trip crowds depart to photograph the falls at the viewing platforms.
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Day 7: Depart from King Salmon, Alaska
On our last day, we’ll have breakfast and check out of the lodge, along with a final session with the bears. Then, we’ll be flown back to King Salmon for our return flights home. Please consult us before booking your Alaska Airlines flight out of King Salmon, as you need to book a specific flight. We can assist with reservations if you would like to stay overnight in Anchorage during your return.
Departure from King Salmon Airport (AKN). Book your departing flight no earlier than 5:30 PM on this day. Airport transfer is included on departure.
Accommodations
Our recently built lodge is deep in the Katmai wilderness, overlooking a beautiful river scene. It was purpose-built for photographers and offers comfortable rooms with ensuite bathrooms, electricity, heat, and internet access. The common area has plenty of room to review your images daily or relax and enjoy the Alaskan scenery.
Despite our remote location, the food is excellent. We’ll have gourmet, chef-prepared meals for breakfast and dinner each day and pack a lunch for our daily excursions.
Why Travel With Us
Our small-group trips are designed for photographers, with guides who know the best locations and offer instruction to help improve your photography. Read more about why you should travel with us.
Testimonials
Amazing photo instructors. Who are patient with my limited photo skills and helps me improve my images every trips. This company chose great locations, eco-friendly accommodation and hire wonderful professional local guides to support local community. Great quality and I enjoy every moments! So many great trips they have listed. Oh- Their company website is very easy to use - I like knowing the price and how many available spot they have without bothering their office. I love traveling with Akari Team. I am looking forward to travel with them more! If you are interested in learning photography and enjoy traveling - I highly recommend them!
Dates & Prices
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Jul 25–31, 2027$11,495 USD Per PersonDouble Occupancy$1,950 USDSingle SupplementRegister3 Spots LeftGuides: James Begeman, Mindy HustonGroup Size: 10Payment Terms: Deposit: $2,500 USDBalance Due: Mar 27, 2027
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Jul 30–Aug 5, 2028$11,695 USD Per PersonDouble Occupancy$1,850 USDSingle SupplementGuides: James Begeman, Mindy HustonGroup Size: 10Payment Terms: Deposit: $2,500 USDBalance Due: Apr 1, 2028
All of our standard Terms & Conditions apply. Be sure to read our Cancellation Policy.
What's Included
- Double occupancy lodging. Single lodging is available with payment of a single supplement fee.
- All transportation during the tour, including internal flights.
- Airport transfers at arrival/departure and during the tour.
- All meals, soft drinks, water, and snacks during the tour.
- Beer and wine are included. Liquor can be purchased at your expense.
- Chest waders and wading boots.
- All permits and entry fees.
- Instruction, guidance, and image reviews from our expert photography guides.
- Personal pre-trip phone consultation.
What's Not Included
- Airfare to and from destination, airport taxes, and excess baggage fees.
- Passport and visa fees, if applicable.
- Travel medical & evacuation insurance (required).
- Trip cancellation insurance (optional but recommended).
- Gratuities for local guides & crew.
- Alcoholic beverages.
- Any accommodations or meals before or after the tour dates.
- Items of a personal nature.
Prepare for Your Trip
Please review our photography travel resources, including know your camera and our camera gear list, to help you plan your trip. Before your trip, we’ll contact you with more detailed gear recommendations specific to your trip.
Also, get a head start on your workshop learning experience with our wildlife photography tutorials.