Photograph the Alaskan Brown Bear on the Katmai Coast of the Kodiak Islands of Alaska with pro photographer and ten year Alaskan resident, Tom Bol. Travel with Photo Quest Adventures this August aboard the Coastal Voyage vessel to Katmai – “the last great place to explore and photograph the giant Brown Bears on the Alaskan peninsula!” Your PQA leader, Tom Bol along with the Coastal Explorer’s highly experienced Captain Chuck Keim, will guide you on an exceptional adventure where you will take short, daily boat rides from the Coastal Explorer to various areas along Katmai’s shoreline to capture heart stirring images of brown bears and the rugged Alaskan landscape.
Highlights:
A six-day adventure on the cozy Coastal Explorer vessel run by Captain Charles “Chuck” Keim and his staff.
Traverse Katmai by foot photographing the Brown bears against dramatic landscapes.
The Coast Guard approved vessel, "Coastal Explorer," will be your home away from home for your stay while you are photographing bears. At all times the boat will be anchored in a remote bay that offers the optimal bear photography experience. The boat is near 70’ in length and equipped with all the safety and comfort features you would expect from a good hotel. There are four state rooms equipped with comfortable beds, showers, and toilets. Please note the cabins are tight and modest spaces with a shared bathroom/shower for some. The boat is equipped with all the latest in navigational, radar and GPS equipment to ensure your safety while traveling. The size of the vessel allows unique access to the remote and seldom explored tidal waters that the coastal brown bears call home.
Advantages of exploring by boat include:
The ability to traverse various bays providing a myriad of locations, scenery and backdrops plus more opportunities to photograph bears never photographed before.
Reducing your “footprint” by choosing to travel and sleep on the Coastal Explorer as opposed to camping out in the National Park.
A small, intimate group setting with a maximum of seven guests.
Little or no traffic from other tour operators.
Program Details
Duration
9 Days
Location
Kodiak Islands, AK
Season
Late August
Program Type
Photography Tour
Nearest City
Kodiak, AK
Physical Condition Required
Fair
Destination(s)
Alaska, United States
Minimum Age Limit
18
Guest Capacity
7
Instructor
Tom Bol
About the Instructor
Tom Bol is an editorial and commercial photographer who specializes in adventure sports, portraits and travel photography. He shoots assignments for clients including Columbia Sportswear, Men’s Journal, National Geographic Adventure, Nikon, Sunset Magazine and the Wall Street Journal. He is represented by six stock agencies, and his images are used for advertising, books, billboards, brochures and posters. He loves to teach, and has taught workshops for 12 years. Tom was on the list of National Geographic Adventure’s “50 of Americas Top Visionaries” for his photography.
Accommodations
One night at the Best Western Kodiak Inn; two nights at the Shelikof Lodge on Kodiak Island; six nights on “The Coastal Explorer.”
Dining
The vessel is completely equipped with a full chef’s kitchen including stove, microwave, coffee maker, refrigerator and freezer. Your meals (breakfast, lunch and dinner) on board will be served family style in the small but adequate dinning room, which comfortably seats eight.
Rates
$6,790.00per personCurrency Converter (Rates shown are in US Dollars. Rates and terms are subject to change.)
Additional Rate Info
Based on double occupancy. Single supplement not available.
Click here to email this program by "Photo Quest Adventures" to yourself or to a friend.
Program Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival Kodiak Island Meet the group on Kodiak Island, Alaska. Accommodations in Kodiak are included.
Day 2: Kukak Bay, Board Cruise Ship Morning departure by floatplane to Kukak Bay to board The Coastal Explorer vessel run by Captain Charles “Chuck” Keim and his staff. Chuck has 24 years of experienced under his belt in the Alaskan waters and has extensive knowledge about wildlife, weather patterns and life at sea. He is a seasoned nature photographer as well, with 13+ years of hands-on experience as a guide, and will ensure safe, world-class Brown Bear viewing.
Days 3-7: Bear Viewing Along The Shores of Katmai Take daily skiffs (small flat bottom boats) to the stunning shores of Katmai in the early mornings and then again in the afternoons. Traverse Katmai by foot, observing and photographing the Brown bears against dramatic landscapes.
Day 8: Return to Kodiak Today you will return by floatplane to Kodiak Island. Photo Quest Adventures highly recommends staying the night in Kodiak (the hotel is included tonight) in the event of bad weather and possible delays making connecting flights to Anchorage.
Day 9: Fly home from Kodiak.
This Package Includes
Workshop Fee
Two Nights Hotel Accommodation at the Shelikof Lodge on Kodiak Island
Floatplane To/From Vessel
Accommodations on Vessel, Including ALL Meals
Notes
Not included:
Airfare from Your Home to Kodiak Island and Return
Meals on Kodiak Island
Gratuities
Travel Insurance:
For your protection, travel insurance is strongly recommended. It is suggested that you consider this valuable coverage in addition to your own health insurance policy or other existing insurance policies, should certain other unexpected contingencies arise either before or while traveling. Photo Quest Adventures has made arrangements with Travel Guard Insurance to offer a comprehensive Travel Protection Plan at a special discount rate. You may purchase the insurance from Photo Quest Adventures' website.
Itinerary is subject to change.
Cancellation Policy
In the event a Quest must be cancelled due to inadequate enrollment or unforeseen circumstances, all fees and deposits will be refunded in full or may be transferred to a future Quest. Photo Quest Adventures reserves the right to cancel the workshop or your reservation at any time.
COMPLIMENTARY VISITOR GUIDES
Click on any visitor guide below to request a free copy.
RELATED VACATIONS
In addition to photography tours, browse related adventure travel and active vacations in the following categories:
Featured Adventures
