Tour Overview:
At BearPhoto, we’re always on the hunt for thrilling new ways to experience and photograph bears in their natural habitat, but this trip takes it to the next level. Imagine standing just metres away from grizzly bears, set against the breathtaking backdrop of towering volcanic mountains and wild coastlines, collectively setting the stage for an unforgettable adrenaline-packed adventure of a lifetime!
Visiting Alaska during the short summer season, we will focus on photographing the bears as they take advantage of the ever-changing landscape to feed. Working along the shorelines of this vast wilderness, we will be very much tide-oriented, and just like the bears, will descend to the tidal flats for low tide to experience the bears as they dig for clams. Once the tide recedes, we will follow the bears up into the meadows, where they feed on the lush grass and sedges, providing unparalleled photographic opportunities in dramatic natural settings.
We have carefully selected our travel dates to align with the peak of the bear mating season, ensuring an incredible opportunity to witness some of the most fascinating and dynamic wildlife behaviours of the year. During this time, male bears are particularly active as they roam vast areas in search of receptive females, often engaging in dramatic displays of dominance and persistence. Visitors can expect to observe a wide range of courtship behaviours, from scent marking and vocalizations to competitive interactions between rival males. This rare glimpse into the bears' natural mating rituals promises a truly memorable and educational experience.
Working alongside some of the very best bear biologists and guides in Alaska, we will be using specialist ATVs so that we can safely navigate the untouched wilderness, responding quickly to any bear sightings. Between our sessions in the field, we will return to our comfortable guesthouse where delicious meals await.
Group Size: 8 People
2027: June 17th - 22nd - FULLY BOOKED
Tour location: Alaska
Tour Cost: £5,995
Cost Includes:
✅ Private chartered flights from/to Anchorage
✅ National Park fees and permits
✅ Local guides and ATV transport in the field
✅ All meals at basecamp inc breakfast, lunch and dinner
✅ Accomdation at Lake Clark National Park
Cost excludes:
❌ Internatinal Airline Flights
❌ Travel Insurance
❌ Local guide gratuities
❌ ESTA Application (If Applicable)
Meet The Guide
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KYLE MOORE
Kyle Moore is a multi-award-winning nature photographer and wildlife guide based in the UK. Renowned for his work with bears across the globe, Kyle has documented species in some of the planet’s most remote and rugged environments, from the Alaskan wilderness and Canada’s Arctic tundra in pursuit of Polar Bears, to the dense boreal forests of Finland in pursuit of the elusive European Brown Bear.
His powerful imagery and deep understanding of wildlife have led to collaborations with national tourism boards, major broadcasters including the BBC, and, most recently, a global campaign for Samsung promoting their latest mobile phone technology. Kyle’s photographs are represented by some of the world’s leading photographic stock agencies and are widely published in international media.
Base Camp
Our basecamp for the duration of the tour is a beautiful homestead lodge, nestled at the foot of snow-capped mountains and surrounded by the vast, untouched wilderness of Lake Clark National Park. Despite its remote location, the lodge offers everything needed for a comfortable stay, including private rooms, a spacious dining area, and communal living spaces, perfect for relaxing or discussing plans for the days ahead.
During our stay, we’ll enjoy freshly prepared meals crafted by the local chef, featuring produce from the garden, sustainably sourced ingredients, and delicious homemade breads and desserts.
Although we are deep in the wilderness, the lodge provides reliable WiFi and phone service, allowing for web browsing and calls if needed. Accessible only by plane or boat—with the nearest road hundreds of kilometres away, this is a truly wild experience, delivered with exceptional comfort.
Daily Itinerary
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Wednesday 16th: If you’re arriving from an international destination, you will likely reach Anchorage late on the 16th. An overnight stay in Anchorage is necessary to prepare for an early departure on the 17th.
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Thursday 17th June: After an overnight stay in Anchorage, we’ll meet as a group at the local airfield to begin our adventure. Here, we’ll board our privately chartered bush planes bound for Lake Clark. The flight takes approximately one hour and is an unforgettable experience in itself, offering stunning aerial views of vast wilderness, volcanic peaks, and ancient glaciers.
We’ll land directly on the shoreline, where our local guides will greet us and assist with transferring both guests and luggage via ATVs to our comfortable and welcoming lodge. Lunch will be served shortly after arrival, and then we’ll head straight into the field for our first session tracking and photographing Brown bears!
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Friday 18th - Monday 21st June: Our primary focus in the days ahead is to spend as much time in the field as possible, maximising photographic opportunities with the brown bears. Each day begins at 06:00 as we head out to capture the first light. After a productive morning session, we return to base around 08:00 for a hearty breakfast before heading back into the field to continue tracking the bears.
At 13:00, we break for lunch—a chance to recharge and discuss plans for the afternoon. The entire afternoon will be spent in the field, allowing ample time to observe and photograph the bears. Our schedule will be tide-dependent, aligning our sessions with low tide, when the bears venture onto the mudflats in search of clams.
Dinner is served around 6:30 PM, offering another chance to recharge and offload memory cards before the final outing of the day. These post-dinner hours are a personal favourite - the sun sits low in the sky, casting a warm, golden light that’s perfect for photography. We’ll make the most of this magical time with the bears, returning to base around 10:00 PM for a well-earned rest.
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Tuesday 22nd: Our final day offers one last opportunity to spend the morning with the bears. As usual, we’ll head into the field at 06:00, making the most of the early light before returning for breakfast around 08:00. After breakfast, there will be a short window to complete any last-minute packing and prepare for our return flight to Anchorage. We will be transfered to the beach by ATV’s once again, where we will catch the bushplane back to town.
For those with international flights home, especially with European connections, we strongly recommend booking an additional overnight stay in Anchorage at the end of the tour. Due to the time zone difference and the length of the flight, travelers departing Anchorage on the 23rd will arrive home in Europe on the 24th.
Due to the remote nature of our location, bush plane flights can occasionally be delayed by weather conditions. An extra night in Anchorage adds a valuable buffer to ensure you don’t miss your onward flight.
Frequent questions
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Throughout the duration of this tour, we’ll be getting very close to the bears, so we recommend bringing a range of lenses to suit various photographic styles. An ideal focal length setup would include lenses ranging from 24mm to 500mm, allowing for both wide environmental shots and detailed close-ups.
Tripods can sometimes hinder mobility, as we’ll often need to react quickly to bear activity. Instead, we recommend using a high-quality ground pod for stability and flexibility in the field.
A comprehensive list of recommended equipment is included in our detailed itinerary, which we’re happy to send upon request.
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Although we’ll be visiting Alaska during the summer months, the weather can be highly unpredictable - and often very wet. We recommend packing a variety of warm, weatherproof clothing to ensure comfort in all conditions. When working along the coastline, the wind can be particularly cold, so a high-quality base layer and durable outer shell are essential.
A full packing list is included in our detailed trip itinerary, which we’re happy to provide upon request.
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Our tour will commence on 17th June, when we’ll meet at a local airfield in Anchorage to board our privately chartered bush plane to Lake Clark.
Prior to this, you’ll need to arrange your own international flights to Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport. This route is served by several major airlines, including Virgin Atlantic, Delta, British Airways, and KLM, among others.
We will provide guidance on recommended flights before you book, helping ensure you secure the best value and most convenient travel times.
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Although our basecamp is located in a remote area, the lodge staff are incredibly accommodating and happy to cater to any specific dietary requirements.
Prior to departure, all guests will be asked to complete a general contact form. This provides an opportunity to inform us of any dietary needs, allergies, or medical conditions we should be aware of to ensure your comfort and safety throughout the tour.
HOW TO BOOk
If you wish to secure your place on this tour, please follow the ‘book now’ tab below and follow the instructions to make a booking via our secure online portal. Alternatively we can accept bookings manually, via email with deposits made by means of a BACS. Bookings can only be considered valid once a deposit (per-person) has been received. Please ensure you have carefully read all relevant tour itineraries and terms of business prior to booking. If you have any questions, please email us at info@bearphoto.co.uk
Have a Question About This Tour?
We’re here to help! If you have any questions about this tour, including availability, itinerary, special requests, or anything else, please complete the contact form. One of our team members will get back to you as soon as possible. We look forward to helping you plan your perfect adventure!