Grizzlies in the Mist

Pretty easy walking, and not terribly far. Some days we might walk 2-3 miles (total), other days we might walk 1. Rarely would we cover more ground than this. If you can walk, you’re good.

It can be, but not terribly so. By late August bugs have started to dwindle in Alaska. We’ll have some gnats, called White-sox, which can be a pain. Bring a headnet and mosquito repellent.

Everything sans your sleeping bag. We provide robust 4-season tents, comfortable sleeping pads and a pillow, electric fence around camp, portable “outie” (outhouse), and all your food, kitchenware, etc.

Due to weight restrictions for the flights, tents may have to be shared (not usually; we haven’t hit weight limits in nearly ten years now; so it’s rare). Exceptions can be possible, so don’t hesitate to ask.

You bring your sleeping bag, your clothes, and camera gear.

Yes, you do. Hip boots are not what I advise. You want a good pair of waders and walking shoes or boots for them. We’ll send you info on that topic.

Yes. This is a remote, off the grid backcountry camp; but we will bring a battery pack and solar panels. That said, power is not infinite, so don’t bring all your accoutrements. Keep it minimal. And bring extra batteries.

Some folks will also bring a portable solar panel and set it up in camp which can work well. But my recommendation is always to bring enough battery power to get you through the trip.

Alaska weather is really all over the map. It might be sunny and 65 it might be 40˚F and raining. In 2018 we had frost 4 mornings in a row.

The Katmai Coast can rain, so be prepared. We’ll send you a full detailed info packet for what to bring.

It would be highly unlikely that it’ll be cold enough to snow.

It varies. We have a comprehensive food info form all guests complete and then we make decisions on what to prep based on the input we get from guests. Obviously some limitations will apply and we can’t meet all requests; but we do an excellent job of accommodating various food allergies and restrictions and diets, etc.

From 2025, a typical menu might include

Breakfast

• Hashbrowns with local AK eggs & bacon
• French toast with local sausage
• Local yogurt, fresh berries, granola
• Ham & cheese quiche
• Pumpkin date oatmeal

Lunch

• Lemon chicken orzo soup
• Turkey & Swiss wraps with fruit & chips
• AK brats, potato salad, pickles
• Greek quinoa salad
• Tortellini tomato soup

Dinner

• Carnitas tacos with rice & refried beans
• Lasagne w/ local beef
• Balsamic chicken w/ risotto & fresh green beans
• Beef teriyaki w/ jasmine rice & broccoli
• Shrimp curry w/ rice & veggies

You’ll eat well. Some folks even joke we should have our very own “Katmai Fat Bear Competition”.

Snacktime!

We call it “bearkfast”.

Cinnamon rolls.

Lasagna coming up!

Chicken stir fry.

Cheesecake.

Well, this could be quite a discussion. And it varies somewhat, year to year. Trips change and situations change really a bit more rapidly and frequently than you imagine. But this post will hopefully help clarify some of the differences between each of our brown bear tours a bit.

I’ll mention each trip and then outline a few of the factors unique to that trip as well as what some of the differences might be:

Alaska Brown Bears and Coastal Wildlife

The Brown Bears and Coastal Wildlife Tour is NOT a camping trip. On this tour we stay on board a 100′ boat and are well taken care of by Captain Johnny and his crew. Great people.

You can charge your batteries, laptop, etc as well as yourself on the comforts of Johnny’s boat.

We travel stretches of the Katmai Coast, going to shore each day to photograph the bears. We typically go to at least 2 or 3 different bays, but this does depend on weather, conditions, bear activity, etc, etc.

This trip we also aim to find some other creatures; primarily marine mammals like seals and sea otter, as well as eagles. We’ve had some decent luck with wolves on this tours as well. Superb backgrounds and mountain scenery.

Hiking and difficulty level is low. This trip works well for most folks, beginners to experienced, and you do not need to be in great shape.

Departs from and returns to Kodiak, AK.

Grizzlies in the Fall Tour

The Grizzlies in the Fall Tour is the most “luxurious of those, with (limited) National Park Service services available, and some infrastructure to help your comfort somewhat. An outhouse, covered shelters, etc. It’s pretty comfortable and easy camping conditions for just about anyone. Being later in the year it is likely to be the cooler of the tours.

We spend some time in the river, but due recent park service changes and increasing visitation levels we don’t do that as much as we used to.

This trip works great for instruction and learning photography. Non-hikers and those with mild mobility concerns will be OK on this trip. But you can expect to walk several miles each day. The walking is generally pretty decent (i.e., not challenging).

Great for bear portraits, cubs and great big fat bears.

Yes you can recharge you camera gear.

Excellent for camera and photography instruction and more of a workshop today.

Departs from and returns to King Salmon, AK.

Grizzlies in the Mist

The Grizzlies in the Mist Tour is as remote as remote gets, no infrastructure or services or facilities of any kind. Camping is primitive, not designated sites or anything. No outhouse, etc.

Photography is excellent. Shallow waters, smaller creeks and hungry bears combined with abundant spawning salmon equal excellent photo opportunities for bears chasing salmon. Very, very few people or plane traffic. Incredible mountain backdrops. Have had some luck with wolves on this trip, but not something I specifically promote it for. They’re a treat that appears as they choose.

Hiking is easy-moderate.

Coastal Alaska can be wet, and it can be cold; we’ve had frosts at least twice here.

You have to be battery power independent.

Departs from and returns to Homer, AK.

Brown Bears of Summer

The Bears of Summer Tour is another remote wilderness setting. No infrastructure of any kind.

The photography is great. Bears chasing salmon. Big bears, little bears, awesome backdrops and Alaska wilderness scenery.

More human traffic than the grizzlies in the mist trip. Mostly fishermen, but some bear viewing and photography tours as well. Camping is primitive.

Hiking is variable. It can work well for those a bit out of shape, but works really well if we have a group of people who can walk and be mobile. We may not have to, but it’s always nice to have that option.

Weather can be windy, but generally isn’t terribly cold.

Departs from and returns to King Salmon, AK.

General Brown bear photo tours

All these tours are in Katmai National Park. None of them involve backpacking with camping gear. All can be buggy, but generally none of them are even what I would call “moderate” for bugs. Everything’s relative though.

There’s no way this kind of short post can answer all your questions, but hopefully this outlines most of the significant differences between each of these brown bear photo tours.

If you want a deeper dive and comparison for our bear tours, you should definitely check out this page.

Every photo tour is different. Some are hotel-based in Fairbanks, others involve camping at remote bear locations or chartering private boats.

What’s always included

1. Professional guide service (25+ years experience, Wilderness First Responder certified)
2. All accommodations (hotels, camping, or boat-based depending on trip)
3. Safety equipment (satellite communication, comprehensive first aid)
4. Photography instruction and field assistance
5. All necessary permits and access fees

What varies by trip

1. Meals: Included on most bear tours and remote trips. Not included on hotel-based tours in Fairbanks or Haines where restaurants are available.
2. Transportation: Bush flights, boat charters, and ground transport are included when required for the trip. Your flight to/from Alaska is not.

What We Don’t Include

1. Airfare to Alaska
2. Alcohol
3. Trip insurance (we recommend it and suggest you call Travelex.)
4. Guide gratuities
5. Personal and camera gear

Check the specific trip page for exact details on what’s provided.

Reserving your place on a trip requires a 50% deposit. Deposits are non-refundable. All trips MUST be paid in full 45 days prior to the scheduled departure date.

If the client cancels on a trip paid in full, 80% of the price can be deferred and applied to another trip that is scheduled to occur within the next 12 months, provided that all three of the following occurs: 

i) Expeditions Alaska, LLC is able to fill the cancelled spot,
ii) Expeditions Alaska LLC is able to fill the the trip that the client cancelled on, and
iii) 30 days (or more) notice is given.

If a client cancels a trip and Expeditions Alaska is not able to completely fill that trip, regardless of the number of original participants in that trip, Expeditions Alaska will not defer or refund any portion of the cancelling client’s payment. 

Expeditions Alaska, LLC cannot guarantee that a spot will be available on a scheduled trip in the next 12 months.  If no spot is available and you cannot use your deposit in those 12 months, the deposit is forfeited and non-refundable. 

If cancellation is within 30 days of the trip, only 50% of the fee can be carried over to a future trip. The remainder is forfeited and non-refundable.

No refunds, credit, or other reimbursements are given for cancellations within 14 days of the trip departure. 

Expeditions Alaska, LLC reserves the right to cancel and/or modify the itinerary of a trip for any reason. If Expeditions Alaska cancels a trip you will be refunded your payment in full, minus a $250 administrative fees plus any unrecoverable deposits Expeditions Alaska, LLC made to organize the trip.  If Expeditions Alaska cancels changes the date of a trip and you can no longer attend, you will be refunded your payment, minus a $250 administrative fees plus any unrecoverable deposits Expeditions Alaska, LLC made to organize the trip. 


If weather or other factors delay or impede your trip, there will be no refund of fees. Expeditions Alaska, LLC is not responsible for any other costs incurred by the client as a result of the cancellation, delay, or modification of a trip.

Additional costs incurred through weather delays and itinerary changes are the responsibility of the client.

Additional costs incurred by the client, such as changes to flights or additional costs, etc, are the sole responsibility of the client.

* May be Trip dependent. See trip details on each page regarding the terms for the photo tour you are interested in.

I know you do. As well you should.

I recommend starting with the General Trip FAQ page

More questions? Email me or call me  if you like.

Upon your reservation I’ll send out a comprehensive trip information packet that covers just about everything and more you might imagine about your trip.