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Alaska: Bears of the Katmai Coast
Experience some of the best brown bear viewing in the world on this small boat cruise along the spectacular and remote coast of Alaska’s Katmai National Park and Preserve. In this remote wilderness, it’s possible to see up to 30 bears in just a few hours—almost like viewing lions on the Serengeti plains! This is a part of Alaska most people never see, and our adventure here is an experience of true wilderness, but with all the comforts of home. By day you’ll venture ashore along isolated beaches and into rugged inland meadow valleys in search of brown bears and other wildlife. Nights find you relaxing in the comfort of either the M/V Kittiwake II or the Alaskan Leader. You'll find either ship an ideal home base for exploring the rugged Katmai coast. Before the cruise, you’ll spend a day kayaking the coast of Kodiak Island with a chance to spot harbor seals, sea otters, and shore birds.
TRIP HIGHLIGHTS
- Enjoy some of the best close-up (and safe) bear viewing in Alaska in Katmai National Park and Preserve
- Travel by float plane and expedition cruise ship—no camping!
- Kayak the shores of Kodiak Island, with its high diversity of wildlife, including shorebirds, harbor seals, and whales
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Itinerary: Alaska - Bears of the Katmai Coast
Day 1 - Arrive in Kodiak, Alaska.
Day 2 - Head out to explore one of Kodiak's most unique locations—Anton Larsen Bay. You’ll be dropped off at the kayak launch for a spectacular paddle by sea kayak, with frequent sightings of Arctic Terns and Parakeet Auklets, and a chance to spot fin whales from a distance! (Note—kayaking is optional; you can elect to explore Kodiak instead.) Return to Kodiak.
Day 3 - Fly by floatplane over the coastal wilderness of Katmai National Park. Along the way you’ll have scenic views of recent volcanoes, huge glaciers, and possibly pods of whales swimming below. Once at the coast, you’ll meet up with our boat, the M/V Kittiwake II or the Alaskan Leader, and after settling in, hit the beach for our first trip ashore and our first look at the Katmai brown bear.
Days 4-5 - Cruise along the coast, stopping off at isolated bays where we’ll put ashore to hike and view magnificent brown bears. Mid- summer we’ll find them congregating at the salmon-rich streams and rivers of the Alaska Range or perhaps at a nearby pristine waterfall. It’s not uncommon to see up to a few dozen bears at a time, and because there are ample food sources, the bears are tolerant of one another (and us) and grow accustomed to seeing humans watching them. After a day filled with activity, it’s back to the ship for a nice hot shower and a gourmet meal.
Day 6 - After a morning of bear viewing, fly back to Kodiak by float plane in the mid-afternoon.
Day 7 - Depart Kodiak.

Detailed Itinerary - Alaska: Bears of the Katmai Coast
1. Download detailed itinerary in a PDF format
2008 Detailed Itinerary
2009 Detailed Itinerary
(PDF files require that you have Adobe Acrobat Reader installed. This program can be downloaded for free from the Adobe Website.)
2. Or email us your itinerary request at sales@mtsobek.com
3. Or call us at 1-888-831-7526 (USA and Canada) or (510) 594-6000
We’ll email you a copy (Word or Acrobat document), fax, or mail you the itinerary as you prefer.
For more information and reservations, please contact:
Mountain Travel Sobek
1266 66th Street, Suite 4
Emeryville, CA 94608 USA
Toll Free (USA and Canada): 1-888-831-7526
Phone: +1-510-594-6000
Fax: + 1-510-594-6001
Email: info@mtsobek.com
Photo Credits
©John Olson; ©MTS Photo File
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