One Day Bear Viewing Adventure

Where else can you take a scenic floatplane trip, sea kayak into a rainforest wilderness, have an excellent opportunity to see Alaskan brown bears, and be back in a capital city in time for dinner? This one-day excursion is extraordinary!

This full-day adventure begins early in the morning. We pick you up in downtown Juneau, outfit you with gear, then head out on a 25-minute scenic floatplane flight to Windfall Island in the Admiralty Island National Monument. From there, we sea kayak to the edge of the Pack Creek Brown Bear Sanctuary. A short beach walk brings us to the mouth of Pack Creek, where we hope to see Alaskan brown bear fishing for salmon or feeding in the beach meadows. We may also take a marvelous 1.5 mile hike through the old-growth coastal rainforest to an observation tower on upper Pack Creek.

No experience is necessary, but be prepared for easy hiking and sea kayaking, and possible inclement weather (we provide rain gear). There are no facilities of any kind in this wilderness area. Trips book early, so call soon to ensure space on this most amazing one-day adventure. Begins and ends in Juneau.

Begins and ends in Juneau - From 7 AM to 5 PM
Cost: $550 (3-10 guests)

Admiralty Island
Three Day Bear Viewing Adventure

The Tlingit People call the island Kootznoowoo - "Fortress of the Bears." Admiralty Island is a lush rainforest wilderness with the world's largest population of nesting bald eagles and more brown bears per square mile than anywhere in the world. You will not easily forget the "Fortress of the Bears" once you have camped under its lush canopy, paddled sea kayaks along its shores, explored its ancient forests, and watched its brown bears feasting on migrating salmon. This rainforest paradise is the crown jewel of the Tongass National Forest. Our July and August trips coincide with the bountiful annual salmon runs, creating superb bear watching opportunities. In June, watch for bears grazing in the meadows adjacent to Pack Creek. The trip includes the much sought-after permits to visit the world-famous Stan Price Bear Sanctuary at Pack Creek, where we spend a full day watching for brown bears as they lope up and down the creek in pursuit of salmon. Due to limited permits for the bear sanctuary, these trips fill early. Begins and ends in Juneau.

DETAILED ITINERARY:

Day 1 - We begin the morning with an early morning orientation meeting in Juneau. We then head to the airport pond, where we board floatplanes for a scenic flight down the Inside Passage to Admiralty Island, landing on a secluded beach. We will set up camp a few miles from the sanctuary. After lunch and a kayak lesson, we will begin exploring this fascinating wilderness. You may find time to walk the beach, view the diverse marine and bird life, or just gaze across the inlet to the stunning coastal mountains while your guides cook a fresh and delicious dinner.

Day 2 - We rise early and prepare for our visit to the Stan Price Brown Bear Sanctuary at Pack Creek. Paddling toward the world of the brown bear is a superb way to experience the entire ecosystem. We will spend a full day watching for bears. We hope to see several bears, including family groups with playful cubs. Bears are best viewed at the mouth of Pack Creek, but we may also take the beautiful forest hike to the observation tower on the upper river where bears may be fishing right below us.

Day 3 - After another night in our wilderness campsite, we will have a relaxing morning until our floatplane takes us on another beautiful flight over the northern end of Admiralty Island and back to Juneau. We will arrive in Juneau by noon, and the trip ends with a transfer to your hotel or other destination.

Bears of Admiralty Island
Bear Viewing/ Sea Kayaking
3 days: Begins/ends in Juneau
Cost: $985 (3-10 guests)

For reservations, contact the Goldbelt Tour Center at
(800) 820-2628 or (907) 586-8687.
tourcenter@goldbelt.com