Alaska Bear & Wildlife Adventure
Katmai + Lake Clark — private aircraft + boat mobility from a remote lodge basecamp.
Experience Overview
This is the photo safari of a lifetime — a premium, small-group Alaska expedition built for maximum wildlife time and maximum flexibility. We operate from a remote lodge base on Lake Iliamna and use private aircraft + boats to move with weather, light, and wildlife activity — so we're always in position.
Quick details
A good fit for
- Wildlife photographers who want real access + coaching.
- People who want a premium lodge base but true wilderness expedition days.
- Anyone who wants a small group and avoids crowded locations.
What's included
- All expedition transportation including to Iliamna, private planes and boats.
- 6 nights at a remote wilderness lodge (double occupancy).
- All meals during the adventure (B, L, D), including gourmet dinners.
- Professional photography instruction and guiding.
- Waders and boots for accessing rugged locations.
- Daily image reviews + coaching to tighten your results fast.
Not included
- Flights to/from Anchorage.
- Travel insurance — Global Rescue highly recommended.
- Alcoholic beverages and personal items.
- Guide & staff gratuities (avg. $500–$600).
- Single occupancy upgrade (+$1,000).
Next steps
Overview
A handcrafted photo safari into Alaska's wild heart. Limited to 5 photographers. With aircraft and boats at our disposal, we adapt to weather and wildlife activity to put you in position for extraordinary images — bears, coastlines, and remote landscapes included.
Highlights
- Handcrafted Alaska photo safari built for maximum wildlife time and maximum flexibility.
- Remote basecamp on the shores of Lake Iliamna — a gateway to a vast wilderness.
- Private charter flights + jet boats to reach remote hotspots and adapt to weather + wildlife activity.
- Katmai + Lake Clark access for iconic bear imagery and diverse wildlife opportunities.
- Ultra-small group for personalized coaching, positioning, and daily image review.
Itinerary
Arrive in Anchorage for an optional pre-trip meet-up.
Fly to our wilderness lodge near Katmai + Lake Clark. Dinner + orientation.
Daily charter flights (seaplane/bush plane) or jet boat to photograph bears + wildlife in secluded hotspots. Evenings include review + instruction.
Final morning shoot. Return to Anchorage from Iliamna.
What you'll learn
- Fast wildlife decision-making: exposure, AF strategy, timing, and behavior anticipation.
- Subject separation: angles, backgrounds, and distance control for cleaner frames.
- Story-driven sequences: portraits, action, interactions, environmental frames, and details.
- Field workflow: plan → shoot → quick review → adjust (so you improve daily).
- A simple, repeatable approach you can apply to any wildlife destination.
Why this experience matters
A handcrafted photo safari into Alaska's wild heart. Limited to 5 photographers. With aircraft and boats at our disposal, we adapt to weather and wildlife activity to put you in position for extraordinary images — bears, coastlines, and remote landscapes included.
Overview
A handcrafted photo safari into Alaska's wild heart. Limited to 5 photographers. With aircraft and boats at our disposal, we adapt to weather and wildlife activity to put you in position for extraordinary images — bears, coastlines, and remote landscapes included.
Experience details
Expedition snapshot
- Dates: Oct 1–8, 2026
- Location: Katmai, Alaska (Katmai + Lake Clark access)
- Cost: $9,880 • Deposit: $1,200
- Group size: Max 5 photographers
- Skill level: All levels • Physical level: Moderate
- Led by: Todd Nettelhorst
Why this destination matters
Why this access matters
- Lake Iliamna basecamp gives reach across a massive wilderness area.
- Private charter flights (seaplane/bush plane) + jet boats for rapid location changes.
- Flexibility to adapt to changing weather and wildlife activity for better shooting opportunities.
Possible birds & wildlife you'll see
Species and moments vary with conditions, seasonality, and access — that's why we keep aircraft and boats in the plan.
- Katmai National Park & McNeil River / Brooks Falls — iconic bear action when conditions align.
- Lake Clark National Park — glacial valleys, remote lakes, and wilderness variety.
- Coastal Alaska possibilities — grizzlies, walrus, wolves, and Dall sheep (conditions dependent).
What you'll photograph
This expedition is built around field time: bears in habitat, coastal drama, and remote Alaska scale — with mobility to chase the best light and activity.
- Brown bears and coastal grizzlies across Katmai and Lake Clark access.
- Environmental storytelling: coastlines, glacial valleys, and wilderness scale.
- Behavior and action: portraits, movement, interactions, and supporting details.
Wildlife opportunities
Private charter flights and jet boats are how we stay flexible — so we can respond when wildlife activity shifts.
- Lake Iliamna basecamp gives reach across a massive wilderness area.
- Private charter flights (seaplane/bush plane) + jet boats for rapid location changes.
- Flexibility to adapt to changing weather and wildlife activity for better shooting opportunities.
Lodging overview
6 nights at remote wilderness lodge (double occupancy). Single occupancy upgrade +$1,000
- 6 nights at remote wilderness lodge (double occupancy). Single occupancy upgrade +$1,000
Experience gallery
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