After a hearty breakfast, we fly in the world's most famous and Iconic float plane, the De Havilland Beaver. Destination Katmai National Park is only accessible by float plane. Landing at Brooks Lake to visit Brooks Falls, we will capture the iconic images of fish jumping up the falls, only to be greeted by the jaws of countless hungry bears. Brooks Falls is undoubtedly a sight worth seeing and a destination for many professional photographers.

On our flight back to the lodge, we will fly over the Valley of 10,000 Smokes, Mount Katmai, the giant caldera of Crater Lake, and Novarupta, with its many steaming volcanic vents and 30,000-year-old glaciers.

 By the time we arrive at the lodge, Hors d'Oeuvres will be waiting, followed shortly by another mouthwatering dinner, hot showers, and an image-sharing session.

After enjoying a hearty breakfast, we will board one of the lodge’s aircraft, and the adventure begins! One of the main things that sets our lodge apart from any other is our fleet of five aircraft. Capable of landing on rivers and lakes with our seaplanes and on beaches, gravel bars, and ridge tops with our tuned bush planes. Our planes, paired with our 12 boats, all set aside for the exclusive use of our guests, bring an unparalleled experience unlike any other lodge. We never have more than 12 guests at the lodge at the same time, ensuring your individual ability to make the most of your visit. 

Today, you’ve set out to capture images of coastal brown bears fishing in Katmai National Park. We will land in Katmai on a small alpine lake in one of the lodge’s De Havilland Beaver float planes.

After landing, your guide will lead you on a short 15-minute walk, where you will find the confluence of two creeks. There, we will spend the day filming and photographing bears on the creeks as they chase fish in the shallow water. Your guide has led bear viewing trips here since 1978 and knows the area intimately. He will ensure that you get the best images and viewing experience possible. 

After a day of  excitement watching countless bears fish, when your SD cards are full and your camera batteries are low, you will return to the plane and begin your short 18-minute flight back to the lodge. You will be greeted at the docks with the strong aroma of fresh smoked salmon, ready for eating. Only now are you faced with a tough decision: take a hot shower first or dive into the tasty Hors d’Oeuvres platter waiting in the lodge.

After dinner, we will again discuss what the next day will hold. We encourage everyone to share their prized photos or video clips from the day. With the blinds closed, the images can be displayed on a large-screen TV in the great room straight from your laptop. The lodge staff often joins in the background to see the amazing show. Dump your SD cards, recharge your cameras, and get ready for another day.

Today, you leave the lodge in the morning and arrive on the Katmai coast. The mission for today: photographing bears digging for clams on the shore and eating sedge grasses.

It is expected to see a wolf on or near this secluded beach. Today may require more walking than other days because the bears may be spread out along the tidal flats, digging clams, chasing salmon, or napping in the sedge grasses. With swans nesting in the salt grasses, eagles patrolling the cliffs and waters from above, and sea otters playing in the surrounding streams, you will be happy you brought back up SD cards. Caribou, moose, and bears are also expected to see along the way.

 A 40-minute flight back to the lodge will fly you low over the glaciers and ice fields of Mount Douglas. And, of course, a hot shower, Hors d’oeuvres, dinner, and fellowship will follow.

We fly to another secluded wilderness destination, the confluence of 2 creeks full of salmon. Again, landing on a small alpine lake in the lodge’s De Havilland Beaver float plane, we proceed with a 15-minute walk to the creek. Yet again, countless bears do their best to fill their bellies on Sockeye Salmon in the shallow water.

Today may even be more productive than Brooks Falls; early evening, when everyone is satisfied, you will wave your goodbyes to your newly found 600-pound furry friends and make your short flight back to the lodge.

Today is the last day of the trip. We are to fly to Twin Lakes to view and photograph the Dick Proenneke log cabin. (One Man’s Wilderness). You shoot photos while flying over the turquoise water of Lake Clark of the scenery, Dall sheep in the higher tundra, caribou, and glaciers of Lake Clark National Park.

The plane will touch down on Upper Twin Lake, a mere 100 yards from the historic homestead site built by Dick Proenneke. The park service has documented and preserved the history well. You will find no shortage of subjects to keep your camera clicking throughout the day. The glacier mountains are a sight few humans get to see.

 We return to the lodge at 3:00 PM; back at the lodge, there will be enough time to get a quick shower and change from your field clothes into something more comfortable before our staff will transport the group back to Iliamna Airport for the 6:00 PM flight back to Anchorage.

Departure Date-