Social And Environmental Impact

As you embark on an unforgettable adventure to Alaska with us, you will play a vital role in conservation efforts led by Friends For The Wild. By joining our trip, you are directly supporting initiatives that protect bears and nurture the lands and communities of this majestic region.

Learn more here
friendsforthewild.org

Hosted By

Blake Moynes and Charlee Wild and guided by expert bear guide Casey Cooper. Together we’ll stay in a remote campsite and enjoy up-close encounters with bears in their natural habitat. Enhance your adventure with an optional photography and editing workshop and capture breathtaking moments in one of the world’s most stunning landscapes.

Blake Moynes

Host

Charlee Wild

Host & Photographer

Casey Cooper

Bear Guide

Trip Overview

LOCATION

Alaska, USA

WHEN
Trip 1:

June 15th - 19th 2025

(SOLD OUT)


Trip 2:

June 18th - 22nd 2025


Trip 3:

June 21st - 25th 2025

DURATION

5 Days, 4 Nights

Hosts:

Blake Moynes & Charlee Wild

Guide:

Casey Cooper

Group Size:

8 Guests

Accommodation:

1 night hotel or similar, 3 nights remote campsite

Physical Rating:

Active - Hikes / long walks (10,000 - 20,000 steps a day)

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Alaska, USA

Payment Options:

1. Wire Transfer
2. Online Payment + 2.9% processing fee

Includes:

  • Flights and transportation from Kodiak to The Bear Coast
  • 1 night stay at a hotel or Airbnb in Kodiak
  • Camp Accommodations
  • All meals and non-alcoholic beverages
  • Exclusive Gear Package
  • Guided tour with experienced bear guide
  • Daily bear viewing experience 
  • Endless wildlife photography opportunities

Excludes:

  • Airfare
  • Trip Insurance (required) 
  • Gratuities
  • Alcohol or alcoholic beverages
  • Transportation outside the provided activities & airport transfers
  • Any additional booking requests or activities outside of the listed program
  • Any accommodations outside of the booking dates

Cost:
$6,500 USD/person
A portion of trip fees supports Friends For the Wild.

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A Once-in-a-Lifetime Wild Alaskan Bear Experience

Up - Close Wildlife Encounters

Experience majestic brown bears in their natural habitat and witness unforgettable moments as they graze, court, and roam the meadows.

Untouched Wilderness

Explore the breathtaking beauty of Alaska’s pristine countryside, from rugged coastlines to lush grassy meadows.

Support Conservation Efforts

Your participation directly contributes to vital wildlife conservation initiatives that protect Alaska’s bears and ecosystems.

Optional Photography Workshop

Join a photography masterclass led by wildlife photographer Charlee Wild and capture stunning images of bears and Alaskan landscapes.

Exclusive Access to Bear Camps

Stay in a remote camp located in the heart of bear country, far from tourist crowds.

Expert Guides and Conservationists

Learn from bear guide Casey Cooper who will provide fascinating insights into bear behavior and ecosystem preservation

Alaskan Wildlife Beyond Bears

While bears are the stars, keep an eye out for wolves, eagles, and marine life as you hike along beaches and explore the wilderness.

Small Group Experience

Enjoy intimate bear-viewing moments with a limited number of guests, ensuring a personalized and respectful wildlife experience.

Arrival Day

Day 1

  • 1 night stay at a hotel or Airbnb in Kodiak
  • Welcome Dinner – Savor dinner while mingling with fellow guests.
  • Orientation and safety briefing – Meet your liaison who will provide an overview of the days ahead. Get ready for a week of jaw-dropping bear encounters and immersive experiences!

Day 2

  • Morning scenic flight to the Bear Coast (1.5 hours) – Take to the skies for a breathtaking flight over the untamed Alaskan wilderness. Soar over glaciers, rivers, and volcanoes as you make your way to the Bear Coast, renowned for its iconic bear populations.
  • Arrive at the Bear Coast – Touch down in one of the world’s most famous bear habitats. Upon arrival, settle into your wilderness camp
  • Camp orientation and bear safety brief – Learn the essentials of safely coexisting with the majestic bears as you prepare for the adventure of a lifetime.
  • Afternoon bear viewing – Your first chance to witness these powerful creatures in their natural habitat
  • Camp Dinner – Enjoy a hearty campfire meal as the sounds of the Alaskan wilderness surround you.
  • Optional sunset bear viewing – End the day with an optional evening stroll to catch the bears in the golden light of the Alaskan sunset. The perfect opportunity for photography enthusiasts.

Day 3

  • Morning hike & bear viewing – Start your day with a guided hike through rugged terrain, as you watch bears foraging and playing. The early morning light makes for spectacular photo ops!
  • Breakfast – Refuel with a delicious camp-cooked breakfast before continuing the adventure.
  • Interactive Educational Session – Learn from our wildlife guides about bear behavior, ecosystem dynamics, and the vital role the Bear Coast plays in preserving these species.
  • Lunch – A casual lunch in the wild.
  • Beach hike with bear and wolf sightings – Venture along remote beaches where you’ll not only encounter more bears but could also spot elusive wolves. Your guides will provide fascinating insights into their behaviors.
  • Dinner – After an exciting day, enjoy dinner under the stars.
  • Optional sunset bear viewing – Witness the magic of another Alaskan sunset as bears roam the horizon.

Day 4

  • Morning hike & bear viewing – Another chance to spot different bear families as you explore new trails around camp.
  • Campfire breakfast – Savor breakfast as you chat with guides and fellow guests about the day ahead.
  • Interactive Educational Session – Learn from our wildlife guides about bear behavior, ecosystem dynamics, and the vital role Katmai plays in preserving these species.
  • Lunch – Enjoy a meal in a beautiful outdoor setting.
  • Beach hiking with wildlife sightings – Explore more of the Bear Coast's rugged coastline with expert guides leading you to the best wildlife viewing spots. Expect to see more bears and maybe even a surprise visit from marine wildlife and wolves.
  • Farewell dinner – A celebratory final dinner in camp, where you’ll share stories, laughs, and memories with your fellow travelers.
  • Optional sunset bear viewing – Enjoy a final magical evening of bear-watching as the sun dips below the horizon.

Day 5

  • Final breakfast & bear viewing – Savor your last moments in this wild paradise with a peaceful morning spent with the bears.
  • Depart Camp – Bid farewell to the wilderness and begin your scenic flight back to Kodiak. Reflect on the life-changing encounters and conservation efforts you've been part of.
  • Flight back to Kodiak (1.5 hours) – One last look at the sweeping landscapes from above as you head back to civilization with unforgettable memories and a renewed commitment to wildlife conservation.

Discover the art of wildlife photography with Charlee, a world-renowned wildlife and outdoor photographer, during your expedition. Whether you’re a beginner needing to master camera settings or an experienced photographer looking to enhance your skills in composition and anticipating wildlife behavior, Charlee’s instruction is designed to provide valuable insights to all participants.

For participants eager to expand their expertise beyond the field, Charlee offers an exclusive one-on-one Zoom session after the trip ($499). This one-hour virtual workshop will cover her comprehensive editing process, from the initial organization of photos to the final steps of exporting for web or print. Charlee will not only share insights on transforming a simple snapshot into a striking work of art but will also offer a personalized review of one of your own images from the trip, providing step-by-step guidance on enhancing its artistic impact.

This session is an invaluable opportunity to hone your editing skills and advance your photographic storytelling. Take this chance to engage with Charlee’s extensive expertise and elevate your wildlife photography to unprecedented levels.

FRIENDS FOR THE WILD

As you embark on an unforgettable adventure to Alaska with us, you will play a vital role in conservation efforts led by Friends For The Wild. By joining our trip, you are directly supporting initiatives that protect bears and nurture the lands and communities of this majestic region.

How Your Participation Makes a Difference:

  • Bear and Salmon Conservation: A portion of every trip fee is allocated to projects that ensure the safety and health of bear and salmon populations in Alaska. These efforts include habitat preservation, research into bear behaviors, and interventions that prevent conflicts between bears and humans. Special emphasis is placed on supporting the dedicated scientists and researchers who work tirelessly to advance our understanding of bear conservation and management, ensuring that their findings help shape effective strategies for wildlife protection.
  • Supporting Local Communities: Friends For The Wild is committed to empowering the Yup’ik, Dena’ina, and Alutiiq peoples whose lands we will explore during the course of this trip. By fostering educational programs, supporting sustainable practices, and backing local conservation efforts, we help maintain the cultural and environmental heritage of these vital regions.
  • Ecosystem Preservation: Your journey contributes to broader ecological efforts that benefit all wildlife in Alaska, not just bears. By maintaining healthy forests, rivers, and coastal areas, we ensure that Alaska remains a pristine wilderness for generations to come.

As we navigate the path of conservation together, your adventure becomes a gateway to making tangible changes in the world. Friends For The Wild is here to channel your passion for nature into meaningful action that reverberates across the community and the wild landscapes we all cherish. Join us, and transform your travel into a legacy of conservation for the wild.

Learn more here
friendsforthewild.org

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