Alaskan Coastal Wolves & Bears Photography Tour
Imagine coastal wolves slamming salmon alongside giant brown bears in a private, remote corner of the Aleutian Islands. This is no ordinary trip. This is a front-row seat to one of nature’s most elusive and powerful spectacles—far from the crowds, far from the ordinary.
Join us for a six-day, six-night all-inclusive adventure at the edge of the world. This photography tour is centered around rare coastal wolves as they hunt salmon at the mouth of a stunning bay, framed by dramatic mountain backdrops. While wolves are our primary focus, the area is rich with wildlife—expect to see a dozen or more brown bears daily, fishing and roaming the same coastline.
You’ll also have opportunities to photograph seals, whales, puffins, eagles and a diversity of coastal and pelagic birds.
What sets this trip apart? Exclusive access. Our location is on 32,000 acres of private land, with no boardwalks, no time limits, and no competing groups. Just six guests per week. That means unhurried, intimate encounters with coastal wolves that are almost never seen—let alone photographed—in the wild.
This trip offers an unforgettable experience, but it is not suited for everyone. Guests must be both mentally and physically prepared for a remote and rustic adventure. The Aleutians are known for strong winds and heavy rain, which can result in weather delays and limited time in the field. Accommodations are simple and shared, with bunk-style primitive cabins, and bathroom facilities consist of an outhouse.
This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for those who are adventurous, to capture raw Alaska at its wildest. Apply today to join us.
Trip Overview
2026 Dates:
29 Aug - 04 Sep 2026 (Space available)
12 Sep - 18 Sep 2026 (Space available)
Click here to apply for this trip
Participation on this trip is by application only. Because this experience is not suited for everyone, we carefully review each application to ensure the right fit. Spots are granted based on suitability and in the order applications are received.
Tour Price: $7500
Tour Start/End Location: Cold Bay, Alaska
Accomodations: Rustic cabins at a remote camp
Group Size: 6 Guests
Fitness Level: Moderate
There will be hiking over mostly flat terrain, walking through water
There is a long, waist-high water crossing - guests must be sure footed
Must be able to sit quietly for hours at a time waiting for wolf activity
What’s Included:
Transportation to/from Cold Bay and our accomodations
Camp accomodations
Daily wolf & bear excursions
Freshly cooked meals
Not Included:
Flights to/from your home location and Cold Bay, Alaska
Accommodations before/after the trip
What Sets This Trip Apart
This isn’t just another bear tour. It’s an expedition to one of the most remote and wildlife-rich coastlines in Alaska—accessible only through exclusive permission to private land on the Aleutian Islands. Here’s what truly sets this experience apart:
Unparalleled Wildlife Encounters
Few places on earth offer the chance to photograph both brown bears and coastal wolves fishing in the same waters. While wolves are notoriously elusive elsewhere, this location provides an exceptional opportunity to observe them in the wild, alongside nearly a dozen of brown bears each day.
Exclusive Access, Zero Competition
We operate on private land where no other groups are allowed. That means no boardwalks, no time restrictions, and no crowds. Just you, five other guests, and the freedom to spend unhurried hours immersed in the action.
Small Group, Big Moments
With a maximum of six guests per week, our group stays nimble and low-impact. You’ll have ample space for photography, more personal guidance, and a front-row seat to the wildlife without jockeying for position.
Truly Remote Wilderness
This is the end of the road—literally. We’re deep in the Aleutians, far beyond where most tours operate. The landscapes are dramatic and untouched, with volcanic peaks, tidal estuaries, and a raw, wild energy that few travelers ever get to experience.
Photographer-Led, Purpose-Built
This trip is designed for photographers, by photographers. We prioritize lighting, angles, behavior, and positioning to help you capture powerful images in world-class conditions.
This is not a tour for the casual visitor. It’s for those who want to go beyond the ordinary—to chase the rare, the raw, and the real Alaska.
What you can Expect:
Day 1: Arrival & Transfer to Camp
Arrive in Cold Bay, Alaska, where your adventure begins. From here, we’ll embark on a 1.5-hour boat ride to our private, camp nestled on the remote coast of the Aleutian Islands. Keep your camera ready—along the way, we may encounter sea otters, seals, or even orcas and humpback whales. Upon arrival at camp, we'll settle into our primitive accommodations and waste no time—wildlife is often right at our doorstep. If conditions allow, we’ll head out for an afternoon or evening shoot to kick off the trip with our first encounters.
Days 2–5: Full Days of Photography & Exploration
Each day brings new light, new moments, and new wildlife behavior. We’ll focus on photographing coastal wolves and brown bears as they fish for salmon in the tidal bays—often just yards apart. These are full, immersive days spent in the field, with our movements guided by animal activity and light.
We will sit along the estuary in a blind-style manner each morning and evening, when wolf activity is best. This consists of sitting quietly for several hours. Wolf activity is greatly altered by human movements; therefore, the best encounters come when guests are able to sit quietly and allow the action to unfold.
During mid-day, we will be able to explore nearby coves, photograph harbor seals hauled out on the beaches, eagles perched on nearby branches, and a rich variety of seabirds and shorebirds. We can take a short boat ride to a large puffin colony to photograph both horned and tufted puffins.
Between outings, enjoy hearty, home-cooked meals back at camp and time to relax, review images, or simply take in the wilderness.
Day 6: Departure
After a final hearty breakfast, we’ll pack up and return to Cold Bay by boat. If conditions allow, we may enjoy a few last wildlife sightings on the return journey. Depart Cold Bay with memory cards full and stories to last a lifetime.
FAQ
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Contact us to talk through any additional questions you may have.
Participation on this trip is by application only. Because this experience is not suited for everyone, we carefully review each application to ensure the right fit. Spots are granted based on suitability and in the order applications are received.
If your application is accepted, your spot will be secured once the online registration form is completed and the deposit has been collected.
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We will be in remote cabins on the Aleutian Islands, building these cabins was no small feat! However, this also means we do need to share accomodations. We will be staying in rustic cabins with 2 shared bunk rooms. There are 3 beds to a room. There is potential that individuals of the opposite sex may share a bunk room.
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Getting to Cold Bay is simple!
Book your flight from your home airport to the Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport. Then book a separate flight from the Anchorage airport to Cold Bay with Aleutian Airways. There are typically only 1 or 2 flights per week, so please book your flights as early as possible. We will provide information on what flight to book. These flights typically run from $1200 to $1500.
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Physical difficulty of this workshop is moderate.
We will be wearing waders for all our excursions which to allow us to walk through water, mud, etc.
There is a long, waist-high water crossing - guests must be sure footed.
Guests must also be able to sit quietly for hours at a time waiting for wolf activity.
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Absoluely! We have many people join our trips who want to come and enjoy this incredible experience. Guests are welcome to join us on our excursions each day or kick back at our accomdations.
All guests are responsible for full tour tuition regardless of whether or not they are a photographer.
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Starlink WIFI is available at the camp. There is no cellular service.
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This tour takes place on private property, along the coast of the Aleutian Islands. This is a very, very remote location.
The accomodations are primitive and rustic. We have 2 bunkhouses with 3 beds in each. The restroom is an outhouse. Showers are not available at this time.
Why KAR Safaris?
At KAR Safaris, we’re different — and proud of it. We’re deeply passionate about what we do, and we bring a warm, welcoming spirit to every tour. Our trips are filled with laughter, camaraderie, and profound wildlife experiences that leave lasting impressions. We work hard to make sure you know exactly what to expect before you join us — no surprises, except the good kind! Genuine and honest to a fault, we believe in under-promising and over-delivering at every turn.
When you travel with us, you’re treated like a good friend, not just another client. We understand that every guest is different. Whether you just want to enjoy the wildlife or are a serious photographer, and we cater to your individual needs — offering personalized instruction if you want it, or simply giving you the space to enjoy the experience if you don’t. Our commitment is simple: create unforgettable experiences, built on trust, kindness, and a shared love of the natural world.
Have a small group or want a more exclusive experience? Ask about setting up a custom tour. From day trips to week long adventures, we can make your dream photography adventure a reality.
We recommend trip insurance for all of our tours and trips.