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Experience True Nature

Alaska

Wilderness Adventure Tours beyond Imagination

Join us for an unforgettable brown bear viewing adventure at the renowned “Fortress of the Bears” within the Pack Creek Bear Sanctuary, the premier coastal brown bear viewing area on Admiralty Island. Your day begins with a trip briefing and safety orientation lead by your experienced wilderness guide, followed with a breathtaking 25-minute floatplane flight to Pack Creek. Upon landing, you’ll be warmly greeted by the dedicated rangers of Pack Creek. Your guide will then lead you on a journey along the very paths the bears tread, guiding you through shoreline and forest trails to prime brown bear viewing locations.

Known as the “Fortress of the Bears,” Admiralty Island holds the Tlingit name Kootznoowoo, and it lives up to its title with an impressive brown bear population of approximately 1,800 brown bears. This island boasts one of the highest bear densities in the world, with roughly one brown bear per square mile. It’s home to about 10% of Alaska’s entire brown bear population, making it one of the most densely populated brown bear areas on the planet.

From the banks of Pack Creek, you’ll have the incredible opportunity to observe bears in their natural habitat, whether they’re clamming or foraging on beach greens, salmon fishing in the creek, or enjoying a nap in the tall grass. While we can’t guarantee wildlife sightings, the abundant bear population in the Pack Creek vicinity seldom disappoints. Brown bears are most active during mating season (late May – June) and annual salmon runs (late July – August).

***Kayaking is included June 20th – July 20th due to limited bear activity. Enjoy the scenic, wilderness paddle along the coastline as you approach Pack Creek.

  • Tour Itinerary

  • Dates | Rates

  • Glacier Bay National Park FAQ

Day
01

Fortress of the Bears - Pack Creek   

We are grateful to the Tlingit village of Angoon for allowing us to share this part of their homeland with our guests. Pack Creek is an ecosystem teeming with diverse flora and fauna, providing abundant nourishment for the thriving brown bear population on Admiralty Island. Eagles soar over Admiralty’s lakes, their calls echoing in harmony with the diverse bird population. This experience is a true gem of Southeast Alaska, offering visitors the chance to closely observe and photograph wildlife in their natural environment.

Here is the itinerary:
Pick up from Downtown Meeting Location. Van transport to our base for outfitting and transport to floatplane base 
30 Minute Scenic Floatplane Flight
Enjoy the views of mountains and oceans as you leave the city behind

Brown Bear Viewing at Pack Creek (around 5 hrs)
Cache your food in the bear-proof lockers!
**June 20th – July 20th kayaking will be included. Kayak portion 2 hours total and bear viewing 3 hours total.

30 Minute Return Scenic Floatplane Flight to Juneau
Your van transport will be waiting to return you to the main office
Return to our base in Juneau. De-gear and return transport to meeting location


Rates in US $ / per Person Adult     
Pack Creek Bear Viewing Package  (11 AM - 7 PM) $ 989.00  ($1089 during high season July 21 - Aug 24

 

Services included
  • Professional Guides
  • Roundtrip van & float plane transportation
  • All required permits
  • Rain gear (hooded jacket, rubber boots, and pants)
  • Picnic lunch, hearty snacks, & bottled water
  • Not included: Local Tax
Glacier BayNational Park - FAQ

Glacier Bay National Park was completely covered by ice just 200 years ago. Explorer Captain George Vancouver found Icy Strait choked with ice in 1794. The “Y” shaped body of Glacier Bay includes 16 tidewater glaciers. 12 of them are active and calve icebergs thundering into the bay. On the east and west of the 65 mile long bay the steep mountain summits of the Chilkat and the Fairweather Ranges rise up to provide a dramatic backdrop of glaciated mountain tops. During the summertime hundreds of whales are staying in Glacier Bay to feed in the nutrient rich waters before migrating back to Hawaii.
 
Q:
A:
How do I get to Glacier Bay?
Glacier Bay National Park is located at the northern end of Southeast Alaska’s panhandle - approximately 50 miles west of Juneau. The only way to get to the Park is by charter or commercial aircraft and by boat. Daily air service to Gustavus is available between June and September from Juneau, Haines and Skagway, (flight time appr. 30 minutes) A high-speed passenger catamaran operates between Juneau’s Auke Bay and Gustavus / Bartlett Cove. There are no roads to and within Glacier Bay National Park and limited Alaska Marine Highway Ferry services. Please Note: You will not see any icebergs from the Bartlett Cove area. The only access to the fjords and bays within the national park is via a tour boat.

Q:
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How can I visit the National Park?
Due to it's vast size and remote nature, the best ways to visit Glacier Bay National Park or Icy Straits is by tour boat, cruise ship or individually/escorted with kayak excursions. We offer a variety of 1-3 day tours, sightseeing and soft adventure programs. Custom itineraries are available upon request.

Q:
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When is the best time to visit the Park?
In May wildlife is easy to spot. Migratory birds are resting on the way to the south.  Spring on the average has less rain than fall and there are fewer visitors in the Bay! In June throughout the area bears are easily spotted on shore and in mid June the whales are returning to Glacier Bay. July and August are the most popular months. The whales are here, breaching, playing and feeding. Flowers are in full bloom.  In September fewer visitors are in park. The bears are fishing for salmon! Great for glaciers! Good time to see the Northern Lights. The birds are migrating north for good bird watching.

Q:
A:
What will I see in Glacier Bay?
Visitors will encounter icebergs, wildlife, and majestic country unrivaled by any other park in Alaska. The Glacier Bay National Park area includes 16 tidewater glaciers of whom 12 actively “calving” icebergs into the bay. The show can be spectacular. As water undermines the ice fronts, great chunks of ice - up to 200 feet high - break loose and crash into the water. The Johns Hopkins Glacier calves such volumes of ice that it is seldom possible to approach its ice cliffs closer than about 2 miles. Access to the fjords and bays is by tour boat leaving Bartlett Cove daily at 8:00 am / returning 3:30 pm. An onboard lunch is included.

Q:
A:
Will I see wildlife?
Glacier Bay is home to a variety of wildlife. Humpback Whales, Orcas, Seals, Sea Lions, Sea Otters, Porpoises and numerous species of Sea Birds are just some of the varied marine creatures visitors can witness. In addition to the marine creatures, other commonly seen animals are mammals such as Brown and Black Bears and Moose. More than 200 species of birds found in the park include: Bald Eagle, Golden Eagle, Raven, Owl, Sandhill Crane, Loon, Stellar Jay, Murre, Cormorant, Puffin and many others.

Q:
A:
Are any hotels directly in the Park?
Only a very limited number of remote wilderness lodges are operating within the park area with a government license. Additional accommodation is available in Gustavus – about 6 Miles by road from Bartlett Cove. A government campground is located on the shores of Bartlett Cove. For accommodation details lease refer to our Glacier Bay tour pages.

Q:
A:
What is the weather like?
Summer daytime temperatures range from 45° to 65° F. Periods of rainy, cool and overcast weather is common in Southeast Alaska. The weather almanac indicated an average 153 rainy days per year with an annual rainfall of 71 inches. A sweater, hat, gloves and rain gear are recommended. Glacier Bay receives 18 1/2 hours of sunlight during the summer solstice.

Q:
A:
What's about Outdoor Activities?
There are a number of outfitters and soft-adventure companies operating from Juneau and Gustavus. Some of the available activities include: flight-seeing adventures, day and overnight kayak touring, whale watching, sport fishing, photography and hiking. For additional information please refer to our tour pages.

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