Scott DavisTravel to Anchorage, Alaska from home
August 6
Travel to Anchorage, Alaska from your home. You’ll relax that night at your hotel, enjoying Alaskan hospitality.
Alaskan brown bear country and glacial fjords.
Alaskan Bears, Whales, and Wild Fjords
August 6 to 20, 2025
Cost: $16,000
Leader: Scott Davis
Group Size: 6
Days: 15
Safari Overview
Embark on an unforgettable Alaskan expedition that seamlessly combines land, sea, and air for an unparalleled wildlife experience. Your journey begins aboard a private charter boat, where you’ll navigate the breathtaking seascapes of Prince William Sound. Glide past towering glacial fjords and explore remote waters teeming with orcas, humpback whales, Steller sea lions, harbor seals, and an incredible variety of seabirds. With a small-group setting, you’ll enjoy an intimate, crowd-free experience designed for nature lovers and photographers.
Next, you’ll transition to an interior wilderness lodge for five days of exclusive bear viewing and exploration. Traveling by private float plane, you’ll fly deep into pristine bear country, far from tourist crowds, to witness Alaskan brown bears in their natural habitat. Nestled between Katmai National Park, Lake Clark National Park, and Bristol Bay, your remote, family-run lodge is surrounded by 18 million acres of untouched wilderness, offering both comfort and unparalleled access to wildlife. From towering grizzlies to soaring bald eagles, this journey immerses you in the untamed beauty of Alaska’s wild frontiers as few experiences can.
This extraordinary adventure has been specifically designed by Cheesemans’ owner, Scott Davis, to give you access to some of Alaska’s most spectacular landscapes and wildlife habitats, ensuring once-in-a-lifetime encounters with nature at its most raw and breathtaking.
WHY CHOOSE THIS EXPEDITION?
- Unmatched Bear Viewing: Access exclusive, prime bear habitats, ensuring exceptional up-close wildlife encounters away from crowded tourist areas. Weather permitting, spend a full day at the world-renowned Brooks Falls.
- Explore Alaska By Land, Sea & Air: Experience Alaska’s diverse ecosystems from every angle, maximizing adventure and photography opportunities.
- Small-Group, Personalized Experience: Enjoy an intimate, crowd-free journey designed for wildlife lovers and photography enthusiasts.
- Expert-Guided & Conservation-Focused: Learn from a professional wildlife photographer committed to wildlife conservation.
NOTABLE EXPERIENCES
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Itinerary Updated: March 2025
Print Trip
| Date | Description | Lodge | Meals |
|---|---|---|---|
| August 6 | Travel to Anchorage, Alaska | Historic Anchorage Hotel | |
| August 7 | Embark on sea voyage. Travel via ground transportation to the ship. Explore Prince William Sound, seeking various wildlife and photography opportunities. | Aboard our ship | B, L, D |
| August 8-12 | Exploration of Prince William Sound | Aboard our ship | B, L, D |
| August 13 | Disembark Ship. Overnight in Cordova. | Orca Adventure Lodge | B, L, D |
| August 14 | Transition to Land Exploration. Internal flight to our bear lodge. | Private lodge | B, L, D |
| August 15-18 | Wilderness Adventures. Daily trips on private bush planes to explore the wilderness, seeking Alaskan brown bears and other iconic Alaskan wildlife and photography opportunities. | Private lodge | B, L, D |
| August 19 | Leave for Home. Internal flight back to Anchorage, Alaska for evening flights homeward. | B | |
| August 20 | Arrive home. |
Our Trip Leaders
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Scott Davis
Scott, co-owner and co-CEO of Cheesemans’ Ecology Safaris, is an expert wildlife, nature, and travel photographer. Trained as a wildlife and marine biologist, he's explored all seven continents for research and photography. National Geographic, BBC, Animal Planet, NY Times, and other prestigious publications have featured his inspiring work. Scott's passion for teaching and talent for capturing the essence of his subjects make him a highly sought-after tour leader.
Detailed Itinerary
A glimpse into our journey
Embark on Sea Voyage
August 7
You’ll be transferred in the morning via ground transportation to Whittier where you’ll board your ship for the sea-faring portion of the trip. You’ll start exploring Prince William Sound that afternoon.
Exploration of Prince William Sound
August 8-12
© Cheesemans' Ecology Safaris
Your expedition through Prince William Sound offers an up-close look at one of Alaska’s most dynamic ecosystems. With its towering fjords, calving glaciers, and wildlife-rich shores, the region is a haven for both marine and terrestrial life. Traveling aboard a small private ship allows us daily flexibility to navigate to secluded coves and beaches, providing unique opportunities to photograph and experience the sound’s rugged landscapes and diverse wildlife.
As you cruise near the glaciers, you may find harbor seals resting on glacial ice and Steller sea lions hauled out on rocky shores. Humpback whales are frequent visitors, bubble-feeding in the nutrient-rich waters, while orcas may appear silently slicing through the surface. Seabird colonies thrive here, with puffins, kittiwakes, and murres nesting along the cliffs, while Bald Eagles patrol the skies.
Onshore, black bears might be seen combing the beaches for food, and mountain goats often make an appearance on the steep, rocky slopes. The surrounding temperate rainforests, dense and green, provide a home for countless birds and smaller wildlife. The area is home to 30 species of land mammals and over 220 resident and migratory bird species. The trip isn’t just about the animals, though—Prince William Sound is a geological treasure trove, with its ever-shifting glaciers and exposed rock faces revealing the forces that have shaped the land for millennia. This is Alaska in its rawest, most potent form.
Disembark Ship
August 13
You’ll overnight in Cordova at the picturesque and historic Orca Adventure Lodge, relaxing in preparation for the trip’s next week of adventuring. As you cruise near the glaciers, you may find harbor seals resting on glacial ice and Steller sea lions hauled out on rocky shores. Humpback whales are frequent visitors, bubble-feeding in the nutrient-rich waters, while orcas may appear silently slicing through the surface. Seabird colonies thrive here, with puffins, kittiwakes, and murres nesting along the cliffs, while Bald Eagles patrol the skies.
Onshore, black bears might be seen combing the beaches for food, and mountain goats often make an appearance on the steep, rocky slopes. The surrounding temperate rainforests, dense and green, provide a home for countless birds and smaller wildlife. The area is home to 30 species of land mammals and over 220 resident and migratory bird species. The trip isn’t just about the animals, though—Prince William Sound is a geological treasure trove, with its ever-shifting glaciers and exposed rock faces revealing the forces that have shaped the land for millennia. This is Alaska in its rawest, most potent form.
Exploring the Pristine Alaskan Wilderness
August 14
Transition to Land Exploration. Internal flight to our bear lodge.
Exploring the Pristine Alaskan Wilderness
August 15-18
© Suzy Huysmans
You’ll take an internal flight to our private, family-run lodge nestled between Katmai National Park, Lake Clark National Park, and Bristol Bay where we’ll spend six days exploring. At the lodge, private bush planes will take us daily deep into Alaska's breathtaking wilderness, offering unparalleled access to remote landscapes and incredible wildlife.
Our experienced Alaskan bush pilots and local guides will get you where the Alaskan brown bears are. We ensure you are not stuck in one or two locations, hoping bears and other wildlife will arrive. You will never pay any extra for flying, no matter the location. As a special destination, weather permitting, we also will spend a day at the famed Brooks Falls to work on observing and photographing the iconic Alaskan brown bears fishing for jumping salmon.
Each day brings new opportunities to capture the beauty of Alaska through your lens, from majestic Alaskan brown bears to stunning vistas, all while exploring habitats few have the chance to experience. Each evening after our day in the field with the bears, we fly back in our private bush planes to the lodge where our excellent chef will have hot meals and beverages waiting for us.
Leave for Home.
August 19
Fly back from the lodge on an internal flight to Anchorage. You’ll be transferred to the airport for your evening flights homeward or to a hotel for flights the following day.
Arrive Home
August 20
- Cost & Payments
- Included
- Not Included
- Climate
- Fitness Level
- Motion Sickness
- Flights
Conservation- Conditions
Cost & Payments
Costs (in US$)
| Type | Cost Per Person |
|---|---|
| Trip Cost, single occupancy on lower deck | $16,000 |
| Trip Cost, double occupancy on main deck | Contact Us |
Costs are per person, double occupancy, not including airfare, singles extra. See Included and Not Included sections for more details.
Payment Schedule
| Payment | Due Date | Amount Per Person |
|---|---|---|
| Final | Due now to reserve your space | $16,000 |
Payments are due based on the schedule above. All reservations require a deposit to confirm reservation of your space.
Cancellations
No refunds are given after the Final Payment due date.
Included
- Carbon offsets for the duration of this trip.
- All leaders, transport for all activities unless described as optional.
- Two internal flights.
- Accommodations for the nights of August 6 through August 18, 2025.
- Six nights on board the ship.
- All private bush plane flights from the lodge.
- Meals from breakfast on August 7 through breakfast on August 19.
- Transfers on August 14 from our hotel to the airport and August 19 between the internal flight arrival airport and the Anchorage Airport.
- Internal flights August 14 and 19.
- Non-alcoholic bottled beverages while at the lodge and onboard the ship.
- Trip Planning Materials – information about entry requirements, flights, packing, gratuities, etc.
Not Included
- Carbon offsets for your flights to/from this trip.
- All airfare (except internal flights listed as included) and excess baggage fees.
- Transfers on August 6 between the Anchorage Airport and the hotel.
- Divergent airport transfers (arranged by us) and extra hotel nights.
- Gratuities – tipping is always discretionary. However, we suggest budgeting about $300-400 for the ship crew and $300-400 for the lodge staff and guides.
- Emergency medical and evacuation insurance and trip cancellation insurance. For more information see www.cheesemans.com/travel-insurance.
- Items of a personal nature such as laundry, telephone calls, medical costs or hospitalization, room service, alcoholic and other beverages, items not on the regular menu, etc. If you have special dietary needs, please indicate them on your Traveler Form.
Climate
In July, both Katmai National Park and Prince William Sound offer cool, dynamic summer conditions, with daytime temperatures typically ranging from the mid-50s to mid-60s °F (10–18 °C) and cooler evenings dropping into the 40s °F (4–9 °C). In Katmai, expect a mix of overcast skies, light rain, and occasional sunny breaks, along with coastal breezes and cool temperatures near rivers and lakes where bears gather. Prince William Sound shares similarly cool weather but with more pronounced marine influences, often bringing misty mornings, rain showers, alternating with clear skies. Layered clothing and waterproof gear are essential to stay comfortable while exploring these stunning and varied Alaskan landscapes.
Fitness Level
You must be able to get in and out of the float planes by stepping up or down from the plane to the ground or from the Zodiacs, from the ship, via a short ladder with staff assisting above and below you. For Zodiacs, you must also be able to get in and out of the Zodiacs onto the beach. You’ll have opportunities for a range of activities from easy, short hikes to longer, more vigorous hikes for those interested. Please contact us if you have any health concerns that may make this trip challenging.
Flights
Detailed logistical information is included in the Trip Planning Materials we will send you.
Flights you book
- Arrive in Anchorage, Alaska (ANC) by August 6 anytime
- Depart from Anchorage, Alaska (ANC) after 5:00pm on August 19.
Flights we book
- Two internal flights are included in the trip cost. The flight from Cordova to the lodge and the lodge to Anchorage will have a luggage weight allowance of 32kg (70lbs) total.
FAQ
Accommodations
Motion Sickness
Don’t let a fear of motion sickness keep you away! The seas at this time of year in Prince William Sound are relatively calm. Even those who have experienced seasickness reported that the incredible wildlife and overall experience were well worth the temporary discomfort. If you are susceptible to seasickness or are concerned that you might be, please come prepared! The key to avoiding seasickness is to act before you experience nausea. Do your own research and consult your doctor before taking any medications. A good night of sleep, eating well, limiting alcohol, and using your favorite seasickness remedy is sufficient for most travelers. Find more information on our Coping with Seasickness webpage (this information is applicable to any form of motion sickness) and contact us if you have any questions.
Transportation
Conservation
Our company ethos has always regarded conservation as inseparable from responsible tourism. We struggle with the dilemma that traveling worldwide expends climate-changing carbon. However, we wholeheartedly believe that traveling with us will cultivate your passion for conserving our beautiful world while stimulating each destination’s local economy. We encourage you to explore the various ways in which Cheesemans’ operates within this context:
- Cheesemans’ Trips are Carbon Neutral.
- Offsetting your Travel to/from our Trip: We ask you to pledge to offset the carbon emissions for your travel to and from our trips. You can purchase offsets with most airlines (Delta includes them automatically), use our handy carbon calculator and donate to Sustainable Travel International, or contribute to your favorite offsetting organization.
- Local Conservation: Check out our Conservation pages to learn how we support conservation efforts through meaningful partnerships and responsible tourism practices.
Together, we can keep exploring and cherishing this planet while striving for its long-term protection. Thank you for being part of this vital journey with us.
Conditions
Read our current Terms and Conditions.