Wild Bear Viewing

This itinerary starts AFTER the accompanying cruise itinerary.

After disembarking your cruise ship you will meet your private driver outside the customs hall to begin your transfer tour to Anchorage. You'll stop at the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center whose mission is to provide care for injured and orphaned wildlife and to provide continued wildlife awareness and education to the public. Surrounded by mountains and hanging glaciers, the 140-acre Portage Valley preserve is a nonprofit operation that works to rehabilitate injured or sick animals. Besides bears, there are bison, moose, caribou, elk, eagles, owls, musk oxen, Sitka black-tailed deer and a variety of game birds. Visitors can drive through the area and see most of the animals from their vehicles, or walk the neatly cared-for driveway for a close-up tour. It's a great way to photograph wild animals in a setting as close to authentic as you can get. Next, visit the home of a local artist for a light lunch. By mid afternoon you will arrive at the float plane basin in Anchorage for the 1-hour scenic flight over Cook Inlet bound for the Redoubt Bay Lodge. You are only allowed 50 lbs of baggage per person on your flight to Redoubt Bay, so you may want to plan ahead and pack accordingly. You can store your excess baggage at the air carrier's office for pick up upon your return to Anchorage. This unique lodge is situated at the entrance to Lake Clark Pass in a 171,000 acre critical bear habitat, a place of unsurpassed beauty. After hibernating all winter, bears awaken in the spring with an extreme hunger and a yearning for salmon. Starting in June and extending through October, masses of bears travel to the salmon rich river and lake systems of Lake Clark National Park. The park's spectacular scenery stretches from the shores of Cook Inlet, across the Chigmit Mountains, to the tundra covered hills of the western interior. Dinner this evening is at the lodge. After dinner, enjoy the peaceful Alaskan evening. Overnight at the Redoubt Bay Lodge, Lake Clark National Park.

After breakfast at the lodge, spend the day watching bears or participating in one of the other adventures of the day, such as guiding hiking or fishing. Bear viewing at Redoubt Bay Lodge is done primarily from the safety of their specially designed pontoon boats which can nose their way up to Wolverine Creek - a favorite dining spot for the bears. After lunch at the lodge, more time at leisure for more exploring, some fishing or just relaxing. Dinner and overnight at the Redoubt Bay Lodge, Lake Clark National Park.

After breakfast at the lodge, enjoy your morning and early afternoon bear viewing or at your leisure. Mid-afternoon, board your float plane for the flight to Anchorage. Upon arrival in Anchorage you will transfer to the Hotel Captain Cook in the heart of Anchorage, Alaska's largest city. This evening you are on your own for dinner, with many fine dining options to choose from in and around the hotel. Overnight at the Hotel Captain Cook, Anchorage.

After breakfast at the hotel, your driver will pick you up two hours prior to your flight time at the rear (4th Avenue) hotel entrance for your private transfer to the Anchorage airport for your flight home.