Gustavus
•
Duration 7 hr
Glacier Bay Bear Watching & River Trip: Hike In, Float Out
Offered by NatVenture Tours In Hoonah / Icy Strait, Alaska
: $
About us
Chichagof Island has among the highest brown bear population densities in the world. We’ll travel about 45 minutes by boat to reach the island, searching for sea otters, sea lions, and whales along the way. After a hike, we'll inflate kayaks and paddle back to the ocean!
What we'll do
Once we arrive, the boat will drop us off and we’ll begin hiking up the river and looking for bears. You will be humbled by the mountains that rise to form the river valley, and enjoy the solitude of this wild place.
After a 2-3 mile hike up the river, we will enjoy hot drinks along the riverbank. Then we’ll inflate our packrafts (small 6-pound inflatable boats that fit in a backpack) and float down the river until we meet the ocean. Can you imagine the thrill of floating past a brown bear feeding on salmon? After we reach the mouth of the river, we’ll end the day with a boat ride back to Gustavus.
*FAQ
- Is there a weight limit? Yes, the boats are able to hold up to 220 pounds
- Do I need a fishing license? Yes, if you’re age 16+. A 1 day (24 hr) license can be purchased online for $15.
- What should I bring? Rain gear, water, snack/lunch, and a sense of adventure!
- Do I need to tip my guide? Gratuity is greatly appreciated if you are satisfied with the service of your guide. Although it is customary to tip your guide, it is not required. We are often asked the size of a typical tip. An appropriate guideline is 15% of the cost of the trip. Feel free to alter this as you see fit.
- Can we keep our catch?
We highly encourage catch and release, but ultimately, the decision is up to the angler. We encourage catch and release for a number of reasons. For one, we don't want to attract bears while on the river. Additionally, Pink Salmon do not freeze very well- they are best eaten the day of. If the primary goal of your trip is to keep fish to take home, we suggest saltwater fishing instead of river fishing. Alternatively, you could book both saltwater and freshwater trips to get a taste of both worlds!
After a 2-3 mile hike up the river, we will enjoy hot drinks along the riverbank. Then we’ll inflate our packrafts (small 6-pound inflatable boats that fit in a backpack) and float down the river until we meet the ocean. Can you imagine the thrill of floating past a brown bear feeding on salmon? After we reach the mouth of the river, we’ll end the day with a boat ride back to Gustavus.
*FAQ
- Is there a weight limit? Yes, the boats are able to hold up to 220 pounds
- Do I need a fishing license? Yes, if you’re age 16+. A 1 day (24 hr) license can be purchased online for $15.
- What should I bring? Rain gear, water, snack/lunch, and a sense of adventure!
- Do I need to tip my guide? Gratuity is greatly appreciated if you are satisfied with the service of your guide. Although it is customary to tip your guide, it is not required. We are often asked the size of a typical tip. An appropriate guideline is 15% of the cost of the trip. Feel free to alter this as you see fit.
- Can we keep our catch?
We highly encourage catch and release, but ultimately, the decision is up to the angler. We encourage catch and release for a number of reasons. For one, we don't want to attract bears while on the river. Additionally, Pink Salmon do not freeze very well- they are best eaten the day of. If the primary goal of your trip is to keep fish to take home, we suggest saltwater fishing instead of river fishing. Alternatively, you could book both saltwater and freshwater trips to get a taste of both worlds!
What to expect / what's provided
*What's Included:
- Pickup from cruise terminal or lodging (please let us know which ship or which hotel you're coming from)
- Expert local guide
- Boat ride from Gustavus
- Inflatable kayaks, paddles, and lifejackets
- Wildlife watching, such as brown bears, sea otters, sea lions, and even whales
*What's Not Included:
- Food and water
*NOTE: Guests should be able to walk about 4 miles on flat but sometimes uneven ground for this tour.
**Trip must have minimum of 4 people to run.
**Maximum 6 people.
*Private trips available upon inquiry. Availability and pickup times will be confirmed with your guide upon purchase.
- Pickup from cruise terminal or lodging (please let us know which ship or which hotel you're coming from)
- Expert local guide
- Boat ride from Gustavus
- Inflatable kayaks, paddles, and lifejackets
- Wildlife watching, such as brown bears, sea otters, sea lions, and even whales
*What's Not Included:
- Food and water
*NOTE: Guests should be able to walk about 4 miles on flat but sometimes uneven ground for this tour.
**Trip must have minimum of 4 people to run.
**Maximum 6 people.
*Private trips available upon inquiry. Availability and pickup times will be confirmed with your guide upon purchase.
Cancellation Policy
-Cancellation made greater than 90 days before trip date: Full refund.
-Cancellation made within 90 to 31 days of trip date: Cancellation fee is 50% of trip cost.
-Cancellation made within 30 days of trip date: No refund given.
We highly recommend purchasing travel insurance in case you are forced to make a last minute cancellation.
-Cancellation made within 90 to 31 days of trip date: Cancellation fee is 50% of trip cost.
-Cancellation made within 30 days of trip date: No refund given.
We highly recommend purchasing travel insurance in case you are forced to make a last minute cancellation.
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