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 led 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).

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.

Highlights:

* Experience the thrill of viewing brown bears in their natural habitat

* Enjoy a scenic float plane flight to Admiralty Island

* Learn about the brown bears of Pack Creek Bear Sanctuary and their unique ecosystem

* Capture stunning photos of these amazing creatures

*Duration: 7 Hours

*Meeting point: 490 S Franklin St Juneau, AK 99801

*Minimum age: 12

*What is included: * Professional Guide

* Roundtrip van & float plane transportation

* Forest Service permits

* Rain jacket, pants & rubber boots

* Lunch, Hearty snacks

* Souvenir water bottle

*What is not included:

-We provide all the gear on our trips except for personal clothing and hiking boots. Regarding the weather, we recommend you prepare for rain and hope for sunshine. Due to the cool, damp climate, it is best NOT to wear cotton or denim and instead, wear clothing made of polyester, wool, fleece, nylon, polypropylene, and/or capilene. You are more than welcome to bring personal items on any of our tours (Camera, reusable water bottle, food, layers, etc.).

Itinerary: 1 Hours - Pick up from Downtown Meeting Location

30 Minutes - Scenic Floatplane Flight

4 Hours - Brown Bear Viewing at Pack Creek

30 Minutes - Return Scenic Floatplane Flight to Juneau

1 Hour - Return to ABAK Base

*Check in details:

-Please arrive to the meeting location 10 minutes before your tour pickup time.

*Restrictions: * Due to aircraft restrictions, there is a 250 lbs per person weight limit on this tour. All passenger weights need to be provided at time of booking. Passengers may be weighed by float plane operator – those over 250 lbs may be subject to an additional fee.

* Due to the inherent risks involved in this type of tour, pregnant guests are not permitted to participate.

*Disclaimers: * Bear Sightings are not guaranteed. This is wild Alaska!

* There is a non-refundable $100 per person National Forest Service permit fee is included in all reservations

* All participants must agree to follow all guide direction, always stay with the group, store all food items in designated areas, and keep all personal belongings on their person.

* ABAK reserves the right to cancel any trip due to inadequate sign-ups, unsafe weather or route conditions, clients not meeting our physical requirements, and any other safety issues. In such an event, a full refund is given if the trip has not yet departed, but ABAK is not responsible for additional expenses incurred (i.e., non-refundable airline tickets, meals, accommodations, etc.)

* Every participant must sign a Release of Liability/Assumption of Risk Form at the start of the trip. Alterations and/or deletions to the form are not permitted.

FAQs

* Are we guaranteed to see brown bears?

Brown bears are wild animals, and as such, we cannot guarantee sightings of them. However, our bear-viewing locations boast the highest density of brown bears in the world, offering you an excellent chance to observe them in their natural habitat.

* What is the best time of year to view bears?

Brown bears are most active during mating season (mid May – June) and annual salmon runs (late July – August). Prime viewing is considered to be during the salmon run (late July-August).

* What is the difference between Pack Creek and Waterfall Creek?

Pack Creek is a heavily protected brown bear sanctuary on Admiralty Island. Due to strict permitting, we have very limited availability through the summer to take guests. Additionally, Pack Creek has the presence of Forest Service rangers stationed seasonally. It offers great bear viewing May-September.

Waterfall Creek, situated on Chichagof Island, is managed by Alaska State Parks. This location offers incredible bear viewing opportunities, particularly during the peak salmon run from late July to early September. Due to the salmon run’s influence on bear activity, we exclusively offer this trip only during this timeframe. At Waterfall Creek, you can enjoy remarkable up-close views of bears fishing for salmon.

* Are we safe around the bears?

Our guides are highly experienced and knowledgeable about brown bears and their behavior. As a precautionary measure, they always carry bear spray during tours. While it’s crucial to acknowledge that these are wild animals, the bears we encounter are accustomed to human presence, and instances of aggression toward humans are exceptionally rare.

* Are there physical requirements?

Yes, we require all guests to be 250 lbs or less. In addition, we require guests to have a full range of mobility getting in/ out of the floatplane and the ability to walk 2 miles over slippery uneven terrain.

Above & Beyond Alaska, LLC (ABAK), is a local guiding company based in Juneau, the capital city, that is nestled below the Coast Mountains and beside the ocean in the heart of Southeast Alaska’s temperate rainforest . We have been exploring the Tongass National Forest, glaciers of the Juneau Icefield, and waters of Alaska’s inside passage for over 25 years and guiding others since 2002. ABAK offers an opportunity to explore any of the environments found around Juneau by kayak, foot, boat, or plane. Our goal is to provide a complete Alaskan wilderness experience by sharing with our clients our passion, technical know-how, and natural history knowledge.

General

* Cancellations made at least 72 hours prior to a scheduled tour will be refunded in full.

* Cancellations made under 72 hours of a scheduled tour are non-refundable.

* Above & Beyond Alaska (ABAK) may cancel a trip due to low enrollment, unsafe weather or route conditions, clients not meeting physical requirements, or other safety issues. A full refund will be issued if the trip has not started. However, ABAK is not responsible for additional expenses (e.g., non-refundable airfare, meals, lodging). ABAK will fully refund any tour cancellations due to changes in the cruise ship sailings that result in the tour not being rescheduled.

Medical Cancellations

* For cancellations due to a medical reason, valid documentation from either a care provider or the cruise ship's doctor is required to be eligible for a refund.

* If a family or party member is ill on the day of the tour, medical documentation must be provided for a refund. Any passengers who stay behind with the ill person will not be eligible for a refund.

* Documentation must be provided within 2 weeks of tour cancellation to receive a full refund, otherwise the tour becomes ineligible for a refund.

Other Cancellations

* Failure to comply with any cruise ship regulations or provide required documentation, resulting in you being denied boarding and not being able to cruise or take your tour, will not be refunded.

* If you are traveling through Canada or any other country and are denied entry due to missing or delayed travel documents or visas, causing you to miss your tour, you will not be refunded.

* If you are traveling by air and miss your flight, you will not be refunded unless it was the fault of the airline and you can provide documentation from them.

Additional Information

* All cancellations must be submitted in writing within two weeks of the tour date to ABAK.

* Partial refunds will not include booking fees.

* The Fortress of the Bears Pack Creek Bear Tour includes a non-refundable $100 National Forest Service permit fee.

* ABAK highly recommends travel insurance for all clients to protect against unexpected travel changes.

Please note that this cancellation policy is subject to change without notice.