Rate per person: CAD $7,900, based on double occupancy, peak season departure Note: The camp can only accommodate a maximum of 4 guests, so privacy and an intimate experience is guaranteed.
This 5-day/ 4-night trip is a completely private journey that you will never forget. Your guide and host, Phil Timpany, is a renowned expert on grizzly bear behaviour who will lead you into the serene wilderness surrounding the Taku River—the largest pristine watershed in the Western Hemisphere. Close to the Yukon border in northern B.C., there are no roads within four million acres of untouched land. Chinook, Pink and Sockeye salmon return to their birthplace up the Nakina River which, in season, brings a healthy population of grizzly bears to feed as they prepare for winter hibernation. You will enjoy as intimate experience with them as possible. You will stand close to them. You will co-exist.
Day 1
Upon your arrival in Whitehorse, you will be met for the scenic two-hour transfer to Atlin, B.C. There, board your waiting helicopter for the brief flight to base camp. After a safety briefing and orientation, you’ll start communing with the grizzly bears. While the travels to get there are superb, you will realize that the adventure begins when a Grizzly approaches…usually within a few minutes and he is typically hunting for a salmon! Accommodations are at the Nakina River Base Camp in a clean but rustic cabin, equipped with private outhouse facilities.
Days 2, 3 & 4
Over your three leisurely days in remote wilderness, you’ll have myriad opportunities to view bears, the millions of spawning salmon at your feet, other local wildlife and the hundreds of eagles circling above, also feeding on the spawning salmon. Early risers will have a chance to see the first bears of the day from the deck, while over breakfast you can expect to see numerous bears within close range. Throughout your stay, you will walk upstream and downstream to various viewing sites, busy with grizzly bears hunting for salmon. As you go, you’ll see bear-rubbing trees and you learn about bear forage, social behavior and their seasonal use of the river valley. It’s also common to see bears congregating around the camp itself, but if not, a short walk in either direction along the river will quickly yield sightings. Accommodations are at the Nakina River Base Camp.
Day 5
After breakfast you will bid farewell to Phil, the bears and salmon to fly by helicopter back to Atlin. From there, you will transfer back to the Whitehorse Airport for your flight home. Safe travels!
To learn more about this experience please contact one of our travel planners.
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