polar bear viewing tours alaska

Alaska Polar Bear & Northern Lights Tour with Denali Add-on

• Included in price
• Testimonials

Alaska Polar Bear & Aurora Borealis Tour with Denali Add-on

Our Alaska Polar Bear & Aurora Borealis Tour with the Denali Add-on is the only tour package in Alaska that allows you to see Grizzly and Polar bears on the same tour! You will see Grizzly Bears and other wildlife like caribou and moose as well as experience the peak of the fall colors in Denali National Park, and stay at a small lodge in the heart of the park near Wonder Lake. Then you will travel to the Arctic Coast to observe Polar Bears in the best Polar Bear viewing area in Alaska as well as experience Northern Lights in one of the best aurora borealis viewing locations in North America.

You will also experience the world famous Dalton Highway of ‘Ice Road Truckers’ fame, cross the Arctic Circle, stay in heart of the Brooks Range in a quaint Alaskan Bush village, explore one of Alaska’s most captivating landscapes, visit an Eskimo village, relax in natural hot springs, and much more.

‘The Alaska Polar Bear & Aurora Borealis Tour with the Denali Add-on is one of the best adventures I have ever taken!’

Miquel Correll, Texas

‘This was my second trip with Laurent, having been on the Aurora Photo Tour few years ago. My prior experience assured me that I was in good hands and rightly so, Laurent and his Wild Alaska Travel ensured we had a 5-star experience yet again. Laurent does not believe in taking tourists from point A to point B, but he really tries to give an authentic Alaskan experience to the group. His well thought out itinerary, chance to interact with locals and added buffer of plan B (and C) really goes a long way in making every trip a solid lifetime experience! We were also very lucky with the wildlife sightings and remarkably good weather in Denali, Wiseman and Kaktovik. We were constantly shaking our heads not believing what we were witnessing!! Laurent – Thank you so much for such good memories!’

Hemant Parmar, Michigan

We ask that you consider the following before requesting to be part of this adventure:

• The itinerary stated is only a sample itinerary that highlights each trip. Each trip’s itinerary is fluid to adapt for changes in weather, wildlife and/or partnering subcontractor’s schedule changes. For instance, be flexible with possible flight delays due to poor aviation weather or mechanical issues that are out of our control.
• Don’t expect five star accommodations in northern Alaska because they don’t exist.
• Be prepared to use outhouses along the Dalton Highway.

If you are serious about joining this adventure, we will ask you to be available for a Zoom call. The purpose of this call is to ensure that everyone understands the nature of, and will be prepared for, this unique trip, and neither party should be surprised by what it entails.

If the above made you pause for thought, this perhaps isn’t the trip for you—we do have other tours that might be a better fit for you, and we’d be happy to help you choose. However, if the above caveats made you more excited, then we encourage you to contact us.

You may also consider our Alaska Polar Bear & Northern Lights Tour  (10 days/9 nights) which has the identical itinerary but without a visit to Denali National Park.

• Experience Denali National Park at the peak of the fall colors
• See caribou, Dall sheep, grizzly bears and moose along the park road
• Stay in the heart of Denali National Park
• See polar bears in the best polar bear viewing area in Alaska
• Experience the Northern Lights from one of the best viewing locations in North America
• Travel along the Dalton Highway, an almost mythic road that runs for over 400 miles through Arctic wilderness, and follow the famous Ice Road Truckers
• Discover some of the most dramatic scenery in Alaska
• Cross the Arctic Circle
• Stay with local Alaskans in the Brooks Range wilderness
• Visit one of the most remote native communities in Alaska
• See Arctic Wildlife
• Dip your toes in amazing hot springs
• Visit an ice museum
• Small group of maximum six guests provides for highly personalized experience
• 13 days (12 nights) of lodging
• All meals (breakfast, lunch & dinner)
• All transportation during the tour incl. return flight from Deadhorse to Kaktovik
• Full day boat excursion with native guide to view polar bears
• All activities (ice museum, hot springs)
• Professional guide
• Permit fees

Day 1 – Fairbanks

Welcome to Fairbanks, Alaska’s second-largest city. You will arrive on your scheduled flight, be picked up at the airport and transferred to our local hotel. You will share our Welcome Dinner in the evening in downtown Fairbanks. Fairbanks is called “The Golden Heart of Alaska,” a reference to the character of her people as much as to the location in Alaska’s interior, or to the discovery of gold in 1902. Its central location makes it the focal point for the tiny villages scattered throughout the surrounding wilderness, and Fairbanks is a staging point for North Slope villages such as Barrow and the oil fields of Prudhoe Bay. Yet, unlike Anchorage, it still retains its down home “frontier” feel. It is contained within the North Star Borough, similar to a county, but roughly the size of New Jersey!

Day 2 – Fairbanks – Denali National Park (Kantishna)

Today, you are driving down to Denali National Park, the crown jewel of National Parks in Alaska. The park is one of the superlative places in the world: a land of gigantic mountains, plentiful wildlife, burly rivers and sublime wilderness. Autumn in Denali offers the chance to experience Alaska’s greatest park cloaked as comparatively few see it. During any season, the park offers some of the most striking vistas found in Alaska, but at no other time is the vast tundra more colorful than in early fall. A spectacular 90-mile drive across the park into the backcountry provides our group with a broad sampling of the epic landscapes this remarkable park has to offer. With clear weather the drive places us within easy photo access of the great mountain itself—Mt. McKinley or Denali – North America’s highest peak at 20,320 feet. In autumn the mountain tends to be less frequently eclipsed by clouds, and stunning images can be made featuring it in sweeping fall-colored landscapes or reflected in lakes and tundra ponds. You will stay in a small lodge in Kantishna at the end of the Denali Park road, far away from the crowds that can be overwhelming around the entrance of the park. The lodge serves as the base of operations for Kantishna Air Taxi, and their pilots stay there as well. In the evening, we will do an excursion to see and photograph the alpenglow on Mount McKinley reflected in Wonder Lake, where most of the iconic pictures of Mount McKinley have been taken.

Day 3 – Denali National Park (Kantishna)

Today, you will have many options, including a couple of short but very scenic hikes in the beautiful Kantishna Hills to capture some exceptional views of Mount McKinley and the vast tundra landscape in blazing fall color. The fall colors will be at the peak, and opportunities to capture this magical tapestry of colors abound, as the tundra provides an endless variety of colorful subjects: dwarf willows and birch trees only a few inches or feet in height will be in full golden hue, punctuated by the vibrant reds and magentas of wild blueberries and bearberries. You also have the option to go mountain biking on the Park road and old mining roads, fishing in Wonder Lake, or taking a flightseeing tour around Mt. McKinley and the Alaska Range. If you prefer, you may just relax in the lodge. You will get a first-hand view of the daily lives of Alaskan Bush pilots and crew.

Day 4 –Denali National Park – Fairbanks

You will backtrack the 90-mile Park road today as you return to the park entrance. Denali National Park is one of the greatest wildlife viewing areas in the world. It’s simply the best place in Alaska to see and photograph some of the large mammals like moose, caribou, Dall sheep and grizzly bears. We may spot these and other smaller animals that also inhabit the park such as foxes, arctic ground squirrels, hoary marmots, pikas, snowshoe hares, and beavers. We will continue our trip back to Fairbanks tonight, and embark on the journey up the Dalton Highway to Wiseman tomorrow.

Day 5 – Fairbanks – Wiseman

You head north along the James Dalton Highway, a 414 mile road connecting Deadhorse to the Elliot Highway near the town of Livengood, located approximately 80 miles north of Fairbanks. Made famous by the recent Ice Road Trucker series, it’s considered by many to be one of North America’s most scenic and beautiful wilderness roads. Also known as the Haul Road, the Dalton Highway is critical to the delivery of material, equipment and supplies to the Prudhoe Bay oil fields. You will travel through the boreal forest and north of the Yukon River you will reach a milestone on our trip: the iconic Arctic Circle, an invisible line at the elegant latitude of 66º33′. North of the Arctic Circle is the land of the midnight sun, where the sun never sets during the summer. Soon after crossing the Arctic Circle you will reach the foothills of the Brooks Range, and a couple hours later you will arrive at our oasis in the wilderness in Wiseman, population 13, a historic gold mining community town located in the heart of the Brooks Range. During our nights in Wiseman we will keep a watchful eye for the northern lights. Wiseman is located closed to what scientists describe as the ‘maximum zone close to 67 degrees north’. This makes Wiseman one of the best places in Alaska (and in North America!) where you can see the northern lights most often and with greatest intensity.

Day 6 – Wiseman – Deadhorse

You will explore the surroundings of Wiseman today. Located on the middle fork of the Koyukuk River, much of Wiseman’s colorful gold rush history is preserved in its buildings. You will go for a hike in the alpine tundra near Atigun Pass (4643 ft.), the only pass in the Brooks Range that is crossed by a road. Atigun Pass also is the northernmost pass in the world that is kept open year-round and the highest year-round pass in Alaska. This area is one of the best for hiking along the Dalton Highway and a great place to look for Grizzly Bears, Moose and Dall Sheep. Beyond towering Atigun Pass, the Arctic Slope extends 170 miles, first through rolling tundra foothills, then over the broad, lake-dotted flatlands of the vast Coastal Plain that extends to the Arctic Ocean. We will keep our eyes peeled for Dall Sheep in the mountains and Caribou and Muskoxen on the North Slope. You will spend the night in Deadhorse. The town consists mainly of facilities for the workers and companies that operate at the nearby Prudhoe Bay oil fields.

Day 7 – Deadhorse – Kaktovik

You will spend the morning exploring Deadhorse and head back out along the Dalton Highway if weather permits. Around noon you will board a scheduled flight to Kaktovik. This flight will give you an incredible aerial impression of Alaska’s Arctic. The small Inupiaq Eskimo village of Kaktovik is located on Barter Island, population around 280. You are now only about 60 miles from the Canadian border, but still 1,400 miles from the North Pole! During a tour of the village, you will catch our first glimpse of Alaska Polar Bears at a place called the ‘bone pile’. Polar bears have historically used the barrier islands and sand spits around Barter Island as a resting place, a feeding place and a stopover until winter sea ice forms. However, the possibility of seeing large numbers of bears in one place can be linked to the local whaling. The greatest numbers of bears loafing in the area are typically found in September and October, just prior, during and after the time Kaktovik residents hunt bowhead whales. The Polar Bears feed on unused portions of whale carcasses that are deposited at a “bone pile” a few kilometers from the village during Kaktovik’s subsistence whale harvest season in September and October. The sea ice generally forms soonest again near Barter Island, which explains the bears’ presence in the area.

Day 8 – Kaktovik

Your Inupiaq guide, who is US Coast Guard licensed and vetted by the US Fish & Wildlife Service, will safely guide you by boat and on shore all day along the barrier reefs for rare Polar Bear encounters. Viewing Polar Bears in the wild is probably one of the most unique experiences in the world. Certainly the Polar Bears take center stage, but there are opportunities to see other wildlife. Wherever Polar Bears roam, it is highly likely that arctic fox will follow. The arctic tundra itself—stark and barren as it may at first appear—can be truly breathtaking under an ever-changing Arctic sky. There are very few places on Earth allows this kind of intense Arctic experience.

Day 9 – Kaktovik – Deadhorse – Wiseman

You will have all morning to explore Kaktovik and return once more to see the Polar Bears. By mid-day, you will fly back to Prudhoe Bay on a scheduled flight. You will then slowly work your way back across the Coastal Plain towards the Brooks Range. The snowline will have been creeping down to lower elevations, and it is not unlikely to have snow on the ground at the end of September, which will add another dimension to the already stark landscape. After crossing over Atiugn Pass, you will reach treeline again. Your accommodation in Wiseman will be a welcome sight to relax in. You will keep your eyes peeled again at night for aurora activity. Many factors do affect our ability to see the Northern Lights, however the location of Wiseman close to what scientists describe as the ‘maximum zone close to 67 degrees north’. This makes Wiseman one of the best places in Alaska where you can see the aurora most often and with greatest intensity.

Day 10 – Wiseman

Today will head up Nolan Creek Valley for an all-day hike and enjoy the peace and serenity of the Brooks Range. Some of you may decide to just want to spend the day exploring on your own, at your own pace.

Day 11 – Wiseman – A Taste of Alaska Lodge

You will be heading south this morning, across the Brooks Range and back into the Boreal Forest of Interior Alaska. Driving the Dalton is always an adventure. Frommer’s Guide described the Dalton Highway as follows: “The experience of the Dalton Highway for a traveler is so far beyond the ordinary as to require a whole new frame of reference to take it all in. The road is so very long, so remote and free of traffic, and the scenery is so mind-boggling in its grandeur and repetition, that after a time it feels like you’re living in a dream. At some point, you have to swallow and say to yourself, “I guess I didn’t know that much about the world after all.” Your destination for the night is A Taste of Alaska Lodge, a gorgeous B&B along Chena Hot Springs Road.

Day 12 – A Taste of Alaska Lodge – Chena Hot Springs – Fairbanks

Today your destination is the Chena Hot Springs Resort, internationally known for its natural mineral hot springs and its Aurora Ice Museum, which we will visit first. This facility is kept at a constant 28 degrees F and is operational year round with the same geothermal energy that keeps the resort open for business. The museum features a gallery and ice bar, overhead chandeliers made of individually carved ice crystals which change color every six seconds mimicking the northern lights, countless sculptures including a gigantic chess set, life sized jousting knights, an ice fireplace and four galleries with varying themes. and prime location for viewing the Northern Lights (Aurora Borealis). After lunch, you will appreciate soaking your tried bodies in the legendary healing mineral waters. Not only is this a place where you can enjoy a dip in a natural hot tub (the hot springs source is 165 degrees F), but the resort itself is an excellent example of geothermal energy and sustainable design. The entire resort is powered by the utilization of the 165 degrees hot springs ground water, which flows to a heat exchanger to develop the heating system loop and transformed to electrical power for lighting and power at the resort. There is also a green house where the fruits and vegetables used at the restaurant are grown. You will be heading back to Fairbanks in the afternoon, drop your bags at your hotel before enjoying your farewell dinner at the Pump House Restaurant, which offers one of the best dining experiences in Fairbanks.

Day 13 – Fairbanks

This morning you bid farewell to Alaska and each other. You will return home from your Alaska Polar Bear and Northern Lights Tour with a wealth of images and stories and new friendships. And you will have gained a better appreciation for a unique part of Alaska and its majestic wildlife that very few people will ever encounter.

• In Alaska, travel plans and especially flights can change in the blink of an eye, mostly due to poor aviation weather. Weather delays and/or cancellations account for about one in four scheduled flights. When wind, rain, snow or fog delays flights, there is nothing to do except sit back and enjoy your stay.  You need to be flexible with such flight delays due to poor aviation weather or mechanical issues that are out of our control.
• You must understand and be willing to accept that weather can and does affect our planned itinerary. The itinerary stated is only a sample itinerary that highlights each trip. Each trip’s itinerary is fluid to adapt for changes in weather, wildlife and/or partnering subcontractor’s schedule changes.
• You should also plan to have some “buffer” days in your itinerary. We will not be responsible for any missed flights or connections. For this reason, we strongly recommend that you purchase trip insurance.

If you are serious about joining this adventure, we will ask you to be available for a Skype call. The purpose of this call is to ensure that everyone understands the nature of, and will be prepared for, this unique trip, and neither party should be surprised by what it entails.

Peter Zemek and Merran Matheson, Australia

Hans & Anina Bodenstein, South Africa

Nirmalya Chakraborty, New York

Julianne Skai Arbor, California

“Thanks again for such a fantastic trip, don’t think I will be surpassing that one anytime soon.”

Alison Byrne, Ireland

Ruth Zhang and David Tan, Singapore

Michelle Theall, Colorado

Frans Badenhorst, South Africa

**We only require a $500 deposit per person to hold your space.

Kaktovik Tours

• See all photos

Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.

Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

Kaktovik Tours - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2024)

Polar Bear Viewing

• Eskimo Whaling
• High Arctic Tours
• Alaska Resources

From as far back as the Village Elders can remember, legends are told that when the Polar Bears arrive, the Eskimo Hunters will have good luck and catch a whale.

Arctic Air Expeditions departs from Anchorage and flies via Fairbanks to one of several Inupiat Eskimo Villages located on the shores of the Beaufort Sea 250 miles North of the Arctic Circle. We keep in touch with several local Eskimos to keep informed on the best locations for bear viewing.  

If you are a photographer or researcher please contact us for specific requests.  

Polar Bear Cubs

It should be noted that our tours do not include newborn cub sightings . It can take weeks in the field under adverse conditions to capture these rare opportunities. However, we do see many spring cubs that are less than a year old.

Important Things to Know

Package Prices and Details

  • Contact Us for Overnight tour pricing .  

• If you are traveling alone we may be    able to add you to an existing group.  

• Prices & dates are subject to change.  

• Includes air fare from Anchorage,    meals and transportation during the    expedition, and return air fare to    Anchorage.

• Please contact us for specifics.

ALASKA BEARS & NATIONAL PARKS Polar Bears, Grizzlies & Brown Bears Alaska Triple-the-Bear Adventure

• Dates & Prices

View polar bears, brown bears and most likely grizzly bears all in their natural habitat—in will be a once in a lifetime experience.  This trip provides an opportunuty to experience three national parks, travel deep into Alaska bush country and then travel to the northern tip of the state to the Arctic Ocean. You will get to stay in a luxury wilderness lodge, eating gourmet local dishes by night and viewing wildlife by day.

This trips allows safely view and photograph Alaska bears, in a rare and special wildlife encounter. You will also get tof visit the Inupiat Eskimo village of Kaktovik.  This village is located along the coast of the Arctic Ocean on Barter Island and is the only village within the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge.

Make it custom. The itinerary listed with this trip is a sample week long version of this trip and it is a very busy schedule. Please contact us if you are interested in adding on days/activities to the trip. You can opt to drop out the Denali portion and spend some viewing the Norther Lights up North or spend more time relaxing in Stonewood Lodge.

This itinerary is a sample overview of the week. Actual daily activities will vary by your goals and weather conditions.

Day 1 – Flight* from Anchorage to Lake Clark Today you will catch a scenic morning flight from Anchorage to Lake Clark. Visit the Lake Clark National Park visitors center then take a short boat ride across the lake where you will move into your comfortable room in Stonewood Lodge.

Day 2 – Alaska Brown Bear Viewing in Lake Clark Travel by bush plane to explore another area of the beautiful Lake Clark National Park and land right on coastal beaches to view the wild Alaska Brown Bears feeding on clams or salmon. Capture this amazing sight on camera and enjoy more scenic view from the air on the flight back to Stonewood Lodge.

Day 3 – Choose Your Alaska Adventure: Jet Boat, Fly Fish, Lake Tour, Waterfall Hike Chose from wide variety of Alaska adventures at the stunning Stonewood Lodge. Opt to tour the massive Lake Clark by boat, take a jet boat ride up a tributary, do some fishing or stretch your legs with a hike to Lake Kontrashibuna and the roaring Tanalian Falls.

Day 4 – Sunrise Kayaking, Scenic Flight and Drive to Denali Glide across the calm waters of Dice bay in a lake kayak before a gourmet breakfast then load the bush plane for a scenic flight back to Anchorage. Then enjoy a gorgeous drive up towards Denali National Park and stay the night close to the park entrance.

Day 5  – Tour Denali Park Travel deep into Alaska most famous park and be on the look out for grizzlies, moose and wolves. The fall colors will be stunning and the big crowds will be gone. This is one of the best times to see the park and create a lifetime of memories. After the tour, head north and lodge in Fairbanks.

Day 6 – Arctic Exploration and Polar Bear Viewing Embark on a unforgettable adventure which includes a flight over the Arctic Circle, a visit of the Inupiat Eskimo village of Kaktovik and polar bear viewing by boat in the Arctic Ocean.  

Day 7 – Scenic Drive from Fairbanks to Anchorage Drive back down to Anchorage and conclude this amazing bear and park adventure.

Options to extend the tour may be available – request add on days when reserving.

*FLIGHTS  out to the lodge usually take place in the morning on the trips first day and midmorning on the final day. We recommend you fly in the night before the first day of the trip and schedule outgoing flights after 7 p.m. on the final day (or the following day).

*Please note that this trip can be run fully guided or the Polar and Grizzly Bear portion (road system) leg can be done self-guided. Thus the included and excluded items may vary accordingly.  All meals and lodging are included in fully guided option (less Anchorage hotels). Partial version included Denali & Fairbanks lodging.

**Lodge Flights include a 50 pound allowance per person. A a fee of $0.50 per pound will apply to excess weight. These flights normally take place in the morning on the trips first day and midmorning on the final day.

We recommend you fly in the night before the first day of the trip and schedule outgoing flights after 7 p.m. on the final day (or the following day).

The Best Comfort and Adventure Around Our inland fishing trips are based out of our very own lodge in Lake Clark Alaska. This lodge is only accessible by float plane, yet offers a luxury accommodations and fine dining. Enjoy endless adventures by day and relax in comfort during the night. Learn more about Stonewood Lodge here .

At Stonewood Lodge, you will find all the qualities of a world class recreational and sportfishing lodge. Our lodge has a classic yet rustic feel and offers 10,000 square feet of contiguous space and all modern amenities rarely found off of the road system in Alaska. Our guests stay in the main lodge and rooms have a queen and twin in the room as well as a private in-suite bathroom. The lodge has in floor heat thermostatically controlled, 24 hour electricity, telephone services, and Wifi. We do encourage some of our remote outpost camps for some overnight accommodations on site, such as while on the river and to shorten travel times to and from the lodge. These excursions are your choice as you decide your daily routine. There is an adjoining den, library, fly-tying area, office desk, sauna, and recreational room open for conferencing and debriefing. The Lodge capacity is 28 guests, however we generally settle on groups of less than 12 guests a week.

$6,700 Part Guided/Self-guided  per person – 7 days / 6 nights (minimum 2)

$8,700 Fully Guided  per person – 7 days / 6 nights (minimum 2)

Dates:   (based on availability. Additional dates and add on days may be available – contact us)

September & October –  Sep 10-16  /  24-30  /  30-Oct 6

Availability & Booking

The Locations Click on the red markers for descriptions.

This trip includes a stay at Stonewood Lodge, located on Lake Clark, just an hour flight Southwest of Anchorage. This 50 mile long lake is located in the heart of Lake Clark National Park and only accessible by plane. The second half of the trip takes place on the road system with stays outside of Denali National Park and Fairbanks and a day trip to the Arctic Ocean.

Lake Clark, AK

Stonewood Lodge

Barter Island, Alaska, USA

Arctic Ocean / Barter Island, Alaska

Denali National Park

Book Your Trip

Free Download

Booking Conditions

Please view Stonewood Expeditions policies & conditions page for all conditions.

Contact us to Book this Trip

We welcome your questions.

Double the Bears & Double the Parks

Brown Bears & Lake Clark National Park

Lake Clark and the Nushagak River Fishing

Stonewood Lodge Trophy Fishing

• Information
• About Alaska
• Meet Your Guides
• Our Testimonials
• Why Choose Us
• Arrigetch Peaks
• Canning River Rafting
• Sea Kayak Icy Bay
• Above The Circle (NEW!)
• Adventure To Oz
• Decadent Denali (NEW!)
• Seven Pass Route
• The Southern Traverse
• The Northern Traverse
• The Goat Trail
• Photo Tours
• Alaska Landscapes
• Aurora Borealis
• Bald Eagles
• Brown Bears & Coastal Wildlife
• Brown Bears of Summer

Fat Bears in the Fall

• Grizzlies in the Mist
• Northern Lights in the Fall

Polar Bears

• Hungry Whales Photo Tour
• Backpacking
• Packrafting
• Sea Kayaking
• Snowshoeing

Where We Go

• Arctic National Wildlife Refuge
• Denali National Park
• Gates of the Arctic NP
• Lake Clark NP
• Wrangell St. Elias NP
• Eye of the Beholder
• Expeditions
• Gates of the Arctic
• Wrangell St. Elias
• Grizzly Bears
• Guests Gallery
• Northern Lights

• Explore Our Trips
• Photo Slideshow

Polar Bear Photo Tour

Get eye to eye with a polar bear. get eye to eye with two polar bears..

• Eye level polar bear photography
• Frequently as many as 30-40 polar bears
• Daily excursions on our chartered boat
• Catch the polar bears in snow and ice
• Local Inupiaq guide and boat captain
• Accommodations and meals in arctic Alaska
• 6 nights, 5 full days, 2 half days of photography

Eye-level with a polar bear? How about you get eye-level with two dozen polar bears? This photo tour puts you and your lens smack in the middle of the polar bear’s world.

Snow and ice. This is the arctic.

Nanuq the Sea Bear, front and center.

Small, photo only group. Limited to 5 clients.

Bears of all sizes. Adult male polar bears, sows and cubs and playful juveniles.

The polar bear;  Ursus maritimus . This photo tour provides a simply unparalleled opportunity to photograph the largest terrestrial carnivore in North America. The photo tour is scheduled to meet the absolute prime conditions for polar bear photography in the region. We spend 6 nights in arctic Alaska, taking boat trips out each day (weather permitting) to photograph the bears. The best polar bear photo tour in Alaska, bar none.

The Alaska Polar Bear

Arctic Alaska is home to many creatures we all love to see and to photograph, but perhaps no other animal quite encapsulates the region like the great Polar bear;  Ursus maritimus ; Nanuq (or Nanook). We’ll spend 6 nights in a small native island community, at the very northern edges of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, with 5 full days and another half day focusing on photographing the magnificent polar bears that gather here late in the fall.

Unlike most other Alaska polar bear photo tours, this tour is all about the bears. We spend the entire week concentrating on polar bear photography, and everything else we may or may not shoot along the way, such as northern lights, etc, is somewhat secondary (if the northern lights might ever be considered  “secondary”  ). 🙂 Rather than just 2 or maybe 3 days with the bears like most other arctic Alaska polar bear photo tours, we spend the entire week focused on getting the very best polar bear photos we can. For the most part, that means giving ourselves as much time as possible.

To do that we’ll spend all week on the island, looking for optimal conditions. Good light, no wind, and active and energetic polar bears! Watch the video below to see a small sample of the kind of opportunities available.

Expeditions Alaska Polar Bear Tour Video

Polar Bears. Playful. Powerful. Photogenic.

Returning to the arctic coast in mid-fall, polar bears of the Southern Beaufort Sea congregate ned the mouth of the ago River in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. A local Inupiat Village subsistence whale hunt provides further attraction for the hungry bears.

Tolerant of human activity, these polar bears are an enigmatic photographic subject. Playful and curious, they’re also shy and elusive. Fierce and solemn, yet timid and cautious.  A photogenic creatures like few others.

Sows with cubs are common, as many as three sows may have cubs of the year. Often several other sows in the area have yearling or two year old still with them. Subadults roam the beaches. Large adult males spar and wrestle on the snow.

Surprisingly sociable creatures, polar bears routinely play and tussle with each other. Cubs will chase one another along the shoreline. Even while sleeping on a pad of fresh snow, a polar bear is a subject like no other.

Polar Bear. Ice Bear.

This tour is all about the bears. You’ll photograph bears playing in the water, polar bear cubs chasing each other across the frozen snow-covered islands, and adult males wrestling and sparring. More poses and portraits that you can imagine.

Bears are always a treat to photograph. Polar bears particularly so. Nowhere in the world is there a better place than Arctic Alaska to photograph these astonishing creatures.

An average of 40 bears in the immediate vicinity each of the last 5 years. A high population of nearly 80 bears in 2012). This is simply THE place to go.

Eye Level Photography. Intimate encounters. Swimming bears. Playful Cubs. Sows Nursing. Males sparring.

Want to learn more about polar bears?

Polar Bears on Ice.

All 19 subpopulations of polar bears have experienced some degree of ice loss. Loss of Arctic sea ice owing to climate change is the single biggest threat to polar bears throughout their range.

Trip Details

Photographing from your small privately chartered boat, we’re able to photograph the bears without disturbing them. The polar bears here are used to our presence, and (as are most polar bears) extremely curious.

The photography opportunities will amaze you. I can’t overstate this. There’s nothing I can say here that might fully prepare you for you just how incredible the polar bear photography is here. I can, however, offer you that in the last few years, more and more people are coming here, to Alaska, and forsaking the better known locales of Churchill or Svalbard (Spitzbergen). The polar bears are concentrated here in the Barter Island area this time of year, feeding off the remains of the fall subsistence whale hunt.

The bears gather here as the area is typically the first in the region to freeze up in fall, allowing the bears to hunt on the ice. The other draw for the bears here is carrion. The local Inupiat village have a subsistence Bowhead whale hunt each fall (autumn) and the polar bears feed off the remains from that hunt (the village has a quote of three whales each fall).

A high concentration of polar bears in a small, accessible area.

Trip Logistics

Orientations, meals & wheels, on the water, cameras & clothes, terms & conditions.

We’ll pick you up when you arrive on Barter Island, and shuttle you to the hotel. There we’ll check in and have lunch, as well as a brief orientation for the tour. Immediately afterwards, we’ll ride down to the waterfront and meet your boat captain.

The nearby barrier islands are where we typically find the bears, so it’s a short ride. There we’ll find which bears we want to photograph, and spend our first afternoon with the bears.

Dinner back at the hotel again. Meals are first class food (this is the arctic, not New York City, but the food is always excellent, and plenty of it). After dinner we can download and review or edit images if you like.

The hotel serves three meals a day, buffet style, with custom orders limited but available as time and staffing permits. Any dietary restrictions, if you can let me know ahead of time, we can typically accommodate.

Your transport from the hotel to the boat and back is provided each day, morning and afternoon.

Weather conditions vary, but you should expect it to be cold. You’re in the arctic. Wind can be strong, and blowing snow is not uncommon. If the weather is too adversarial, we won’t go out on the water (at the boat captain’s discretion). Safety is a priority, of course.

Your boat captain is a US Coast Guard licensed marine captain. Both the boat captain and myself are permitted through the US Fish & Wildlife Service to operate on the Arctic Refuge waters. We also carry all the requisite insurance, and licensing, etc. Both operators have submitted safety plans for your tours. I carry a satellite phone as well as a first aid kit on the water. The boat operator also has the requisite radio and emergency equipment for safe operations in arctic waters.

Sometimes the bears are feeding at the  “bone pile” , so shooting from there is an option if the weather dictates we don’t take the boat. We’ll look into a vehicle and take you there as needed.

Upon your reservation, I’ll send you a full Trip Departure Packet eBook, filled with photos and information about the tour, including two chapters on clothing and camera equipment options. As a general rule, think of any standard wildlife photography (long, fast lenses, high ISO performance cameras are a good start). Beanbags or monopods work better than tripods, but occasionally a tripod can be handy.

Clothing needs to be arctic wear. If you’re not familiar with what that is, we’ll discuss than and I can send you the section on what to wear.

The Terms and Conditions for all Expeditions Alaska trips, my guiding business, can be found on  the website here .

This tour is limited in scope, by weather and available space, so it fills up early. If you’re at all interested in the tour, I strongly suggest you contact me asap via the form below, and we look at availability and waiting lists. Thank you.

Any Questions? Email me.

Trip Itinerary

Day 0 – You arrive in Fairbanks, AK, overnight there (not included)

Day 1 – You’ll fly to Barter Island, arrival approximately noon. Check in and orientation, then head out for an afternoon of photography.

Day 2/6 – Breakfast, the we head out to photograph. Daily photography excursions, morning and afternoon, by chartered boat. Typically we’re out around 8:30am, back for lunch, out again in the afternoon and back for dinner. Time are dependent on weather and conditions. 6-8 hours on the water each day. One evening (TBD) we’ll schedule your optional cultural evening with local Inupiaq sharing local traditions and stories

Day 7 – Pack up your things, check out (you can leave luggage in the hotel), have a morning trip on the water to photograph, followed by your return flight to Fairbanks. Plan on overnighting there (not included), and taking your flight home no sooner than the following day.

WHAT’S INCLUDED

Currently, I’m providing one chartered flight Fairbanks – Barter Island. For the first week (Oct 4-10), that’ll be your return flight. For the 2nd week tour (Oct 10-16), that’ll be your arrival flight to Barter Island. So for week one, you need to book a flight Fairbanks -> Barter Island on the 4th. For week two, you need to book a flight Oct 16 Barter Island -> Fairbanks.

All transport on Barter Island is included.

Daily boat charter out on to the waters of the inner coastal, with a Coast Guard licensed and US FWS permitted boat captain.

Photography instruction as needed. Photography processing advice and instruction if required.

WHAT’S NOT INCLUDED?

Your airfare to/from Alaska.

Accommodations outside Barter Island.

Camera Equipment. Camera Insurance.

Personal expenses.

Gratuities.

Polar bears have long garnered the attention of those people who live amongst them in the cold north. For millennia, people here have regaled one another with countless tales of close encounters with Nanuq, the sea bear. Stories of grandeur, real and imagined, tales of his hunting prowess, his wit and his energy, his strength, his bravery and his cunning.

Inuit and Alaska Native tales include stories about polar bear-men, fabled creatures that walked upright, lived in igloos and could talk. These creatures were humans inside their home, but donned magnificent fur coats when they went outside to hunt Ugruk, the bearded seal.

The scientific name for the polar bear is Ursus maritimus, or sea bear. The bears are classified as marine mammals, oddly by the same folks who refer to the polar bear as the largest terrestrial (i.e., land) predator in the world. It seems he doesn’t really fit neatly in to any pigeon hole or category we try to squeeze him inside. Sadly, we seem as prone to classify and typecast animals (and plants) as we do ourselves.

Polar bears are indeed a string of contradictions. Solitary yet extremely sociable, he’s fearless, yet timid. Curious, yet cautious. Intelligent, yet comical. A powerful athlete, yet clumsy and awkward. A fierce predator, yet playful and affectionate.

Collectively, they’re a successful apex predator, yet a vulnerable species, precariously balanced on that apex and now threatened with extinction. These paradoxes tell me we have a lot more to learn about (and from) the polar bear.

A series of adaptations make the polar bear a great swimmer. They have some webbing between their toes, they have a water repellent coat, a streamlined, tapered body shape, strong powerful forelegs for paddling (they don’t use their hind legs when paddling, but hold them aloft behind, like rudders) and broad feet.

Though they’re excellent swimmers and have been known to swim over 400 miles to reach an ice pack, polar bears are generally not capable of out-swimming the seals they prey on.

Polar Bears FAQs

1. what are the chances of no bears.

I’d be extremely, extremely surprised. Every year we’ve been here we’ve seen and photographed well over two dozen bears in any one week.

2. What gear do I bring?

On your reservation I’ll provide you with a comprehensive Trip Departure Packet, and I cover gear (camera gear and clothing) extensively. Suffice it to say, the last three years I’ve shot primarily with a Nikon FX body and my 80-400mm lens. I also bring a 500m F4, a DX body and a 1.4 extender. By far the most used set up for me is the 80-400mm.

3. What temperatures can we expect?

It will likely be right around freezing. Expect snow. Remember too, that an ambient temperature of 32˚F (0˚C) will feel significantly colder than what you might expect when we’re on a small boat on the icy water of the southern Beaufort Sea in the Arctic Ocean.

4. What communications are available?

The accommodations of choice have satellite internet (included). It’s not fast, and not good for uploading large files, etc, but for email and reading the news, it works fine. Cell coverage is available, but can be spotty for different providers. AT&T works well. There is a landline available at the hotel as well. In the field I carry a satellite phone, and we have radios on the boat as well. Typically, the boats are NOT out of cell phone coverage from the village.

5. Any northern lights opportunities?

For my groups, no. I think it’s unsafe and unsound to take a group of photographers out of the village to photograph the northern lights in an area with 40 polar bears in the vicinity. Some other tour operators will do this, and you’re welcome to book with them if you want to. In my opinion, it’s reckless and asking for a problem.

6. What other photography opportunities are there?

This tour is all about polar bears. There is not a lot of other wildlife in the nearby area. Some times we’ll see an arctic fox. Most of the birds have left this lateen the year, but there are various gulls and some waterfowl still in the area.

It’s my opinion that the best polar bear photography comes when we spend our time working on photographing polar bears.

7. Any weather caveats

Weather will of course dictate everything. This  IS  arctic Alaska after all and we can expect some inclement weather.

You’ll see more information about this throughout this page but know that a flexible itinerary and a fluid approach to the schedule are needed.

Some days we might not be able to go out on the water if the ocean is too rough, etc. There’ll likely be some downtime, which is par for the course in the arctic anytime of the year. We’ll make every effort possible to utilize everything available to maximize our opportunities for some great polar bear photography. The benefit of a week long stay is the chances improve dramatically for a combination of great weather and light conditions, polar bear activity and photography.

I highly HIGHLY recommend you purchase Trip Insurance .

I have more questions

I know you do. As well you should.

I recommend starting with the General Trip FAQ page

More questions?  Email me  or  call me  if you like.

Upon your reservation I’ll send out a comprehensive trip information packet that covers just about everything and more you might imagine about your trip.

Polar Bear Tour Review

“All in all I think he’s very professional and yet very friendly and makes a good company. It matters since in most of trips you’ll be spending a lot of time with him together. Hes got some humours and he’s definitely got great knowledge of the tours he does. When I return to Alaska he’s the one I’ll be calling. I’m a professional photographer myself and I’m not easily pleased. But his tours have pleased me. That’s for sure” .

Read a complete review of this tour here

You May Also Like

Alaska Brown Bear & Coastal Wildlife Photo Tour

Bears, bears and more bears. And seals, sea otters and bald eagles. Alaska as it gets.

On a scale of 1 – 5, five being the most challenging, one boot is appealing. Basically it means “You got this” .

1 boot = basecamp/dayhike easy 2 boots = easier backpacking trip 3 boots = intermediate level trip 4 boots = intermediate to advanced backpacking 5 boots = ask yourself are you really ready for this?

Expect whatever level you think might best fit you to be one level LOWER on our scale. Hiking here in Alaska is generally a step or three above what you’ll find in the Lower 48 states.

One boot is about as easy as we do here in Alaska. That doesn’t mean it’s easy; you’re carrying gear, and even on a basecamp trip you’ll find expending some effort required of you. And there is always the weather or some other adversarial element to contend with.

What you won’t find on a single-boot-rated trip is the difficult terrain challenges we see on our other ventures. No glacial moraines to deal with, or alder and muskeg, or sidehills to wreak havoc on your ankles hours on end.

Great option for starters, the older or the younger folks who want to see some astonishing remote wild country, without all the rigors or the more common backpacking adventures we undertake. You’ll love it.

A week with a private chartered boat, the best captain in the business and some of the most stunning wild Alaska backdrops you can imagine, And did we mention the bears?

The Fat Bears of Brooks Falls. Alaska. You. And Your Camera.

Join us for a week of Alaska fat bear photography. We take care of all your logistics and make every effort to put you and your camera right in the right place. Every time.

Bald Eagle Photo Tour

An American icon. Thousands of them. Bring Your Camera. Or Two.

One week of bald eagle photography on the famous Chilkat River. Hundreds, even thousands of bald eagles gather. So bring plenty of memory cards.

Aurora Borealis Photo Tour

Alaska’s Lady of the Night. She Dances With Darkness.

This is how we do aurora borealis photography. Take the time to do it right. Go to the right locations. Learn the technicals of the photography. And enjoy the stunning Aurora borealis.

Experience True Nature

Wilderness adventure tours beyond imagination, polar bear viewing tour from fairbanks, go alaska tours | secured reservation request form.

A secure transmission of your personal information is very important for the Alaska Travel Network Group LLC at these days and that's why we have taken steps to ensure that we have the most secure method of transmission on the Internet available. All online reservation request and contact forms are providing a SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) technology with a 128-bit encryption for transmission of data between your web browser and our web server which provides the highest level of protection from tampering and eavesdropping. 128-bit encryption is considered so secure that cryptographers consider it impossible to crack. There is no safer way for your personal information to be transmitted. In fact, both the Canadian and US Governments use 128-bit encryption for transmission of their sensitive data. The Go Alaska Tours Website (www.goalaskatours.com) uses GeoTrust for its SSL and 128-bit encryption.

Eskimo Whaling Camp

[ Homepage ]

Serving Alaskans Since 1996 Alaska Internet Marketing, Inc. Hosting-Design-Internet Advertising Anchorage, Alaska (907) 242-7245 Email: [email protected]

• Churchill Polar Bear Tours
• Tundra Lodge Adventure

Trip Highlights

Be with Polar Bears Around the Clock

Scout for Bears from Custom Polar Rovers

Search for Arctic Wildlife on a Tundra Safari

Photo Expeditions Available

What Makes Our Tundra Lodge Adventure SO Special?

• The Best Polar Bear Viewing Spot on the Planet Each September, our Tundra Lodge is strategically placed on a small spit of land that juts into Hudson Bay. This isolated spot is where the sea ice first begins to form, attracting polar bears at the beginning of the bear-viewing season. Tundra Lodge guests stay right in the midst of the most concentrated polar bear activity in the world!
• Close-Up Bear Viewing from Private Cabins & Shared Observation Areas  At the Tundra Lodge, just 29 guests spend leisurely time observing polar bears. Aboard this unique hotel fashioned like a train with sleeper cars, each guest has a compact private cabin with individual sleeping berth and window through which to watch bears (and, if we're lucky, the northern lights!). Large elevated outdoor viewing platforms with steel-grate decking further enhance polar bear observation. At the Tundra Lodge, you won't miss a thing, since you're in polar bear terrain 24/7. 
• Exclusive Permits Access the Best Bear-Viewing Area Not every polar bear tour operator possesses permits to access the entire Churchill Wildlife Management Area (WMA) where the best, and sometimes only, polar bear viewing   occurs. Nat Hab, in tandem with our partner Great White Bear Tours, holds one of these permits. Other operators are confined to the paved and gravel road to Halfway Point—which, as the name suggests, is only halfway to the prime polar bear area. If you're coming to Churchill to get close to polar bears, be sure you get full access. 
• Travel with Two Naturalist Expedition Leaders With two guides, our 29 guests get the richest interpretive experience and exceptional personal attention. Our Expedition Leaders' in-depth knowledge and experience mean better, closer and more inspiring encounters with polar bears, the northern landscape and other Arctic wildlife.
• Our Polar Rovers Are the Most Impressive Vehicles in Churchill Our custom-built Polar Rovers have an advanced drive train that lets us safely cruise over the tundra with virtually no chance of breakdown, plus a custom-designed heavy-duty suspension system that steadies the ride over the uneven terrain. With huge picture windows, an angled front windshield (to look down on bears in front below), and onboard flush toilets, our guests enjoy a superior experience.
• Steel Mesh Decking Enhances Close-Up Bear Viewing Built into the rear observation platform of every Polar Rover—and into the platforms that separate the "cars" of our Tundra Lodge—is an exclusive feature that greatly enhances polar bear viewing: grated steel mesh decks that we can see through, enabling us to come within mere inches of curious bears that sometimes wander beneath the platforms!
• The Smallest Groups for Superior Nature Adventures Natural Habitat Adventures is known for its small groups, including the smallest polar bear tours in Churchill. While it may cost us more, the benefits are worth it. Inside the Tundra Lodge, which accommodates just 29 guests, you'll have plenty of room to view bears through sliding windows and ample deck space. Our Polar Rovers hold 30 or more passengers, but we generally travel with no more than 16 per vehicle when we head out on excursions from the Tundra Lodge. Every guest has plenty of space to spread out, angle for photos, and enjoy watching wildlife without being bumped by other travelers.
• Private Chartered Flights Maximize Time with Polar Bears To achieve the most time on the tundra viewing polar bears, rather than waiting around airports and enduring the hassle of security screenings, we charter our own private aircraft to take us directly from Winnipeg to Churchill at a time most convenient for us. We know you'd rather spend your time with polar bears, rather than waiting in airports.
• We Provide Heavy Parkas & Winter Boots for Your Use No need to go spend a lot of money buying heavy outdoor gear you may use just once—we provide Arctic-style parkas and heavy-duty winter boots for your use in Churchill, at no cost.
• The Finest Naturalist Guides on the Planet Natural Habitat Adventures is known worldwide for employing the highest-quality guides in the industry. Our Churchill Expedition Leaders have been guiding polar bear trips for an average of 10 years each. They also receive additional training from WWF scientists. You won't find more knowledgeable guides! These congenial professionals meet you in Winnipeg and travel with the group the whole way. Our photo tour leaders are also professional photographers, with a passion and talent for sharing their knowledge. Our philosophy is simple: a nature adventure is only as good as the guide who leads it, so we provide the best.  See Expedition Leader bios and traveler comments regarding the quality of our leaders.
• Our Quality-Value Guarantee Ensures Your Outstanding Polar Bear Adventure With Natural Habitat Adventures, you receive our exclusive guarantee that clearly states that we will meet the high expectations we set forth in our promotional materials. To our knowledge, this is the most ambitious guarantee made by any adventure travel company. Read our important promise.
• Feel Good About Your Carbon-Neutral Journey We care deeply about our planet, as we know you do. When you travel with us, the carbon emissions from your trip are 100% offset—including your round-trip flights from home. Natural Habitat Adventures has been the world’s first carbon-neutral travel company since 2007.

Read what travelers are saying about our Tundra Lodge Adventure:

Availability & Book Now

Download Trip Details

Ask a Question

Customize Your African Safari

Let our in-house safari experts create your perfect African adventure. Whether you'd like to travel as a private group on this safari or you'd like to create an itinerary all your own, simply fill out the form to the right or give us a call at 800-543-8917 .

Customize Your Trip

Let our in-house trip experts create your perfect adventure. Whether you'd like to travel as a private group on our ${tripName} or you'd like to create an itinerary all your own, simply fill out the form to the right or give us a call at 800-543-8917.

Discover the World's Best

Nature Travel Experiences

Get our downloadable trip details in PDF format, a handy resource for your travel planning. Inside, you'll find all the info from our website—highlights of the trip, itinerary, accommodations, and full details on dates, prices and logistics—plus a few extras!

Thank you for your request! Click here to see your trip details PDF now. You’ll also receive it by email momentarily.

Fill out our form to receive additional information about our ${tripName}, or give us a call at 800-543-8917 .

We’ll be in touch soon with more details.

Request Your 2023 Catalog

Together, Natural Habitat Adventures and World Wildlife Fund have teamed up to arrange nearly a hundred nature travel experiences around the planet, while helping to protect the magnificent places we visit and their wild inhabitants.

Get Weekly Updatess

Our weekly eNewsletter highlights new adventures, exclusive offers, webinars, nature news, travel ideas, photography tips and more. Sign up today!

Look for a special welcome message in your inbox, arriving shortly! Be sure to add [email protected] to your email contacts so you don’t miss out on future emails.

Send Us a Message

Have a question or comment? Use the form to the right to get in touch with us.

We’ll be in touch soon with a response.

Refer a Friend

Earn rewards for referring your friends! We'd like to thank our loyal travelers for spreading the word. Share your friend's address so we can send a catalog, and if your friend takes a trip as a first-time Nat Hab traveler, you'll receive a $250 Nat Hab credit you can use toward a future trip or the purchase of Nat Hab gear. To refer a friend, just complete the form below or call us at 800-543-8917. It's that easy! See rules and fine print here.

We've received your friend's information.

View Our 2023 Digital Catalog

View Our 2024/2025

Digital Catalog

Thanks for requesting access to our digital catalog. Click here to view it now. You’ll also receive it by email momentarily.

Polar Bear Tours

African Safaris

Galapagos Tours

Alaska Adventures

U.S. National Parks Tours

Canada & the North

Europe Adventures

Mexico & Central America Tours

South America Adventures

Asia & Pacific Adventures

Antarctica & Arctic Journeys

Adventure Cruises

Photography Expeditions

Women's Adventures

Family Adventures

New Adventures

Questions? Call 800-543-8917

Have a question or comment? Click any of the buttons below to get in touch with us. Hours Mountain Time

• 8 am to 5 pm, Monday - Friday
• 8 am to 3 pm on Saturday
• Closed on Sunday

• Twitter / X
• Readers' Choice
• Food & Drink
• Arts & Culture
• Travel Guides

Vote for your favorite adventure tour operator!

USA TODAY 10Best Readers' Choice Awards

These 20 adventure tour operators — nominated by an expert panel — cater to travelers who crave excitement, challenge, and fun in their vacations. Whether you're looking for an individualized journey or group tour, they'll have something for you, with activities ranging from hiking and biking to rafting and kayaking. Which adventure tour operator would you most like to book with? Vote for your favorite once per day until polls close on Monday, May 27 at noon ET. The 10 winning tour operators will be announced on Wednesday, June 5. Read the official  Readers' Choice rules . 

These 20 adventure tour operators — nominated by an expert panel — cater to travelers who crave excitement, challenge, and fun in their vacations. Whether you're looking for an individualized journey or group tour,...   Read More

Best Adventure Tour Operator Nominees

Photo courtesy of Todd Mintz

Adventure Canada

Equipped with a fleet of small-scale cruise liners, Adventure Canada has mastered the art of both Arctic and Antarctic excursions. Across Canada, the Northwest Passage voyage highlights the idyllic beauty of Nunavut, while those hoping to spot polar bears in the wild should spring for a Heart of the Arctic expedition, with both featuring highly educated naturalists and archaeologists aboard the ship.

Photo courtesy of Tyson Mayr

Aurora Expeditions

A pioneer of Antarctic travel in the 20th century, Aurora Expeditions has evolved into a force within the industry that offers trips all across the globe. Polar voyages are particularly popular, with options ranging from the shores of Antarctica to the High Arctic, while other cruise routes include Costa Rica, Scotland, and Iceland.

Photo courtesy of Bindlestiff Tours

Bindlestiff Tours

Bindlestiff Tours specializes in small group adventures with a focus on the American Southwest, Alaska, and western Canada. Guests enjoy fully customized touring vehicles with enlarged viewing windows, free Wi-Fi at most campsites, and the myriad benefits of insider expertise, like the best spots to photograph a sunset or favorite local restaurants.

Photo courtesy of Kirstie Mullikin

Explorer Chick Adventure Co.

From snorkeling around the Galapagos to gorilla trekking in Uganda, Explorer Chick’s curated tours span five separate continents — and each one is crafted specifically by women, for women. Founded in 2014 by Nicki Bruckmann, this adventure company provides ample opportunity to explore gorgeous landscapes and forge new friendships all across the globe.

Photo courtesy of GomezDavid / E+ Getty Images

Frontiers North Adventures

While northern Canada may not be the most easily accessed region, Frontiers North Adventures is perfectly equipped for making your dream excursion come true. In addition to polar bear safaris and beluga whale watching, the company's Northern Lights and Winter Nights excursion offers an opportunity to catch one of the planet's most stunning natural phenomena in real life.

Photo courtesy of G Adventures, Inc.

G Adventures

Launched in 1990, G Adventures has earned acclaim for their wide array of high-end tours and strong commitment to positive social impact. Whether it's hiking in Iceland or biking in Vietnam, each trip is designed to reflect the company's G for Good philosophy, a concept that seeks to benefit all people and communities visited during a trip.

Photo courtesy of HX & Espen Mills

HX (Hurtigruten Expeditions)

HX (Hurtigruten Expeditions) has earned widespread acclaim for their lavish cruises, with destinations ranging from the frigid depths of Antarctica to the sunny shores of the Caribbean. For wildlife lovers in particular, the company's Galapagos expeditions shine a spotlight on the rich biodiversity of the archipelago, while a Svalbard voyage is perfect for spotting polar bears in their natural habitat.

Photo courtesy of Intrepid Travel

Intrepid Travel

Toronto-based Intrepid is a treasure trove for small-scale sustainable tours, with more than 100 countries available to visit. With itineraries like lemur-spotting in the rural depths of Madagascar and cultural immersions across the Middle East, this storied adventure company is perfect for accessing some of the most remote corners of the globe.

Photo courtesy of Journeys International

Journeys International

Journeys International builds private and group trips to a variety of worldwide destinations, centering each adventure around the individual's or groups' travel goals. Each party is assigned an adventure specialist who makes personalized choices of locations and activities to include in the experience. All journeys are designed to give every person involved a special and unique trip of a lifetime.

Photo courtesy of Ralph Lee Hopkins, Lindblad Expeditions

Lindblad Expeditions-National Geographic

New Zealand, French Polynesia, and Greenland are just a few of the dazzling destinations frequented by Lindblad Expeditions, a storied tour operator that's been working in tandem with National Geographic since 2004. While warm weather destinations span from Baja California to the Amazon, the company has earned abundant acclaim for their immersive Antarctic expeditions focusing on native wildlife amidst stunning scenery.

Photo courtesy of KenCanning / E+ Getty Images

Maple Leaf Adventures

The spectacular beauty of Canada is on full display with Maple Leaf Adventures, a small-ship cruise operator that's been in the business since 1986. While the bulk of their itineraries focus on showcasing locations across western Canada, gastronomes can also join in on the fun with a curated Craft Beer Cruise or Wines And Islands excursion across British Columbia.

Photo courtesy of Karin Watkins MT Sobek Photo File

MT Sobek has been a leader in the adventure travel industry for more than half a century. Today, travelers can choose from some 200 journeys around the world. Each one is designed to inspire and exhilarate, with interest categories like multi-adventure, family adventure, wildlife and safari, adventure cruising, hiking and trekking, cultural discovery, and rafting and kayaking.

Photo courtesy of Nantahala Outdoor Center

Nantahala Outdoor Center

Beginning as a small-scale rafting tour company back in 1972, Nantahala Outdoor Center has expanded far beyond just the rivers of North Carolina, operating tours from southern Iceland to the Zambezi River. Though their scope has expanded on an international scale, the company still excels at domestic adventure, showcasing the incredible rafting opportunities across the Southern United States.

Photo courtesy of REI Co-op / REI Adventures

Adventure travelers have long turned to REI to outfit their travels; with REI Adventures, they’ll also find more than 100 fully curated experiences across the United States. These active travel itineraries might involve cycling near Zion National Park, hiking through Yellowstone and Grand Teton, kayaking at Point Reyes, or enjoying a weekend of backpacking close to home.

Photo courtesy of Stubborn Mule Travel

Stubborn Mule Travel

A perfect fit for all ages, Stubborn Mule Travel has curated a wide variety of itineraries designed specifically for traveling families. Destinations span across five continents, and as an added bonus, the company also offers unique itinerary stops based off of the interests of each individual guest.

Photo courtesy of 104kelly // Getty Images

Thomson Safaris

Best known as the home of Mount Kilimanjaro, Tanzania has earned worldwide acclaim for its abundant natural beauty — a quality that Thomson Safaris has been highlighting for more than 40 years. While there’s no going wrong with a classic safari, the company also offers food-focused tours and even plane excursions, each one led by a team of expert local guides.

Photo courtesy of Urban Events Global Team

Urban Events Global

Kevin Knight founded Urban Events Global as a travel company for African American adventure seekers looking to explore with like-minded travelers. The company hosts regular camping weekends, as well as group tours to destinations like Ghana, Dubai, Greece, and Jamaica. They can also plan a custom trip itinerary for you.

Photo courtesy of Ren Fuller // Women High On Adventure

WHOA Travel

WHOA Travel works with women guides and business owners to build unique travel experiences. WHOA group adventures are scheduled all over the world, from Kilimanjaro and Peru to Iceland and Bavaria. 

Photo courtesy of Wild Women Expeditions

Wild Women Expeditions

Wild Women Expeditions specializes in “amazing outdoor adventures for all women.” The company leads trips to more than two dozen countries around the globe, with activities like canoeing, kayaking, cycling, hiking, surfing, sailing, and yoga.

Photo courtesy of Beth Peluse / Zephyr Adventures

Zephyr Adventures

Equipped with a roster of trips that span from strenuous mountain hikes to e-biking excursions, Zephyr Adventures offers a diverse range of options for your next getaway. For a glimpse into the beauty of coastal New England, the Acadia National Park Hiking Adventure is a top choice, while those who prefer a more laid-back itinerary can spring for the Czech Republic Breweries and Walking Adventure.

About 10Best Readers' Choice Awards

Nominees are submitted by a panel of experts. 10Best editors narrow the field to select the final set of nominees for the Readers’ Choice Awards. Readers can vote once per category, per day. For any questions or comments, please read the FAQ or email USA TODAY 10Best .

The Experts

Brandon withrow.

Brandon Withrow is a travel journalist based in...   Read More

Brandon Withrow is a travel journalist based in Northwest Ohio, covering ecotourism, wildlife, outdoor adventures, and eco-friendly stays, as well as the secrets of underrated cities. He appears in The Daily Beast, BBC Travel, Canadian Geographic, Business Insider, The Hill, and Sierra Magazine. You can find him at  www.brandonwithrow.com ,  @bwithrow  on Twitter, and  @bgwithrow  on Instagram.

Chez Chesak

‘Chez’ Chesak is Executive Director of the Outdoor...   Read More

‘Chez’ Chesak is Executive Director of the Outdoor Writers Association of America, an adventure travel writer, board member of the Society of American Travel Writers and 22-year veteran of the outdoor and travel industries. While he’s lived all over the U.S. and traveled to more than 30 countries, he has the most fun when he’s exploring with his wife Sally and two daughters. An avid outdoors person, he’s happiest on a trail, on skis, or nestled into a sleeping bag. Learn more about him and his work at www.chezconnects.com .  

Dave Stamboulis

Dave Stamboulis is a travel writer/photographer...   Read More

Dave Stamboulis is a travel writer/photographer based in Bangkok. Born in Athens, Greece and growing up in the U.S., Dave first discovered Bangkok while on a 45,000-kilometer bicycle trip and moved there for good in 2005. Dave's photos appear in publications around the world. He's the author of Odysseus' Last Stand , which received the Silver Medal for Travel Book of the Year from the Society of American Travel Writers. In addition to updating the Fodor's Guidebook to Thailand, he is the author of 500 Hidden Secrets to Bangkok, and his travel stories and photography appear in publications around the globe. 

Jacky Runice

Born in Bucktown when bulletproof was a home...   Read More

Born in Bucktown when bulletproof was a home safety choice and not a coffee order, Jacky Runice has been knocking around Chicago as a professional print, online and broadcast journalist and editor specializing in separating the riff from the raff in culture, entertainment, food, travel and pure unadulterated fun. Jacky is a member of the International Food, Wine & Travel Writers Association (IFWTWA). In her best Chicagoese, Jacky asks, "Who has the time or money to blow on hotels, attractions, restaurants, exhibits and activities that blow?"

Jamie Davis Smith

Jamie is an attorney, writer and photographer. She...   Read More

Jamie is an attorney, writer and photographer. She was born with deeply ingrained wanderlust and has visited 45 countries and counting. She often brings her children along for the adventure and is passing her love of travel on to the next generation. Jamie has written for   Insider,   Fodor's Travel ,   Yahoo ,  the Huffington Post , the  Washington Post,   Viator  and  Reviewed  among many other publications. Jamie is from Philadelphia and now lives in Washington, DC, where she takes advantage of everything the region has to offer.    Jamie can be reached at  [email protected]  and can be found on  Twitter ,  Instagram  and  TikTok .

Marla Cimini

Marla is an award-winning writer with a passion...   Read More

Marla is an award-winning writer with a passion for travel, music, surfing and culinary adventures! An avid globetrotter and guidebook writer, she has covered topics such as the Hawaiian islands (including food trends and luxury beachfront resorts), as well as European getaways and global destinations. Her articles have appeared in many publications worldwide, including USA Today. Marla lives in New Jersey (Philadelphia area) and is a frequent visitor to Hawaii and Southern California, and often covers those destinations. Her travel website is:  www.marlacimini.com  

Meg St-Esprit

Meg St-Esprit is a journalist based in Pittsburgh...   Read More

Meg St-Esprit is a journalist based in Pittsburgh who covers family travel, lifestyle, education, and parenting. With their four kids in tow, she and her husband love to travel anywhere and everywhere — but have a soft spot for camping and outdoor adventures. In fact, her kids are well on their way to achieving their goal of visiting all 124 state parks in Pennsylvania. Meg believes travel doesn’t need to be luxurious or costly to be valuable, and aims to share that with her audience. Meg’s work has appeared in publications such as  The New York Times, Thrillist, The Washington Post, Fodor’s, Yahoo, Good Housekeeping, Romper , and more. Follow Meg on Instagram and Twitter at @megstesprit or check out her work on  https://megstesprit.com/

Melanie Reffes

Melanie is an island girl at heart . Born in...   Read More

Melanie is an island girl at heart . Born in Manhattan, she now lives on the sunny island of Montreal and covers  the Caribbean for a variety of publications  including  USA TODAY 10Best, CaribbeanTravel.com and MarryCaribbean.com.  A journalist with a boatload of writer awards under her belt, Melanie's affection for the Caribbean started  young when her family vacationed in Puerto Rico.   An avid fan of spicy food,   Melanie enjoys the diversity of Montreal - especially during the warmer months -when she's not en route to the Caribbean. She  holds a Masters Degree in Social Work from the University of Toronto. 

Nicky Omohundro

Nicky Omohundro is the founder and editor of Read More

Nicky Omohundro is the founder and editor of LittleFamilyAdventure.com , the popular family travel & lifestyle website that inspires families to leave no child left inside. Since 2013 LFA has been providing inspiration to get families outdoors, eat well, and travel everywhere from their own backyard to around the world. Always up for a family adventure, she has traveled to 37 states and 6 countries to zip-line through a Costa Rican rainforest, see Finland’s Northern Lights, and go camping throughout the US. Nicky is the co-founder of Tourism WorX a travel consultancy group. Connect with her Twitter  and Instagram .

Olivia Christine Perez

Olivia Christine Perez is an outdoor + travel...   Read More

Olivia Christine Perez is an outdoor + travel wellness expert, author, and the creator of  O. Christine : a travel and wellness platform inspiring thousands of people to travel more and get outdoors for their wellness. Living with an autoimmune disease herself, Olivia helps people find wellness through the outdoors, self-care adventures, and mindful travel experiences. You can follow her work at  ochristine.com  and  instagram.com/ochristine.

Shea Peters

Shea Peters is a NYC based writer and frequent...   Read More

Shea Peters is a NYC based writer and frequent world traveler that looks to the history of a location in order to tell the story. Growing up in a Southern family that loves to travel, Shea has seen 44 of the 50 US states and believes that every place has a story worth telling, regardless of how populated or rural. She's currently a regular contributor discussing travel, culture, history, food, wellness, and business at Travel + Leisure, Elle, Harper’s Bazaar, Oprah Daily, Women’s Health, TripAdvisor, Cosmo, and Revolt TV. When she's not traveling, rooting for some unlikable sports team, or taking a pilates class, you can find Shea in her rooftop garden that is currently flourishing above the streets of New York City. You can follow Shea on  Instagram  and  Twitter .

Tamara Gane

Tamara Gane is an expert panel member for 10Best...   Read More

Tamara Gane is an expert panel member for 10Best Readers' Choice Awards. She's based in Reno/Lake Tahoe and in addition to USA Today 10Best, her work has been published in Travel & Leisure, Fodor's Travel, The Washington Post, SF Gate, Houston Chronicle, Lonely Planet, and more.

10Best Editors

USA TODAY 10Best provides users with original,...   Read More

USA TODAY 10Best provides users with original, unbiased and experiential travel coverage of top attractions, things to see and do, and restaurants for top destinations in the U.S. and around the world.