The Juneau Shore Excursion to the Fortress of the Bears Pack Creek offers a truly remarkable wildlife adventure. This small-group tour provides an unparalleled opportunity to witness the highest concentration of brown bears in their natural habitat. Participants will embark on a scenic 25-minute floatplane flight over the Tongass National Forest before embarking on a peaceful kayaking journey through Windfall Harbor. With expert guides, safety precautions, and a focus on providing an unforgettable experience, this tour promises breathtaking views and intimate encounters with Alaska’s majestic wildlife. But what secrets does this remote and captivating destination hold?
Key Points
- This Juneau shore excursion offers a unique opportunity to observe the highest concentration of brown bears in their natural habitat at Pack Creek.
- The tour includes a scenic 25-minute floatplane ride over the Tongass National Forest and a kayaking journey through Windfall Harbor for bear viewing.
- The small group size of 10 participants ensures a personalized and safe experience, with expert guides providing comprehensive wildlife education.
- Participants must be physically fit for a 1-2 mile hike in the wilderness, with a minimum age of 12 and a weight limit of 250 lbs.
- The tour has received excellent reviews, with participants reporting multiple bear sightings and an overall unforgettable nature adventure.
Overview and Experience
The Juneau Shore Excursion: Fortress of the Bears Pack Creek offers visitors a unique opportunity to witness the highest concentration of brown bears globally at the Pack Creek Brown Bear Viewing Area.
This small group tour is limited to just 10 people, ensuring a personalized experience with a certified guide for every five participants.
The day trip includes a scenic floatplane flight over the Tongass National Forest and a kayaking journey through Windfall Harbor, allowing guests to observe the bears in their natural habitat.
With a focus on attention and safety, this excursion promises an unforgettable adventure for nature enthusiasts seeking an up-close encounter with these magnificent creatures.
You can also read our reviews of more tours and experiences in Juneau.
Tour Details
Embarking on the tour, visitors take a scenic 25-minute floatplane ride to Windfall Island, where they then kayak through the serene Windfall Harbor en route to the Pack Creek Brown Bear Viewing Area. Once there, the 3-hour bear viewing experience begins. Guests walk to prime locations and climb lookout towers to observe the bears in their natural habitat. Throughout the excursion, snacks and bottled water are provided, and a delicious lunch is included.
| Activity | Duration | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Floatplane Ride | 25 minutes | Scenic flight over the Tongass National Forest |
| Kayaking | Variable | Peaceful journey through Windfall Harbor |
| Bear Viewing | 3 hours | Walking to prime locations and climbing towers |
| Meals | Included | Snacks, bottled water, and lunch provided |
Transportation and Meeting Points
Reaching the tour’s meeting point is straightforward, as the operator provides round-trip transportation from the port or major hotels in the Mendenhall Valley area.
The centralized meeting location is the ‘C’ sign near the cruise ship docks, situated between the Mt. Roberts Tramway and Taku Smokeries. This convenient location ensures an easy rendezvous point for participants.
The tour also offers pickups from the major hotels in the Mendenhall Valley, further simplifying the transportation logistics.
With these options, guests can focus on the excitement of the upcoming adventure without worrying about navigating to the starting point on their own.
The transportation arrangements seamlessly integrate with the overall tour experience.
Important Information
Prospective participants must keep in mind several important considerations when booking this tour. Minimum bookings of two people are required, as the permits for accessing the Pack Creek Brown Bear Viewing Area are limited and sell out quickly. Plus, guests must be physically fit enough to undertake a 1-2 mile hike, as the tour involves traversing wilderness areas with no developed facilities. An age minimum of 12 years also applies.
| Requirement | Restriction | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Weight Limit | 250 lbs per person | Due to aircraft restrictions |
| Health Conditions | Pregnant individuals and those with serious health conditions not permitted | – |
| Waste Management | All waste must be packed out | No facilities in wilderness area |
Reviews and Feedback
The tour has received overwhelmingly positive reviews, with a 5.0 overall rating across 4 reviews. Participants have shared their enthusiastic experiences, including sightings of multiple bears during the excursion.
One reviewer mentioned that the tour was worth the expense and an ‘amazing adventure.’ While some feedback noted that kayaking wasn’t included as expected, the overall consensus is that the experience is a must-do for visitors to Juneau.
The small group size and expert guides ensure a personalized and safe encounter with the iconic brown bears of Pack Creek. With limited permits and a high demand, this shore excursion is sure to leave a lasting impression on those fortunate enough to partake in it.
Floatplane Ride and Kayaking
The tour begins with a scenic floatplane ride over the Tongass National Forest, transporting guests to Windfall Island after a 25-minute flight.
Once on the island, participants embark on a kayaking journey to the Pack Creek Bear Viewing Area, where they can observe the highest concentration of brown bears globally in their natural habitat.
The peaceful paddle through Windfall Harbor offers a unique opportunity to witness the bears foraging, swimming, and interacting in their pristine environment.
This intimate experience, combined with the breathtaking aerial views, provides an unparalleled perspective on the majestic Alaskan wilderness and its iconic wildlife.
Bear Viewing Opportunities
Upon arriving at the Pack Creek Bear Viewing Area, guests can expect to spend three hours observing the bears in their natural habitat.
They’ll have the opportunity to walk to prime viewing locations and climb lookout towers, providing unobstructed sightlines to witness the bears foraging, swimming, and interacting with one another.
The area is known for having the highest concentration of brown bears globally, offering visitors an exceptional wildlife viewing experience.
With a maximum group size of 10 and a certified guide for every 5 participants, the tour ensures personalized attention and heightened safety throughout the bear viewing segment.
Guests are encouraged to bring their cameras and binoculars to capture the remarkable sights.
Safety Precautions
Safety is paramount on this tour, as participants venture into a rugged wilderness area.
Guests must be physically fit enough to hike 1-2 miles, as the tour doesn’t provide any facilities within the viewing area.
Pregnant individuals and those with serious health conditions aren’t permitted to join, given the remote nature of the experience.
To ensure participant safety, the tour has a strict weight limit of 250 lbs per person due to aircraft restrictions.
Plus, the group size is limited to 10 people, with a certified guide for every five participants to provide close attention and supervision.
The wilderness setting also means all waste must be packed out, highlighting the importance of responsible behavior during the excursion.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I Bring My Own Food and Beverages on the Tour?
No, participants cannot bring their own food and beverages on the tour. Snacks and bottled water are provided, and a full lunch is included in the tour package. All meals and refreshments are handled by the tour operator.
Is There a Designated Meeting Point at the Cruise Port?
Yes, there is a designated meeting point at the cruise port. The tour departs from the "C" sign near the cruise ship docks, between the Mt. Roberts Tramway and Taku Smokeries. This centralized location makes it easy for participants to find the tour.
Do I Need to Bring Any Special Equipment for the Hike?
Participants don’t need any special equipment for the hike, but they should wear comfortable, sturdy shoes and bring layers of clothing. The tour provider recommends packing snacks, water, and any necessary medications.
Is There a Maximum Group Size for the Tour?
The tour has a small group size, limited to 10 participants. This ensures a personalized experience with dedicated certified guides for every 5 guests, allowing for close attention and safe exploration of the bear viewing area.
How Often Do the Tours Depart From the Port?
The tour departs multiple times per day from the port, with specific departure times that may vary. The schedule is often dependent on factors like cruise ship arrivals and weather conditions. Interested participants should inquire about the current schedule when booking.
Recap
The Juneau Shore Excursion to the Fortress of the Bears Pack Creek offers an unforgettable wildlife adventure.
This small group tour includes a scenic floatplane flight, peaceful kayaking journey, and prime opportunities to observe brown bears in their natural habitat.
With expert guides, safety precautions, and stunning views, this experience provides an intimate encounter with Alaska’s majestic wildlife.
More Tour Reviews in Juneau
Not for you? Here's more things to do in Juneau we have recnetly reviewed
- 11 Best Canoe And Kayak Experiences In Juneau
- 2 Best Private Car With Driver Services In Juneau
- Ultimate Juneau Whale Watch
- Ultimate Whale Watch and Tracys Crab Shack Combo
- Alaska Native Tour and Tram Combo
- Mendenhall Glacier Trolley Tour
- Trails and Ale Tour and Tram Combo
- Mendenhall Glacier and Whale Watching Tour
- Juneau City Tour
- Juneau Jaunt Scavenger Hunt
- Waterfall Creek Brown Bear Viewing Juneau
- Flower Garden and Homestead Historical Walking Tour