Grizzlies of the Khutzeymateen Instructional Photo Tour 2024
ABOUT THE KHUTZEYMATEEN GRIZZLY SANCTUARY:
Canada's only grizzly bear sanctuary is located at the tip of a long, remote and pristine inlet on the northern coast of British Columbia. Much of the area is closed to the public - and only two licensed guides are allowed to lead very small groups into the heart of this majestic, globally unique ecosystem - The Khutzeymateen Estuary. The sanctuary is home to about 50 resident grizzlies, with many more passing through during the year. This remote piece of wilderness is set within one of the planet's few remaining completely intact temperate rainforests and offers a stunning, verdant backdrop to observe and photograph wild grizzlies as they interact with one another as they have for millennia. The bears themselves grant visitors with a very rare privilege: they allow humans fully and completely into their rich and behaviourally diverse daily lives. Be one of under 200 people - and far, far fewer photographers - annually gifted with the intimate experience of sharing the lives of the Grizzlies of the Khutzeymateen.
OVERVIEW OF THIS KHUTZEYMATEEN GRIZZLIES PHOTO TOUR:
Back again for 2024! Think of this photo tour as the Khutzeymateen "full meal deal"! This photo tour combines two pre-trip online professional bear photography instruction sessions with 4 days of fabulous grizzly bear viewing and photography in the world-famous Khutzeymateen Grizzly Sanctuary. The morning after your arrival in Prince Rupert, BC, we'll travel to the Khutzeymateen via float plane. Our floating basecamp in the Khutzeymateen Inlet is the Afterglow - a spacious and fully customized 60' Gulf Commander powerboat. We will be assisted by one of the world's best professional bear guides during our time we're working with the spectacular Grizzlies of the Khutzeymateen (in the most magical setting imaginable)! This trip is simply an extraordinary and globally-unique experience - and it provides unsurpassed photographic opportunities!
This photo tour begins and ends in Prince Rupert, British Columbia, Canada.
What's Included? This is an all-inclusive trip (once in Prince Rupert, BC on Day 1) that includes two pre-trip online bear and wildlife photography instruction sessions, one night of accommodation and your meals in Prince Rupert, float plane transport to and from the Khutzeymateen, certified bear and photography guides, and 4 full days of accommodation and meals in the Khutzeymateen while we're photographing the majestic Grizzlies.
Sample Photos? Many of the Grizzly Bear images in my very popular "Bears" photo gallery were captured in the Khutzeymateen - feel free to check them out to see what the Khutzeymateen has to offer for a keen photographer!
OTHER Khutzeymateen Photo Tours Offered in 2024:
• The Khutzeymateen Explorer Photo Op Photo Tour
THE CRITICAL DETAILS:
• PHOTO TOUR TYPE: Instructional Photo Tour (go here for a description of the types of our photo tours).
• SCHEDULED PHOTO TOUR LEADER: Brad Hill
• DURATION: 5 NIGHTS/6 DAYS (including arrival and departure days) with 4 NIGHTS/5 DAYS in the Khutzeymateen aboard the Afterglow (a 60-foot fully customized Gulf Commander powerboat).
• PROVISIONAL DATES: June 14 to 19, 2024, including arrival and departure days. June 15-19 in the Khutzeymateen aboard the Afterglow.
• NUMBER OF PARTICIPANTS: Limited to 6.
• CURRENT NUMBER OF AVAILABLE SPOTS: 1.
• COST: $6699 CAD plus 5% GST. Currency converter available here.
• PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS FOR THIS TRIP: This photo tour is not excessively physically demanding and there is no hiking involved. However, to fully enjoy and participate in the trip there are a few physical tasks you should be able to perform. These include:
• Being able to easily move between the main boat and the Zodiac. This involves stepping from the deck of the Afterglow and into the Zodiac.
• Shooting your camera from within a Zodiac. This ultimately involves multiple tasks that are dependent on a degree of mobility and flexibility. The specific tasks including shooting your camera while sitting on the pontoon of the Zodiac or, at times, while sitting on the floor of the Zodiac. In some cases you may find that the most convenient way to shoot will be while kneeling (on your knees) on the bottom of the Zodiac. Note that tripods can NOT be used within the Zodiac and while it is theoretically possible to use a monopod in the Zodiac, few photographers find it practical. This means you must be able to hand-hold the camera/lens combinations you choose to bring on this trip.
Note that on some occasions it may be possible to stand in the Zodiac when shooting, but you will be shooting while sitting or kneeling far more frequently. A degree of flexibility and/or suppleness can make your time in the Zodiac far more productive and enjoyable!
• REGISTRATION: Contact me at seminars@naturalart.ca to reserve your spot!
• MORE INFORMATION? Just download this brochure (PDF; 5.8 MB) - or contact me at seminars@naturalart.ca