Bear Country & Wildlife Expedition: Ketchikan. New for 2010

[CherylsCaribbeanTravel]

I did a search for this tour with no luck. Apparently the "Bear Country & Wildlife Expedition" in Ketchikan is a new tour for 2010 which could explain the lack of info.

 

I am wondering if anyone has knowledge of the general area described in the tour (Herring cove/Eagle Creek). I am also wondering if this is an old tour reinvented under a new name.

 

Here is a link to a description of the tour offered by HAL:

 

http://spiritofalaskatours.com/holland/bear-country.htm

 

Any thoughts??

 

Cheryl :)

[Assateague Island Princes]

Interesting. I've never seen it before. Is it up on HAL's excursion listings now? maybe they only offer it during the salmon run? We leave for Seattle tomorrow and sail on Monday, and I'm positive I haven't seen it on the HAL excursion listing before. Not that it matters, we've already got something booked, but just curious. If it is something they aren't offering til later, during the salmon run, you may not get any first hand reviews just yet. I question though how many bear you may really see - if any...If you decide to go, please write a review afterwards - would love to know for next time - and there WILL be a next time (this is our third trip to Alaska:D!).

[CherylsCaribbeanTravel]

Interesting. I've never seen it before. Is it up on HAL's excursion listings now? maybe they only offer it during the salmon run? We leave for Seattle tomorrow and sail on Monday, and I'm positive I haven't seen it on the HAL excursion listing before. Not that it matters, we've already got something booked, but just curious. If it is something they aren't offering til later, during the salmon run, you may not get any first hand reviews just yet. I question though how many bear you may really see - if any...If you decide to go, please write a review afterwards - would love to know for next time - and there WILL be a next time (this is our third trip to Alaska:D!).

 

Yes, this is positively on HAL's excursion list. According to the web page it is also offered by all the other mainstream lines. We are scheduled to arrive in Ketchikan on July 28, so that makes sense that it might be tied into the salmon run.

 

I was hoping maybe someone who is familiar with Ketchikan would recognize the description. This doesn't read like a brand new build (with reference to the tour walking through Herring bay Saw Mill, a general store, bridges, and elevated platforms for viewing). Anyone recognize this description?

 

Ketchikan’s finest bear viewing accessible by road! Visit Alaska Rainforest Sanctuary for this unique opportunity to see black bear in their native habitat. Your tour begins with a narrated city tour and eight mile coastal drive to the sanctuary. Your naturalist/guide will bring the rich forest to life as you meander along an improved trail, leading to a series of elevated tree platforms and suspension bridges amongst the magnificent stands of spruce, hemlock and cedar. Watch for bears from the safety of above ground platforms and bridges which maximize your viewing and provide protection. To limit resource impacts, only a limited number of small groups have access to this exclusive bear viewing area.

 

Leaving the private elevated wildlife viewing system, the rainforest trail transforms to a boardwalk perched over grassy wetlands alongside Eagle Creek, home to a rich run of spawning salmon. Here bears and seals come to fish for Alaska’s abundant salmon. Bald eagles and other birds wait for scraps in the estuary. After taking in the sights at more choice wildlife viewing locations, your guide will lead you to feed Alaskan reindeer. See a bald eagle and a Great Northern owl up close in the raptor center, where a wildlife specialist explains the habitat and heritage of America’s national symbol. Be guided through the historic Herring Bay Lumber Company Sawmill before you observe a master native carver crafting a large totem pole.

 

The group size will be limited to ensure an intimate experience. The focus of your tour will be to view black bears in their natural habitat. Your guide may change the order of the tour or time spent in any one spot to give you the best chance to view bears. The half-mile long trail is upon relatively flat terrain. Although the chances for seeing bear are excellent, wildlife sightings cannot be guaranteed. Visit our General Store and enjoy a complimentary smoked salmon snack, coffee, tea, or hot chocolate at the conclusion of the tour.

 

Cheryl

[CherylsCaribbeanTravel]

I think I may have answered my own question with a specific search for the sawmill. Looks like this has been around since 2004. This description is also identical to HAL's but tours operate for $80.00 from the web page verses the $199 from HAL :eek: . The video on the link matches the description perfectly, so I think this is the same tour.

 

This is the walking tour described on the web page as "Wildlife Sanctuary and Eagle Center" at the Alaska Rainforest Sanctuary. When I click on booking, I am redirected to the Alaska Canopy Zipline.

 

http://www.alaskarainforest.com/pages/tours_rainforest_sanctuary.htm

 

Perhaps this tour is listed as "Wildlife Sanctuary and Eagle Center' on non-salmon running times?

 

Cheryl

[prophotogirl]

It's a new tour for Princess as well. Plus it's not offered until July 10 which is fine by me cause I'll be in Ketchkian July 24. They had a press release on it a few months ago that said this was a new tour never been offered before by Princess.

[karatemom2]

We did the same tour for basically the cost of a car rental. It is an easy drive to Herring Cove and we have been fortunate enough to see black bears there both times we have visited the location. You don't really need a tour to go there.

[tahoedewey]

I was looking at the Holland America offerings tonight and hoping for comments on these tours!!

 

Rainforest Sancuary & Eagle Center 2.75 hour

is less expensive and a shorter hike, less likely to see a bear, but also tours the Sawmill, Raindeer, Totem carver, etc.

 

Bear Country & Wildlife Expedition 3.25 hour

costs more, a one mile hike to Eagle Creek with bear viewing possibility

and the Sawmill, Raindeer, Totem carver.

 

I think the difference is the hike.

 

I also read reviews that mentioned the Zipline tour (screaming!) above the hike but they did not say which tour they were on, maybe the shorter one and that is why the longer tour has been added?

 

Would love some personal experience comments on these tours!

[STEVE-O]

We did the same tour for basically the cost of a car rental. It is an easy drive to Herring Cove and we have been fortunate enough to see black bears there both times we have visited the location. You don't really need a tour to go there.

 

Good info to know.....Can you estimate the RT driving time and what time of the year you did your trip??? Thanks!

[Ratdoggie]

I hope someone who is from or knows Ketchikan well sees this post. I know wildlife (bear) sightings cannot be guaranteed, but I'm very curious what people might know about this place and how likely it is to see a bear...especially if the zipline is nearby.

 

I would love to see some bears, but I really don't want to take a floatplane anywhere...I like to stay on the ground as much as possible!

 

Also, someone talked about renting a car and going out to this place. I did an on-line rental car search and couldn't find any availability for the day we are there. Should I assume I am out of luck on renting a car?