Travel with a guide who is more than a skilled naturalist, one who understands that guiding is about people as much as it is about wildlife.

Spend two days on the water, because no two days at sea are the same. A full-day cruise takes you further into the Kodiak archipelago in search of whales, sea lions, and Kodiak bears. A shorter morning cruise closer to shore, giving us more time with sea otters, puffins, and whales.

Explore Kodiak's wildlife hotspots by van and on foot with Michelle Theall, editor-in-chief of Alaska magazine, professional photographer, and Kodiak resident for half the year. She has a particular affinity for bears, and she'll help us find them.

Stay in Chiniak, in Cama'i House at Friends by the Ocean: a seven-bedroom, lakefront house a short walk from a gorgeous beach, with a winery and wellness center on the property.

Share it all with a small group of 5–6 women who love wildlife as much as you do.

Settle into dark skies far from town and watch the aurora forecast with us each night.

Your own room is guaranteed, always. No single-supplement fee, ever. Every meal is included, from dinner on arrival day through lunch on departure day.

Locations:

Kodiak and Chiniak, Alaska

This five-day trip puts you in the heart of what we call the "real Alaska." Kodiak is a place of pristine rivers, rugged coastline, and the largest brown bears on Earth, and we explore it by sea and by land.

You'll travel with Sheridan Samano, founder of Her Wild Life Expeditions, and a small group of women who share your curiosity. For our road days, we're joined by Michelle Theall, who spends half of every year on Kodiak. By the time we arrive, we'll have a good picture of recent sightings, so we'll know where the bears, whales, and other wildlife have been showing up. Two days on the water give you different views of the same coastline, from a full-day journey to a shorter, closer-to-shore cruise. Back on land, you'll have ample time to explore the road system, with time to slow down in between.

This year, we're also staying somewhere worth coming home to. Cama'i House sits on a lake in Chiniak, steps from the beach, and everyone in the group has her own room. After a day in the field, there's a wellness center to unwind in, a winery on the property, and a lakeside table to gather around with the women you've just spent the day with. This is a trip built around the wildlife and around the connections you make while watching it.

This trip builds on nearly 20 years of conservation-centered travel experience through our parent company, Reefs to Rockies.

Day 1 – Arrival to Chiniak

Plan to arrive in Kodiak by 4 p.m. We'll meet you at the airport and head out to Chiniak, where you'll settle into Cama'i House, your home for the next four nights. Take a moment to look around, claim your room, and meet the women you'll be sharing the week with. Then we'll gather for our first dinner together to toast to new adventures. Each night, we'll keep an eye on the aurora forecast, hoping for clear skies.

Accommodations: Cama'i House, Friends by the Ocean

Meals: Dinner

Please note that we're staying in a 7-bedroom house with four bathrooms.

Day 2 – A Whale of a Time on the Water

After breakfast, we'll head to the harbor and board our boat for a full day on the water. With plenty of deck space and a spacious cabin, you'll have great views from anywhere on board, perfect for wildlife watching and photography. Our route explores the archipelago in search of whales, sea otters, sea lions, puffins, and with any luck, Kodiak bears along the shore. Lunch, snacks, and beverages are provided. We'll return to Chiniak for dinner and an evening of swapping stories.

Accommodations: Cama'i House, Friends by the Ocean

Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner

Day 3 – Exploring by Van and on Foot

Today is for the road system, and we're joined by Michelle Theall, writer, photographer, and editor-in-chief of Alaska magazine. Michelle lives on Kodiak half the year, so she arrives with the latest intel on where the wildlife has been. We'll spend a full day exploring Kodiak's wildlife hotspots by van, with nature walks along the way. We'll watch for foxes, eagles, and fishing bears, and we never know what's waiting around the next corner. Dinner is back at the house, where we'll compare notes on the day's sightings.

Accommodations: Cama'i House, Friends by the Ocean

Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner

Day 4 – Closer to Shore, Then a Slow Afternoon

This morning we're back on the water for a shorter cruise that keeps us close to shore, where sea otters, puffins, and whales are often easiest to find. Every day on the water is different, and this cruise gives us another chance to see what Kodiak has in store. In the afternoon, take your time. Explore the beaches near the house, unwind at the wellness center, or simply sit by the lake and let the week settle in. We'll gather in the evening to freshen up and share a farewell dinner.

Accommodations: Cama'i House, Friends by the Ocean

Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner

Day 5 – It's Not Goodbye but See You Later

It's our final morning in Alaska. We'll spend it on one last road tour with Michelle, hoping for bears and looking for the other wild neighbors we've come to love. Then we'll share a final lunch together before heading to the airport. Please plan flights home after 1 p.m. It's not goodbye, but rather see you later.

Meals: Breakfast and lunch

Sheridan Samano

Sheridan Samano is a wildlife enthusiast, guide, and founder of Her Wild Life Expeditions. Her passion for animals began as a child, flipping through National Geographic magazines, and has only grown since then. Sheridan holds a bachelor's degree in wildlife and fisheries science and a master's in biology. Her guiding journey began when she launched a study abroad program focused on sea turtle conservation in Costa Rica. In the field, Sheridan's ability to spot a break in the pattern and quickly adapt leads to plenty of "wows" from the guests in her groups. When she's not traveling, you'll find her along a trail in Colorado with her family, searching for something feathered or furred, or enjoying a local craft beer after a day in the field. Her favorite animal? The cheetah.

Michelle Theall (joins us Day 3 and Day 5)

Michelle Theall is a writer, photographer, and seasoned wildlife guide. She is now the editor-in-chief of Alaska magazine. Her publishing career began at Women's Sports & Fitness magazine before she launched Women's Adventure magazine. Michelle's deep love for wildlife was sparked in the '80s by a Tom Mangelsen photo of a grizzly catching a salmon. Since then, she has made it her mission to guide people to the best wildlife encounters in Alaska and beyond. Known for her enthusiasm, knowledge, and lighthearted style, Michelle has a particular affinity for bears, and she spends half of each year on Kodiak. When not guiding, she is busy capturing incredible wildlife moments with her camera. At the end of the day? Halibut fish and chips with a Midnight Sun IPA.

Every Her Wild Life expedition is designed to offer full, active days for women traveling together seeking authentic, immersive wildlife experiences. This often means being active when wildlife is most active. Our trips are carefully planned to put you in the right place at the right time, while acknowledging that unforgettable wildlife encounters require both a bit of luck and the expertise of your guide team.

This Alaska expedition involves:

●      Two marine wildlife boat tours. The first is a full-day, approximately 8-hour cruise. The second is a shorter 2-hr cruise.

●      Touring the island's road system by van and on foot, with one full day and two half days in the field.

●      Wildlife observation for up to 3 hours at a time with walks over terrain that may be wet, muddy, and uneven terrain. You should be comfortable standing for extended periods while observing wildlife.

●      Variable weather conditions in the Alaskan wilderness. Expect both sunny and rainy days. Layers work best in Alaska!

●      Early morning activities on most days, starting by 7 a.m.

●      Be prepared for these conditions: Pack your sense of adventure, wonder, flexibility, and humor!

Accommodations

●      4 nights at Cama'i House in Chiniak

What's Included

●      Lodging for 4 nights as listed. A private room is guaranteed and included in the trip cost, with no single-supplement fee.

●      Expert guide Sheridan Samano, joined by Michelle Theall on Day 3 and Day 5.

●      All meals from dinner on Day 1 through lunch on Day 5.

●      Private transportation, including snacks and refreshments in the vehicle.

●      Both boat tours and all activities as listed.

What's Not Included

●      Airfare to and from your departure city and Kodiak

●      Travel insurance (quotes available)

●      Optional activities

●      Pre- or post-trip hotels

●      Gratuities for your boat captains and housekeeping

●      Personal expenses

Cost

●      $4,950 per person, based on a private room.

The Kodiak Brown Bear Trust's mission is to support conservation of Kodiak brown bears and protection of their wilderness habitats throughout the Kodiak Archipelago. A conservation donation to support Kodiak Brown Bear Trust's efforts will be made on behalf of all participants.