White wonder of the wild:
Witness the legendary spirit bear
Embark on an extraordinary photographic journey through the pristine wilderness of British Columbia’s Great Bear Rainforest, home to the elusive and rare Spirit Bear (Kermode Bear). This 7-day expedition from Prince Rupert to Hartley Bay offers unparalleled opportunities to capture breathtaking images of one of the rarest bears on Earth, along with stunning coastal landscapes, rich wildlife, and indigenous culture.
Spirit Bears
Dates: september 13-19, 2026
Location: prince rupert/hartley bay, British columbia
Price: $6799 USD*
Fitness Level: LEVEL FOUR - ADVENTUROUS SPIRIT
Some of the trails and boat landings can be quite difficult – we are rarely at a dock and you must be mobile enough to scramble onto uneven and slippery shorelines. Guests need the ability to step or climb over logs and walk down steep, muddy slopes that are covered in slippery roots. Some people say the trails more closely resemble an “obstacle course,” rather than a typical hiking trail. It is quite strenuous for some people, and it is not appropriate for everybody.
Group Size: 10 participants + 2 group leaders; Minimum 8 to go
*Price per person, based on double occupancy accommodations. Single supplement available for an additional fee, please inquire.
Tour Highlights:
Exclusive access to Spirit Bear habitat in the remote rainforests of the Gitga’at First Nation territory.
Guided photography sessions with expert naturalists and wildlife guides with Tim Irvin’s team and meet Marven Robinson and his team as well.
Opportunities to also photograph black bears, coastal wolves, bald eagles, and marine wildlife such as whales and sea otters may happen on the trip.
Small group experience ensuring intimate wildlife encounters and personalized photography guidance, 10 guests plus 2 Focus Group Leaders.
Venture deep into British Columbia’s remote Great Bear Rainforest on a once-in-a-lifetime journey to photograph and observe the rare and elusive Spirit Bear, a white-coated black bear found only in this pristine wilderness. Guided by expert local naturalists and Indigenous guides, you’ll navigate hidden inlets, moss-draped valleys, and ancient rainforest streams, where these mystical bears roam in one of the world’s most untouched ecosystems. With patient, respectful wildlife viewing, you’ll have the chance to capture breathtaking images of Spirit Bears fishing for salmon, moving silently through the misty forest, or resting along the riverbanks. Beyond Spirit Bears, the rainforest is home to grizzly bears, coastal wolves, bald eagles, and breaching humpback whales, making this an unparalleled nature photography experience. Staying in secluded wilderness lodges or aboard an expedition vessel, you’ll be fully immersed in the sights and sounds of the wild, experiencing firsthand the rich biodiversity and cultural heritage of the region. This exclusive tour offers a rare and unforgettable opportunity to witness one of nature’s greatest secrets—the ghostly white bear that has captured the imagination of generations.
Is it guaranteed that you will see a spirit bear? From the operator: “We simply cannot control nature. At the very least, there could be times when we go long stretches – or days – without seeing a white bear. To succeed, we typically spend long hours waiting in one place. If you are a restless person with little patience, this is likely not the trip for you. Nonetheless, to date, our rate of success in finding spirit bears for our guests is over 70%. If you are eager to see a white bear, we are confident that we are your very best bet. Guests must understand that spirit bears are one of the most rare mammals on Earth and there is always a chance we will not see one on any given tour. Generally, there are one or two trips each season that do not succeed in seeing a white bear. Views and photo opportunities of spirit bears can also vary dramatically; some guests may get a glimpse of a white bear and some may have prolonged close encounters.”
What’s Included:
Hotel in Prince Rupert the evening prior and after
Water taxi transportation between Prince Rupert and Hartley Bay.
Accommodations in a Hartley Bay Guest House.
Experienced photography and wildlife guides.
All meals and beverages during the tour.
A First Nations Stewardship Fee (These funds are earmarked for stewardship activities within Gitga’at Territory and are one of the ways our tours help support local conservation).
2-tonne carbon offset for Great Bear Forest Carbon Project
Tips/gratuities for local guides
What’s Not Included:
Airfare to/from Prince Rupert
Photography/Personal Gear
This tour begins and ends in Prince Rupert, British Columbia. Please make travel arrangements based on the itinerary below, or Contact Us for travel assistance.
All Images Property of Scott Stone
A grizzly bear standing on rocky terrain, looking directly at the camera.
A polar bear walking through a shallow river, splashing water, with green foliage in the background.
A bear walking on a moss-covered log near a stream in a forest.
A black bear standing in a shallow river holding a fish in its mouth.
A black bear in a stream, standing on its hind legs with its head lowered, surrounded by pebbles and water splashing.
A black bear walking through a shallow, mossy stream with rocks around it.
A black bear walking on a moss-covered log in a forest with green moss and fallen branches in the background.
A brown bear standing on rocks near the shore of a body of water with large rocks in the background
Scenic view of a calm lake surrounded by dense evergreen forest, with mountains in the background partially covered in clouds and mist, under a cloudy sky.
A large group of seals lounging and resting on a rocky shoreline with water in the foreground and a mountain in the background under a cloudy sky.
A large group of sea lions resting on rocks near the water, with a dense forest of evergreen trees in the background and a cloudy sky above.
Humpback whales breaching the water in a forested coastal area, with gulls flying above.
A group of whales breaching in the ocean, surrounded by seagulls with forested mountains and cloudy sky in the background.
A pod of humpback whales breaching the water with mountains, trees, and seagulls in the background.
A whale surfaces near the water's edge with a forested shoreline in the background.
The tail of a whale emerging from the water in a coastal area with rocky shoreline and dense forest in the background.
Humpback whales breaching the water surface with seagulls flying overhead, in a body of water surrounded by forested hills.
Several humpback whales breaching and surfacing in the ocean, with a forested shoreline and seagulls flying overhead in the background.
A black bear walking across a rocky stream with a polar bear in the background on the riverbank.
A black bear walking on rocks near a stream in a lush, green forest.
A black bear standing in a shallow stream with moss-covered rocks and a blurred background.
A black bear walking through a lush, green forest with moss-covered trees and dense vegetation.
A black bear with wet fur holding a fish in its mouth near a green bush.
A bear in a lush, green forest, walking along a moss-covered log.
A brown bear standing in shallow water near rocks and greenery.
A brown bear standing in a shallow river with rocks and green foliage around.
A polar bear standing on rocky terrain with large boulders, moss, and seaweed, under a cloudy sky.
A polar bear standing on rocky, seaweed-covered shoreline near the ocean with rocks and water in the background.
A brown bear in a forest among fallen logs and rocks, looking directly at the camera.
A large, light-colored bear standing in shallow water against a dark background.
A bear standing in a shallow stream surrounded by rocks and lush greenery.
Daily itinerary
Day 1: Arrival & Journey Kick-Off (9/13)
Arrive in Prince Rupert, BC and meet the group for the greeting dinner and discussion about the trip. Hotel IS included this evening.
Air Canada is the only airline with direct service between Vancouver and Prince Rupert. They currently offer one daily flight (Flight # AC8089 at 13:10). You need to arrive in Prince Rupert the day before you depart for Hartley Bay. Hotel and welcome dinner are included on this night.
Day 2: Transfer to Hartley Bay and Begin Search for Spirit Bear (9/14)
Enjoy an incredibly beautiful boat transfer from Prince Rupert (8:00 am) to Hartley Bay (Arrival at 11:00 am), photographing rugged coastlines and looking for marine wildlife along the way, specifically bubble-feeding humpbacks.
Settle into accommodations in Hartley Bay and receive an orientation on Spirit Bear photography techniques from Tim Irvin’s team and venture out to find our first Spirit Bear! Look for whales and orcas on the boat ride over to the island! Return to the guest house for dinner and the evening.
Day 3: Wildlife & Coastal Photography
Early morning departure back into Spirit Bear territory.
Full-day photography session at known Spirit Bear viewing sites.
Capture images of salmon spawning streams, moss-draped forests, and the mystical white bears in their natural habitat.
Return to guest house for dinner and the evening.
Day 4: Spirit Bear Photography
Continue photographing Spirit Bear’s, black bears, Dippers, Stellar’s Jays and more, always watching for coastal wolves lurking nearby as well as marine life to and from each day. Return to guest house for dinner and the evening.
Day 5: Spirit Bear Photography
Continue photographing Spirit Bear’s, black bears, Dippers, Stellar’s Jays and more, always watching for coastal wolves lurking nearby as well as marine life to and from each day. Return to guest house for dinner and the evening.
Day 6: Spirit Bear Photography
Last morning in Hartley Bay, guests are welcome to join the guides on a hike around the village for photography in the local area including many unique buildings or a morning hike to several beautiful spots near town before meeting the water taxi ride back to Prince Rupert (11:00 am) where we will meet for a trip sendoff dinner that evening. Please note, you will not make it back to Prince Rupert in time to catch the afternoon flight back to Vancouver. Hotel this evening IS included in the price of the tour.
Day 7: Check out and fly home from Prince Rupert
Last morning in Prince Rupert before catching the shuttle to the 3:35 pm flight back to Vancouver
Tour LeaderS: SCOTT & JACKIE STONE
Scott and Jackie Stone have spent their lives dedicated to the outdoors we love and sharing it with others. Brought together through their conservation beliefs, they have been married since July 3, 2023, and together running Alaska Bear Camps and Scott Stone Photography as well concentrating on sharing their adventures with other passionate people. They devote their lives to the brown bears and other bear species around the globe striving to educate and share their love of the planet and conservation with like minded people.
Through their love of nature and our planet they joined with co-founders Traci Sepkovic and Dee Webb to offer trips around the globe to teach and share photography tours based on conservation, education and most importantly, giving back to the local communities we visit in pursuit of seeing all the amazing places and wildlife across the planet.
Scott and Jackie love all forms of photography including wildlife, landscape, astro, aurora, and macro; their cameras are their compass.
Instagram: @sstone_images, @akreelgirl
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