The small van was perfect! I'd definitely highly recommend this excursion! A one day pass on the Blue Line bus cost $5 each. What a wonderful adventure watching the bears in a spacious home. Since you have a group of 8, you should be able to do a private tour. Still super nice to have the chance to see these amazing bears so close. The Raptor Center was mostly Bald Eagles, which would have been more engaging had we not seen so many on our two marine tours. Duration: 2.5 hours (Roundtrip from downtown Sitka. in Vancouver was a million times better. He helped me with my photos and getting in and out of the van. The bus stopped a block from the facility. Alternatively, you may use, https://visitsitka.org/visitor-info/transportation. Watch bears in their natural habitat as they swim, play, sleep, and eat. The admission fee was $15 each. Being able to see a good number of bears up close, safely, made this a must stop while in Sitka. We signed up at the dock for a combo Fortress of the Bears and Eagle Sanctuary bus tour. Yes, the ticket price covers all associated entry costs. This bear sanctuary is in a repurposed paper mill. Prison of the bear. we had seen a lot of bears on our Alaska trip so I was lukewarm to the idea of coming here and saved it for our last day if we had time. The bears are always doing something different and they are very entertaining. They rescue orphaned cubs and turn them into the happiest animals I have ever seen. A non-profit bear rescue facility in Sitka, Alaska. The Estuary Life Trail The Estuary Life Trail is a very pretty, scenic trail through a temperate forest. This number is based on the percentage of all Tripadvisor reviews for this product that have a bubble rating of 4 or higher. Our driver was exceptionally nice, but She seemed to lose track of time easily causing the most interesting parts of the tour (Fortress of the bear, Raptor Center and Totems) to get cut very short. Will I see any wildlife or bears on this tour? If you sign up for a wildlife tour around Sitka through one of the various tour companies, we are usually a stop on their tour. It is too far for us to walk. We loved the Fortress of the Bear and Raptor Center. It was approximately $30 per person. Fortress of the Bear in Sitka - Alaska - Cruise Critic Community The full cancellation policy can be found here. via email. 100% of travelers recommend this experience. Our tour guide was terrific. Seeing those majestic birds up close was amazing. The bears would wander around, interact with each other, play in the water and be on the lookout for staff throwing food into the water. We loved seeing the bald eagles up close in the Rapter Center. The raptor centre was awesome. Good tour with Darrell! be aware that we may not be able to confirm this reservation before your tour date. 93% of travelers recommend this experience. They take in orphaned bears. Got to see a lot in a short amount of time. What restaurants are near Fortress of the Bear? Really enjoyed the excursion and the opportunity to see bears up close. Many hiking trailheads are easily accessible from downtown. Fortress of the Bear, Hi Is it a sure bedt? Sitka's Colorful and Diverse History Raptor Center was excellent--their tour guide provided background information on all the raptors and whether or not they could be released into the wild. Highly recommend a visit, but they need a better donation system for visitors to be able to donate while on site. The Fortress of the Bear is a non-profit bear refuge and education center in Sitka, Alaska.It was established in 2003 by Les and Evy Kinnear at the Gary Paxton Industrial Park, which previously housed the Sitka Pulp Mill.. Sitka conservation organizations opposed the Kinnears' plan to open a refuge, believing that wild bears should not be confined in tanks and shown to the public. Simply superb!! Both the ships excursion and Sitka wildlife tours are sold out for that day. It was pretty cool to see bears up close. I guess our tour did not allow these? What would be the best way to get to you from the ship since we will have a wheelchair and she cannot do steps. I understand that the bus runs during the summer. My only concern is how many steps to the platforms do you have? Guide was terrific. Loved the tour! Once you are in Oreshec you will need to take a taxi to get to the Belogradchik Rocks. Definitely recommend. We rank these restaurants and attractions by balancing reviews from our members with how close they are to this location. Learned a lot about the beautiful eagles and other birds at the raptor center. We will be on the NCL ship, the Bliss. A great opportunity to see Alaska's wildlife in a controlled environment. As a native, she was particularly insightful which made the tour all the more meaningful for us. We look forward to your visit! Also, would you catch the bus from the cruise dock or once we get into town? Simply Amazing Sitka Tour: Fortress of the Bear, Alaska Raptor, & Totems. more. While vacationing in Sitka on May 27, 2022, my wife and i visited the Fortress Of The Bears. You can find several contact numbers for wildlife tour companies on our website. Explore different ways to experience this place. This was an overpriced excursion offered by our cruise to Sitka, Alaska. Cant wait to visit you do a great job, Hotels near Sitka National Historic Park/Totem Park, Hotels near St. Michael's Russian Orthodox Cathedral, Hotels near Baranof Castle State Historical Site. I'm so glad we had time - it was amazing!!! So cool to see a bald eagle up close! Your credit card will only Great tour of the first two exhibits. In the summer, during the tourist season, a local tour company offers a shuttle service to and from the Fortress of the Bear. About a half dozen bears are kept in two large concrete enclosures that are about an acre each. Raptor centre and the Totem village were great. This topic has been closed to new posts due to inactivity. We are a group of 8 adults, 6 of us are seniors. very senior. Fortress Of The Bear an educational bear rescue center located in Sitka, Alaska. Visit Website About Getting There Photos Contact Offering aerial and ground-floor viewing opportunities, this wildlife education and viewing facility was launched as part of an effort to rescue two, orphaned bear cubs. If you have more than 10passengers in your party, multiple vans will provide transportation for your group. However, it is a ten-minute walk from the visitor's center back to the museum with lots to see along Harbor Drive. The only issue will be time, but you will certainly be able to do 2 of the 3. We learned the facility was created to be a sanctuary for orphaned bear cubs. You can catch the train at 07:35, 12:05 and 17:10. Totem Village was so beautiful. The lenght of the ride varies between 3.5 to 4 hours. This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. This overview article will get you familiar with how to get to downtown from the Sitka cruise port, what to around town on your own, wifi, dining and shore excursion suggestions. Three brown bears in the second section. Enclosures appeared to be similar to an industrial junk yard. All entrance fees are included for your . This number is based on the percentage of all Tripadvisor reviews for this product that have a bubble rating of 4 or higher. We loved this excursion, especially Totem Park. I bought a membership so I could visit more than once during my 2 week stay in Sitka. He also has blk bears that are pretty big size themselves! Sitka is home to Fortress of the Bear. If you sign up for a wildlife tour around Sitka through one of the various tour companies, we are usually a stop on their tour. * The facts given above are based on traveler data on TripHobo and might vary from the actual figures. Our tour guide Vaughn was very knowledgeable and really fun. They talked to the bears as they were their friends. Not a must see. Of course! During the season, with several cruise ships stopping in Sitka each week, I would imagine thousands of visitors at $15 each. Was here on the 12 June 2023. Absolutely! The RIDE is a fixed-route bus service with three lines that access residential areas of the community and run nearly all 14 miles of road. It was pretty cool to see bears up close. Thanks! The tour guide was very informative, and there was plenty of time to enjoy each place. As of May 1st, we will be open 9am - 5pm, 7 days a week. Our 90 year mom is in a wheelchair. There is always a chance to see bears in alaska, but in Sitka, it's a guarantee at Fortress of the Bear. Fortress of the Bear: Guaranteed Bear Viewing | ALASKA.ORG They said sometimes the bears will win. There are no age restrictions for this tour. Sitka Alaska Cruise Port Profile and City Guide with Map was our tour guide, and she couldn. Sitka is a Bicycle Friendly Community with clear, designated bike paths and even a new single-track biking trail. What is the best way to get to Fortress of the bear? There were 8 family members and 2 others. What hotels are near Fortress of the Bear? 100% of travelers recommend this experience. She stayed on with Visit Sitka as the Visitor Services and Community Coordinator for a year following her fellowship. Sign up for great Sitka-based content delivered straight to your inbox, and remember: curiosity encouraged. If you are a resident of another country or region, please select the appropriate version of Tripadvisor for your country or region in the drop-down menu. It is a good place to get photos of real bears in a safe environment. These enclosures mimic the natural settings that they would normally be . Did you enjoy it and get to see what you wanted? It's at the end of the island so you either need a rental car or a tour bus/private tour. Would have preferred less time at the harbor and more time at the locations -especially the Raptor Center that felt really rushed. Our guide, Deanna, was amazing and really knew the history of her city. Sitka is a historic city travelers enjoy for attractions such as the port. This number is based on the percentage of all Tripadvisor reviews for this product that have a bubble rating of 4 or higher. If you would like to exchange one tour for a different one, you must create a new reservation for the new tour and send us an email to cancel the other tour. Please send an email to [emailprotected] letting us know which tours you would like to cancel as we must have all cancelation and change requests in writing. Sorry Maria, you had to pull us out, but we did also stop for a beautiful photo on the way back to town. Beautiful bears and a wonderful mission. Tour guide was knowledgeable and took his time explaining everything! Does anyone know how much the taxi fare to Fortress of the Bear (FOB) facility would cost? Where Is Fortress Of the Bear? I felt very bad for the bears. It was good to see that native animals were being protected and preserved. If you are a resident of another country or region, please select the appropriate version of Tripadvisor for your country or region in the drop-down menu. The fortress of the bears was great to be able to see the bears in a more natural habitat than a zoo where you have to look thru glass and try to find them. Bears, Raptors & Totems in Sitka, Alaska by Baranof Tours While we were there, we saw berries, apples and salmon tossed down to the bears. Unfortunately, due to poor weather, we were unable to spend any time at the Totem village. What is the seating arrangement of the tour van? It was intimate and relaxed. We didn t get to see the full totem village as we had to get back on our cruise ship. Looking forward to seeing you in June! No tricks, no gimmicks, no hidden fees. Highly recommend. There were maybe 15 other people when we went, but a big cruise group showed up as we were leaving - another reason to go early. The Bears are fed throughout the day but not on a schedule. Fortress of the Bear (Sitka) - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go Our tour guide/driver was amazing. It was ok. This number is based on the percentage of all Tripadvisor reviews for this product that have a bubble rating of 4 or higher. 4639 Sawmill Creek Rd, Sitka, AK 99835-9805. 6.71 miles (10.8 km) with 15 min travel time. Absolutely loved the fortress of the bears and the whole tour was very accommodating for my family ( I was traveling with my three and four year old daughters) would highly recommend for adults and families alike. What a great day! They have Black Bears and Coastal Brown Nears that will win your heart within minutes of meeting them! Particularly as we were in a small group so able to spend plenty of time at this facility with ample photo opportunities. We met the Blue Line bus back at the bus stop at 11:15 for a ride back to town. Looking forward to your prompt response to my inquiries. We did the afternoon tour which was much quieter than the morning. This was a great tour. Plan Your Vacation Right, Get Accurate Booking Availability. It was pretty cool to see bears up close. The bears look like they got in there by accident and cant get out. About a half dozen bears are kept in two large concrete enclosures that are about an acre each. If the system detects something that potentially contradicts our. We recommend booking Fortress of the Bear tours ahead of time to secure your spot. I hope this helps. Jun 2021. Grateful that the orphaned cubs were able to be saved. Several people we had talked to touted the Fortress of the Bear as "must see". If you want to see eagles up close, this is your chance! This number is based on the percentage of all Tripadvisor reviews for this product that have a bubble rating of 4 or higher. Overall the tour was thoroughly enjoyable! 95% of travelers recommend this experience. I recommend you contact Baranof Tours in Sitka. Bears pacing back and forth, no shade and not in their typical environment. This has to be your #1 on you MUST DO list!!! We hiked along the trails to see all the totems. Your guide, who navigates for you, brings you to four highly-rated attractions, including Fortress of the Bear, the Alaska Raptor Center, and the Sitka National Historic Park. She was just full of great information about Alaska and especially about Sitka, as she was born and raised there. Fortress Of The Bear, Sitka | Ticket Price | Timings - TripHobo In the next area, you'll see a man abuse a slave. It was a great experience! We met the owners at the tour depot area, who were very nice and knowledgeable. Since you have a group of 8, you should be able to do a private tour. How many passengers does the tour van hold? Loved the small size of our group. I was a little upset that the Totem Village didn't include more than the totem next to the parking lot. A couple of enclosures with 3 black bears - which at least had some forest area. Belogradchik Rocks and Fortress - How to Get There, History & More A member of our group took these photos at Fortress of the Bear refuge for orphaned bears in Sitka, Alaska. He was knowledgeable as well as personable. Tour Duration: Our tours run two (2) hours in length. We are a group of 8 adults, 6 of us are seniors. very senior. This is a wonderful place to see bears up close and personal at a safe distance. Instead we took the city bus $2 and paid the $15 admission charge. When we used them from the Bliss, they picked us up at the pier and dropped us off right in the parking lot of the Fortress of the Bears. The naturalists and keepers are VERY knowledgeable and engaging. Our tour guide Melissa was amazing. The bears would wander around, interact with each other, play in the water and be on the lookout for staff throwing food into the water. We met the owner of the local operation who, unasked, drove us in her personal vehicle to join the tour. We currently have 8 resident orphaned bears in 3 separate enclosures. Purchas a tour ahead of time or visit Harrigan Centennial Hall to buy a same day tour. The Fortress of the Bear is composed of two separate enclosures for orphaned brown bears. Explore different ways to experience this place. Thanks Linsay for making it a great tour! We bring orphaned bears from all over the state of Alaska and find homes for them in zoos and sanctuaries internationally. The Fortress - Metro Exodus Guide - IGN Our Viking cruise stops in Sitka for a day on Thursday May 26 and we would really like to see Fortress of the Bears and the raptor center. I believe all places would be able to accommodate a wheelchair. Our tour guide was super friendly and very funny. Our trip guide was a very enthusiastic lady who provided us with plenty of information of interest throughout the trip. Will Fortress of the Bear be open in mid- May, when the cruise ships start sailing up to Sitka? Our 90 year mom is in a wheelchair. Note: If you're looking for a tour in Ketchikan recommend you contact Wild Wolf Tours. charged if your order can be completed in time for your requested excursion. Please send an email to [emailprotected] letting us know which tours you would like to cancel as we must have all cancelation requests in writing. He was just fabulous. Posted by Maike Prewett on August 17th, 2021. Our tour started with a harbor view from the opposite end of town that, in my option, could have been cut out to spend more time at the other places. We went early and the bears were being fed so they were pretty active and close. Fortress of the Bear -- Sitka - Alaska - Cruise Critic Community I bought a membership so I could visit more than once during my 2 week stay in Sitka. Thank you Maria!! Unique bear sanctuary in Sitka. 93% of travellers recommend this experience. The Raptor Center was great to see some Eagles and other birds up close and see what they are doing to help get some of them back into the wild. Fortress of the Bear - Wikipedia Choose to knock out/kill or just keep walking . (Note: Cruise ship excursions are probably too expensive- try to use a taxi?). They are not physically handicapped, and could have been released to areas uninhabited by humansit is Alaska.
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