Since polar, grizzly, or black bear tours rarely take place in the immediate vicinity of malls, department stores, or 7-Elevens, you’ll want to make sure you have absolutely everything you’ll need for your wildlife adventure.
On the other hand, since these tours usually involve smaller planes and boats, you’ll be asked to pack light and carry a medium-sized duffel bag at most.
These two points do not necessarily contradict each other. Packing light and making sure you have absolutely everything you need on a bear tour is still possible, with a little thought and planning.
Clothes. Since most bear tours involve treks to cold, windy spots near bodies of water, you’ll want to dress warmly in layers to keep the chill at bay. It is recommended that you bring enough sets for the duration of your stay, plus an extra set of clothing. Since the head and extremities are where most heat is lost, you’ll also need a hat, waterproof (rubber) gloves and boots, and thick socks, as well as waterproof and windproof rain gear.
Sunscreen and lip balm (with SPF). Bringing sunscreen might seem like a no-brainer for summer tours, but cloudy weather or winter weather can fool you into thinking you won’t need it on bear tours. Sunscreen and lip balm are essential even on cloudy and foggy winter days to protect you from the sun and wind, so be sure to pack enough so you can reapply when needed. Men, this goes for you too.
Water. You probably don’t need to pack water from home, but you will need bottled water during bear tours. Take at least a liter of water to last you the day.
Insect repellent. There’s no such thing as indoor bear tours, so make sure you’re protected from the bugs you’ll encounter outdoors in the wild. It’s also a good idea to bring calamine lotion and skin cream/balm. DO NOT BRING bear mace, pepper spray and the like; they are illegal at most bear viewing locations and could throw you off the tour.
Medicine. Carry a compact, basic first aid kit. If you are taking any type of medication, be sure to bring enough for the duration of the trip, both before and after the bear tours, as well as an extra two days’ supply.
bear proof containers. If you don’t have them, a good alternative can be the sealable plastic bags (you will use them sealed and folded). You’ll need them to keep food and other odorous items on your trail, as bears can smell food up to a mile away.
Binoculars and camera. Bear tours are required to keep some distance from the animals (around 300 meters), so you will need powerful binoculars and a camera with a strong zoom or 200mm to 400mm telephoto lenses. Make the most of your trip and bring plenty of film or spare memory cards and batteries.