Brown Bear Watching and Photography in the Old Hides

1 Day

ONLY OPENED IN AUGUST!

In the region of Alutaguse, we have another 2 Brown Bear hides very well suited for observations and for Brown Bear and Raccoon Dog photography

These hides have windows on one side offering views of a pine-dominated forest with mossy blueberry undergrowth. There are also faint LED lights under the forest, making observation with binoculars possible also during the darkest hours of the night. These hides are usually preferred by photographers, as the landscape is more picturesque (for some!) and camera lens openings are lower. 

In the hides, there are bunk beds, sleeping bags, pillows, and mattresses. Each hide has a dry toilet.

Each booking (doesn’t matter if the booking is for 1 person or for 6), will have the hide for themselves.

The hides offer views of a small forest clearing and a very “opened” forest with not too much undergrowth and lots of light. Thus, it’s possible to spot and photograph the animals also from a wider distance. The Brown Bears and Raccoon Dogs can be 10-60 meters from the hide, offering different perspectives and motives. The forest floor has lots of green moss and the forest itself is dominated by pine and spruce trees.

There are 2 hides:

Large hide  –  offers 8 beds and observation spots. For photographers, there are 5 normal height camera openings and 5 lower level camera openings. 

Small hide  –  offers 6 beds and 4 observation/photography spots.  4 lower level (10 cm from the floor of the hide) camera openings and 4 higher openings. There are also 2 ball-heads in front of 2 lower-level camera openings.

Besides the main visitors – Brown Bears and Raccoon Dogs, you can spot and photograph birds, such as Jays, Crested Tits, Treecreepers, Greater-Spotted and Black Woodpecker, Wood Pigeons, and Spotted Flycatchers.

Price:

1-2 persons – 200€
Family ( 2 adults + 1-3 children) -230€
Extra child – 35€
Extra adult – 50€
 

Overview

The Brown Bear and wildlife-watching hides are simple and comfortable. One of the hides has room for 8 persons and the other for 4 persons.  We ask you to bring your own sleeping bag, if not, then it’s possible to rent one for an extra fee.

There are special camera lens openings/photography openings, but it’s also possible to take photos through the glass. The smaller hide has 2 ball-heads in the lower photo openings to secure the cameras.

 

Itinerary

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You’ll meet our guide at the given meeting point (found in the info sent after the booking) and walk with him/her to the hide. There you’ll stay for the night. The walk to the hide is about 1.3 km. If you have any questions, feel free to ask our guide. He/she will also make you a quick tour inside the hide, explaining what you should take notice of and how to act in the hide.

After arriving in the hide, you can first quietly set up everything for the evening and night and then start calmly watching and waiting. The animals can appear at any time, but most active time starts usually a few hours before the sunset.  Every stay and experience is different. It’s possible to observe wildlife through the night because there are some faint lights under the forest canopy on one side of the hide.

Early morning after the sunrise is also an active time in nature. Sometimes the most interesting observations happen during the early hours and you should be espesically alert if the Brown Bears did not show themselves in the evening.

If no animals are around, you should leave the hide at 8 AM. The route back to the meeting point is the same one you took last evening.

Price includes:

  • Night in the Brown Bear Photography Hide
  • Our guide taking you to the hide

Price Excludes

  • Transport to the meeting point
  • Food and drinks

FAQs

What to wear?

Warm clothes and comfortable (preferably waterproof) footwear are necessary for the walk to hide. Warm clothes and indoor footwear/warms socks are strongly recommended to be worn in the hide.

What to take with you?

We suggest taking binoculars with you, as they help to spot wildlife from a distance and during the dark hours. We can also rent out binoculars for one night (8×56 Danubia Bussards – 5 €/night), which greatly improves sight in poor light conditions. You would also have to take your own food and water.

Can I use camping stove inside the hide?

No. Open fire is not allowed inside the hide.

What kind of food should I take with me?

We suggest taking things which are easy to eat and do not take any preparations – premade sandwiches, fruit, chocolate. It’s better if the food or snacks are not packed in materials, which make a lot of noise when handled (such as some potato chip packages).

Will the guide stay in the hide with us for the night?

No. The guide will not stay with you in the hide for the night unless there is a mutual agreement. He/she will just take you to the hides and make a quick tour inside the hide, so you would know what to take notice of.

We send the exact meeting point after booking has been confirmed

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Price and Booking

115 EUR per person

Extra services:

rent of binoculars which greatly improves sight in poor light conditions 8×56 Danubia Bussards – 5 €/night

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Brown Bear Watching and Photography in the Old Hides

Trip Facts

  • 1-2 persons – 200€
    Family ( 2 adults + 1-3 children) -230€
    Extra child – 35€
    Extra adult – 50€
  • May-June
  • By car from Tallinn or Tartu 1,5-2 hours
  • Easy walk 1,3 km to hide.
  • About 15 hours
  • 5