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Home > About
Us > Press
Room > Press
Release
For Immediate Release
WILDLAND ADVENTURES OFFERS ALASKA ECO-TOURS
CLOSE TO HOME, YET WORLDS AWAY
March 19, 2003
Seattle, WA > Alaska is one of those places close to
home, yet seemingly worlds away; a perfect place for a family
vacation. This summer, Seattle-based eco-tourism company
Wildland Adventures is offering two unique family adventures
that avoid the crowds and instead, showcase the wild beauty
of our Last Frontier on exclusive small group itineraries.
“With its native cultures, abundant wildlife and vast
wilderness, Alaska is one of the last vestiges in America
that offers families an authentic travel experience close
to nature and people that Wildland Adventures is renowned
for,” states Kurt Kutay, president of Wildland Adventures.
The company’s naturalist guided 12-day Alaska
Explorer takes families from sea level to the highest
peak in North America. This active, natural history adventure
begins with a scenic ride on the Alaska Railroad to Prince
William Sound where participants embark on a 5-day voyage
aboard an 8-passenger chartered oceanographic research vessel
carrying sea kayaks and an inflatable Zodiac for up-close
exploration. After a day in Anchorage, a scenic bush flight
around Mt. McKinley transports guests to the Kantishna Roadhouse,
a remote backcountry lodge in the heart of Denali National
Park where day hikes (easy to moderately strenuous walks),
fishing, gold panning, mountain biking and horseback riding
are all part of the wilderness experience. The Alaska Explorer
is available on scheduled summer departures from June through
August. The all-inclusive tour is $4,795 for adults and
$3,795 for children 12 and under. Special family departures
are set for July 12 through 23 and August 9 through 20,
2003. In addition to scheduled family departures, because
the Alaska Explorer is limited to groups of 8 to 10 people,
an entire family or two families traveling together can
enjoy their own private departure on a date of their choice.
Each family adventure is carefully designed with multi
generations in mind, from children to parents to grandparents.
Activities include kayaking in calm waters, among protected
coves ideal for all ages and experience levels. Guides carry
microscopes and dipping nets, so kids can inspect plankton
and other minute creatures of the sea. Fun activities for
families also include fishing for halibut and salmon, an
exciting flightseeing excursion over Denali National Park,
and opportunities to interact with Native cultures and meet
local Alaskans such as fishermen, dogsledders, homesteaders
and miners.
Wildland Adventures is also offering a new 8-day voyage
featuring Alaska’s Inside Passage aboard the M//V
Sea Lion. Departing from Juneau, the small expedition vessel
explores nearby islands, narrow fjords and remote wilderness
areas including a full day in Glacier Bay National Park.
Travelers voyage through Tracy Arm Fjord, observe whales
in Frederick Sound and Icy Strait, encounter birds and wildlife
near Chichagof Island, and make a port call in the tiny
community of Petersburg, with disembarkation in Sitka. In
the company of naturalists, passengers enjoy wildlife and
natural history, bird watching, hiking, sea kayaking and
canoeing – all from the comfort of a small cruise
ship. The Southeast Alaska Voyage is offered on scheduled
departures from June through August, with family departures
set for June 29 through July 6 and July 19 through July
26, 2003. Rates start at $3,690 for adults depending on
cabin category and departure date, with a 25% discount for
children 21 and under.
“Traveling with your family on a trip close to home
can be just as enriching as traveling to exotic far away
lands and fortunately, Alaska offers the type of travel
experience in our ‘wild-style’,” states
Kutay. “That is, an authentic, in-depth and life-enhancing
experience for the entire family in wilderness environments
and among native peoples.”
###
Since its inception in 1986, ecotourism
has been the cornerstone of Wildland Adventures’
trips, offering cultural and natural history
explorations as a means to protect natural
environments, preserve cultural heritage
and bring direct economic benefits to
local communities through projects such
as the company’s non-profit Travelers
Conservation Trust. Always practicing
what it preaches, Wildland Adventures
keeps its trips to very small groups in
order to limit any impact on the environment.
Owner Kurt Kutay is a founding member
of the Board of Directors of The Ecotourism
Society and the International Galapagos
Tour Operators Association. The company
is also a member of the Center for Responsible
Tourism, a worldwide network of individuals
and organizations working for more socially
and environmentally responsible tourism
and supports the work of Cultural Survival,
which serves to inform the general public
and policy makers about self-determination
of tribal people and ethnic minorities.
Other destinations offered by Wildland
Adventures include Costa Rica, Belize,
the Andes and the Amazon, Patagonia, Alaska,
British Columbia, Africa, New Zealand
and more. For reservations or more information
call 1-800-345-4453, email info@wildland.com,
write to 3516 NE 155th Street, Seattle,
WA 98155 or visit www.wildland.com.
Media Contact:
info@wildland.com
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