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Home > About
Us > Press
Room > Press
Release
For Immediate Release
WILDLAND ADVENTURES ANNOUNCES NEW
SPIRIT BEAR VOYAGE FEATURING BRITISH COLUMBIA
February 25, 2003
Seattle, WA > Seattle-based eco-tourism company, Wildland
Adventures, has introduced a new wilderness and cultural
expedition featuring the Central Coast of beautiful British
Columbia. The 8-day Spirit
Bear Voyage features the expedition vessel, M/S Rolano,
a converted 80-foot northern sea trawler outfitted with
sea kayaks and Zodiac landing craft for up-close exploration
of the Canadian Inside Passage.
Guests explore afoot and afloat while learning about the
region's nature, history and culture. Isolated by its inaccessibility,
this spectacular region features hidden fjords and estuaries,
coastal temperate rain forests, waterfalls and dramatic
mountain terrain that is home to abundant wildlife including
whales, sea lions, sea otters, Bald eagles, brown bears,
mountain goats and the rare Kermode or "Spirit"
bear.
After guests arrive and overnight in Vancouver, they enjoy
a scenic flight to Bella Bella, where they are greeted by
Captain Ralph Hull and the crew of the M/S Rolano. After
lunch onboard the vessel, guests are invited to the Heiltsuk
First Nations Interpretive Center where they learn about
the Heiltsuk Native Band, the largest First Nations community
on the Central Coast. The next days are spent exploring
the vast and isolated landscape of British Columbia’s
Central Coast aboard the M/S Rolano. Highlights include
the village of Klemtu, located on Swindle Island and home
to two distinct tribal organizations; exploration of Princess
Royal Island in search of the rare Kermode or “Spirit”
bear; cruising the Fjordland Provincial Recreation Area,
a 224,770 acre paradise of inlets, bays, islands and fjords;
a visit to a remote lighthouse to meet with the keeper;
and dinner with conservationist Ian McAllister, author of
the Great Bear Rainforest: Canada’s Forgotten Coast
and campaign coordinator for the Raincoast Conservation
Society, who will share his knowledge about the threats
facing the region and what is being done to protect it.
This versatile program balances activities, wildlife watching,
cruising and shore excursions allowing participants to choose
the activity level suitable to their interest and ability.
Each day offers opportunities to explore by sea kayak and
Zodiac landing craft, with ventures ashore for naturalist
led hikes. The vessel acts as a viewing platform as it cruises
narrow and winding waterways flanked by towering peaks,
while the Captain and crew share their extensive knowledge
of the region’s nature, history and wildlife.
The Spirit
Bear Voyage is offered July 12 – 19 and August
23 – 30, 2003. Prices start at $2,495 for adults and
$1,295 for children 12 and under. Price includes one night’s
accommodation in Vancouver, round trip air from Vancouver
to Bella Bella and six night’s accommodation, activities
and meals aboard the M/S Rolano.
###
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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