Mary Pemberton
Alaska continues to be one of the world's top destinations for travelers looking for adventure.
Adventure tourism sold well last year, but 2017 looks even better, says Dan Austin, president of Austin Adventures, an adventure tour company offering itineraries in U.S. national parks and around the world.
"Alaska bookings are off the charts in 2017, and the more adventurous destinations like Alaska also did very well in 2016," Austin said.
Austin Adventures' Alaska Vacation Package continues to be very popular. The multi-sport tour through Kenai Fjords National Park appeals to travelers wanting a variety of outdoor activities. Visitors explore the park by bike, foot, kayak and boat.
Some of the highlights of the six-day tour are a glacier and wildlife cruise; paddling the pristine waters of Resurrection Bay alongside seals, sea otters and puffins; visiting Exit Glacier; biking to the Gold Rush town of Hope; hiking through a dense rain forest to the base of Byron Glacier; and hunting for the elusive ice worm. The tour is priced at $3,698 per person.
Austin Adventures also offers the Alaska Family Vacation package for families or those visitors looking for a little bit more relaxation while exploring the national park and the Kenai Peninsula. The six-day tour still has plenty of appeal for those travelers wanting to do some kayaking, hiking and biking. The tour is priced at $3,698 per person. The price for children is $2,958 to $3,328.
Wilderness Travel also reports that its adventure travel tours for 2017 are selling quickly.
Wilderness Travel has two new family trips for 2017. Alaska: Journey to Sitka tour of Southeast Alaska is aboard a historical, 86-foot wooden motor yacht that hosts just eight guests. Guests spend their days hiking, kayaking and wildlife-viewing, or just relaxing. The eight-day tour is $5,250 per person.
The small vessels in Wilderness Travel's fleet are designed to reach more remote areas of Alaska.
Wilderness Travel also is offering the seven-day Alaska Inside Passage tour on its 12-person vessel for $4,250 per person.
"We leave the big boats behind as soon as we leave the outskirts of Juneau," said Barbara Banks, director of marketing and new trip development for Wilderness Travel.
Wilderness Travel is bringing back nature writers Barry Lopez and Richard Nelson in 2017 for the Alaskan Dreams tour. Lopez and Nelson were a big hit in 2015 as part of a special event exploring Alaska's Inside Passage. The eight-day tour from Sitka to Juneau features walking, kayaking, whale- and wildlife-watching, cruising and, of course, insights into wildlife and natural history that the two writers bring to the tour. It costs $6,395 per person.