Alaska Eco Tour Top Three Operators
This Alaska eco tour ranking of the best three operators and travel agencies is compiled by using feedback from trip reports, reviews and forums and compliance by the operators with The International Ecotourism Society (TIES) guidelines, definitions and membership. TIES was founded in 1990 and is the largest and oldest ecotourism organization in the world dedicated to generating and disseminating information about ecotourism and they have members in more than 70 countries worldwide.They define ecotourism as..."responsible travel to natural areas that conserves the environment and improves the well-being of local people" and all the operators on the list conform to this criteria. They are also members of TIES and have signed a code of conduct stating that they follow the guidelines of responsible ecotourism travel. By combining TIES membership with Alaska trip reports and reviews written by past travelers who have first hand experience of these travel companies, it's possible to compile a strong Alaska eco tour company ranking list. Top Three Alaska Eco Tour Operators
- Alaska Wildland Adventures
This eco friendly company based in Girdwood has been leading Alaska adventure travel since 1977 and it is their sole travel destination.
Their dedication to the environment and values of ecotourism is reflected in their guiding principles which cover issues such as the reduction of environmental impact, wildlife viewing ethics, guest information and education and eco friendly business activities.
- Arctic Treks
Operating exclusively in Alaska's far north for the past 25 years, this company was the winner of the 1999 World Wildlife Fund Arctic Award for Excellence in Linking Tourism and Conservation.
Most of the tours are led personally by owners Carol Kasza or Jim Campbell and Carol is a current board member of the Alaska Conservation Foundation which reflects her passion for working to protect Alaska's wild lands as an eco friendly operator.
- AdventureSmith Explorations
After a decade of pioneering a new style of Alaska adventure travel that uses boats to get close to wildlife, this travel agent has firmly entrenched itself in eco friendly travel circles with its carbon offset program and works closely with conservation partners that allow your booking with them to benefit Alaska.
More Alaska eco tour operators and agencies at the International Ecotourism Society website.
There is such a large diversity of trips possible to undertake in Alaska that it's very difficult to give a broad based cost estimate.
The best way to determine cost is to decide exactly what you would like to do and see in Alaska and then ask a travel agent or operator to give you a quote.
But just to give you a general idea of how deep you will have to dig into your pocket for an Alaska eco tour, here are some prices for popular trip itineraries for the 2006 season, quoted in USD per person.
- Alaska 8-day grand journey: from $2,090
- Inside Passage 7-day cruise: from $3,325
- Brown bears of Katmai 5-day tour: from $1,545
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