VICTORIA, British Columbia, Feb. 1, 2012 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Described as the Canadian Galapagos, Haida Gwaii is located at the western edge of North America and is a place teeming with wildlife and First Nations heritage. For more than 20 years, Maple Leaf Adventures has led authentic explorations aboard a classic 92-foot schooner into the Gwaii Haanas National Park Marine Reserve and Haida Heritage Site, an area rarely travelled and explored.
"It's a real privilege to be one of the few tour operators permitted to travel into Gwaii Haanas," said Kevin Smith, president of Maple Leaf Adventures. "We guide our guests into this maze of islands and waterways, a world class natural environment that made the Haida who they are."
Maple Leaf Adventures operates its Haida Gwaii sailing cruises with the permission and respect of the Haida and Parks Canada. During the trip, guests embark on a number of guided land and sea explorations, including a visit to the UN World Heritage Site SGang Gwaay (Ninstints).
Maple Leaf Adventures operates one of the only Queen Charlotte Islands tours and is recognized as a Signature Canadian Experience by the Canadian Tourism Commission. The nine-day, eight-night Haida Gwaii eco-cruise departs from the Queen Charlotte Islands, now known as Haida Gwaii.
Other highlights of the Queen Charlotte Islands sailing cruise include naturalist-led treks to islands that feature thousands of nesting seabirds, hikes through forests with centuries-old trees and soaks in natural hot springs. And after each day of adventure, guests return to the tall ship to enjoy gourmet meals prepared by the onboard chef, relax in the comfortable sleeping cabin or spend time in the above-deck wheelhouse where they can try their hands at steering the ship.
About Maple Leaf Adventures
Maple Leaf Adventures has provided conservation travel experiences aboard a classic tall ship since 1986. With a reputation as one of Canada's top sustainable tour operators, its multi-day excursions give guests one-of-a-kind experiences in some of the most beautiful and rare places in the world, often in areas that were once under threat of destruction or in dire need of protection. As a long time practitioner of ecotourism, Maple Leaf Adventures pioneered travel in BC's Great Bear Rainforest and northwestern Vancouver Island and has made significant contributions in the field of conservation. For more information, visit www.MapleLeafAdventures.com.
Media Contacts:
Maureen Gordon, Maple Leaf Adventures: 250 386-7245, 250-881-6143 (cell) or Maureen@MapleLeafAdventures.com
Deirdre Campbell, Tartan Group: 250-592-3838, 250-882-9199 (cell) or deirdre@tartangroup.ca
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