In the fourteen years since Bristol based wildlife tour operator, WildWings, first opened their doors as a travel agency for birdwatchers, they have designed and developed an impressive array of travel products – many of them exclusive – ranging from space and deep sea expeditions to a superb selection of bird, whale and dolphin watching tours.

Space Adventures
WildWings has exclusively represented US based Space Adventures since their inception in 1997 with products such as the orbital space flight, at an approximate cost of £11 million, and the sub-orbital space flights at £57,000. More accessible experiences, such as the zero-gravity flights, are reasonably priced at just £4,499 including international flights, accommodation and a two hour zero-gravity flight.
Zero-G flights, available in Florida and Moscow, offer a rare chance to experience both lunar gravity and full weightlessness in the same way as NASA has been training astronauts for the last forty years.

Deep Ocean Expeditions
Another UK exclusive - deep-sea exploration - a whole new realm, until now visited only by scientists. The Akademik Keldysh - one of the best-known deep diving support vessels in the world - used for National Geographic film projects, James Cameron’s epic motion picture Titanic and subsequent IMAX movie ‘Ghosts of the Abyss’ provides a comfortable base, while the highly skilled pilots take two passengers per MIR submersible to depths of over 15,000 feet. The world’s most famous shipwreck, RMS Titanic; the legendary German battleship, Bismarck and the Azore’s undersea volcanoes and hydrothermal vents can all be seen from the MIR submersibles. Prices £15-21,000 per diver. Non-divers are also welcome onboard the support vessel for just under £3,000.

Expedition Cruises
WildWings generally recommend the small ships (up to around 100 passengers) for the optimum Antarctic or Arctic adventure and, with over 10 years experience of sending travellers to the polar regions, they offer unrivalled personal advice and best-value prices. As a member of the International Association of Antarctic Operators (IAATO), WildWings is well versed in the environmental issues of the continent. In addition, they donate twenty pounds to the Save the Albatross campaign for every passenger booked to travel to Antarctica.

Unique to WildWings is an 11-day ‘Magnificent Mammals’ cruise onboard the 100-passenger vessel, th e Peregrine Voyager. Sailing in March 2006, when the Antarctic Peninsula boasts an abundance of spectacular marine mammals, there will be opportunities to see Minke and humpback whales ‘playing’ with the Zodiacs whilst they’re feeding in the incredibly rich southern waters before they move north to their breeding grounds. Prices from £3999 per person sharing a twin cabin include flights to Ushuaia, Argentina and practically everything whilst onboard the ship.

WildWings Birdwatching Tours
Exceptional value for money and led by some of the world’s leading birdwatchers, WildWings offers the most flexible tour arrangements on the market, specifically designed to yield the most spectacular birdwatching opportunities.

New birdwatching destinations for 2005 include Surinam, Christmas Island, The Gambia and South Africa’s Western Cape, as well as 4-5 day short breaks designed to show Spain’s rarest birds.

Unique to WildWings is the opportunity to join the flexible, low cost, group departures to the bird festivals of Poland and Goa – both popular birding hotspots. Well-developed infrastructures and easy, inexpensive travel by bicycle, bus and taxi gives the freedom to explore alone or accompanied by one of the excellent English speaking local guides. Prices from £470 per person include flights and accommodation.

WildOceans Whale & Dolphin Watching
The oceans hold some of the greatest natural history spectacles on the planet and WildOceans offers an extensive program with some fabulous opportunities to see whales and dolphins all over the world. From dolphins bow-riding the ferry in the Bay of Biscay to narwhals jousting in the chilly Arctic waters and from swimming with wild Atlantic spotted dolphins in the crystal clear waters of the Bahamas to watching literally hundreds, if not thousands, of whales and dolphins on a cruise around Baja California and into the Sea of Cortez.

Ecovolunteers
Working conservation holidays set in wild and remote destinations around the world, ideal for an unforgettable gap year trip or as part of a round the world epic. From wolves in Eastern Europe to painted hunting dogs in Zimbabwe and from African elephants in Namibia to humpback whales off Brazil. Year-round opportunities. For a week assisting researchers with European Griffin Vultures in Croatia, prices start at £95 (including accommodation and participation in the project. Travel to the project is not included).

The Travel Agency Online
The WildWings travel agency – established some years ago to cater for the needs of the birdwatching market – is now available online 24/7. Over 400 airlines (including web only fares), 50 car hire companies and 55,000 hotels have been added to the www.wildwings.co.uk website – with a booking engine powered by SABRE.

For press enquiries please contact Debra Taylor at toucanmoon 01491 613424 debra@toucanmoon.com

WildWings
RESERVATIONS 0117 9658 333
wildinfo@wildwings.co.uk www.wildwings.co.uk

Prepared by toucanmoon /12 January 2005
St John’s Hall, Shirburn Street, Watlington OX49 5BT
(t) 01491 613424 (e) debra@toucanmoon.com