Anchorage Wildlife & Glacier Tour: Portage Glacier

Anchorage city, Chugach peaks, beluga whales, brown bears, glaciers and a rain forest walk: the route changes with the day.

A six-hour wildlife and glacier tour from Anchorage with a live guide, entry to the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center and flexible routing that follows wildlife sightings and weather instead of a set itinerary. The guide scouts for bears, eagles, moose and whales as the day unfolds, and you walk to Byron Glacier and through America's most northern rain forest. A summer glacier cruise upgrade is available to see Portage Glacier and the Ring of Glaciers up close from the water. Bottled water and live entertainment on the return are included. Meals are not, but a stop to purchase food is provided.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time at each

1. Alaska Railroadpass by
2. Chugach State Park10m
3. Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center1h · entry included
4. Portage Glacier1h

Wilderness, Wildlife, and Glacier Experience

• Anchorage city tour
• View Alaska Railroad
• See mountain peak above 3000 feet
• Whale watching at scenic viewpoint
• Walk to foot of Byron Glacier
• Photograph wildlife at Bird Point
• Observe moose, salmon, and migrating wildlife
• View scenic valley and look for bears and eagles
• Guided tour at Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center
• Optional Portage Glacier cruise (summer only)
• Walk in northern rain forest
• See glacial ponds of Explorer Glacier
• Experience Ring of Glaciers with live entertainment

The experience

You start in Anchorage and head into the wilderness without a fixed route. The guide and scout read the day (the weather, the light, the animal activity), and steer toward what is actually happening: beluga whales at a scenic viewpoint, eagles and mountain goats in Chugach State Park, moose and salmon in the marshes. This is not a bus that stops at the same five places every morning. The route adapts.

The Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center is a guided stop where you walk among brown bears, wolves and bison in a park setting. You'll also walk seasonally to the foot of Byron Glacier and through the rain forest on the valley floor, with free photography lessons offered at multiple stops. If you book in summer (May through September), you can add a one-hour cruise on the Ptarmigan to see Portage Glacier and up to fourteen glaciers embedded in the Chugach National Forest, the Ring of Glaciers, from the water. That upgrade is hosted by a U.S. Park Ranger and costs extra. The base tour still views glaciers from the valley without the boat.

The day runs six hours. You get bottled water throughout, live commentary from the guide, and live entertainment on the drive back to Anchorage. Bring layers and dress for the weather. The tour operates in all conditions. A stop to buy meals is included, though food itself is not. Infants and small children can ride in a stroller or pram.

What’s included

• Entry to the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center.
• bottled water throughout the day.
• live guide and scout.
• live commentary during the tour.
• live entertainment on the return to Anchorage.
• a stop to purchase meals (meals themselves are not included).
• free photography lessons at multiple stops.

Options for this experience

3 options

Wilderness Wildlife GlaciersGuide in English · 11:00Free photography lessons. Duration: 6 hours, departing at 11 am. This deluxe version lets you experience the wilderness surrounding Alaska. Glacier cruise not included. Wilderness, wildlife and glacier sightseeing tour outside the Anchorage city limits, on weekdays and weekends. A 6-hour day tour into the wilderness to see wildlife, view glaciers and walk through Alaskan alpine meadows.

Wilderness, wildlife and glacier experience departing from AnchorageGuide in English · 09:00Free photography lessons. Duration: 6 hours, departing at 9 a.m. This deluxe version lets you experience the wilderness. Glacier cruise ride not included. Bottled water provided. Wilderness, wildlife and glacier sightseeing tour outside the Anchorage city limits, on weekdays and weekends. A 6-hour day tour into the wilderness to see wildlife.

Includes a 1-hour glacier cruiseGuide in English · Available from 14 May 2027Summer-only glacier cruise: get up close to Portage Glacier aboard the 80-foot MSS Ptarmigan on a one-hour excursion. Duration: 6 hours, departing at 11 am from the Dena'ina Convention Center, 700 W 7th Ave. Meet 10 minutes before departure. Your 1-hour glacier cruise confirmation will be sent by the tour operator, PicTours Alaska, Inc., shortly after this message.

You see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates & prices

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDepartures at 09:00 and 11:00

Book up toStart time

AgesAdult (13 and older) · Child (3 to 12 years) · Infant (under 3): free

GroupUp to 170

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated yesterday

Good to know

Easy physical levelStroller friendlyPublic transport nearbyNot for heart conditions

Operated by PicTours Alaska, Inc.

Is this one for you?Book this if you have a flexible half-day and want wildlife sightings steered by real-time conditions rather than a preset route. Add the summer glacier cruise option if you prefer viewing from water instead of the valley.

Traveler reviews

4.89★★★★★★★★★★

3,372 verified traveler reviews

5 ★3,148

4 ★141

3 ★49

2 ★16

1 ★18

Read all the reviews ›

Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (3 to 12 years); Infant (under 3): free.

What animals will I actually see on the Anchorage wildlife tour?

The Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center guarantees brown bears, wolves and bison on a guided walk through the park. Beyond that, the sightings depend on the day: the guide scouts for beluga whales at scenic viewpoints, eagles and mountain goats in Chugach State Park, moose and salmon in the marshes, and seasonal bears in the valley. The route changes to follow what is active.

Is the Portage Glacier cruise included in the tour price?

The Portage Glacier cruise is a summer upgrade (May through September only) that costs extra and is not part of the base tour. The one-hour boat ride on the Ptarmigan lets you see Portage Glacier and the Ring of Glaciers up close from the water, hosted by a U.S. Park Ranger. Without the upgrade, you still view glaciers from Glacier Valley on the land portion of the tour.

What is included in the tour price?

Entry to the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center, bottled water, a live guide and scout, live commentary, and live entertainment on the return drive are included. Meals are not included, but a stop to purchase food is provided during the day.

Can I walk to Byron Glacier on this tour?

Byron Glacier has a seasonal self-guided walk typically available from late May through mid-September. If the season and weather align, the guide will include it in the day's route, but it is not guaranteed on every departure.

What should I wear and what if the weather is bad?

The tour operates in all weather conditions, so dress in layers appropriate to Alaska's climate. Bring rain gear and warm clothing even in summer. The flexible routing means the guide will adjust the day to conditions, but the tour runs regardless of weather.