Private Whittier cruise transfer to Anchorage with wildlife stops

One drive, four stops, native wildlife and glacial views

A private guided transfer from your Whittier cruise to an Anchorage hotel that stops at four wildlife and scenic sites along the way. The route includes Portage Lake with views of the Chugach Mountains, the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center where you walk or drive past bears, moose, wolves and eagles in naturalistic enclosures, Beluga Point for whale watching and mountain photography, and a 1,550-foot boardwalk over marshland for birdwatching. All entrance fees, water and professional photos are included. The guide speaks English.

Step-by-step itinerary

Whittier to Anchorage scenic tour

• Pick up from Whittier cruise
• Visit Portage Lake overlook
• Explore Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center
• Stop at Beluga Point for whale watching
• Walk the boardwalk for birdwatching
• Drop off at Anchorage hotel

The experience

What happens between leaving your cruise ship and reaching your hotel? Instead of a straight drive, you get a guided route that turns the journey into a day. The driver picks you up at Whittier and drops you at your Anchorage hotel, stopping at four places that show why people come to Alaska. You're not rushed through any of them: the whole trip runs six to eight hours, which is time enough to actually look.

Portage Lake comes first, about an hour south of Anchorage. The overlook sits off the Portage Glacier Road and gives you a panoramic view of the turquoise lake fed by glacial melt. On clear days you can see Portage Glacier in the distance across the water and the Chugach Mountains rising behind it. From there you move to the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center, a 200-acre facility near the Seward Highway where you can walk or drive a 1.5-mile loop past bears, moose, bison, musk oxen, elk, caribou, eagles and wolves in naturalistic enclosures. The center runs guided tours and feeding sessions, so there's a choice in how deep you go.

Beluga Point sits on the coast and is known for two things: in late summer and early fall, beluga whales chase salmon close to shore on the incoming tide, and the light there, especially at sunset, draws photographers. Dall sheep live on the cliffs above. The final stop is a boardwalk that stretches about 1,550 feet over marshland, winding through habitat where waterfowl, shorebirds, bald eagles, salmon and sometimes moose or beavers show up. Spring and summer are peak for birds. The guide provides professional photos at each stop, and water is included throughout the day.

What’s included

• All entrance fees to Portage Lake, the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center, Beluga Point and the marshland boardwalk.
• water throughout the day.
• professional photos at each stop.
• hotel pickup and drop-off in Anchorage.
• English-speaking guide.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 08:30

Book up to18h before

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.You can choose from 2 pickup points.

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

Prices and times updated 3 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effort

Operated by Alaska Custom Tours

Is this one for you?The six to eight hour commitment means you see four distinct stops and have time to linger at the ones that catch you, but you won't have hours to spare at any single site. This is a guided route, not a full day at one place.

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Top questions

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What wildlife will I actually see at the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center?

The center holds bears, moose, bison, musk oxen, elk, caribou, eagles and wolves in naturalistic enclosures. You walk or drive a 1.5-mile loop around the grounds, and the center also runs guided tours and feeding sessions if you want more detail on any animal.

Can I see beluga whales on this tour?

Beluga Point is a stop on the route, and in late summer and early fall, beluga whales chase salmon close to shore during the incoming tide, so sightings are possible then. The point is also a strong spot for Dall sheep on the cliffs and for sunset photography.

How long is the drive from Whittier to Anchorage on this tour?

The full tour runs six to eight hours from pickup at your cruise ship to drop-off at your Anchorage hotel, with stops at Portage Lake, the Wildlife Conservation Center, Beluga Point and the marshland boardwalk included in that time.

What's included in the price?

All entrance fees to the stops, water throughout the day and professional photos at each location are included. The guide speaks English and provides commentary along the route.

Is this tour suitable if I'm not in great shape?

Yes, the tour is suitable for all physical fitness levels. You can walk the boardwalk at your own pace, drive the loop at the Wildlife Center instead of walking it, and spend as much or as little time at each stop as you want.