Seward to Anchorage tour: Wildlife, glaciers & Turnagain Arm

A Sprinter Van full of people and a driver who knows where the animals are.

This small-group tour travels from Seward to Anchorage over seven hours in a fully equipped van with your own Alaskan driver-guide, stopping at the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center to see bears, moose, elk, muskox and wolves up close; a guided walk along Byron Glacier Trail; Portage Glacier overlooks; and Beluga Point for Dall Sheep and seasonal whale sightings. Pickup in Seward is included, snacks and binoculars are provided, and you choose your own drop-off in Anchorage at the end.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time at each

1. Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center1h · entry included
2. Portage Glacier30m

Seward to Anchorage with wildlife stops

• Short tour of Seward area
• Visit Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center
• Drive along Turnagain Arm with stops
• Stop for optional lunch in Girdwood
• Scenic views at Portage Valley and Lake
• Guided walk to Byron Glacier
• Photo stop at Beluga Point
• Explore Anchorage highlights and drop off

The experience

The van picks you up in Seward and heads north along the Seward Highway toward Anchorage. Your driver-guide starts with the town's history (the 1964 earthquake and the landscape that shaped it) before the route opens into the Turnagain Arm, a drive considered one of the most beautiful in the United States. The road follows the water's edge, and stops happen when wildlife appears or the timing aligns for the bore tide, a tidal phenomenon that moves upstream against the current.

The Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center occupies 250 acres and holds bears, moose, elk, muskox and wolves in settings close enough to photograph. This is guaranteed wildlife viewing, not a waiting game. The animals are there and your guide knows how to position the group. After the center, the tour moves into Portage Valley for a short guided walk up Byron Glacier Trail, which follows the river to the glacier's edge. The trail is accessible for most fitness levels, and the lodge at Portage Glacier provides views of hanging glaciers across the valley. A stop in Girdwood offers optional lunch at a local restaurant (you pay separately), and Beluga Point near Anchorage is the last wildlife watch: Dall Sheep on the mountainside and, if timing is right in late summer, beluga whales in the water below.

The van holds up to twelve guests, which means the group stays small enough that your guide can answer questions and adjust for what people want to see. Heat, air conditioning and binoculars are built in. The seven-hour route ends with a tour of Anchorage's highlights and recommendations before drop-off at your hotel, airport or anywhere else you choose.

What’s included

• Pickup in Seward and drop-off at your Anchorage location of choice.
• entry to the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center.
• guided walk to Byron Glacier.
• snacks and water throughout the day.
• binoculars.
• a fully equipped van with heat and air conditioning.
• and a live English-speaking Alaskan driver-guide.

Before you book

Days and timesNext departure: 1 May 2027

Book up to16h before

AgesAdult (12 to 64 years) · Senior (65 and older) · Child (under 12)

GroupUp to 11

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup is optional; you can also go straight to the meeting point. Ends at a different place from where it starts.You can choose from 25 pickup points.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated 3 days ago

Good to know

Easy physical levelStroller friendlyInfant seats availablePets welcomePublic transport nearby

Operated by Welcome Anchorage Tours

Is this one for you?Book this tour if you want wildlife viewing and glacier scenery without driving yourself or arranging multiple transfers. The same guide handles the route, the timing and the stops, so you stay focused on what's outside the window. The small group size (up to twelve) keeps the pace flexible and the van positioned for animal sightings.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (under 12).

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

The center holds bears, moose, elk, muskox and wolves across 250 acres. Your guide positions the group for close viewing and photography, and the operator guarantees wildlife sightings here.

Is the walk to Byron Glacier difficult?

Byron Glacier Trail is a short guided walk along the river to the glacier's edge and is accessible for most fitness levels. The operator offers alternative routes if needed.

What is the bore tide, and will we see it?

The bore tide is a tidal phenomenon where water moves upstream against the current along the Turnagain Arm. The driver stops for it when timing aligns, but sightings depend on the day's tidal schedule.

Do I need to arrange my own lunch?

A stop in Girdwood includes optional lunch at a local restaurant where you order and pay separately. The operator recommends the chowder and notes good prices and local flavor.

Where does the tour end, and how do I get back to my hotel?

The van drops you at your choice of location (hotel, airport or anywhere in Anchorage) at the end of the seven-hour route. Your driver-guide shares Anchorage highlights and restaurant recommendations on the way.

What's included in the price?

Entry to the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center, the guided walk to Byron Glacier, all attraction fees, snacks and water, binoculars, and transportation in a climate-controlled van with your own driver-guide are included. Lunch in Girdwood is separate.