Turnagain Arm & Portage Valley private tour from Anchorage

See Dall sheep, beluga whales and icebergs without driving yourself

A private tour from Anchorage follows the Seward Highway (one of only 13 US highways designated an All American Road) through Turnagain Arm and Portage Valley with a local guide. The route passes Girdwood and the ski slopes of Mount Alyeska, stops at the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center to view injured and orphaned animals up close, and includes an optional one-hour cruise across iceberg-dotted Portage Lake aboard the mv Ptarmigan. The tour ends with a narrated drive through Anchorage's best neighborhoods and dining districts.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time at each

1. Portage Glacier15m
2. Seward Highway
3. Mount Alyeska1h 30m
4. Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center2h

Explore Turnagain Arm and Portage Valley

• Travel along Seward Highway
• Stop at Hotel Alyeska and Girdwood
• Optional tram ride on Mt Alyeska
• Visit Portage Glacier
• Optional cruise on Portage Lake
• Visit Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center
• Return to Anchorage
• Enjoy narrated Anchorage city tour

The experience

The tour leaves from your hotel and travels south on the Seward Highway, a route that hugs the coast of Turnagain Arm for much of the drive. This is where you'll spot wildlife: Dall sheep on the mountainsides, mountain goats, moose, and, seasonally from July through August, beluga whales feeding in the inlet. The guide knows where to look and when, and stops at viewpoints like Potter Marsh, a 1,550-foot boardwalk through a wetland where Canada geese, pintails, grebes and northern harriers nest from late April through September. Beluga Point, an archaeological site with evidence of human habitation 8,000 to 10,000 years old, is another stop for both history and wildlife viewing.

In Girdwood, a resort town nestled in a valley surrounded by seven glaciers, you have the option to ride the Alyeska Aerial Tram to the top of Mount Alyeska for lunch with a view of the Chugach Mountains. After Girdwood, the tour reaches Portage, where you can board the mv Ptarmigan for an optional one-hour cruise across Portage Lake. The lake is dotted with icebergs calved from Portage Glacier, and the cruise gives you a close look at the glacier itself and the surrounding peaks. Back on land, the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center lets you photograph moose, bears, caribou and other animals that can't be released into the wild. The center takes in injured and orphaned wildlife year-round and keeps them in spacious enclosures.

The drive back to Anchorage includes a narrated city tour pointing out neighborhoods, restaurants and the places locals actually go. The whole outing takes eight hours from pickup to drop-off, and the guide is with you the entire time to answer questions and adjust the pace if needed.

What’s included

• Local guide throughout the tour.
• hotel pickup and drop-off in Anchorage.
• narrated city tour on the return to Anchorage.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 09:00

Book up to2d before

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.You can choose from 17 pickup points.

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

ConfirmationConfirmation within 48h

Paid on siteUS$ 124

Prices and times updated 4 days ago

Good to know

Easy physical levelStroller friendlyInfant seats availablePets welcomePublic transport nearby

Operated by Greatland Adventures

Is this one for you?Choose this if you want a driver handling the Seward Highway while you focus on wildlife and scenery, with optional add-ons (glacier cruise, tram ride) you can skip to keep the day relaxed rather than packed.

Traveler reviews

5.00★★★★★★★★★★

9 verified traveler reviews

Read all the reviews ›

Top questions

What wildlife can I actually see on Turnagain Arm?

Dall sheep, mountain goats, moose, and black bears live along the arm year-round. Beluga whales visit Cook Inlet from July through August to feed on salmon. Potter Marsh and Beluga Point are the best stops for spotting birds and marine mammals, and your guide will know the season and the time of day when sightings are most likely.

Is the glacier cruise included, or do I pay extra?

The one-hour cruise across Portage Lake on the mv Ptarmigan is optional, so you choose whether to board when you reach Portage. The Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center entry is also optional and paid separately if you decide to visit.

Can I skip the tram ride up Mount Alyeska?

Yes. The Alyeska Aerial Tram is optional, and you can stay in Girdwood and explore the town or rest while others ride to the summit. Your guide will wait and regroup the group before heading to Portage.

How much walking is involved?

The Potter Marsh boardwalk is 1,550 feet and flat, so it's easy walking. Beluga Point is a short walk from a parking area. The Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center has paved paths through the animal enclosures. Most of the day is spent in the vehicle or on optional activities you control.

What's the Seward Highway, and why does it matter?

The Seward Highway is one of only 13 highways in the US designated an All American Road, a recognition for scenic and cultural significance. It runs south from Anchorage along Turnagain Arm and is the main route to the Kenai Peninsula. The drive itself is the tour's backbone: the views and wildlife sightings happen as you travel.