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Glacier and Wildlife Day Tour

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Description

No tour of Anchorage is complete without visiting Alaska's majestic glaciers and admiring the local fauna, and the Glacier and Wildlife Day Tour offers the perfect opportunity to do just that! This family-friendly excursion will take you to the famous Portage Glacier and the incredible Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center, making it the best choice for those who want to get the full Alaskan experience in a single-day tour at an affordable price.

Your tour begins in Anchorage, where you'll be picked up by your knowledgeable guide at your hotel or a convenient meet-up spot before heading straight to the Portage Glacier, driving through scenic highways and panoramic views that perfectly encapsulate the rugged beauty of the Alaskan wilderness. Upon arriving at the Portage Glacier, you'll board a large boat that will take you up close to the icy giant and several small icebergs that dot the lake. You can choose to relax in the heated cabin and take advantage of the big viewing windows, or you can head up to the topside deck for an unobstructed, albeit chilly, view of the glacier. As the boat gets within 300 yards of the icy blue face of the legendary Portage Glacier, you'll witness an incredible spectacle. If you're lucky, you might even see chunks of ice fall into the lake, a truly unforgettable sight!

After a quick lunch stop at the Portage Glacier lodge (lunch not included in the tour price), your tour of Anchorage continues with a visit to the incredible Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center, where you'll get to spend 90 minutes walking from enclosure to enclosure, learning about the rescued animals that call this place their home. Orphaned and injured big game come to this incredible rehabilitation center to heal, and while some return to nature, most become permanent residents and members of the AWCC family. Here, you'll see black and brown bears, moose, caribou, wolves, musk ox, lynx, wood bison, and many more, making this an ideal destination for animal lovers of all ages.


What's Included

This tour includes roundtrip transportation in a comfortable Mercedes Sprinter van. You'll travel along the scenic Seward Highway to Portage Lake for your 1-hour Portage Glacier cruise. You'll be stopping at the Portage Glacier Lodge where you can purchase lunch. They have a variety of items in the $10 range. At the guided tour of the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center, you can walk or ride in the van to view the animals. Restrooms are available at each stop along the way.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long is the boat ride, and what kind of boat is it?
You will be aboard the MV Ptarmirang, an 80-foot vessel built to U.S. Coast Guard specifications at Portage Lake. The boat features a fully enclosed and heated cabin with expansive windows, as well as an open-air top deck, both of which will provide you with breathtaking views of the Alaskan wilderness. The boat has a capacity of up to 200 passengers. The boat ride itself is 15 minutes each way, with a 30-minute stop to marvel at the glacier.
Does this tour require a specific level of fitness? Do I need to walk?
While this tour includes a 1.5-mile walk around the Alaska Wilderness Conservation Center, this is entirely optional, as you're welcome to ride in the van from enclosure to enclosure and take advantage of the shuttle's large windows. There is also a short stroll from the van to the boat for the glacier cruise portion of the tour, but in general, this tour requires very little obligatory walking.
Does this tour include lunch?
Your booking does not include lunch; however, there are a variety of delicious food options available at the Portage Glacier Lodge. From sandwiches and salads to chowder, rice bowls, and burgers, you can find something to satisfy your appetite without breaking the bank - all items are roughly in the $10 range.
Are restrooms available?
There are two restrooms available on the boat, a bathroom available at the Portage Glacier Lodge, and another one at the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center.
If I have an infant under two-years-old, can I bring them on the tour?
If you plan to bring an infant on this tour, please let us know in advance to ensure there is sufficient space and that we can make the necessary arrangements to guarantee your child's safety. We do not charge extra for infants if we have room on the tour, however, anyone occupying a seat will be required to pay the adult rate. For more information, please do not hesitate to contact us.
What happens if the weather is bad? Will it be cancelled?
Due to Alaska's unpredictable weather, this tour operates rain or shine, so cancellations due to inclement weather are rare. However, if the weather is too severe for the tour to be conducted safely, we will refund your payment or reschedule for a different day.
What's included in this tour? What should I bring?
Your booking includes hotel pickup, round-trip transportation, and knowledgeable local guides. Summer temperatures in Alaska range from the mid-50s to the 70s Fahrenheit, but sudden wind and rain are always a possibility. To ensure your comfort, it is essential to dress in layers and bring a water-resistant jacket and comfortable shoes. For this specific tour, you should also bring sunglasses, sunscreen, and insect repellent, as you will be in the wildlife. Don't forget to pack snacks and a reusable water bottle for the journey!

Quick Facts

Anchorage


8h 00min

The minimum age for participants is 0 years old.

Cancel up to 14-days before the tour for a refund. No refund is available if canceled within 14-days of the tour. If for any reason your tour is canceled, or if your cruise ship’s schedule changes, you will receive a refund. Refunds do not include any non-refundable fees.

$239

$229