Portage Glacier Tours and Tickets

Just an hour’s scenic drive from Anchorage along the breathtaking Seward Highway, Portage Glacier offers an unforgettable Alaskan adventure. Board the M/V Ptarmigan, a custom-built sightseeing vessel designed for optimal glacier viewing, including a heated cabin with expansive windows and an open-air top deck. During the one-hour cruise, you’ll glide across the waters of Portage Lake, journeying past cascading waterfalls and steep mountain cliffs. Get up close to the towering wall of Portage Glacier, and with a bit of luck, witness the thrilling sight (and sound!) of calving ice. A U.S. Forest Service ranger provides expert narration, sharing fascinating insights into the area's history, geology, and wildlife. This budget-friendly and family-friendly tour operates daily from mid-May to mid-September, with five departures to fit your schedule. This is the perfect stop to experience one of the state's most iconic glaciers. Please note: Transportation to/from Anchorage NOT INCLUDED

Portage Glacier Cruise Experience 1 hr drive from Anchorage

Portage Glacier Cruise Experience 1 hr drive from Anchorage

1 hourFree Cancellation

Wildlife Conservation Center & Portage Valley Glaciers

4 hours 30 minutesFree Cancellation

Depart downtown Anchorage for a fast and scenic getaway to one of Alaska’s most iconic and accessible glaciers. Travel along the breathtaking Turnagain Arm and into Portage Valley, surrounded by towering peaks, hanging glaciers, and lush temperate rainforest. Upon arriving at Portage Lake, board the MV Ptarmigan for an unforgettable one-hour cruise across iceberg-dotted waters to the towering face of Portage Glacier. While conditions on the lake can vary, the journey offers unparalleled views of the glacier and surrounding landscape. Throughout the cruise, onboard deckhand staff provide engaging narration about the area’s glacial history, wildlife, and natural features. With round-trip transportation included and a total duration of just 3.5 hours, the Portage Glacier Express delivers a high-impact Alaska experience perfect for guests with limited time or anyone wanting a quick, immersive adventure from Anchorage.

Portage Glacier Express with Van Transfer from Anchorage

3 hours 30 minutesFree Cancellation

Experience Alaska’s wildlife and landscapes without planning a complex route from Anchorage on your own. This group tour combines glacier views, mountain scenery, wildlife encounters, and historic stops into one well-rounded day through Chugach National Forest and beyond. Along the way, your guide shares local insight and photography tips to help you get more out of the experience and your photos.

PRISTINE - Wilderness, Wildlife, Glacier Experience in Anchorage

5 hours 30 minutesFree Cancellation

Be awed by supersized glaciers and the hardy wildlife of the tundra on this full-day tour through the rugged Alaskan wilderness. Departing from Anchorage, drive along a scenic byway to the Turnagain Arm of the Cook Inlet, framed by the dramatic Chugach and Kenai mountain ranges. Cruise on the lake that laps against the ancient blue ice of Portage Glacier, stop for lunch at a cozy lodge, and get an up-close look at Alaskan wildlife such as caribou, musk ox, and lynk at a conservation center.

Glaciers and Wildlife: Super Scenic Day Tour from Anchorage

8 hoursFree Cancellation

Experience the best of Alaska’s wildlife and natural treasures in a day during this curated tour from your cruise port in Whittier. Highlights include stopping at a wildlife conservation center, home to hundreds of species, and a hike to Byron Glacier. Side step the long bus lines at the cruise port and instead ride in comfort and style as you wind around scenic valleys and coastal roads.

Whittier to Anchorage Cruise Transfer & Wildlife Tour

The Turnagain Arm in the Gulf of Alaska boasts abundant Alaskan wildlife within easy access of Anchorage. Learn about the local ecosystem from a guide with extensive knowledge of the area as you drive down the peninsula, with opportunities to spot wild animals in their natural environment as you go. Includes a visit to the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center and a drive past the glaciers on Portage Glacier Road.

Wildlife and Glaciers with a walk in the Rainforest

4 hours 30 minutesFree Cancellation

Six hours, one unforgettable road. This small-group tour (14 guests max) trades the big motorcoach for a comfortable Mercedes Sprinter and a born-and-raised Alaskan guide who's been driving Turnagain Arm his whole life. Heading south from Anchorage, the Seward Highway squeezes between the Chugach Mountains and the sea. We pull off at Beluga Point to glass the water for beluga whales and the cliffs for Dall sheep and bald eagles. Then it's on to the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center, where rescued bears, moose, bison, caribou, and muskox live in big natural enclosures — your best shot at photographing all of Alaska's icons in one afternoon. Lunch happens like a local: Girdwood Brewing Company, in a mountain ski town, with rotating Alaska food trucks. We finish in Portage Valley with views of Explorer and Byron Glaciers and a short walk through mossy rainforest before heading home. Small van, real Alaskan, flexible stops when wildlife appears. Come see the Alaska between the postcards.

Turnagain Arm, Wildlife Center & Glaciers: Small-Group Tour

UNTAMED - Northern Lights Sightseeing from Anchorage Alaska-4 hrs

2 hours 59 minutesFree Cancellation

Transform your Seward-Anchorage transfer into yet another unforgettable Alaskan adventure. This intimate VIP tour—via luxury Mercedes Sprinter—showcases Alaska's finest: meet rescued wildlife at the Conservation Center, explore the majestic Byron Glacier, and spot Dall sheep at Beluga Point. Enjoy personalized guidance, optional lunch in Girdwood, and flexible drop-off, all while traveling in executive comfort.

Seward to Anchorage Cruise Transfer & Wildlife Tour

7 hoursFree Cancellation

Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center & Turnagain Arm Tour

4 hours 30 minutesFree Cancellation

Hit the road with the Alaska Self-Guided Bundle, including tours for Anchorage, Seward, Homer, and Denali. Cruise the Seward Highway for glacier views, coastal wildlife, and big mountain scenery, then follow the Sterling Highway through turquoise lakes and Kenai Peninsula towns to Homer. From Anchorage, head north on the Parks Highway via Eagle River, the Mat-Su Valley, and Talkeetna to Denali State Park and Denali National Park. Purchase one tour per car, not per person. Everyone listens together! After booking, you can check your email before downloading the Tour Guide App by Action, entering your unique password, and accessing your tour. The preceding steps require good internet/Wi-Fi access. Simply follow the audio instructions and the route from there. New, Lifetime access, no expiry. Use it anytime, on any trip, as many times as you want. This is not an entrance ticket to attractions along the route. Check opening hours before your visit.

Alaska Road Trip: Anchorage, Seward, Homer & Denali Audio Tour

8 to 10 hoursFree Cancellation

Discover the raw, untamed beauty of Alaska on this self-guided tour through Anchorage and the Kenai Peninsula. From the urban trails of Alaska's largest city to the towering blue ice of Exit Glacier, this tour takes you through some of North America's most spectacular wilderness. Begin in downtown Anchorage, where moose wander through city parks, then drive south along the stunning Seward Highway as it hugs the dramatic coastline of Turnagain Arm. Watch for beluga whales in the silty waters below and Dall sheep on the rocky cliffs above. Continue to the Kenai Peninsula, where ancient glaciers calve into turquoise lakes. Visit historic gold mining sites, walk among rescued wildlife at a conservation center, and stand at the edge of a glacier that has been retreating for centuries. Whether you seek adventure, wildlife encounters, or the peace of vast Alaskan landscapes, this tour delivers an authentic experience of the Last Frontier at your own pace.

Anchorage Self-Guided Tour: Discover Glaciers & Alaska's Frontier

8 hours 30 minutesFree Cancellation

Drive along the Anchorage to Seward Scenic Drive, where glaciers meet the sea and wildlife thrives in Kenai Fjords National Park. This route is renowned for its stunning landscapes, from majestic mountains to pristine coastlines. Along the way, explore the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center, home to bears, moose, and more. The drive also takes you through the serene Portage Valley and alongside the Resurrection River, offering some of the best views of Alaska’s untouched wilderness. Purchase one tour per car, not per person! After booking, check your email/text to download the separate Audio Tour Guide App by Action while connected to WiFi or mobile data. Enter the password, download the tour, & enjoy it offline. Follow the audio instructions and route from the designated starting point. New, Lifetime access, no expiry. Use it anytime, on any trip, as many times as you want. This is not an entrance ticket to attractions along the route. Check opening hours before your visit.

Seward Hwy Scenic Drive: Anchorage-Seward Self-Guided Audio Tour

2 to 3 hoursFree Cancellation

Stunning Turnagain Arm Tour: "A Must See Destination"

4 hoursFree Cancellation

The Turnagain Arm Full-Day Tour is an easy-going journey along one of the world's most scenic highways. It’s designed for those who prefer breathtaking scenery and wildlife encounters over long, steep mountain hikes. This trip offers many scenic photo opportunities, so bring a camera and get ready to capture some of Alaska’s must-do experiences, all in one day The three stops include 1) Portage Glacier Cruise! 2) Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center! 3) Alyeska Aerial Tram Come join us for an unforgettable full-day tour down the Turnagain Arm.

NEW: Turnagain Arm: Glacier Cruise, Wildlife Center & Aerial Tram

8 hoursFree Cancellation

This is an amazing way to be guaranteed to see many of Alaska's most sought after wildlife in a safe and animal friendly park! The bears are adorable, but trust me, seeing a bear in the wild can be a pretty intimidating. Much of Alaska's wildlife you will never see and even the moose, which are super common, visitors can go days or even weeks without seeing one and sometimes you'll see a few in any given day but visiting Alaska's Wildlife Conservation Center guarantees you'll see these animals and so many more! Licensed by Alaska's Transportation Department, this is for 3 - 10 people because of the way the Viator commissions and Park fees work, if you are just one or two people you can still book the tour but I need to charge for 3 - 10 people to make it feasible, if that makes sense.

Wildlife Conservation Center and Portage Glacier Lake Viewing

3 to 4 hoursFree Cancellation

Download GuideAlong’s self-guided driving audio tour of the Seward Highway as you drive between Anchorage and Seward. Visit Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center, ride the Alyeska Aerial Tram (Girdwood), stop at Tern Lake and Summit Lake, and walk to Exit Glacier near Kenai Fjords National Park. Along the way, hear stories of Native cultures, earthquakes, salmon runs, and Turnagain Arm wildlife, and audio plays automatically as you drive. Start anywhere, either direction. Enjoy the freedom to explore offline at your own pace, spending more time at places that interest you and bypassing any that don’t. Stories, tips, and directions play automatically based on your location Travel at your own pace Tour offline using GPS. No cell service or WiFi is needed Suggested itineraries for half, full, or multi-day use No time limits or expiry, and free updates Like having a tour guide along for the drive Purchase one tour per vehicle.

Self Guided Driving Audio Tour: Anchorage to Seward

2 to 3 hoursFree Cancellation

Anchorage to Seward Cruise Transfer & Wildlife Tour

Traveling from Anchorage to Whittier Cruise Port transforms into an unforgettable adventure filled with stunning landscapes and wildlife. This scenic transfer takes you through Turnagain Arm, where breathtaking glacier views await, along with a visit to Alaska’s renowned wildlife conservation center. Designed for cruise passengers, this tour ensures you experience the best of Southcentral Alaska while heading to your cruise terminal, maximizing your last day on land. - Enjoy a scenic drive from Anchorage to Whittier Cruise Port - Discover the natural beauty of Turnagain Arm and glacier views - Visit Alaska's wildlife conservation center along the way - Specifically designed for cruise passengers to enhance their journey

Anchorage to Whittier Cruise Transfer with Wildlife

7 hoursFree Cancellation

Explore Alaska's stunning wildlife and natural beauty on this immersive tour. Visit the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center to see bears and other native animals, then journey through the scenic Portage Glacier area with high hanging glaciers , perfect for capturing breathtaking photos and, during certain seasons, witnessing the salmon spawn. Afterward, relax in Girdwood with a local brewery tour and tasting at the base of Alyeska Ski Resort. At the brewery they have some great food trucks. Seasonal highlights may include spotting Beluga whales or the captivating Bore Tide. - Wildlife viewing at Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center - Scenic drive through Portage Glacier with photo stops - Brewery tour and tasting included (staff permitting)must have an ID for alcohol. - Snacks and water provided in the van, with hotel pick-up in Anchorage

Bears & Beers Tasting Tour out of Anchorage

Turnagain Arm and Portage Valley Private Tour

8 hoursFree Cancellation

Refined Alaskan Escape: Private, Custom Journey with Local Expert

What are people saying about Portage Glacier

RODNEY_B, Sep 2026

Nice way to spend a day

Gary was a great friendly guy with a tonne of information the Glacier was a disappointment but the drive out there and the wildlife centre was great

Steven_B, Aug 2026

Wonderful tour

Weather is unpredictable. Wear a jacket. Portage Glacier and surrounding areas are awesome. Have your camera ready!

beth_b, Aug 2026

Dress warm, lots of photo...

Dress warm, lots of photo ops. Good experience Wild life center could use some more time to look around

Corey_J, Jul 2026

Portage Glacier tour

Beautiful scenery. Gary, our guide, was super knowledgeable and friendly. We had a wonderful excursion. Portage Glacier tour is a must.