Full-Day Matanuska Glacier Hike And Tour
Recommended by 94% of travelers
Anchorage, USA
- 8 hours 30 minutes (approx.)
- Mobile ticket
- Offered in: English
Explore our promoted experiences
Overview
What's Included
- Snacks
- Bottled water
- Glacier Walking Equipment
- Transportation From Downtown Anchorage
- Knowledgeable Glacier Guides
- Gratuities
- Lunch
Meeting and Pickup
Meeting point
- 509 W 3rd Ave, Anchorage, AK 99501, USA
Please check in at our new location: 509 W. 3rd Ave, directly across from the Hilton Hotel. Parking is available across the street. Check in at the concierge desk, then wait in our garden or indoor lobby. Please arrive 20 mins before departure. Look for the gray van with a bear!
End point
This activity ends back at the meeting point.Operating hours.8:30 am
Itinerary
1
Matanuska Glacier
3 hours • Admission Ticket Included
2
Glenn Highway
4 hours • Admission Ticket Free
3
Palmer
1 hour • Admission Ticket Free
Additional Info
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
- Not wheelchair accessible
- Near public transportation
- Not recommended for travelers with back problems
- No heart problems or other serious medical conditions
- Travelers should have a moderate physical fitness level
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 14 travelers
Supplied by
Cancellation Policy
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
Traveler Photos
Featured review
Kellye_S
Seeing a glacier up close was truly an experience! Our guide Jacob was very engaging and patient, showing us how to use the spikes and making sure we were comfortable during the tour. He was also very knowledgeable about the glacier and surrounding area. Highly recommend this tour and Jacob
Reviews
4.8
based on 217 reviews
Abhishek_S, Dec 2025
We had a very wonderful experience. Everything from pickup , drive there, guided tour was very well planned. Our driver Corey, and guide Jason were very good. We totally enjoyed. Highly recommend.
Manuel_D, Dec 2025
What a beautiful place to visit, an experience I'll never forget. Planing to return next winter.....
Cheyenne_D, Nov 2025
Absolutely amazing in the winter, it was magical! The tour provided incredible views of the landscape on the way in and the guide Petra hiked us all over the glacier and in between crevices in a way more in depth manner than I expected, I was floored by how incredible and immersive it was. Ina our driver and guide until we got to the glacier was fantastic, super knowledgeable and fun, she answered all my numerous curiosities and made sure we saw incredible views along the way. Genuinely the best tour I’ve ever been on and I’ve been on dozens over the years.
WeiSiang_K, Oct 2025
We really like the tour and guide is really knowledgeable and friendly!! Highly recommended!!! Will definitely join the tour again next time!
Gary_D, Sep 2025
The experience is wonderful and both our van driver a glacier guide were very knowledgeable. Be aware that there are some very uneven surfaces so this is not for someone who is not steady on their feet
Rahulrana_G, Aug 2025
Description is inappropriate. Please update description with out palmer. Rest everything is good same package with out palmer is offered at very less price
Response from Host, Sep 2025
Thank you for your feedback! We’d like to clarify that the stop in Palmer is a grocery deli and was always intended as a quick opportunity for guests to purchase lunch—not as a full-hour stop. Our goal is to get guests to the main event, the Matanuska Glacier hike, so the focus of the tour remains on the glacier experience.
We appreciate your suggestion about the description and will take it into consideration for future updates. For those who prefer to skip the Palmer stop, we also offer the same package at a slightly lower price. We’re glad you enjoyed the rest of the tour and hope to see you back in Alaska soon!
Scott_G, Jul 2025
Glacier hike was amazing!! Loved Sophie's guided hike. Good fun, very knowledgeable and helpful.
We were supposed to have 1 hour in Palmer. We only stopped very briefly for a toilet break. Bus driver was ok but very concerned that everyone pays their tips.
2 stops to take a quick photo along the way. We were also told that snacks would be provided which wasn't the case.
Overall still a great experience!
Response from Host, Aug 2025
Thank you for taking the time to share your experience with us — we're so glad to hear you enjoyed the glacier hike and Sophie’s guidance! She truly is a gem, and we’re thrilled she helped make your day so memorable.
We’d like to clarify a few details to help set accurate expectations for future guests. A bottle of water and a power bar are placed on each seat at the start of the trip. If yours was missing, we sincerely apologize — that's certainly not the norm.
The Palmer stop is scheduled for approximately 15 minutes, which is typically enough time to grab a quick bite or coffee to enjoy on the 1.5 hour ride to the glacier. While it’s not a destination stop, the grocery deli and Starbucks provide convenient and quality options to enjoy while heading to the glacier. That day, we also made three scenic photo stops, each lasting 10 to 15 minutes as planned.
Regarding tips: gratuities are customary in our industry and especially appreciated when service goes above and beyond. Your driver encouraged tipping the glacier guide because of the important role they play — from checking and maintaining safe trails ahead of time to carrying emergency equipment during the hike. These guides work hard to ensure a safe and unforgettable experience, and we believe they deserve recognition for that effort.
We’re truly happy you had a great overall experience and hope the memories of your time on the glacier — and with Sophie — stay with you for years to come. Thank you again for choosing to travel with us!
Sheryl_T, Jul 2025
The glacier tour guide was fabulous. She was very informative, kind and warm. Safety was her number one objective and that we had a good time.
The tour operator was nonresponsive and and rushed us with shorter stops. Compared to our other excursions that were almost the same price. The transportation was below expectations. This would not be recommended. I would highly recommend the glacial cruises instead.
The reason for the review was for the tour operator not for the guides on the glacier. Have fun whatever you choose.!
Response from Host, Jul 2025
Proceed with Causation: Show Up as Directed — 30 Minutes Before Departure
Thank you for your feedback. While we appreciate all guest reviews, your comments seem more like a personal critique of your driver than an accurate reflection of your experience with Alaska’s Finest Tours & Adventures.
Let’s be clear: Your group did not arrive 30 minutes prior to departure as requested. You arrived just 5 minutes before departure, and one of your guests stepped away to use our convenient restroom as the van was loading — causing a 20-minute delay for everyone.
Despite your late arrival and that unexpected restroom delay, it was your driver who saved the day. He made smart, informed decisions under pressure:
* He prioritized getting your group to the glacier on time, navigating through multiple construction zones.
* He delayed scenic stops (with full transparency to the group) to protect your glacier slot.
* He ensured your group was checked in ahead of 10 other tour groups, securing your assigned glacier guide.
* He helped your group have not just a full glacier hike, but an extended one — something that wouldn’t have happened if you had arrived late or if the guide had been reassigned.
So yes — your glacier hike happened on time and without compromise because your driver made the right calls when it counted.
Your vehicle was a Ford Transit high-roof van designed for tourism, offering walk-in access, spacious seating, and large panoramic windows for comfort and great views. It is a clean, reliable, and well-maintained vehicle that consistently receives praise from guests.
We moved away from hotel pickups to a central downtown location to improve efficiency and provide better amenities — including restrooms and nearby food options. But this system only works well when guests follow instructions and arrive on time.
If your group had arrived as directed by your travel agent and our reminders, many of these issues would have been avoided.
We’re proud of our team, who work hard every day to deliver a five-star Alaska experience and who step up to protect your day even when challenges arise.
Future guests: please arrive 30 minutes early to enjoy a relaxed, seamless start and the full experience Alaska’s Finest has to offer.
Sincerely,
Alaska’s Finest Tours & Adventures
“Alaska Guided by Heritage”
Kellye_S, Jul 2025
Seeing a glacier up close was truly an experience! Our guide Jacob was very engaging and patient, showing us how to use the spikes and making sure we were comfortable during the tour. He was also very knowledgeable about the glacier and surrounding area. Highly recommend this tour and Jacob
Josephine_Z, Jul 2025
Ab and the company were amazing. We were late for over 10m, they called to check on us and directed where we should go. Ab is knowledgeable warm and thoughtful. He gave us nonstop information on the scenery, history, culture and politics of Alaska. He answered every question yet leaving me intrigued with additional thinking. He is a father of 5 and he treated my child like a mentor. He is a wonderful person just to hang out.
Matanuska itself is fascinating. We got another guide provided by the glacier company. It’s an eye opening experience to explore the glacier in depth. At the end of the walk on the glacier, I realized that the rock I was standing on actually has glacier underneath that’s 6000 feet deep. Wow!
Ken_H, Jul 2025
We had a great tour bus driver, very informative and engaging. Our glacier guide was also excellent. A great experience.
Anthony_P, Jun 2025
Lots of fun hiking up and around the glacier. The tour guide was fairly knowledgeable and the views of the glacier was extraordinary. My wife and I were joined by two other hikers, appreciated the small group.
Joan_S, Jun 2025
The tour at the glacier was fabulous. The guides there are just terrific, and it's an incredible place. However, our driver with the company that took us there, Alaska's Finest Tours and Adventures, was a real jerk -- belittling, rude, very arrogant. He was in his 60s or 70s and maybe has been driving too long. Who knows, but common courtesy is not too much to ask for. There are other tour companies that go to this place. Check the name of the company before you book and stay away from Alaska's Finest Tours and Adventures. I do recommend going here; just not with this company.
Linda_G, Jun 2025
Great tour. Beautiful scenery and amazing hike on the Glacier. No trip to Alaska would be complete without a hike on a glacier.
Gary, our tour guide was the best; sharing his knowledge and history of Alaska as well as personal experiences in the state and of the area we were visiting.
Cathy_S, May 2025
Great experience, fun and manageable. Awesome views . Guide was great . Views perfection . Blue pool was a highlight
Denesia_H, Apr 2025
This was the ABSOLUTE best day! We loved everything about this experience. Our driver Jim was super friendly, knowledgeable, understanding and helpful. The tour was listed on viator with the wrong start time but he was kind enough to wait on us. The drive up was gorgeous, but nothing could have prepared us for the breathtaking experience of actually hiking the glacier under the backdrop of majestic mountains! Our guide on the glacier (the nephew of the owner) was the perfect blend of informative and funny. The glacier itself, with those blues and blacks running through the ice took our breath away. The hike was easy, with plenty of photo opportunities. The snow machine ride back included a fast extra loop to get our adrenalin pumping even more as if the beauty of the day didn't do that enough. Highly highly recommend! 100% worth the money. Plan to tip both your guide and your driver.
Kali_B, Apr 2025
A great day trip leaving from downtown Anchorage. Transportation is easy and provided! You will stop at a grocery store on the way to Manatuska for lunch. The glacier is a fun easy hike. The guides are knowledge and a lot of fun! Its a round trip!
Karen_S, Apr 2025
We had a nice two hour drive from Anchorage to Matanuska Glacier park. Our knowledge and friendly guide provided interesting trivia on Alaska and recommendations for Anchorage dining options. Instructions for the pick up location and time were easy to follow. We had a 20-minute stop at Palmer to use the restroom and pick up lunch at a chain supermarket. The supermarket had a Starbucks if you needed a cup of coffee. When we first got to Matanuska Glacier park, we first stopped at the gift shop to sign waivers. The building where we met our guide had plenty of restrooms. They had extra snow pants and gloves available if you forgot to bring your own. Our glacier tour was led by a knowledgable and friendly guide. The hike itself was nice and easy, with a little elevation and a few narrow crevasses. The landscape was incredibly beautiful and serene. There were multiple stops for instagram worthy photos. The visit to the glacier was well worth the fee and time. I would do this tour with again if we find ourselves back in Anchorage.
Kimberley_W, Mar 2025
Absolutely amazing. Fantastic scenery. Tour guide was great. He gave us a lot of information.
Highly recommended this tour.
Kenna_S, Mar 2025
So much fun and so beautiful!! I was so glad we did this. The scenery was amazing and a very unique experience.
Lily_M, Mar 2025
The company I booked with told me less than 24 hours before my booking that it wouldn't go ahead due to the fact that I was the only one that signed up. However, they were quick to get me in with another group doing the same hike and with them, I had an amazing experience! I think they are partner companies so it was no trouble and Lauri was amazing!
Mark_S, Mar 2025
Fabulous experience with very nice people. Wonderful good times. Both glacier guide and travel guide were excellent Thank you
CHENGBIN_Y, Mar 2025
It was a wonderful trip and the glacier mountain was really awesome. The guide was friendly with us and I recommend to other tourists to book this tour.
Christopher_L, Feb 2025
Such an amazing opportunity. We first drove to where the glacier was at, while stopping at many scenic spots. Carl, the driver and tour guide, was amazing :) He made sure the group was comfortable and prepared for the glacier hike with clothing preparations. At the glacier itself, we had Johnson who led the hike expedition, where we saw unique ice formations, ice caves, and beautiful snow with the scenic background. The ice slide was amazing. Shoutout to both Johnson and Carl! Highly rec!
pongpat_A, Feb 2025
One of my bucket list, if you have a chance to visit, take around 2 hours from Downtown Anchorage, awesome tour, shout out to Glacier tour guide Morgan
Huifang_T, Feb 2025
Loved this trip to walk on the glacier. Although it was quite cold, our guide offered free warmer. If you have never had any experience on glacier hiking, this is good and it is not difficult.
Xun_Z, Jan 2025
A super fantastic memory!!! Our tour guide and driver are responsible and kind. They helped me take great photos of pretty glaciers and mountains. They gave us foot and hand warmers to ensure our warm feelings. So sweet and friendly!
Tamara_G, Jan 2025
We went to this tour on January 1st and we had the best time!!
Our guide was amazing, answering all our questions and teaching us so much!
Totally worth the money!
If you're planning on going, just make sure you FOLLOW ALL THE RULES please.
Our guide was clear when asking not to touch the snow or be stepping out of the trail, and still people were doing that. Let's respect nature in the first place, and the guide that is providing us such an amazing experience.
delphin_w, Jan 2025
The glacier itself is extraordinary. However, having the expert commentary by Chris our guide brought it to life in an exceptionally meaningful way.
Ms_B, Dec 2024
Ben and Jason tag teamed a get tour. Ben our driver ensured the group was safe, on time, well informed and well prepared for our adventure. Jason was our guide on the glacier. He is very knowledgeable, welcoming plenty of photo opportunities and play time on the ice. They had snow gear, spikes, toe/hand warmers if needed to ensure we were warm. Thank you!
From $369.00
per personup to 24 hours before the experience starts (local time)
Compare Similar Experiences
Current
Full-Day Matanuska Glacier Hike And Tour
217
8 hours 30 minutes
Free Cancellation
From
$369.00
Customers Who Bought This Tour Also Bought
Attractions in Anchorage, USA
- Lake Hood Tours & Tickets
- Cook Inlet Tours & Tickets
- Denali National Park and Preserve Tours & Tickets
- Denali Tours & Tickets
- Portage Glacier Tours & Tickets
- Turnagain Arm Tours & Tickets
- Earthquake Park Tours & Tickets
- Prince William Sound Tours & Tickets
- Mount Alyeska Tours & Tickets
- Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center Tours & Tickets
- Alaska Railroad Tours & Tickets
- Chugach State Park Tours & Tickets
- Matanuska Glacier Tours & Tickets