Full-Day Matanuska Glacier Small-Group Excursion
Recommended by 95% of travelers
Badge of Excellence
Anchorage, USA
- 8 hours (approx.)
- Pickup offered
- Mobile ticket
- Offered in: English
Overview
Matanuska Glacier is a must-visit when in Anchorage. But, without the right vehicle and equipment, it can be tricky to plan for the adventure. Skip the hassles of logistics and gear with this small-group tour that picks you up in the city and transports you to the glacier, where you can embark on a hike of a few miles.
- Travel from Anchorage to Matanuska Glacier with hotel transfers
- Embark on a few miles' hike over the glacier
- Learn about the local environment and wildlife from your guide
- Small-group tour (maximum 14 people) for a crowd-free experience
What's Included
- Use of Microspikes for traction while on the glacier.
- Pictures from your guide. Any photos we take will be made available to you free of charge.
- Coffee and/or TeaAvailable at our half-way stop in the morning.
- Gratuities for your guide on the glacier are included.
- LunchWe'll stop on our way to the glacier, where guests will be able to purchase lunch. There is a cooler onboard the van to keep food fresh while we're on the glacier.
Meeting and Pickup
Pickup points
Select a pickup point
Pickup details
We will be in contact the day before your tour to confirm your reservation, pickup location and pickup time. We drive a Silver Ford Econoline van labeled, or red Chevy Express van, labeled Alaska Adventure Guides. If you're not at a hotel, we can meet you at the Fred Meyer store at 1000 E Northern Lights in Anchorage, or 13401 Old Glenn in Eagle River. Pickup MAY be available at Airbnbs in the Anchorage area. Please check with us when you have the address if this applies to you. **Pickup is NOT available at the Alyeska Resort**
Operating hours.8:00 am
Itinerary
1
Matanuska Glacier
2 hours • Admission Ticket Included
Chickaloon (Pass By)
Sutton-Alpine (Pass By)
Additional Info
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
- Not wheelchair accessible
- 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
LULU_L
The weather is good which makes the whole glacier look blue. It’s so beautiful. The guide is nice and very knowledgeable about the glacier. Highly recommended.
Reviews
4.8
based on 58 reviews
LULU_L, Jan 2026
The weather is good which makes the whole glacier look blue. It’s so beautiful. The guide is nice and very knowledgeable about the glacier. Highly recommended.
Laura_L, Dec 2025
Very friendly host / guide.
Beautiful trip to the glacier with stunning views all along the way. Fantastic driver.
Response from Host, Mar 2026
Thank you Laura! We greatly appreciate your feedback and are so excited you had a great time! We hope to see you for another exciting adventure next time you're in Alaska!
Eric_H, Jul 2025
Long drive from Anchorage. Experience was good - it just wasn’t great. Van driver was erratic. Glacier guide was fantastic. Wet, cold day in July but we were on a glacier so seemed normal.
Kelly_V, Jul 2025
Honestly, the hike on the glacier itself was amazing! It was beautiful, and we had a super informative guide. Only thing that was t great was the van did not have any air and it was pretty hot and uncomfortable on the way home from the hike. Other than that, it was an amazing experience.
Ronald_W, Jun 2025
Excellent small group experience. Hiking on the glacier was great and the scenery was spectacular. Highly recommend
Ismary_V, Dec 2024
Glacier tours are absolutely stunning. You get to see massive ice formations, and the scenery is just breathtaking.
Lisa_M, Aug 2024
The bus ride with Dan and the Glacier hike with our guide Izzaboo was so much fun! Hiking Matanuska was a surreal experience.
Kathi_O, Jul 2024
Good fun day on the Glacier with Chris and Ryan! The ride with Ryan to and from was comfortable and efficient. Chris was excellent as a guide in the Glacier! Informative and fun!
Keeli_B, Jun 2024
Great way to see the Glacier up close! Ryan was super knowledgeable, patient, and lots of fun. The glacier is a sight to see!
We made quick friends with the others in the group which made the ride to/from really fun.
Natalie_G, Apr 2024
Awesome experience. Ryan and the crew and the crew at the glacier were all knowledgeable and friendly and made this an unforgettable excursion. Highly recommend!
Jo_B, Apr 2024
What an amazing adventure! Thanks so much Ryan for making this trip so much fun and effortless. This was definitely a highlight of our Alaskan adventure. Don’t hesitate to book this trip!!
queenie_w, Mar 2024
Ryan was very nice and he did a great job introducing the glacier. The hike was overall satisfying and the landscape was gorgeous.
Shirley_L, Jan 2024
The glacier tour was amazing! We also saw moose and coyotes on our way to the Matanuska glacier. Ryan was really knowledgeable and professional, the van was comfortable too.
Jiayue_Y, Dec 2023
My recent experience with the Matanuska Glacier hike was unfortunately disappointing and concerning. Firstly, our driver, Ryan, arrived late, which led to a rushed journey to the hike location. This hurried start set a negative tone for the day.
More importantly, there was a lack of proper safety briefing and instructions given. As a participant, I felt under-informed about what to expect and inadequately advised on the appropriate attire for the glacier conditions. This oversight is critical, especially for such an extreme environment.
Upon arrival, the organization was chaotic. The staff seemed more focused on maintaining their schedule rather than ensuring the safety and comfort of their guests. This rushed approach not only compromised the quality of the experience but also raised safety concerns.
Regrettably, the day of our hike turned out to be the coldest day on the glacier. The insufficient preparation and guidance contributed to a very uncomfortable and unsafe experience for me. I ended up with first-degree frostbite and had to seek emergency medical attention.
While I understand the challenges of outdoor activities and the importance of keeping to a schedule, the safety and well-being of guests should be the top priority. This experience was far from what I expected and has unfortunately left a lasting negative impression.
I hope this feedback will be taken seriously and that future tours will be better organized, with a greater emphasis on safety and guest experience.
Miriam_F, Dec 2023
Our experience hiking the Matanuska Glacier with Alaska Adventure Guides was absolutely incredible, and we can't recommend it enough! We were picked up and dropped off at our hotel and stopped at several lookout points both on the way to and back from the glacier where we were able to take in the views and pose for photos. The sheer magnitude of the glacier was awe-inspiring, and the guided hike provided by the local tour company was both informative and thrilling. Our guide was not only knowledgeable about the glacier's formation and history but also made the experience engaging. The striking blue ice formations, deep crevasses, and stunning panoramic views made every step worth it. The company ensured we were well-equipped with crampons and other safety gear, emphasizing both enjoyment and safety throughout the trek. The opportunity to explore one of Alaska's most iconic glaciers firsthand is a must-do for any nature enthusiast. I'm grateful for the unforgettable adventure and the chance to witness the raw beauty of Matanuska Glacier. If you're in Alaska, don't miss out on this bucket-list-worthy experience!
Rohan_A, Nov 2023
Our guide was great in making sure we got to experience things like going inside of ice caves and crevices safely. Lots of opportunities to take pictures
doro_t, Sep 2023
The van ride there was beautiful! The guide was very knowledgeable about the glacier and the different types of rocks. I would definitely recommend this tour!
Laurie_L, Jul 2023
Walking on a glacier was an amazing experience! We especially liked that the small group consisted of just our family of 5! What an amazing day!
Herold_O, Apr 2023
Ryan was amazing! My fiancé and I had issues with parking and he was so patient. Also such a knowledgeable and kind guy! The glacier tour was amazing, our guide Nick kept us all very safe and made the experience so enjoyable as well. He even found a place for us to fill up our water bottles and drink glacier water! Amazing, if you’re coming to Anchorage you need to do this tour!
Richard_W, Jan 2023
Just gorgeous! Must see to appreciate it! The staff were friendly and very knowledgeable! That’s all I am going to say.
Marina_C, Dec 2022
There weren’t enough seats for the amount of people in the van! My husband couldn’t get more than the edge of a seat, so he was literally hanging onto the seatbelt and holding himself upright for the entire drive. It was miserable, and now his back hurts terribly. For the ridiculous $300+ prices they charge, we would expect that they would at the VERY least not overfill their tiny and uncomfortable vans. We spent double the time in the van than on the actual glacier, so I’d recommend finding a company that doesn’t make you pay a ridiculous amount of money to be squeezed like a sardine for 4 hours. Don’t use this company.
Chris_C, Dec 2022
Booked this trip to celebrate a retirement with co-workers. Ryan was a great host
He arrived on time to pick-up our group at the hotel, was very clear on what to expect during the 8 hour trip, and our group enjoyed the conversation with him to make the 2 hour drive to Matanuska more interesting.
The glacier experience it self was amazing. Highly recommended and worth the price of admission if you can make the time commitment work when you are in Anchorage.
Alejandro_O, Oct 2022
I want to begin by thanking our guide Ryan personally for the wonderful experience during our glacier visit. He made me feel like family, and his vast knowledge of Alaska glaciers is remarkable. I have nothing but praise. Thank you again for visiting Alaska soon.
tgenriquez14, Aug 2022
Ryan (the driver) and Chris (tour guide) are amazing and knowledgeable. The walk to the glacier is about half a mile so you should wear proper shoes and be ready to get them silted (silt is a sort of ice mud). It’s my first time on the glacier and i found the whole experience with my family a special one. The views are fantastic! Got to drink also the water melting from the glacier. I highly recommend this tour!
Anna_K, Aug 2022
It it fun actuvity to do in Anchorage and I highly recommend this tour. Ryan was easy to communicate and really nice.
Jenny_Z, Jul 2022
We enjoyed the small group tour from the drive up with Braedon and the up close and personal tour experience into the amazing nature beauty. The glacier blue, taste of glacier water and even stumbled upon bear paw print near mud path !
Nora_P, Jul 2022
Braedon was very informative on drive there and back. He was a really nice and friendly guy. Chris, our guide on glacier, knew so much. He was relaxed and very accommodating to each individual in our group. This was an experience my nephew and I will never forget.
MARIA_G, Jul 2022
Ryan was super nice and helpful. We had a great sunny day and really enjoyed our walk in the glacier!
michael_k, Jul 2022
Hiking on the actual glacier. Hearing our guide describe the science of the glacier, age depth, weight etc.
Sheryl_H, Jun 2022
Tour guide Chris was an excellent glacier guide. The 2 3/4 mile hike took about 3 hours. Chris made sure we were all safe traversing the glacier. Definitely wear hiking boots, or sneakers you won’t mind parting with because of all of the mud and water you’ll encounter. Overall it was an awesome experience!
From $319.00
per personup to 24 hours before the experience starts (local time)
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