M
Ryan was great! He was...
Ryan was great! He was full of facts and information.The glacier boat ride was cold but fun. We enjoyed the beautiful views.
Glacier & Wildlife Discovery Tour
+2 photos
At a glance
- Duration
- 6–7 hours
- Price from
- $259 / person
- Location
- Anchorage, United States
- Rating
- 4.8 / 5 · 173 reviews
- Languages
- EN
- Group
- Small group, up to 11
- Cancellation
- Free cancellation up to 24 hours before
- Confirmation
- Instant
- Ticket
- Mobile or paper ticket accepted
- Operator
- Planet Earth Adventures, LLC
- Meeting point
- Please be ready for pick-up at the designated location at least 15 minutes before your scheduled departure time. Look for a silver Mercedes Sprinter van displaying the Planet Earth Adventures logo. Pick-up times are approximate and may vary slightly due to traffic and other guest pickups.
Description
This is the perfect tour for those with limited time in Alaska. Experience magnificent Portage Glacier on this full-day tour from Anchorage, as well as famous Seward Highway, America's most scenic road. Hugging the edge of Turnagain Arm, stop at lookouts like Beluga Point to try to spot all sheep then, continue on to see even more wildlife at the Anchorage Coastal Wildlife Refuge (seasonal). Take a 1-hour cruise on Portage Lake to see Portage Glacier calving, and see where wildlife is rehabilitated at the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center. Later, head high up on the Chugach Mountains for amazing panoramic views of the Anchorage bowl and beyond (weather permitting) This is a 6-hr tour (approx.) Activity Level: EASY Guests should be able to walk short distances on uneven ground. Trails surfaces vary from paved to uneven natural terrain. Tour participants must be able to walk a short distance and be able to get in/out of the tour vehicle with minimal assistance.
Schedule & prices
- Runs
- Every day
- Start times
- 9:00 AM
- Season
- Starts May 15, 2027
- Adult (ages 12+)
- $259
- Child (ages 3–11)
- $199
From the operator’s live schedule on Viator, checked Oct 7.
Tour Options
Itinerary
Beluga Point
Beluga Point is one of the scheduled stops. We will have narration about the area, its geology, unique features and history of the area. Guests will have time to take photos.
Seward Highway
The drive from Anchorage to the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center/Portage Glacier Area begins with spectacular views as you pass between the dramatic shorelines of Turnagain Arm and the jutting peaks of the Chugach Mountains. The Seward Highway is considered to be one of the most scenic highways in the US.
Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center
At the 200-acre Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center, jaws drop in awe-even those of longtime Alaskans who've studied grizzlies and other animals up close. AWCC's mission is to preserve Alaska’s wildlife through conservation, research, education and quality animal care. The center, which opened to the public in 1993, also educates visitors about Alaska's wildlife. Coyotes peer out from behind the brush while a bald eagle swoops in on the salmon remains left by a grizzly bear. Wood Bison plod through 65 acres of tidal flat terrain, as part of a program that will one day restore the species to the Alaskan wilderness. Animals that cannot be released into the wild are given a permanent home at the center. Come be a part of these exciting programs and watch these animals display their natural, “wild”, behavior. You will have about 90 minutes here to view these animals. There is coffee and food for purchase from vendors at the Center.
Portage Glacier
Portage Glacier Cruise is one hour from Anchorage. This cruise will take you right up to the face of a glacier. You’ll board the comfortable MV Ptarmigan, featuring an enclosed, heated cabin and open-air observation deck. The hour-long cruise is narrated by the US Forest Service, and you’ll navigate around bobbing icebergs and motor to within 300 feet of the towering wall of ice called Portage Glacier (one of Alaska’s most popular attractions). You may have an opportunity to hear the unmistakable rumbling of a calving glacier or rolling iceberg. After the 1 hour cruise, you will have an opportunity to eat lunch at a nearby restaurant. Lunch is not included.
Chugach State Park
Enjoy wide open panoramic views from a high overlook in the Chugach Mountains
What's included
Included
Light snacks
Bottled water
Professional Local Guide
Not included
Gratuities
Food and drinks, unless specified
Pickups from private homes, apartments or B&B's. Please contact the supplier for pick up location.
Traveller Ratings
Reviews collected by Viator and Tripadvisor
4.8
173 reviews
How it compares in Anchorage
- No. 26 by number of reviews among 200 tours in Anchorage
- Starting price $259 is 37% above the typical $189 for tours of similar length in Anchorage
Excurgo comparison of 200 Viator tours, recalculated daily.
Important Information
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Specialized infant seats are available
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- A minimum number of people per booking is required for this tour to operate.
- Glacier Cruise portion of the tour is subject to weather conditions.
- Activity level: EASY.
- Guests should be able to walk short distances on uneven ground. Trail surfaces vary from paved to uneven natural terrain. Tour participants must be able to walk a short distance and be able to get in/out of the tour vehicle with minimal assistance. We strongly recommend that guests requiring assistance be accompanied by a companion who is capable of, and totally responsible for, providing assistance. Neither Planet Earth Adventures nor our suppliers may physically lift or assist guests onto transportation vehicles or otherwise.
- We have limited number of infant/child seats. These must be requested in advance if you have a child. If it is NOT requested at the time of booking, we will NOT have them on the day of the tour.
Cancellation
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
1+ days before100% refund
0–1 days before0% refund
Frequently asked questions
How long does Glacier & Wildlife Discovery Tour take?
Glacier & Wildlife Discovery Tour lasts about 6–7 hours. The itinerary has 5 stops.
How much does Glacier & Wildlife Discovery Tour cost?
Prices start at $259 per person for this Anchorage experience, booked through Viator with the price shown before checkout. There is 1 booking option, so the final price depends on the option you choose.
What days does Glacier & Wildlife Discovery Tour run?
According to the operator’s current schedule, it runs every day, starting at 9:00 AM.
How much does Glacier & Wildlife Discovery Tour cost for children?
Children aged 3–11 pay from $199, adults from $259.
Can I cancel Glacier & Wildlife Discovery Tour for free?
Yes. Cancel at least 1 day before the start for a full refund. Later cancellations are non-refundable.
Where does the tour start?
The meeting point is Please be ready for pick-up at the designated location at least 15 minutes before your scheduled departure time. Look for a silver Mercedes Sprinter van displaying the Planet Earth Adventures logo. Pick-up times are approximate and may vary slightly due to traffic and other guest pickups. Hotel pickup is not part of this experience.
What languages is Glacier & Wildlife Discovery Tour offered in?
The experience is available in EN.
Is this a private or a group tour?
It is a small-group experience with a maximum of 11 participants.
Is the tour suitable for children?
Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller Specialized infant seats are available We have limited number of infant/child seats. These must be requested in advance if you have a child. If it is NOT requested at the time of booking, we will NOT have them on the day of the tour.
Will my booking be confirmed immediately?
Yes, bookings are confirmed instantly.
Is Glacier & Wildlife Discovery Tour worth it?
Travellers rate it 4.8 out of 5 across 173 reviews on Viator and Tripadvisor; it is run by Planet Earth Adventures, LLC.
Reviews(173)
Reviews collected by Viator and Tripadvisor
N
The tour is great for...
The tour is great for seeing the Portage glacier, which was a highlight. Also enjoyed the salmon viewing, and Wildlife Center. That allows you to see all the animals you would expect to see in Alaska. The first stop on the tour to see Beluga Whales was cold with little to see. Definitely a great tour for getting a great taste of Alaska. It would be even better one hour shorter.
A
Good way to see anchorage
Good activity to see anchorage on our last day. Phil was very informative and a nice guy. You are able to see a glacier up close.
L
Very good tour
Very relaxing excursion to take after a day of traveling. Driver Phil was very knowledgable and a good driver. We saw salmon spawning, lots of wildlife, and a glacier calving. Great day!
B
Highly recommend!
Phil was a fantastic guide. So knowledgeable and made the entire experience a blast! Loved his inside knowledge of Alaska, and you can tell he really enjoys what he’s doing!
S
This tour was a lot of...
This tour was a lot of fun! Our favorite was the Portage Glacier cruise! We really liked being on a small tour and felt the guide followed the timing that worked for the group, rather than feeling rushed from place to place. I really liked the photo points also.
J
Amazing tour. Our family...
Amazing tour. Our family of four enjoyed every stop especially at the Portage Glacier. Our driver/guide Phil is friendly and very informative. The ride was comfortable & the whole tour was well worth it. Highly recommended
D
Great experience! Brought...
Great experience! Brought my friend who was traveling from Texas and we both had a great time and learned so much about plants and the wildlife.
M
Tour 5 stars; bus 1 star.
Taking photos from the bus is very difficult due to the small-sized windows. The bus is an old school bus, not conducive to viewing out the window, particularly if the windows are down (no a/c). Out driver was great, but the buses need to be replaced.
Operator response
Thank you for taking the time to leave a review. However, we believe this review was posted to our company in error, as the experience described does not match our operation. Planet Earth Adventures does not operate school buses, old or otherwise. Our tours are conducted in modern Mercedes-Benz Sprinter passenger vans, which are specifically designed to provide a comfortable sightseeing experience with large windows for optimal viewing, dual climate-controlled systems, and excellent air conditioning. The description of an old school bus with small windows and no air conditioning does not represent any vehicle in our fleet. Because vehicle comfort and visibility are important parts of our tours, we want to clarify this for future travelers who may read this review. Based on the details provided, it appears this review is intended for a different tour operator. We respectfully ask that the reviewer verify the company they traveled with and consider moving the review to the correct business so that it accurately reflects their experience.
D
Glacier and Wildlife Discovery Tour
Phil was an amazing guide for the Glacier and Wildlife Tour. He had lived in the area for many years and experienced the wilderness and all its beauty through backpacking, camping, hunting and fishing. His experience and vast knowledge of the mountains, as well as the wildlife, added personal experience to his stories that made them all the more interesting. Everything I experienced that day, from the glaciers, rivers, and mountains was something out of the movies that one needs to experience personally to believe them. Pictures don’t do the area justice! I highly recommend this tour. WELL worth the price!
Operator response
Thank you for the wonderful review! We’re so glad you had such an incredible experience on the Glacier and Wildlife Tour with Phil. He truly has a deep connection to the Alaskan wilderness, and it’s great to hear how his years of living, exploring, and adventuring in the area brought the landscape and wildlife to life through his stories. The glaciers, rivers, and mountains really are something you have to see in person to believe—photos just don’t do them justice! We’re thrilled the day felt so memorable and meaningful for you, and we truly appreciate your recommendation. Thank you for choosing Planet Earth Adventures, and we hope to see you again for another Alaskan adventure!
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| Tour | Duration | Rating | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Glacier & Wildlife Discovery Tour | 6–7 hours | 4.8 (173) | $259 | |
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 Wildlife Conservation Center & Portage Valley Glaciers | 4h 30min | 4.8 (173) | $119 | View |
from$259
4.8(173) Free cancellation