Wildlife Conservation Center & Portage Valley Glaciers
Description
Embark on a scenic journey along the Turnagain Arm. View breathtaking Scenery, keeping a lookout for Beluga whales, Dall Sheep, Bald Eagles, and the occasional bear! Learn about the local ecosystem and local wildlife from your experienced tour guide, as they drive along the inlet. You will arrive at the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center to visit and learn about the many local wildlife that have been rescued. Lastly, enjoy a scenic drive through Portage Valley and view these beautiful glaciers and Salmon streams. Enjoy round-trip transportation from Anchorage. Learn about local wildlife and ecosystems. Visit Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center, to see and learn about local Alaskan wildlife. Drive-thru parts Portage Valley. A walk in the rainforest.
Tour Options
Itinerary
Alaska Wildlife Conservation center is Southcentral Alaska's # 1 visitor attraction. The Wildlife Conservation Center is a non profit sanctuary dedicated to preserving Alaska's wildlife through conservation, research, education and quality animal care. Visitors can expect to immerse themselves in the natural beauty of the region and having the opportunity to observe a diverse array of native wildlife up close, including bears, wolves, moose, wolves and eagles, among others, in a spacious 200 acre carefully designed habitats that mimic their natural environment Its an unforgettable experience that fosters a deeper appreciation for Alaska's wildlife.
Brief stop in Portage Valley, where you will see several hanging Glaciers which once extended the entire length of the 14 mile valley. Portage glacier has receded back approximately 2 1/2 miles and has left behind a dead lake! The glacial remnants seen today are Explorer, Middle, Byron, Burns, and Shakespeare glaciers. While still massive in size, these glaciers stand as smaller reminders of the immense ice sheets that once covered this landscape. Next will be a walk through the rainforest, afterwards enjoy your ride back to Chugach State Park and marvel at the stunning views of Turnagain Arm.
At Beluga Point, visitors can enjoy breath taking views of Turnagan Arm with its sweeping coastal scenery, and rugged cliffs, often in spring and summer you can see glimpses of beluga whales swimming in the waters. Turnagan Arm itself, offers possible opportunities for wildlife viewing, including Beluga whales, Dall sheep, Bald Eagles and sometimes bears, as well as scenic vistas of the Chugach Mountains and the unique phenomenon of bore tides.
Scenic drive to the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center to and back to Anchorage is 2 hours and 30 minutes. Total round trip.
Highlights
What's included
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- There is 2: 20 Minutes of round trip travel time, included in this tour.
- Please let us know if you will be bringing a wheel chair or walker on board.
Reviews(165)
The tour was exactly as advertised. Our guide has made Anchorage a home for many years. He is a professional tour guide with many stories, jokes and songs.
Great experience!! Saw a little of everything! Well worth the money!!!
It was wonderful! The scenery was breathtaking, the weather was perfect and our guide/driver was very knowledgeable and friendly.
Great family experience that all ages can enjoy. Beautiful scenery and our guide, Willow, did a wonderful job and is very knowledgeable about the area.
The driver was great in terms of personality and information, however, we went off itinerary for a drop off in Whittier which we had to go to the next day anyway so didn't need to see. I think this was combining two different aervices. We wanted more time walking around the animal conservation center. Several others agreed this wasn't fair that we spent all that time going to Whittier when we signed up to see other things. We could have used that time walking the sanctuary. This is not the only tour where we lost time due to other's agenda and we can't give 5 stars anymore when this is the case. Had we had been able to walk around more, we would have.
Thanks for your comments, I agree that the stop in Whittier took an additional 30 minutes and was not in the itinerary but the tour was not shortened in any way, it was lengthened slightly but in all fairness you are correct about Whittier not being part of the tour.
It was a great tour. We were able to see many animals and our guide Dan was Knowledgeable and accomadating.
It was a great experience. The tour guide was very knowledgeable and friendly! We saw beautiful sights along the way. We didn’t get to see any wildlife outside of the Conservatory, but it was a nice stop. Also we could have had just a little while longer at each destination on the tour, maybe even 10 minutes. Stopping by a waterfall would have been nice too. We drove by briefly… But overall great trip!
You cannot miss going to this wildlife conservation. Wonderful wildlife in a near-perfect location
Driver/guide forgot his headphone/mic so rear passengers could not hear him. As a driver he tailgated other vehicles. He was very knowledgeable and took us to great locations. Was very informative.
I had the best experience with white Raven tours. The tour guide was awesome. It was a great day and lots to do. We made fourstops. It was just an amazing day. I would definitely do it again.
