Full-Day Tour in Turnagain

Overview

Available languages

English

6 hours

Mobile ticket

A fully narrated tour by a local guide along Turnagain Arm offers stunning views of rugged mountains, glaciers, and Alaska flora and fauna (i.e., wildflowers, bald eagles, Dall sheep, beluga whales).

We will stop at the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center (AWCC), where visitors can get up-close viewings and pictures of Alaska's most iconic animals, including brown bears, moose, caribou, and muskox.

From there, the tour will continue down the scenic Portage Valley, where visitors can take in spectacular views of towering mountains, cascading waterfalls, the beautiful Portage Lake, and numerous glaciers, including the Explorer and Byron Glaciers.

On the return trip, visitors will enjoy a provided lunch in Girdwood, a quaint town surrounded by the northernmost temperate rainforest.

Overall, a tour of Turnagain Arm, the AWCC, and Portage Valley is a fantastic way to experience the natural beauty and wildlife of Alaska and to learn about the history and culture of this incredible state.

Additional Info

Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller

Service animals allowed

Public transportation options are available nearby

Specialized infant seats are available

Suitable for all physical fitness levels

Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

What‘s Included

we will stop for a late lunch in girdwood before heading back to Anchorage

we will have bottled water and some snacks available during the trip

Entry to the AWCC is provided as part of your tour.

Gratuities

alcoholic beverages are not provided as part of the tour, however you are free to avail yourself of them at the Girdwood Brewing Company.

Meeting and Pickup

Pickup points

Select a pickup point

What To Expect

I will show you the animals at the AWCC, pointing out where many like to hide. We will see caribou, moose, muskox, reindeer, black bears, brown bears, porcupines, and wood bison. We may get to see the lynx, the foxes, and the coyotes. Sometimes they are hiding where you can't find them.

1 hour 10 minutes • Admission Included

We will be going into Portage Valley, home to four named glaciers, and we will stop to view Explorer Glacier and Byron Glacier, both of which are stunning hanging glaciers.

1 hour • Admission Not Applicable

Options

Full-Day Tour in Turnagain

Pickup included

Reviews

4.90

297 reviews

Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor

277

Enjoyable tour
michellejO7862BZ,
Oct 16, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
4.00
Guide was informative and personable. Tour ran smoothly with enough time spent at each spot that enabled you to take photos if you wished.
Great Tour
972leonardh,
Oct 15, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
Tim was a great tour guide! Very helpful and friendly! Enjoyed his knowledgeable friendly conversation! Thank you Tim
Great day trip!
897donn,
Oct 4, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
Worth the price! The driver was knowledgeable, and the sandwiches were great! Seeing the animals at the sanctuary was a pleasant experience.
Great way to spend a day
Dansker58,
Sep 27, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
Great way to see Alaska! With a small group of only 4 we were able to spend plenty of time at each stop. Tim was an excellent narrator and host with a wide range of knowledge. He took us places that we would probably not have seen on our own. A widlife preserve, glaciers, rainforest, salmon spawning and great views along the coast. We stopped for lunch at the brewery and had excellent food at the food truck. Great value for the experience. We also appreciated being picked up at our hotel
Beautiful scenery
Regina D,
Sep 19, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00
The tour guide was excellent. He provided lots of interesting information. The day was rainy, but the tour was still excellent. Beautiful scenery, interesting animals, good lunch and a wonderful group of people. I highly recommend this tour.
Amazing Anchorage Activity
Katherine M,
Sep 15, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
Glaciers, wildlife, and fauna filled our day today here in Alaska…though rainy at times, we loved every aspect of seeing salmon spawning, stunning glaciers, native wildlife, and rainforest fauna and flora! Tim provided constant narration with humor and insight. We stopped in Girdwood for a smoked salmon crepes for lunch and my husband enjoyed the brewery and beer! Perfect first day in Alaska and highly recommend this tour!
It was amazing trip to...
Darrn V,
Sep 15, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00
It was amazing trip to see wildlife and rainforest and stopped in for a bite on way back at a local pub .
Even better than described! Don’t miss out!
Krista W,
Sep 15, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00
Great introduction to Alaska. Tim was on time, well prepared for the weather, funny and informative. We couldn’t ask for a better experience. Food stop was good and this trip was a fun adventure. Everything was as described or better!
Fun day
jennam0529,
Sep 13, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
Great time with Tim who was very knowledgeable and entertaining. The pickup at our hotel was on time, the tour though rainy was fun and the lunch stop was great! We recommend this tour!
A nice trip !
pradipd594,
Aug 23, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
4.00
Great service and commentary by tour operator. Water bottles and snacks were very helpful. Suggestion for tour operator - please dress and make your appearance professional and presentable. We were disappointed. Overall a nice trip ! We will encourage travelers to take advantage.