Turnagain Arm and Portage Valley Private Tour

Overview

Explore the beautiful Turnagain Arm and Portage Valley with a private and local guide.

From Anchorage, we'll travel along the scenic Seward Highway. One of only 13 highways in the US with the distinction of "All American Road". Along the way we will have great opportunities to view and photograph wildlife and scenic vistas. First we stop at the beautiful Hotel Alyeska and the ski town of Girdwood. Take an optional scenic tram to the top of Mt Alyeska for lunch with a view. Next stop Portage, where you will board the mv Ptarmigan for an optional one-hour cruise across the stunning scenery of iceberg-dotted Portage Lake. After the cruise, stop in at the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center, a nonprofit organization dedicated to preserving Alaska's wildlife. Afterwards, head back to Anchorage and enjoy a narrated city tour including all the best dining places.

City: Anchorage

Thu 12 Jun

Other dates

You can choose the date already on the booking website

Starting at $1250.00

Make a reservation

Thu 12 Jun

Starting at $1250.00

Make a reservation

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What's Included

Local guide

Hotel pickup and drop-off

Private tour

Additional Info

Specialized infant seats are available
Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
Service animals allowed
Public transportation options are available nearby
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Collapsible wheelchairs with removable wheels can be accommodated providing the passenger is accompanied by someone who can assist them board and disembark
Operates in all weather conditions, please dress appropriately

What To Expect

Portage Glacier

Seward Highway

Seward

Turnagain Arm Drive

Next, soak up the sights along the incomparable Turnagain Arm, a stunningly beautiful piece of Alaska home to a myriad of wildlife, including Dall sheep, mountain goats, boose, beluga whales, black bears and migratory bird species.

Girdwood

Girdwood is a resort town within the southern extent of the Municipality of Anchorage. Located near the end of the Turnagain Arm of Cook Inlet, Girdwood lies in a valley in the southwestern Chugach Mountains, surrounded by seven glaciers feeding into a number of creeks, which either converge within the valley or empty directly into the arm.

Alyeska Ski Area

Alyeska Aerial Tram

Potter Marsh Bird Sanctuary

Potter Marsh, at the southern end of the Anchorage Coastal Wildlife Refuge, is an ideal break from Anchorage for birders and other wildlife viewers. From the Seward Highway just before the left turn into the Potter Marsh parking lot, you are treated to a stunning view of Turnagain Arm. A wooden boardwalk winds 1,550 feet from the parking area through the marsh and across watery openings and sedges, perfect habitat for a rich variety of birds. From late April through September, Canada geese, northern pintails, canvasback ducks, red-necked phalaropes, horned and red-necked grebes, and northern harriers use this wetland. Look for eagle nests in the cottonwoods near the base of the bluff using binoculars or a spotting scope.

Greatland Adventures

Beluga Point

Beluga Point Site is an archaeological location along Turnagain Arm of Cook Inlet. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places on March 30, 1978. Artifacts of the area are evidence of early human habitation. Beluga Point North 1 (BPN1) artifacts are 8,000–10,000 years old and believed to be evidence of the oldest habitation in Anchorage municipality. Beluga Point is also a wildlife viewing area. Beluga whales can be sighted seasonally July through August as hundreds of the cetaceans visit Cook Inlet to feed on the Pacific salmon run.

Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center

The AWCC takes in injured and orphaned animals year-round, providing spacious enclosures and quality animal care. Here you can view and photograph up close Alaska's iconic animals that are unable to be released into the wild.

Show 6 more stops

Cancellation Policy

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

Traveler Photos

Reviews (8)

Christopher_H

Aug 2023

Other than a hiccup with the dining at the top of the tram not being available, we had a great day on Turnagain Arm. Dawn was a wonderful guide--offered good information along the way but also was sensitive to our need for "quiet time" as we were tired from two weeks of traveling in Alaska. Good balance overall, and a gorgeous day to see Portage Glacier!

Response from Host

Oct 2023

Hello! Thank you for taking the time to leave us a nice note! We will make sure to pass this along to Dawn as well!

Ron_S

Jul 2023

Eight hours in Anchorage? It’s a “must do”….with Mike!!? The man was the perfect guide for this trip.

Response from Host

Jul 2023

Thank you for the nod to our guide Mike. He is a top guide in our group of Alaskans who serve as our knowledgeable and very fun tour leaders. Our staff is clever and accommodating for our Anchorage Tour and our Turnagain Arm Tour, as well as all the other tours we provide to visitors.

K E

Jun 2022

We had an incredible day on this tour with our guide John. He was very knowledgeable friendly and provided great insight. He also had a lot of good suggestions for additional experiences while we’re in Alaska that we hope to do on a future trip.

Response from Host

Jun 2022

Hi there, Thank you for your wonderful review! We are glad you enjoyed your Anchorage City Tour with John. Next time you are in Alaska give us a ring, we have so many incredible things to show you across the state! Cheers,