Turnagain Arm, Wildlife Center & Glaciers: Small-Group Tour
Description
Six hours, one unforgettable road. This small-group tour (14 guests max) trades the big motorcoach for a comfortable Mercedes Sprinter and a born-and-raised Alaskan guide who's been driving Turnagain Arm his whole life. Heading south from Anchorage, the Seward Highway squeezes between the Chugach Mountains and the sea. We pull off at Beluga Point to glass the water for beluga whales and the cliffs for Dall sheep and bald eagles. Then it's on to the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center, where rescued bears, moose, bison, caribou, and muskox live in big natural enclosures — your best shot at photographing all of Alaska's icons in one afternoon. Lunch happens like a local: Girdwood Brewing Company, in a mountain ski town, with rotating Alaska food trucks. We finish in Portage Valley with views of Explorer and Byron Glaciers and a short walk through mossy rainforest before heading home. Small van, real Alaskan, flexible stops when wildlife appears. Come see the Alaska between the postcards.
Tour Options
Itinerary
Your guide, Tim, meets you at your hotel in a comfortable Mercedes Sprinter van, and we head south out of the city toward Turnagain Arm.
The Seward Highway is a designated National Scenic Byway and one of America's most beautiful drives — a ribbon of road pinched between the Chugach Mountains and the waters of Turnagain Arm. Along the way, watch for Dall sheep on the cliffs, bald eagles overhead, and beluga whales in the Arm, with your guide sharing local history and stories the whole way. We make flexible stops when wildlife appears.
A rocky outcrop over Turnagain Arm and one of Alaska's classic viewpoints. We stop to glass the water for beluga whales, scan the cliffs for Dall sheep, and take in the Chugach Mountains rising straight from the sea.
A sanctuary for rescued and orphaned Alaskan wildlife on a spectacular stretch of Portage Valley flats. See brown and black bears, moose, bison, caribou, muskox, and more up close in spacious natural enclosures — the reliable way to photograph all of Alaska's big animals in one afternoon.
A glacier-carved valley at the end of Turnagain Arm. Take in views of Explorer and Byron Glaciers and stretch your legs on a short walk through mossy northern rainforest — a completely different Alaska from the coastline you just drove.
Lunch like a local in the ski town of Girdwood. This neighborhood brewery hosts rotating Alaska food trucks, mountain views, and a laid-back local crowd. Grab lunch, try a local beer if you like, and relax before the valley's glaciers.
We retrace one of America's most scenic drives back north. Drop-off at your hotel or wherever in the city you'd rather end your day.
Highlights
What's included
Pickup Locations & Times
I've found that getting around an unfamiliar city can be an annoyance. My goal is to remove all annoyances from your day. To this end, let us pick you up at your hotel. This could entail us being there by as much as 30 minutes early to do this. I will let you know before your tour exactly what time I'll be at your hotel.
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- 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
Reviews(320)
Tim was friendly and knowledgeable and made the day very enjoyable. We made several stops along the way where he taught us about Alaska's natural history. We were able to take our time exploring and never felt rushed.
Highly recommended. We've been on many tours and this was easily one of the best. Tour guide, Tim, is very knowledgeable and friendly. It's obvious that he loves Alaska, and loves to share it with others. He's also very accommodating. He made extra stops, as needed, and picked up and dropped off people from several different hotels including one couple that needed to be dropped off at the airport. "Dad" jokes made me smile and were a bonus. The scenery in Alaska is beautiful. It was like one post-card-like scene after another, but so much better to be there in person. One stop was at the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center where we saw Brown Bear, Black Bear, Moose, Muskox, Wood Bison and a variety of other animals that were all native to Alaska. Next time we make it back to Alaska, we will take this tour again!
The tour provided an excellent overview of what the greater Anchorage area has to offer. The tour description is accurate. I loved the nature and wildlife stops particularly. We lucked out with an up-close (but safe) moose sighting, for which we made an unplanned—but much appreciated—stop at Potter Marsh. I would’ve liked more time at the AWCC, but enjoyed the time spent. The lunch took more time than expected but was very good.
Great tour with a great knowledgeable tour guy. I also got bonus in way back to Hotel, so generous
This was a great tour. Tim was funny, knowledgeable about Alaskan history and culture. He went above and beyond to make sure we had a great tour. Loved the stop for lunch!! Crepes were absolutely amazing! I would highly recommend Caribou Tours. Spend the money and take this tour.
Very responsive and accommodating tour operator. Enjoyable day and meal. Tim was great! He was informative and humorous.
This was a great tour. Tim was funny, knowledgeable about Alaskan history and culture. He went above and beyond to make sure we had a great tour. Loved the stop for lunch!! Crepes were absolutely amazing! I would highly recommend Caribou Tours. Spend the money and take this tour.
Great tour w a variety of stops. Tim was very knowledgeable & planned an enjoyable day. We saw wildlife, beluga whales, glaciers & much more!! Highly suggest this tour. Great features to have water, snacks & delicious lunch included! Bonus to be picked up & dropped off at hotel.
Tim was a lot of fun. The trip was well planned and met all of our needs. He went above and beyond to make sure we were happy.
Great experience with our guide Tim. He was very personable and knowledgeable. The scenery was incredible and learning about the wildlife was amazing. The best part was our visit to Girdwood where we experienced fantastic food and conversation. Highly recommend this excursion for anyone who wants to learn about Alaska from a true resident.
