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Explore Turnagain: Your Full-Day Tour from Downtown Anchorage, Anchorage
Experience a fully narrated journey from Downtown Anchorage that traces the dramatic coastline of Turnagain Arm, where your local guide points out rugged mountains, glaciers, and abundant Alaska wildlife like bald eagles, Dall sheep and beluga whales; the tour includes a stop at the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center for up-close views and photos of brown bears, moose, caribou and muskox, then continues through the scenic Portage Valley with sweeping vistas of towering peaks, waterfalls, Portage Lake and nearby glaciers such as the Explorer Glacier and the Byron Glacier, and on the return you’ll enjoy a provided lunch in Girdwood, a quaint town set inside the northernmost temperate rainforest, making this Turnagain Arm–to–AWCC–to–Portage Valley route an ideal way for you to discover the natural beauty, wildlife and cultural history of Anchorage.
About this activity in Downtown Anchorage
Cancellation policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Highlights
- Experience a fully narrated scenic drive along Turnagain Arm from Anchorage, with sweeping views of rugged mountains, glaciers and abundant Alaska wildlife.
- Visit the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center for up-close photo opportunities with brown bears, moose, caribou and muskox at a protected rescue facility.
- Explore the dramatic Portage Valley and Portage Lake, with views of cascading waterfalls and nearby glaciers such as Explorer and Byron.
- Enjoy lunch in quaint Girdwood surrounded by the northernmost temperate rainforest before returning to Anchorage.
Important Information
- This full-day sightseeing tour departs from Downtown Anchorage and includes a local guide who provides commentary on the region’s history, flora and fauna.
- Comfortable transportation includes bottled water and light snacks on board; entry to the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center is provided as part of your reservation.
- The tour is family-friendly: infants can ride in strollers, specialized infant seats are available, service animals are allowed, and public transit options are nearby for easy access.
- Alcohol is not provided by the tour operator, though you may purchase beverages locally in Girdwood; the activity is suitable for all fitness levels.
Meeting Point
Meet at the designated Varoom pickup point in Downtown Anchorage - check your booking confirmation for the exact street address and pickup time; please arrive 10 minutes early so the tour can depart promptly.
Includes
- You’ll stop for a late lunch in Girdwood before heading back to Anchorage, giving you time to enjoy the mountain-side village atmosphere.
- Bottled water and light snacks are provided during the trip to keep you comfortable while exploring the region.
- Entry to the AWCC is included as part of your tour, so you can plan your visit without extra admission concerns.
- Gratuities.
Excludes
- Alcoholic beverages are not provided as part of the tour; you’re free to enjoy them at the Girdwood Brewing Company if you choose.
Other
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller, making this outing family-friendly for Downtown Anchorage travelers.
- Service animals are allowed, supporting accessibility for guests who rely on them while visiting the area.
- Public transportation options are available nearby, offering convenient access to and from the meeting point in Anchorage.
- Specialized infant seats are available to accommodate families traveling with young children.
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels, so you can relax and enjoy the experience regardless of activity level.
Customer Reviews
10/10
Based on 10 Reviews
Summary:
Tim was a great tour guide! Very helpful and friendly! Enjoyed his knowledgeable friendly conversation! Thank you Tim
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Summary:
Worth the price! The driver was knowledgeable, and the sandwiches were great! Seeing the animals at the sanctuary was a pleasant experience.
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Summary:
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
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Know more about Downtown Anchorage
You’ll enjoy narrated views along Turnagain Arm of rugged mountains, glaciers, and Alaska flora and fauna, including wildflowers, bald eagles, Dall sheep and beluga whales. The stop at the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center lets you get up-close to iconic animals such as brown bears, moose, caribou and muskox. Continuing through Portage Valley, you’ll see towering mountains, cascading waterfalls, Portage Lake and glaciers including Explorer and Byron Glaciers.
The tour includes a provided late lunch in Girdwood on the return trip, giving you time to relax in the quaint town surrounded by the northernmost temperate rainforest before heading back to Anchorage.
You’ll have multiple photo stops along Turnagain Arm and in Portage Valley for dramatic glacier and mountain vistas, plus close-up viewing opportunities at the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center for brown bears, moose, caribou and muskox. The narrated format helps you learn the best vantage points for photographing bald eagles, Dall sheep, wildflowers and beluga whales.
Yes. Entry to the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center is provided as part of your narrated tour from Anchorage, so you can take photos and view Alaska’s most iconic animals up close without additional admission fees.
Yes. The tour is suitable for all physical fitness levels and family-friendly: infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller, specialized infant seats are available, and service animals are allowed. Public transportation options are also available nearby for convenience.
This fully narrated tour links the natural beauty of Turnagain Arm and Portage Valley with wildlife conservation at the AWCC and local context in Girdwood, so you’ll learn about Alaska’s landscape, animal habitats and regional history while experiencing glaciers, waterfalls and temperate rainforest scenery.
