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Anchorage to Seward Tour and Transfer
Anchorage to Seward
Cruise Transfer & Wildlife Tour
7 hours
8:30 AM to 3:30 PM
From $247
per person, small group
Anchorage Pickup
hotel, airport or lodging
May–September
private tour also available
- 850+ reviewsAcross Google, Tripadvisor, and Viator
Anchorage to Seward Guided Tour
From Anchorage to the glaciers
- Anchorage pickupStart at your hotel, airport or lodging, with city highlights along the way.
- Beluga PointPause along Turnagain Arm to look for Dall sheep and eagles.
- Alaska Wildlife Conservation CenterVisit the 250-acre sanctuary to see resident Alaska wildlife.
- Portage Valley glaciersView hanging glaciers and take an optional self-guided walk on the Byron Glacier Trail.
The rest of your day
- Summit Lake LodgeTake a scenic comfort stop for coffee, snacks or a short walk by the lake.
- Seward drop-offFinish at the cruise terminal or your lodging in Seward.
- Travel & luggageComfortable, well-maintained vans for up to 11 guests. Luggage is carried securely in our trailer.
Tour Highlights & Itinerary
- 01
Anchorage Highlights
As we're picking up our guests in Anchorage, we love to share a bit of the city highlights and attractions, including Earthquake Park and Lake Hood.
No car, no parking, no maps. We come to you, and the tour starts the moment you step in.
- 02
Beluga Point
Heading out of Anchorage, we experience the beauty and scenic stops of the Turnagain Arm and the Seward Highway.
The first place most visitors realize how big Alaska really is: mountains straight up on one side, a tidal arm of the sea on the other.
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Our first comfort stop is Beluga Point. This is often the ideal place to scout for Dall sheep and eagles.
Look up the rock face above the road for white specks. Those are Dall sheep, and they often come close to the highway here.
Turnagain Arm has one of the few bore tides in the United States, a single wave that rolls in with the incoming tide. It depends on the tide tables, so we can't promise it, but your guide watches for it.
- 03
Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center
One of the highlights of our tour is a visit to the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center (AWCC), a 250-acre sanctuary dedicated to wildlife education and rehabilitation.
Sightings on the road are luck. Here they're a sure thing, and every animal has a story.
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Here, you'll have the chance to observe a variety of Alaskan wildlife, including moose, reindeer, bison, and wolves, in a natural setting. The AWCC is also home to brown bears, black bears, and Sitka black-tail deer. Our tour includes a 2-mile drive and walk through the Conservation Center's trails, offering a unique opportunity to get up close and personal with Alaska's incredible wildlife. It's an educational and awe-inspiring experience that's perfect for all ages.
The center has cared for orphaned and injured Alaska animals since 1993. Many can't be released, so they live here in large, natural enclosures, and visitors help pay for that care.
Tip: the bears are often most active in the morning and when keepers bring food. Your guide knows the best viewing spots.
- 04
Portage Valley
Enjoy incredible scenic views and see the hanging glaciers in the Portage Valley.
A valley carved by ice, with glaciers still hanging from the peaks on both sides.
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We will end at Portage Lake before heading to Byron Glacier
Portage Glacier once filled the lake you see here. It has pulled back out of sight of the road, which makes the valley a clear lesson in how fast Alaska's ice is changing.
The Byron Glacier trail is about 0.8 miles each way and mostly flat, following a glacial stream toward the ice.
Honest note: low cloud can hide the upper glaciers. On those days the valley floor, the waterfalls and the lake still make the stop worth it.
- 05
Glacier Viewing
A short, scenic, self-guided walk on the Byron Glacier Trail follows the river up to the edge of the glacier itself.
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This trail is accessible for most of our guests. For anyone who would rather stay put, the visitor center is an alternative.
- 06
Summit Lake Lodge
Our last comfort scenic stop.
A mountain lake high on the Kenai Peninsula and a proper coffee break halfway through the drive.
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Wonderful coffee and snacks and short walk to scenic lake.
- 07
Seward
Seward is a charming coastal town located on the Kenai Peninsula, surrounded by the stunning Kenai Fjords National Park.
A harbor town at the edge of Kenai Fjords National Park, and the start of the historic Iditarod Trail.
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Known for its picturesque harbor, scenic hiking trails, and abundant wildlife viewing opportunities, Seward is a must-visit destination. Our tour concludes at the Seward Cruise Ship Terminal (or your lodging in Seward), where you'll have plenty of time to check in your luggage and board your cruise ship. It's the perfect way to transition from a land adventure to a sea voyage, all while soaking in the natural beauty of Alaska.
Seward was founded in 1903 as the southern end of the Alaska Railroad. Mount Marathon rises right behind town.
What guests say
Fabulous from start In Anchorage to the finish in Seward. Our guide, Sherrye was so helpful & enthusiastic. We were picked up at our Comfort Suites Airport hotel. Sherrye covered all the sights & then some. She maximized our time sightseeing. I was having some difficulty with walking but Sherrye made sure I didn’t miss the sights, such as the waterfall . She extended her hand to help me & gave me the comfortable front passenger seat .Sherrye also offered & took great pictures of us during the tour. She shared her love of Alaska & history of the area. The scenery was breathtaking. The whole trip exceeded our expectations. At the end of the tour, we were dropped off at our hotel in Seward. Don’t hesitate to take this tour!
This tour was great. At first I was disappointed that the train was full, but this turned out to be just as good if not better. Our guide Stephanie was great and we stopped several insteresting places to see the wildlife and scenery. Pick up was super easy, communication was superb. I would definitely recommend this tour.
We booked our transfer from Anchorage to Seward through Welcome Anchorage. We loved their itinerary, being able to stop and experience the wildlife conservatory, a short hike to glaciers and lunch was enjoyable. Elizabeth, our driver was kind and so knowledgeable. Picked us up right on time and even let make a quick shopping trip to Safeway for some supplies before dropping us off at our VRBO. I would highly recommend Welcome Anchorage, if you don't want to rent a car and want the same scenery as the train, but more stops to enjoy the journey.
Everything Covered
What's Included in the Tour?
Local Alaskan Guides
Welcome Anchorage Tours employs knowledgeable, local Alaskan tour guides.
Portage Valley Glaciers
In Portage Valley you will see mountains, running rivers and if weather permits, the hanging glaciers.
Wildlife Viewing
The AWCC has Bears, Moose, Musk Ox, Wolves and more! P.S. Ask about the Eagles Nest!
Entrance Fees Included
Enjoy the experience. No extra charges.
New Comfortable Vehicles
For better views and unique, personalized experiences.
Questions before you book?
Call or text us and a local will answer.
Questions people ask
How long is the tour, and when does it start?
Approximately 7 hours, from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. For other times, call 907-917-8687 to arrange a private tour.
How much does it cost?
Small-group tours are $247 per person. Private tours are $1,347 for up to 4 guests, and each additional guest is $100.
Can you handle my luggage?
Yes. Our vans carry luggage securely in a trailer, so your bags travel with you all day and arrive when you do.
Will I make my ship on time?
Yes. We guarantee you'll arrive at your cruise ship at least 3 hours before your ship's departure time.
How much walking is there?
Very little is required. The glacier trail is a short, self-guided walk along the river that is accessible for most of our guests, and every walk is optional.
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When does this tour run?
May through September.
What if the weather is bad?
Tours run rain or shine, and the vans are warm and dry. Alaska is worth seeing in every kind of weather. If conditions close a stop, your guide will swap in something else worth your time. In genuinely extreme conditions we'll contact you to adjust timing or offer options.
How do I book directly?
Right here on this page, or by calling or texting 907-917-8687. Booking direct puts you in touch with the people who actually run the tour.
Our Promise
Our promise is to always deliver, to the best of our ability, excellent service and memorable experiences, and to put people first over profit. We are a local, Alaskan-owned family business. We are in this business because we love Alaska and hospitality. We desire to share the joy of this beautiful place whenever we can! Best, James and Jen
