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907-917-8687
Whittier to Anchorage Small-Group Tour or Private Tour and Transfer
Whittier to Anchorage
Cruise Transfer & Wildlife Tour
7 hours
9 AM to 4 PM
From $217
per person, small group
Whittier Pickup
cruise terminal or lodging
May–September
private tour also available
- 850+ reviewsAcross Google, Tripadvisor, and Viator
Whittier to Anchorage Guided Tour
From Whittier to the glaciers
- Whittier pickupMeet your guide at the cruise terminal or your Whittier lodging.
- Portage Valley glaciersSee hanging glaciers and, in season, spawning salmon in the clear creeks.
- Alaska Wildlife Conservation CenterVisit the 250-acre center to see resident Alaska animals up close.
- Girdwood & AlyeskaExplore the resort area and enjoy a short walk to Virgin Creek Falls.
The rest of your day
- Lunch in GirdwoodChoose an optional lunch at a local restaurant; lunch is paid separately.
- Potter MarshWatch for migratory birds and waterfowl from the raised wetlands boardwalk.
- Anchorage drop-off & luggageFinish at your lodging or the airport, with city highlights along the way. Your luggage travels with you from pickup to drop-off.
Tour Highlights & Itinerary
- 01
Pickup at Whittier Cruise Terminal
Your guide greets you at the Whittier cruise terminal, right where your ship docks, or at your Whittier lodging.
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We load your luggage - we handle it from ship to door - and set out through the mountain tunnel toward Portage Valley to begin the scenic journey to Anchorage.
- 02
Portage Valley Glaciers
As we travel towards Anchorage, expect breathtaking views of hanging glaciers and engaging stories about local history and culture.
A valley carved by ice, with glaciers still hanging from the peaks on both sides.
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In season, keep an eye out for spawning salmon in the clear creeks along the way.
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.
- 03
Wildlife Conservation Center
Our route is known for encounters with moose, eagles, and possibly even bears, in their natural habitat.
Sightings on the road are luck. Here they're a sure thing, and every animal has a story.
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Our guide will share insights into the behavior and habitats of these amazing creatures, making your wildlife tour both thrilling and informative. We also always stop at the Wildlife Conservation Center. It's a great opportunity to see many Alaskan animals across 250 acres.
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
Lunch and Tour of Girdwood / Alyeska
We stop in Girdwood, Alaska's favorite mountain town, for an optional lunch at a local restaurant.
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Afterward, take in the Alyeska Resort area and enjoy a short walk up to Virgin Creek Falls, where the creek plunges through the rainforest. Time here is relaxed - linger over lunch or stretch your legs on the falls trail.
- 05
Potter Marsh Wildlife Sanctuary
On the final stretch along Turnagain Arm, we pause at Potter Marsh, a 564-acre wildlife sanctuary at the edge of Anchorage.
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Stroll the raised boardwalk over the wetlands and watch for migratory birds, waterfowl, salmon, and the occasional moose - a calm, close-to-town finish to the day.
- 06
Anchorage Drop-Off
Heading into Anchorage, we'll continue to look for wildlife and share some short highlights of the city before dropping you at your lodging or the airport - your luggage travels with us the whole way.
What guests say
This was a great way to transport from Whittier cruise port to Anchorage. Sherrye (tour van driver) kept in touch with me right up until she got to the cruise port’s parking area. It was all very easy. Sherrye’s effort in ensuring her passengers were comfortable, satisfied, and happy was so evident. She even provided us with water & snacks, and had some binoculars available for us to use! She toured us through the 1.5 mile walk to and from the Byron Glacier, took many pictures for us, and gave us all the narrative we needed! We made several other stops and saw so many beautiful sights along our journey- like turnagain arm, Earthquake Park, and the Wildlife Conservation Center where we saw a bear, a wolf, some moose and bison! She made a stop at a restaurant where we were able to sit down for about an hour for lunch. After the tour, Sherrye dropped us off at our hotel. It was a very long day, but well worth it! Sherrye is a very good tour guide! Don’t hesitate to book this transfer/tour!
My wife and I thoroughly enjoyed the transfer to the Anchorage Airport and the various tour stops on the way. Our driver and guide was Dustin who arrived at the cruise terminal way before the start time of 9:00am and was waiting for us with a clean and comfortable Mercedes Van and luggage trailer. He was very patient and never rushed us at any of the stops. He took us to all the places marked on the itinerary and some more. He had already made a lunch reservation at a restaurant in Girdwood that served yummy fish and crabs. Dustin went above and beyond to point out Dall Sheep you up on the mountain and gave us a tour of Anchorage downtown before dropping us safely at ANC for our flight. I would highly recommend this tour. Thank Dustin for a memorable tour !!
We had a fantastic tour! The service, the transport, the tour & stops were all amazing. This was a great way to not only transfer to Anchorage, but make the most of seeing the many highlights along the way. This was a great way to utilise our day. We highly recomend this tour! :)
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 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. For other times, call 907-917-8687 to arrange a private tour.
How much does it cost?
Small-group tours are $217 per person. Private tours are $1,347 for up to 4 guests, and each additional guest is $100.
Where do you pick us up?
At the Whittier Cruise Terminal or your Whittier lodging. The day ends with drop-off at your Anchorage lodging or the airport.
What if my cruise arrives late?
We monitor all cruise arrivals and adjust pickup times automatically. If your ship is delayed, your tour timing adjusts accordingly at no extra charge.
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.
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Is lunch included?
Lunch is on your own in Girdwood / Alyeska, where your guide will point you to local favorites.
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
