Portage Glacier Cruise

Narrated scenic boat ride up to the face of Portage Glacier!

Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center

See brown & black bears, moose, caribou, wolves, lynx, and more!

Lunch at Portage Glacier Lodge

Enjoy the view with fresh food and drinks (for purchase)

Roundtrip Transportation Provided

In a comfortable Mercedes Sprinter van with hotel pickup included

It’s no wonder this Glacier and Wildlife Day Tour is so popular among visitors looking for a well-rounded tour of Anchorage. A Portage Glacier cruise and guided visit at the native wildlife sanctuary makes this family-friendly adventure a day to remember! Enjoy panoramic views above Anchorage as you travel along the Seward Highway, recognized as a National Scenic Byway, before arriving at your Portage Glacier cruise.

Portage is one of the closest glaciers to Anchorage, and it stands out at ten stories tall! It’s receding about 20-feet per year, so don’t miss your chance to experience this magnificent glacier up close! Take in the awe-inspiring views and listen to stories of the area’s geology, wildlife, and history by Forest Service Rangers. Relax in the boat’s heated cabin with big viewing windows or head up to the topside deck for unobstructed views. The boat gets 300-yards from the icy blue face, so make sure you bring your camera for great photos! If you’re lucky, you might even witness calving as chunks of ice break off and fall into the lake. It’s an unforgettable sight to see!

The adventure isn’t over yet on your Glacier and Wildlife Day Tour! After your time on the water, enjoy a scenic lunch stop at The Portage Glacier Lodge (lunch not included in tour price). Then, it’s time to head to the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center! At this incredible rehabilitation center for injured as well as orphaned big game, a 90-minute tour offers you the unique opportunity to get up close to Alaska’s native wildlife. Choose to ride in the van, walk, or switch back and forth to view these amazing animals from their enclosures. You are likely to see many of the rescued animals during your visit which includes black and brown bears, moose, caribou, wolves, musk ox, lynx, wood bison, and more!

This tour of Anchorage is fun for the whole family and includes pick up as well as drop-off from downtown. Your friendly and knowledgeable local guides can’t wait to share their backyard playground with you on this Glacier and Wildlife Day Tour! If you’re looking for a more active tour of Anchorage then we recommend the Matanuska Glacier Hike Day Tour! Or, for those interested in this tour without the Portage Glacier cruise, join the Alaska Wildlife Day Tour.

Port	Anchorage
Type	Family-friendly, Glacier View, Wildlife Viewing
Length	7-8 hours
Adult Rate	$229
Child Rate	$204 (ages 2-12)
Minimum Age	There is no minimum age for this tour. However, please see FAQs and contact us if you are bringing an infant under 2-years-old.
Accessibility	There is minimal walking and we can accommodate guests with limited mobility and those with walkers, canes, or crutches. However, our fleet is not equipped to accommodate wheelchairs., This tour is rated 'Easy' in regards to activity level.
Cancellation Policy	Cancel up to 14-days before your tour for a refund, less any non-refundable fees.

Customer reviews

5 stars 0 0 %

4 stars 0 0 %

3 stars 0 0 %

2 stars 0 0 %

1 star 0 0 %

Most recent reviews Most helpful reviews

Reviews

There are no reviews yet.

Be the first to review “Glacier and Wildlife Day Tour” Cancel reply

What is provided? What should I bring/wear?

Answer: Hotel pickup, roundtrip transportation, and friendly local guides are included! You are welcome to bring a bag with whatever snacks and beverages you'd like. We recommend bringing a reusable water bottle. Summer temperatures range from mid 50's to 70's F and warmer, but you should always be prepared for rain and wind. Dressing in layers is the key to comfort, with a water-resistant jacket. Wear comfortable shoes. It is also a good idea to bring a hat, sunglasses, sunscreen, and insect repellent.

How much walking is required?

Answer: It is about one block of walking on flat terrain from the van to the boat for your Portage Glacier cruise. At the wildlife sanctuary, the walking path is about 1.5 miles but you are welcome to ride in the van as we are able to pull right up to the enclosures. The Mercedes Sprinter van has large windows but you can get out for a closer view if you'd like, the van is always accessible.

How long is the boat ride at Portage Lake? What kind of boat is it?

Answer: You will be cruising on the mv Ptarmigan, an 80' vessel built on site at Portage Lake to U.S. Coast Guard specifications. The boat has a fully enclosed, heated cabin with expansive windows and an open-air top deck for even better viewing. The boat has a capacity of 200 people. You'll spend one-hour on the water as you travel across the lake to the face of Portage Glacier and back. It takes about 15-minutes to get across the lake, with about 30-minutes of time spent at the face of the glacier.

What food options are available at the Portage Glacier Lodge?

Answer: The Portage Glacier Lodge has a variety of lunch items (salad, sandwiches, chowder, rice bowls, burgers) for purchase in the $10 range.

Are restrooms available?

Answer: There are two bathrooms on the boat, a bathroom at the Portage Glacier Lodge (lunch stop), and at the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center.

What if the weather is bad?

Answer: This tour operates rain or shine and is very rarely canceled due to weather. If the tour is canceled, we will refund you or if you prefer, reschedule you for a different day.

I have an infant under two-years-old, can I bring them on the tour?

Answer: We do not charge for infants if we have room on the tour for them. Anyone occupying a seat pays the adult price. Guests who want to bring infants are required to let us know ahead of time (to make sure the tour has space). You will need to provide an approved child safety seat. Please contact us for more information.