Anchorage Turnagain Arm Wildlife Guided Tour
A guided winter day of mountain views and Alaska wildlife
Duration
7 hours
Includes
Guide, tram, wildlife center
Highlights
Explore winter landscapes beyond Anchorage with a professional local Alaskan guide. Take in changing coastal and mountain scenery while traveling through the region.
- Discover winter landscapes along the Turnagain Arm route
- Capture scenic views during stops along the way
- Visit Portage Valley before returning to Anchorage
- Plan for lunch, which is not included
Itinerary
- From Anchorage, we’ll travel along the scenic Seward Highway. One of only 13 highways in the US with the distinction of “All American Road”. Along the way we will have great opportunities to view and photograph wildlife and scenic vistas.
- First we stop at the beautiful Hotel Alyeska and the ski town of Girdwood. Take an optional scenic tram to the top of Mt Alyeska for lunch with a view.
- Next, a stop at the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center, a nonprofit organization dedicated to preserving Alaska’s wildlife. The AWCC takes in injured and orphaned animals year-round, providing spacious enclosures and quality animal care. Here you can view and photograph up close Alaska’s iconic animals that are unable to be released into the wild.
What's Included
- Professional local Alaskan guide
- Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center admission
- Alyeska Scenic Tram admission
- Snacks
- Bottled water
Important details
- Pickup is available only at Anchorage properties; private residences and Alyeska Resort are excluded
- A 10% guide gratuity per person is recommended and is not included in the listed price
Cancellation Policy
The Alyeska Scenic Tram and Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center may be canceled due to seasonality or weather. If canceled, you'll receive a refund equal to the canceled item's entrance fee.
Product ID: 4YGM63
FAQs
No. Lunch is not included.
No. Guide gratuities are not included. A 10% gratuity per person (based on the tour price) is recommended and appreciated.
The Alyeska Scenic Tram and Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center can be canceled due to seasonality or weather. If either is canceled, you receive a refund equal to the entrance fees for the canceled item.
More about the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center
The Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center sits at the head of Turnagain Arm, framed by the snow-dusted peaks of the Chugach Mountains and the wide, tide-swept waters of the inlet. This 200-acre sanctuary is dedicated to rescuing and rehabilitating orphaned and injured Alaskan wildlife, giving visitors the rare chance to see the state's most iconic animals up close in spacious, natural habitats. On the Turnagain Arm Winter Scenic Guided Tour, the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center serves as a memorable highlight, a peaceful counterpoint to the dramatic coastal cliffs and frozen waterfalls that line the drive south from Anchorage.
Inside the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center, you can wander past resident brown bears, black bears, moose, musk oxen, wood bison, caribou, lynx, foxes, and bald eagles, each housed in enclosures designed to reflect their wild surroundings. Winter brings a hushed, snow-blanketed atmosphere where animal tracks crisscross fresh powder and the resident herds stand out vividly against the white landscape. The crisp Turnagain Arm air, the soft crunch of snow underfoot, and the distant call of ravens make every stop feel cinematic. Compared with the scenic pullouts along the highway, where you may spot Dall sheep on the rocky bluffs or beluga whales offshore during certain tides, the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center offers reliable, intimate encounters that round out the day's wildlife viewing beautifully.
This stop is perfect for families with curious kids, photographers chasing winter portraits of northern species, and first-time visitors who want a deeper understanding of Alaska's ecosystems and conservation work. Couples enjoying a quieter winter getaway will appreciate the relaxed pace and the chance to learn each animal's rescue story, while solo travelers often find the center's mission genuinely moving. Paired with the icy beauty of Turnagain Arm itself, a visit to the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center turns a scenic drive into a meaningful encounter with the wild heart of Southcentral Alaska.
Related locations
Alyeska Aerial Tram
Admission includedStepping into the Alyeska Aerial Tram, you leave the spruce-lined valley floor behind and rise swiftly into a world of open sky and jagged Chugach peaks. In just minutes, the tram carries you nearly 2,300 vertical feet to the summit of Mount Alyeska, where the air sharpens and panoramic views stretch across Turnagain Arm and the surrounding wilderness. The Alyeska Aerial Tram is a year-round gateway to one of Alaska's most dramatic alpine settings.
