OVERVIEW

Marvel at the natural beauty in the Portage Valley, where you will visit an open-air wildlife sanctuary that rehabilitates injured and orphaned animals. Although you will travel through manmade structures such as the 2.6-mile Anton Anderson Memorial Tunnel – the longest dual-use vehicle and railroad tunnel in North America – this adventure focuses more on the preservation of the natural world. After one hours narrated scenic ride from Whittier, arrive at the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center, where you will take a quick orientation drive through the center. Then enjoy a up-close look at some of the iconic Alaskan animals that inhabit the surrounding forests and fields. You can expect to see large creatures such as reindeer, brown bear and moose, as well as smaller mammals that may include bald eagles, porcupines and Canadian lynx. The sanctuary provides a permanent home for all the animals except for the wood bison. Once thought to be extinct, these massive land animals are being reintroduced into their native habitat thanks to a massive conservation project.

HIGHLIGHTS

• See injured and orphaned wildlife being cared for at a conservation center.
• Pass through some of Alaska’s most gorgeous scenery, including the Portage Valley.
• Drive through North America’s longest combined vehicle and railway tunnel.
• End the tour at the Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

OVERVIEW

Marvel at the natural beauty in the Portage Valley, where you will visit an open-air wildlife sanctuary that rehabilitates injured and orphaned animals. Although you will travel through manmade structures such as the 2.6-mile Anton Anderson Memorial Tunnel – the longest dual-use vehicle and railroad tunnel in North America – this adventure focuses more on the preservation of the natural world. After 1 hours narrated scenic ride from Whittier, arrive at the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center, you will take a quick orientation drive through the center. Then enjoy a up-close look at some of the iconic Alaskan animals that inhabit the surrounding forests and fields. You can expect to see large creatures such as reindeer, brown bear and moose, as well as smaller mammals that may include bald eagles, porcupines and Canadian lynx. The sanctuary provides a permanent home for all the animals except for the wood bison. Once thought to be extinct, these massive land animals are being reintroduced into their native habitat thanks to a massive conservation project.

HIGHLIGHTS

• See injured and orphaned wildlife being cared for at a conservation center.
• Pass through some of Alaska’s most gorgeous scenery, including the Portage Valley.
• Drive through North America’s longest combined vehicle and railway tunnel.
• End the tour in Anchorage at the Hospitality Center.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

OVERVIEW

Cruise through Prince William Sound, a vast waterway that holds the largest concentration of glaciers in Alaska. It won’t take long to reach the sheltered waters of the sound, giving you all the more time to behold its natural wonders. As you cruise along the deep fjords that glaciers formed eons ago, you will enjoy close-up looks at a plethora of tidewater glaciers – 26 in all. Once these glaciers reach the sound, they eventually break off into massive icebergs, some of which you will spot floating on the water’s surface. If you pass a glacier the moment it calves, the loud crack will be startling, as will be the sight of the enormous block of ice crashing down. You can also expect to see all sorts of marine life such as whales, orcas and harbor seals. Birds are plentiful, so keep an eye out for bald eagles and kittiwakes.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Cruise past 26 of the numerous tidewater glaciers that terminate in Prince William Sound.
• Pass floating icebergs that have broken off – or calved – from the tidewater glaciers.
• Watch for an iceberg calving into the sea with a loud crack, an unforgettable spectacle.
• Look for wildlife ranging in size from whales to kittiwakes.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

OVERVIEW

Settle in for a spectacularly scenic cruise across the iceberg-dotted waters of Portage Lake, where you will pause at an ancient 10-story glacier that terminates at the water’s edge. To reach the lake, you will drive through the 2.6-mile Anton Anderson Memorial Tunnel, an engineering marvel that is the longest dual-use vehicle and railroad tunnel in North America. Soon after boarding the M/V Ptarmigan, a fully-enclosed and heated 80-foot vessel built on site, you will begin cruising across the typically placid waters. Whether looking through the large viewing windows or enjoying the fresh air out on the top deck, you can’t help but be taken by the natural beauty. The onboard narrator will share fascinating insights into the surrounding Chugach National Forest and the Portage Valley. Still nothing compares to seeing towering Portage Glacier up close. You may even be lucky enough to watch a huge chunk calve off with a startling loud crack.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Cruise Portage Lake, a glacially fed body of water that is spectacularly beautiful.
• Behold the natural wonders from the comfort of an enclosed, heated 80-foot boat.
• Pass floating icebergs that have broken off – or calved – from Portage Glacier.
• Enjoy a close-up look at the glacier and hold a piece of it, if conditions permit.
• Drive through a long tunnel to reach the lake and along Turnagain Arm on the way to the airport.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

OVERVIEW

Explore some of the most iconic attractions in Anchorage on your own, beginning with the Anchorage Museum, where you will be dropped off. While browsing the exhibitions, you will gain an overall understanding of the state, its natural wonders and Alaska Native people such as the Dena’ina. The museum sits on their traditional homeland. The collections include antique weapons, gold nuggets, fine art and natural history items such as mammoth tusks. You will be free to concentrate on the exhibitions that you find most interesting. Afterwards, you will spend hours wandering about downtown Anchorage, where you can do most anything you please. You will be in the heart of the largest city close to an abundance of excellent restaurants, one-of-a-kind shops and landmarks such as the monument to Captain Cook, who explored the area in 1778. The towering whale mural one of the buildings in Town Square is also worth a look.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Independently browse the extraordinary artifacts in the Anchorage Museum.
• Spend free time exploring downtown Anchorage on your own.
• Browse the attractions at your own pace and stay at them as long as you like.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

OVERVIEW

Marvel at the surrounding natural beauty while riding a tram up a mountain slope and visit a wildlife center that rehabilitates animals and provides a forever home for them. As you will discover firsthand, the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center cares for injured, orphaned and abandoned animals that can’t fend for themselves in the wild. Seeing the animals up close and hearing how they ended up at the center will be a moving and eye-opening experience. Chances are, you will view free-roaming creatures ranging from large caribou and bears to small lynx, fox, and porcupine, to all in habitats that resemble their natural ones. Upon reaching Alyeska Resort, you will ride an aerial tram to the summit of Alyeska Mountain. During the 7-minute ride, you will enjoy breathtaking views of Turnagain Arm and the majestic Chugach Mountains, a range named for the indigenous Chugach people that have lived in the area for thousands of years.

HIGHLIGHTS

• See injured and orphaned wildlife being cared for at a conservation center.
• Observe animals as large as reindeer and as small as ferrets in their new forever homes.
• Ride an aerial tram up the steep slopes of Alyeska Mountain, a ski resort in the winter.
• Enjoy sweeping views of the surrounding mountains and the waterway Turnagain Arm.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

OVERVIEW

Paddle a kayak through Blackstone Bay, whose pristine waters are littered with chunks of ice that have broken off the glaciers that rim the fjord. A water taxi will bring you to the bay, which lies just a few miles south of Whittier. After a briefing to ensure that you maximize the experience, you will paddle off in a two-person kayak and follow the guide through the pristine waters. Because so many glaciers terminate at the bay, you may see a massive slab of one breaking off, a spectacle known as calving. This sudden release of ice is accompanied by a loud crack that is as startling as the massive glacial block falling into the sea. As you paddle around the icebergs and ice chunks on the water’s surface, the guide will describe the points of interest, which may include harbor seals and seabirds such as murrelets and Arctic terns.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Follow a guide on a kayaking adventure through Blackstone Bay.
• Paddle around icebergs that have sheared off the surrounding glaciers.
• Behold majestic ancient glaciers from a close but safe distance.
• Look for marine life and seabirds, which the guide will identify and describe.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

OVERVIEW

Cruise through the island-dotted, sheltered waters of Prince William Sound on a catamaran with open decks and an enclosed cabin that will allow you to observe the stunning scenery in complete comfort. Along the way, you will cruise past two tidewater glaciers in Blackstone Bay as well as Northland Glacier, which terminates atop a rocky cliff high above the water’s surface. The captain and naturalist guide will describe this process of glaciation, the history of the surrounding area and the wildlife that you may encounter. Stellar sea lions, sea otters and puffins are commonly spotted in Prince William Sound. For a closer look at the natural beauty, the catamaran will stop at a wilderness beach for a chance to stroll along the shore, explore the tidal pools, walk through the rainforest, or just sit back and enjoy the scenery.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Cruise through Prince William Sound, a sheltered waterway full of islands and glaciers.
• Pass tidewater glaciers in Blackstone Bay and a hanging glacier and waterfalls.
• Disembark on a remote beach and explore the beautiful coastline and rainforest backdrop.
• Look for wildlife such as sea lions, otters, puffins and bald eagles.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

OVERVIEW

Enjoy an enlightening drive in and around Whittier and come away with a remarkably in-depth understanding of this city at the head of the Passage Canal. As you might expect, natural beauty surrounds Whittier and experience it with a quick stop at Whittier Falls. Yet, the city is surprisingly unconventional because nearly the entire population of 250 or so lives in Begich Towers, a 14-story former military barracks built during the Cold War. While passing the colorful towers, you will hear more about its odd history and conversion into condominiums. More fascinating sights await you at the Prince William Sound Museum, whose exhibits feature military, aviation and railway memorabilia that tell the story of Whittier with an emphasis on World War II. The black-and-white wartime photographs are especially compelling. A bit of free time follows around the Whittier waterfront. Spend some time shopping for local goods, sipping a coffee, or simply soaking in the views of the waterfront.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Admire the natural beauty on the outskirts of town at Whittier Falls.
• Pass by the 14-story condominium building where almost all the local residents live.
• Learn about the history and development of Whittier in the city’s sole museum.
• Spend free time shopping along the Whittier waterfront district.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.