Whittier to Anchorage Transfer Tour
Begin your adventure with a ride through the Anton Anderson Memorial Tunnel, the longest tunnel in North America, 2.5 miles! It is the first tunnel designed for -40° F. and 150 mph winds. The tunnel is located fifty miles southeast of Anchorage near Portage Glacier, and connects the port city of Whittier on Prince William Sound to the Seward Highway and South Central Alaska. It opened to vehicle traffic on June 7, 2000 after extensive conversion from a World War II railroad tunnel.
Arriving at Portage glacier, leisure time offers a great area to view the icebergs in the lake as well as hanging glaciers that will keep your camera busy.
Begich-Boggs Visitors Center offers a unique opportunity to learn about the Chugach National Forest, America's second largest national forest.
Award-winning exhibits, educational presentations, the film "Voices from the Ice," information services, and an Alaska Natural History Association bookstore are available. Join a Forest Service Interpreter or go it alone on this short 1/4 mile loop trail located just outside our doors.
Interpretive signs along the trail help paint the picture of Portage Glacier's retreat revealing a landscape full of new life. Depending on the season there is a stop to view salmon spawning.
Next, visit the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center, opened to the public in 1993. It is located on 140 acres at the southern edge of Turnagain Arm and the entrance to Portage Valley. AWCC provides care and rehabilitation for injured and orphaned wildlife and to provide wildlife education and awareness. Animals that are unable to be released or survive in the wild are given refuge in the center's spacious habitats.
Here people can safely get close, observe and photograph some of Alaska's largest land animals, including moose, bison, elk, deer, caribou, bears musk ox, small mammals and birds of prey.
Beluga Point provides a possible whale watch as you travel along the beautiful Turnagain Arm of the Cook Inlet. This drive also provides a great backdrop for stunning photography.
A late lunch stop in Girdwood near Alyeska is provided but lunch is not included in the cost of this tour. You can choose to bring cash to enjoy a sourdough sandwich at the local deli or stop at the local "Chair 5" restaurant where credit cards are accepted.
Windy Point provides the opportunity to watch for dall sheep on the roadside cliffs. The salt licks here provide nourishment to the sheep.
Potters Marsh is a state game refuge, is a very popular spot for bird watching from a boardwalk. This is a nesting area for waterfowl as well as arctic tern, Canada geese, swans, and ducks.
Upon arrival in Anchorage, you will be transferred to your hotel or airport.
Inclusions
- Comfortable vehicles that seat 8 - 14 guests per vehicle
- Portage Glacier Begich Boggs Visitors Center
- Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center
- Beluga Point Whale watching
- Windy Point Dall Sheep viewing
- Narration by long-time Alaskan escort/guide
- Complimentary bottled water
Tips
There is no age requirement; however, children under the age of eight (8) years old and eighty (80) require a booster seat, which can be rented in advance for $15.00. A child seat is required for children under four (4) years old and forty (40) pounds and an infant seat is required for children under two (2) years old and twenty (20) pounds. Both the child seat and an infant seat can be rented in advance for $15.00 a piece. Please note persons of larger girth or weigh more than 250 pounds that require a seatbelt extension will be charged for two seats.
Departure Location
At the cruise ship pier. The specific meeting location at the pier will be listed in your confirmation email and voucher for this shore excursion. See the 'Redemption and Voucher Details' section below.
Redemption and Voucher Details
- After you complete your booking, your credit card will be charged and our expert Shore Excursion Concierge agents will 'hand'-review your shore excursion selections against your cruise itinerary to confirm compatibility. Your credit card statement will list the merchant for the charges as Port Promo Cruise Tours.
- You will receive an email within 72 hours of booking from info@portpromotions.com which confirms your booking and contains the vouchers required for your shore excursions. Please print these vouchers and bring them with you on your cruise. You will be required to turn the voucher(s) in to the corresponding shore excursion supplier(s). The vouchers feature information regarding how to meet up with the tour leader upon arrival to a port and other important details.
- Your tour is completely refundable if your ship is unable to get into port or due to weather cancellations. See our terms and conditions for complete details.
