Portage Glacier Cruise: A Self-Guided Tour Adventure for Independent Travelers
4.9
15 Ratings
Anchorage
Embark on a self-guided Portage Glacier Cruise adventure, perfect for independent travelers. Explore at your own pace, hike to Byron Glacier, and enjoy stunning views. Book now!
Duration:
8 hours
Cancellation:
1 day
learn more
Highlights
- Portage Glacier - Set your own pace by taking the Turnagain Arm Shuttle to Portage Lake and enjoy the surrounding beuty with lite hikes or walks before enjoying a narrated cruise around the lake and up close to Portage Glacier. Time your day with the Portage Glacier Cruise using the 2019 schedule below: Daily May 15 - September 16
Departures: 10:30 am, 12:00 noon, 1:30 pm, 3:00 pm, 4:30 pm
What's Included
- Pickup and drop-off from designated meeting points
- Round-trip transfer on the Turnagain Shuttle
What's Not Included
- Gratuities
- Customer must pay for the Portage Glacier Cruise Separately.
Additional Information
This self-guided Portage Glacier Cruise is truly idea for the independent traveler.
Portage Glacier Cruise a Self-Guided Tour is a Self-Guided Tour is for those who enjoy getting away from the crowd and explore on their own and at their pace. You self-guided tour starts at 8 a.m. and you will arrive at Portage at 9:15 a.m. This gives you a chance to hike to the boat launch just 20 minutes from the Portage Glacier Lodge where the boat departs at 10:30 a.m. You may want to grab a stack at the lodge to enjoy on the boat. After the boat take a leisurely walk to the Byron Glacier trail and start your hike. The Byron glacier trail is moderate and fairly flat. It takes 20 minutes to get to the face of Byron and 20 minutes to get back. Then its a 15 minute walk back to the lodge for your shuttle back to Anchorage which will depart at 12:45 p.m. with an arrival back in Anchorage at 3:05 p.m.
- Children must be accompanied by an adult
- Operates in all weather conditions, please dress appropriately
- Cruise departures may vary if a cruise is sold out. Please be ready to be flexible.
Location
546 W 4th Ave
West 4th Avenue
- We will pick you up at the downtown Anchorage Visitors Center behind log cabin. We normally park right behind the red trolley. It is an active loading and unloading zone so please be ready on time as the driver will have be asked by parking enforcement to move after 10 minutes.
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Customer Ratings
4.9
(15 Ratings)
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1 star
Sharon
Aug 3, 2023
Return to Portage Glacier - This was my second cruise through Portage Glacier and it was still just as breath taking as the first time. It's a great way to spend the hottest month of the year (or any time of year).
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Mistypearl_s
Sep 10, 2022
Matt was a truly great and fun tour guide - Due to forecasted rain showers, they offered us a new schedule that day with a guided tour, which was really great.
Matt was a very fun and knowledgeable tour guide. He even shared his personal experiences and interesting true-to-life stories, that’s why the trip didn’t feel so long. Matt was so light and easy that our kids even enjoy his company. The sites we went to: Glacier, Wildlife sanctuary, salmon river were amazing, truly awe-inspiring.
Review provided by Viator
Maps52411630872
Sep 7, 2022
Review by Stephen - The tour guide Michael was very knowledgeable and made sure evnjoyed the trip .All the places we went to were beautiful especially the boat trip and the wildlife centre
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Jill_f
Sep 2, 2021
Epic day - It was beautiful but quite cold and windy and rainy… our cruise got canceled….but Theron saved the day with his awesome narration and great sense of humor, good attitude and the greatest recommendation for dinner Ever! Thank you for a great experience!
Review provided by Viator
579williamm579
Jul 15, 2021
Had a great time. - This a great, short one hour cruise on Portage Lake. The crew is very friendly and the naturalist provided great information. We spent adequate time at the glacier for everyone to get their pictures. Lunch at the Glacier Cafe was also good.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Kihwan
Jul 14, 2021
Enjoyed the trip - Liked Chris who was accommodating our request for early return. Liked giving us a map to explore the place at our own. A staff for another shuttle kindly answered our questions while we were waiting for our shuttle.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Shannon_l
Jun 25, 2021
Great day! - Chris was a fantastic tour guide! He made sure to point out so many things to us on the way to Portage. Pointing out hiking trails as well! Such a fun day!
Review provided by Viator
Shannonlp2798ht
Jun 25, 2021
Great views! - Chris was a fantastic tour guide! The glacier views and hiking trails were worth exploring even on a rainy day. Our guide made sure to stop and show us the most amazing things. He even pulled over when my son spotted a beautiful double rainbow! Thanks for a great time exploring glaciers!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Erowland57
Feb 3, 2020
Of course, where can you drive less than an hour from the city to a glacier. - Great drive. Full of views of the inlet. Boarstide? You can see the tide change in the inlet. Looks like a mini tidal wave. Powerful The glacier, a picture in the wilderness. Great day. Check out the double musket restaurant in Girdwood on the way back. I think they open around 430. First come the meal was off the charts. I had the New York and prawns. Oh my. I know I have had a better meal. Just can’t remember when. Stop at one of the pull offs on way back and soak up the good mojo and karma.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Jo
Nov 7, 2019
Not good value - The trip cost is for the pick up and drop off at the Portage Glacier only. You will have to pay for the Portage Glacier cruise when there. I was aware of this but a few in my group were not - so just a heads up!
I felt the cost was really overpriced for a shuttle service, although our guide did stop at a few spots on the way back which was nice to see some of the local attractions and wildlife.
I initially was going to hike near the glacier rather than take the cruise, but it isn't possible without your own transport as the shuttle will leave before you complete a hike, so I would recommend renting a car if you can if you want to hike.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
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