Anchorage

Birdwatching

Experience the local wildlife in Resurrection Bay on this fully narrated tour. Rather than following a set route, your crew will steer you to the wildlife most often seen through Resurrection Bay. Watch as sea otters carry their pups on their bellies. Marvel at the speed of the Dall's porpoise as they surf the vessel's wake. Be awed by the size and majesty of orcas, humpbacks, and other incredible whale species. This adventures is perfect for families, those with limited time, or guests worried about seasickness.

Step aboard a stable, high-speed catamaran for a full day exploring Kenai Fjords National Park. Start your cruise in Resurrection Bay where you'll will learn about the park, the surrounding area and wildlife from an experienced captain. Allow your captain to take you to the best wildlife viewing areas for the opportunity to see stunning marine life including whales, otters, seals and thousands of seabirds. Head out into the Gulf of Alaska past Bear Glacier, the largest glacier in Kenai Fjords National Park. Take advantage of getting up close with 2 active tidewater glaciers, Aialik Glacier and Holgate Glacier as your cruise stops nearby. Watch for calving, where giant chunks of glacier ice break off and crash into the water. Experienced deckhands will secure a chunk of glacier ice to make the most amazing cocktails and glacier margaritas.

Depart from Anchorage and head south along the edge of the Turnagain Arm on the Seward Parkway. This road is considered to be America’s most beautiful and scenic road, crossing mountain passes and majestic valleys. Along the way, make a couple of stops for photo opportunities at Beluga Point and Bird Point and try to spot moose, eagles, and other wildlife. Arrive at the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center which is situated on 140 acres at the southern edge of Turnagain Arm and the entrance to Portage Valley. Learn about the center's mission to provide care and rehabilitation for injured and orphaned wildlife. You will be able to safely get close, observe, and photograph some of Alaska's largest land animals such as bison, moose, elk, deer, caribou, bears muskox, small mammals, and birds of prey. During spring and summer, you can also witness the rehabilitation of orphaned baby animals of various species. Listen to important facts about Alaska's wildlife from your local guide and learn how animals that are unable to be released in the wild are given refuge in the center's spacious habitats. Your tour ends with drop-off back at your hotel in Anchorage.

Take off from Anchorage on a guided walk through nature. Enjoy an easy hike, learn about Alaska’s vegetation and animal populations, and see one of the Chugach State Park’s most photogenic alpine valleys. You’ll start by meandering through hemlock forests scarred by thrashing leeward winds from the Turnagain Arm. Snowshoe hares make their homes here, attracting the rare lynx living in the area. In June, wild geraniums, bluebells, and forget-me-nots pop up. Spot blissful blueberries, funky fungi, and changing colors that tell us when summer is coming to a close. Every season is a wealth of surprising encounters. No matter when you take your hike, you’ll get to see something memorable. The flora and fauna of the Glen Alps will tell you the story of an ecosystem living in harmony just outside of Anchorage. Moose and bear birth their young in spring and mate during the fall months. Many animals travel through the mountains and valley in search of their favorite feed, providing ample opportunity for wildlife viewing and photography.

Marvel at the wonders found in one of the Chugach State Park's fondest, glaciated valleys. On this guided tour from Anchorage, hike the Eagle River trail system, where boreal forests and salmon spawning streams are found. Enjoy snacks, bottled water, and optional trekking gear. The first portion of the hike takes you to the network of forested trails found at the Eagle River Nature Center, nestled deep along the north fork of the Chugach State Park's massive Eagle River. The hike features a portion of the historic Iditarod dog sledding trail that’s no longer in use. That means there won't be any dogs giving you a ride on this adventure ─ just your two feet. Onward, reach through thick spruces and birches while keeping an eye out for wildlife. You may see the American dipper swimming in a tributary warmed by geothermal heat or a moose and small mammals like the snowshoe hare or red fox. For the second portion, take a short ride to the Chugach State Park's waterfall, Barbara Falls. This section is a short half-mile walk that features local plants, fungus, and point-and-shoot photo opportunities around every corner. It's super rewarding and a great way to conclude the tour.

Witness the ice-covered Barbara Falls, one of the most spectacular waterfalls in the Chugach State Park, on this guided walking tour from Anchorage. Learn all about the flora and fauna of the area from your guide on this wintertime nature excursion. Departing from Anchorage, follow the South Fork Eagle River, observing ice dam formations created by freezing temperatures and fast-moving water. Reach the base of the 25-foot Barbara Falls and see shimmering icicles, ice bridges, and falling water frozen in time. See the vegetation that lives within the diverse forest. Admire the towering species such as white spruces, paper birches, and aspens that drape the frozen ground below. Learn about the intriguing biological processes happening within the lichen, mosses, and trees that dominate the environment from your guide. Keep an eye out for local wildlife such as moose, snowshoe hare, rodents, and birds.