Whittier to Anchorage Cruise Transfer Wildlife Center and Tram

We’ll begin with a short tour of the unique cruise-ship town of Whittier. You’ll see the historic Begich Towers building, the small harbor, and the local shops that serve this remote community. If you’d like, we can stop for a quick coffee or snack at the popular Wildcatch Café before continuing toward the Anton Anderson Memorial Tunnel. This gives you a great introduction to Whittier’s history and scenery before we head into the rest of the journey.

Next, we’ll travel through the Anton Anderson Memorial Tunnel, the longest combined vehicle-and-rail tunnel in North America. This one-lane tunnel operates on a timed schedule, giving you a unique experience as we pass through its 2.5-mile stretch carved directly through the mountain. I’ll explain a bit about the tunnel’s history, engineering, and how it connects the remote town of Whittier to the rest of Alaska. It’s a memorable highlight of the journey and a true piece of Alaskan infrastructure.

We’ll visit the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center, a 200-acre sanctuary dedicated to protecting Alaska’s most iconic animals. Here you can see brown and black bears, moose, musk ox, bison, wolves, porcupines, and other wildlife up close in spacious natural habitats. I’ll guide you through the highlights and then give you time to explore the boardwalks and viewing areas at your own pace. Admission is included, so you can enjoy the full experience without any extra cost.

The next stop is the charming mountain town of Girdwood, home to the Alyeska Resort. Here you’ll take a scenic ride on the famous Alyeska Aerial Tram, soaring over lush forests and up the mountainside to stunning panoramic views of the glaciers and Turnagain Arm. At the top, you’ll have time to walk around, enjoy the viewing platforms, and take photos of the incredible landscape. Tram admission is included, and you can also explore the shops and cafés at the resort before we continue toward Anchorage.

As we make the way toward Anchorage, we’ll travel along the famous Turnagain Arm—one of the most scenic stretches of road in Alaska. This dramatic coastline is known for its sweeping mountain views, tidal flats, and the chance to spot Dall sheep or beluga whales in season. We’ll make brief photo stops at some of the best viewpoints, such as Beluga Point or Bird Point, depending on conditions. It’s a beautiful part of the journey and a favorite highlight for many travelers.

We’ll finish the journey in Anchorage, with flexible drop-off options to best fit your plans. Time permitting, we can visit a few local highlights on the way in, such as Earthquake Park, scenic Lake Hood—the world’s busiest seaplane base—and a short drive through historic downtown Anchorage. I’m also happy to offer restaurant recommendations to help you make the most of your stay. We can drop you off at Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport, any local hotel, or your Airbnb for a smooth end to your day.