Anchorage Wildlife Tour
- 8:00AM - Noon
- Year-round
- 189.00 per person
Description
Alaska Adventure Guides will get you to the best spots to check out the most scenic views in the Anchorage area. Want to see moose, sheep, or eagles? We’ll do it. We can watch belugas and bears or find salmon swimming up the local streams and rivers if the season is right. This tour will generally cover the Chugach Mountains nearest Anchorage, and venture south along the Turnagain Arm of Cook Inlet. We’ll often see Dahl sheep, moose, black or brown bear, belugas, and more depending on the season. We often customize this trip to see specific wildlife, moose, sheep or bears for example. Please contact us in advance with specific requests. All this, and you’ll still be back in time for lunch.
Itinerary
An Alaska Adventure guide will pick your group up at your hotel.
Tour start times vary. We’ll travel to some of the most scenic views and we specialize in finding wildlife in the Anchorage area.
Notes
- Weather conditions can vary greatly from day to day. Dress in preparation for staying comfortable in the prevailing weather conditions. We will be in the van the majority of the time, but at times will get out for short walks or hikes depending on guests’ preferences.
- Dress in layers. When the weather turns out a little different than forecast, the sun comes out, or wind picks up, the ability to adjust to the conditions can make your time out much more enjoyable.
- Bring a small backpack or other means of carrying the few things you may want to keep available while we’re out, a hat, sunglasses, water bottle and your preferred bug spray and sunscreen for example.
- We’ll have bottled water available. Feel free to bring any additional snacks or drinks you’d like.
- This activity is rated as moderate. Guests with medical conditions or concerns, please contact us in advance to explore options and accommodations for this trip.
- Feel free to give us a call if you have additional questions or concerns
Includes & Excludes
- Round Trip Transportation from Anchorage area hotels
- Bottled drinking water
- Footwear – no clothing items, jackets, or boots are provided
Customize Your Tour
FAQs
Different times of year are better for seeing different types of animals. Moose are the most common part of our tours in the Anchorage area year-round, but fall, August through November, is especially good for seeing big bull moose.
We can see bears between May and November, with the highest likelihood being while salmon are in the streams, July through September.
Doll (or Dahl) sheep are often visible in the mountains around Anchorage. December is prime time for viewing big rams, as they often come down lower in the mountains for mating season.
Beluga whales are usually found along Turnagain Arm, especially in early and late summer.
Eagles are found year-round but peak during the hooligan (smelt fish) run in Turnagain arm in early spring. We’ve often counted over 100 bald eagles and several golden eagles gorging on these little fish.
Mountain goats, somewhat similar to Doll sheep, are often seen in the Chugach Mountains, a little further from Anchorage than the sheep often are, and they usually stay up in higher elevations.
Other animals are frequently seen but can be less predictable than previously mentioned. If you’re looking for something not mentioned here, please feel free to reach out for information and start planning your trip!
As the name implies, we’ll normally stay close to Anchorage. Typically, we’ll travel south from Anchorage along the Turnagain Arm, where the Chugach Mountains to the north and the Turnagain Arm of Cook Inlet and Kenai Mountains beyond to the south make a fantastic backdrop for your photo(s) of a lifetime!
On this tour, we can be very flexible regarding activity level. We’ll work to match the energy and abilities of the group. Some of our more active groups can get to some unbelievable areas for viewing moose and sheep mainly, while for those with more limited mobility, there are many animals and sights to see right from the comfort of your seat! If you have specific needs or concerns, please get in touch with us for options.
Plan on being outside for as much as an hour on this tour. We recommend dressing appropriately for the temperature in layers that can be added or removed as conditions change. The van always has room to bring a backpack with extra clothing.
The Anchorage Wildlife Tour includes round-trip transportation from Anchorage, so you do not need a rental car. Your guide will pick you up directly from your hotel at 8:00 a.m. and return you by noon, making this a convenient half-day experience. Most of the best wildlife viewing areas, such as the Chugach Mountains and Turnagain Arm, are within 30 to 60 minutes of downtown Anchorage, so travel times are short, and more time is spent spotting animals rather than driving. Because the tour is guided, you’ll also stop at scenic pullouts and wildlife hotspots that visitors often miss on their own. Including transportation from Anchorage hotels ensures an easy and stress-free experience, especially for guests who prefer not to drive unfamiliar roads.
No, you do not need any special gear or equipment for the Anchorage Wildlife Tour. Since most of the trip is spent traveling by van with short walks to viewing areas, regular outdoor clothing is sufficient. We recommend dressing in layers to adjust to changing weather, and bringing items like a hat, sunglasses, and a water bottle. Comfortable walking shoes are best, as you may be on uneven ground at some stops. We provide bottled water in the van, and you are welcome to bring your own snacks or preferred bug spray and sunscreen. Unlike glacier or hiking tours, this trip does not require technical gear, which makes the Anchorage Wildlife Tour accessible and family friendly for visitors of all ages.
Yes, the Anchorage Wildlife Tour is family friendly and suitable for travelers of all ages. Most of the tour is spent in a comfortable van with short walks to scenic viewpoints, so it does not require long hikes or advanced fitness. Families often enjoy the chance to see moose, Dall sheep, eagles, and beluga whales in their natural surroundings, and the half-day format keeps the experience engaging without being overwhelming. Parents should bring layers, snacks, and water for younger children, as weather and timing can vary. Because the tour includes transportation from Anchorage hotels, it is an easy option for families who prefer not to drive.
Yes, you can see a wide variety of wildlife near Anchorage, often within minutes of the city. Moose are the most common and are frequently spotted in neighborhoods, parks, and along the roads. The nearby Chugach Mountains are home to Dall sheep, mountain goats, and bears, while the Turnagain Arm coastline offers chances to see beluga whales and bald eagles. Seasonal highlights include salmon runs in local streams during summer and large bull moose in the fall. Joining a guided Anchorage wildlife tour increases your chances of seeing multiple animals in a single outing, as guides know the best locations and times for viewing. This makes Anchorage one of the most convenient places in Alaska to experience both city life and abundant wildlife.