Anchorage: Matanuska Glacier Hike with Transfers
About This Experience
The selling point here is that almost nothing is left for you to arrange. You are collected from your hotel or Airbnb in Anchorage, the Matanuska Glacier admission is inside the ticket price, and gloves and snow pants are handed out at the ice along with the safety gear. For a visitor arriving without cold-weather clothing, that is a meaningful amount of packing avoided.
The group is kept small, which changes the feel of the drive as well as the walk. The route north-east from Anchorage runs up the Matanuska Valley with long views out to the mountains before the glacier itself comes into sight.
On the ice the guiding is more technical than a scenic stroll: the walk is built around the towering formations and the crevasses, with your guide explaining how each one forms and how the glacier is moving underneath. You cover a fair amount of the frozen surface over the course of the visit.
Total time is about eight hours including both drives. Tips are the only thing not covered.
Highlights
- Hotel or Airbnb pickup and drop-off in Anchorage
- Matanuska Glacier admission included in the price
- Gloves and snow pants supplied alongside the safety gear
- Small-group guided trek past towering ice formations and crevasses
- Scenic drive up the Matanuska Valley in both directions
What's Included
- ✓ Hotel or Airbnb pickup and drop-off
- ✓ Matanuska Glacier admission
- ✓ Professionally guided tour
- ✓ Safety gear
- ✓ Gloves
- ✓ Snow pants
Not Included
- Tips
What to Bring
- Comfortable walking shoes
- Warm clothing
- Camera
- Sunscreen
- Water
Good to Know & Caveats
- Glacier admission is included — you will not be asked for a gate fee at check-in.
- Smoking, alcohol and drugs are not permitted on the tour.
- The group is kept small, so departures sell out sooner than the larger coach trips.
- Allow about eight hours door to door from Anchorage.
Not Suitable For
- Children under 8
- Pregnant women
- People with mobility impairments
- People with heart problems
Meeting Point
Pickup from your hotel or Airbnb in Anchorage — the address is confirmed when you book.
What Travelers Say
Rated 4.8/5 by 36 verified GetYourGuide travelers.
We’re happy n get alot of picture for our memories.
— Richard Fitzgerald, August
We had an awesome day with our guide, Geoff Rockwell. He texted us the night before to let us know what time he would be there, was extremely knowledgeable and friendly, and even took us a couple of extra spots. He did a fabulous job and I would highly recommend him. Super nice guy.
— Jennifer, August
This tour was amazing. Leona was our driver and she was very nice. She and her colleague picked us up at the entrance of our hotel and they took us to Matanuska Glacier. The way there was very cool, nice talk, they gave us some snacks and we did two stops. The first one was in a supermarket so we could buy our food for the glacier and the second one in an amazing spot of the Matanuska River. Then we went to the glacier and our guide was Dominique who was very nice and aware of all us us (it was our first time in this kind of hike). Then we went back with Leona and her colleague and we also had a great drive. I strongly recommend them.
— David, July 31
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to get myself to a meeting point?
No. This tour picks up from your hotel or Airbnb in Anchorage and drops you back there, which is the main thing separating it from the departures that use a downtown check-in desk.
Is the glacier gate fee included?
Yes — Matanuska Glacier admission is part of the ticket price on this tour. Only the tours that start at the glacier itself charge the $55 adult gate fee separately.
Is warm clothing provided?
Gloves and snow pants are supplied along with the safety gear, which covers most of what an unprepared visitor is missing. Bring your own warm layers and a jacket as well — the supplied kit is the outer shell, not the whole outfit.
How big is the group?
Small — the operator runs this as a small-group transfer rather than a coach trip. That also means fewer seats per departure, so book earlier in peak season.
Who cannot join?
Children under 8, pregnant women, guests with mobility impairments and guests with heart problems are not accepted on this departure.
Other Matanuska Glacier Tours
Anchorage: Full-Day Matanuska Glacier Hike and Tour
Matanuska Glacier Family Tour
From Anchorage: Matanuska Glacier Full-Day Tour
Hike Matanuska Glacier with Alaska Honey & Wine Tasting
Matanuska Glacier Backcountry Ice Climbing
Matanuska Glacier Tour
