What is the cancellation policy for this tour?

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

How long does this tour take?

Please check the tour page for the exact duration.

Self Guided Driving Audio Tour Anchorage to Homer Roundtrip

Q: Where does this tour start?

This tour starts at: From Homer, begin on the Sterling Highway and drive north toward Ninilchik and Soldotna. Audio starts shortly after leaving town. Search your email for “Download Audio Tour,” download ahead, then preview the route in the GuideAlong app..

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Overview

Download GuideAlong’s self-guided driving audio tour of Alaska’s Sterling Highway as you follow turquoise rivers and lakes across the Kenai Peninsula from Anchorage to Homer. See wildlife at Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center, take in Cook Inlet views at Beluga Point, cruise out to Homer Spit on Kachemak Bay, and add a side trip to Russian River Falls.

Along the way, hear stories of gold-rush towns, salmon runs, and local culture, and they play automatically as you drive, in either direction.

Enjoy the freedom to explore offline at your own pace, spending more time at places that interest you and bypassing any that don’t.

Stories, tips, and directions play automatically based on your location
Travel at your own pace
Tour offline using GPS. No cell service or WiFi is needed
Suggested itineraries for half, full, or multi-day use
No time limits or expiry, and free updates
Like having a tour guide along for the drive

Purchase one tour per vehicle.

Gallery

Self Guided Driving Audio Tour Anchorage to Homer Roundtrip — photo 1

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Self Guided Driving Audio Tour Anchorage to Homer Roundtrip — photo 6

Self Guided Driving Audio Tour Anchorage to Homer Roundtrip — photo 7

What's Included

✓ Included

Support: Toll free phone, chat and email
Easy To Use: Pre-download and tour offline
Trip Planners: In-app, web and PDF
Location Based: Stories, tips & directions that autoplay
Includes an app-based self-guided experience, so you do not need any in-person guide.
Buy once, use forever! No expiry, includes free updates
Flexible Routes: Suggested itineraries or create your own
GuideAlong (GyPSy Guide) Audio Tour: 290+ Points

✗ Not Included

Entry Fees, National Park Passes, Reservations

Itinerary

Stop 1

The Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center is a fantastic stop for anyone who loves Alaska’s iconic animals. The center cares for injured or orphaned wildlife and also supports essential research and education.

Stop 2

Beluga Point is one of Alaska’s signature wildlife overlooks, where steep Chugach mountains drop directly into the silty waters of Turnagain Arm. In midsummer, beluga whales sometimes surface as they follow salmon runs through the powerful tides, appearing as quick flashes of white or a misty blow.

Stop 3

Bird Point offers sweeping vistas of Turnagain Arm framed by rugged mountains and glacial valleys. Sculptures, interpretive signs, and mounted viewing scopes help visitors learn about belugas, tides, and the region’s dramatic geology. The rocky shoreline reveals deep grooves carved by ancient glaciers, while trail access connects to the Bird to Gird Pathway. It’s a compact stop packed with scenery, education, and a true sense of Alaska’s coastal wilderness.

Stop 4

Cooper Landing sits at the headwaters of the Kenai River and is famous for salmon fishing, rafting, and bright turquoise water. Anglers come from around the world for its sockeye, coho, and trout, while rafting trips run through stunning canyons and fast-moving glacial currents.

Stop 5

Girdwood is a vibrant mountain town surrounded by forested slopes, glacier-fed valleys, and Chugach peaks. It’s home to Alaska’s largest ski resort, Alyeska, and a hub for year-round adventure, from glacier treks and dogsledding to summer berry picking and waterfall hikes. The Alyeska Aerial Tram offers effortless access to high alpine views, while trails like Crow Pass provide classic glacier scenery. Once a gold mining settlement, Girdwood now blends outdoor recreation with a lively local community.

Stop 6

Baycrest Overlook is one of Homer’s signature viewpoints, perched high above town with an unobstructed panorama of the Homer Spit, Kachemak Bay, and the snow-streaked Kenai Mountains. From here, the boats in the harbor look tiny against the broad sweep of water and sky, and shifting clouds and light constantly reshape the view. On clear days, you may even spot whales or sea otters out in the bay, especially if you bring binoculars.

Stop 7

Homer Spit is a narrow, 4.5 mile gravel bar extending into Kachemak Bay, shaped by glaciers, storms, and the dramatic 1964 earthquake. Today it’s a lively destination with cafes, art studios, beaches, charter boats, and a busy harbor. Outfitters along the Spit offer bear viewing flights, fishing trips, sea kayaking, and water taxis to nearby coves and trails. Wildlife is everywhere, from bald eagles on pilings to sea lions, otters, and jellyfish drifting in the clear bay water.

Stop 8

The Kenai River is famed for its vivid turquoise color and world-class fishing, with nearly 40 fish species thriving in its glacial waters. Anglers come for everything from Dolly Varden and rainbow trout to four species of salmon, including the legendary king salmon. The river also offers thrilling whitewater rafting through narrow canyons and rolling Class III rapids. Its combination of beauty, recreation, and wildlife makes it one of Alaska’s premier waterways.

Stop 9

Mount Iliamna rises dramatically across Cook Inlet as part of Lake Clark National Park and Preserve. Its classic cone shape, ten major glaciers, and frequent steaming vents make it one of Alaska’s most striking volcanoes. Though it has not had a major eruption since 1867, it remains active, with occasional puffs of ash recorded over the years. The viewpoint showcases a mountain long recognized by Dena’ina communities and later named in Russian and Spanish explorations.

Stop 10

Ninilchik is a coastal village with sweeping views of Cook Inlet and a long tradition of salmon fishing. Small boat harbors buzz with activity during summer fishing seasons, and nearby recreation sites offer beaches, picnic areas, and wildlife viewing. Offshore, visitors often spot bald eagles, whales, and otters. The 1901 Holy Transfiguration Russian Orthodox Church, perched on a bluff with its distinctive golden domes, is one of the most photographed landmarks on the Kenai Peninsula.

Stop 11

Potter Marsh is a popular stop in the Alaska Coastal Wildlife Refuge, especially for birders. It’s home to a wide variety of wildlife, including bald eagles, northern harriers, and trumpeter swans. Moose, muskrats, and beavers also thrive in these wetlands. A half-mile, accessible wooden boardwalk winds out over the marsh, offering close-up views of the water, grasses, and surrounding mountains. Interestingly, the marsh is man-made: early 1900s railroad construction altered the creek’s flow, flooding the area and creating this unexpectedly rich habitat for birds and animals.

Stop 12

Russian River Falls is one of the best places on the Kenai Peninsula to watch salmon leaping upstream. During peak runs in late June and late July, thousands of sockeye splash and surge up the tiered waterfall, easily viewed from two platforms overlooking the river. The mostly flat, two-mile trail is accessible, scenic, and enjoyable even outside peak season. Bears are frequently seen fishing here as well, adding excitement for wildlife enthusiasts.

Stop 13

Soldotna is a bustling hub along the Kenai River, famous for its easy river access and strong salmon runs. Boardwalks at spots like Centennial Park and Soldotna Creek Park offer safe places to cast a line or watch anglers in action. The Visitor Center displays the record-breaking king salmon caught in 1985, while the Homestead Museum preserves historic cabins and pioneer life. In summer, outdoor concerts and weekend markets bring extra charm to this riverside town.

Stop 14

Sterling serves as the gateway to the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge and is a favorite destination for anglers during the summer salmon season. The area is also famous for two wilderness canoe systems: the longer Swanson River Canoe Route, which connects dozens of lakes through quiet waterways, and the shorter Swan Lake Canoe Route, which winds through muskeg wetlands. These peat-rich landscapes support mosses, berries, and wildflowers, offering vibrant fall colors and a peaceful contrast to the busy highway.

Stop 15

Tern Lake is a scenic junction where mountains, wetlands, and reflective waters create an excellent spot for viewing wildlife. The shallow lake attracts trumpeter swans, Arctic terns, gulls, and other migratory birds throughout spring and summer. Moose, black bears, and mountain goats often appear on the surrounding slopes, while the accessible viewing platform offers clear views of spawning salmon.

Meeting & End Point

📍

Meeting Point

From Homer, begin on the Sterling Highway and drive north toward Ninilchik and Soldotna. Audio starts shortly after leaving town. Search your email for “Download Audio Tour,” download ahead, then preview the route in the GuideAlong app.

🏁

End Point

Find Hotels in Anchorage

Good to Know

Suitable for all physical fitness levels
How to Access: After booking you’ll receive an email and text with instructions (search “Download Audio Tour”). Click the link in the email/text to sign in with your preferred Apple or Google account and redeem your voucher code ahead of time.
Download The GuideAlong App: Download the free app over WiFi or cellular data and sign in with the same Apple or Google account.
Download The Tour: Download the tour in the GuideAlong app under 'My Tours' over WiFi or cellular data.
Start The Tour: Open the tour in the GuideAlong app to preview the start locations, tour route and trip planner, or start the tour.
Location-Based Stories: Audio commentary plays automatically as you drive using your phone’s GPS chip. Wherever you are and whichever direction you’re going, you’ll hear the best stories and tips.
Flexible Travel Date: Tours are a one-time purchase with no expiry or date/time limit. If your plans change to a different day, there’s no need to change your travel date.
Tour at Your Leisure: With GuideAlong, you control the pace. Start, stop, and resume the tour any day, anytime, adapting it to your schedule.
Driving Tours: Group Savings: One purchase covers everyone in the vehicle, making it a cost-effective way to explore.
Works Offline: No internet or cell service is required once the audio tour is downloaded to your phone, so you can relax and tour offline.
Bring A Charger: Pack a USB/C car charger for charging and easy sound connectivity, and make sure your device is fully charged.
Technical Support: The GuideAlong support team is available daily by toll-free phone, online chat, and email.
The app’s audio will play through your car’s Apple CarPlay and Android Auto display, while the app’s map will display on your phone. You can connect your phone to the car via Bluetooth to listen to the commentary through the car stereo.

Known For:

Car Tours in Anchorage, Adventure Tours in Anchorage, Private Sightseeing Tours in Anchorage, Audio Guides in Anchorage, Private and Luxury in Anchorage, Bus Tours in Anchorage

Special Instructions

Includes an app-based self-guided experience, so you do not need any in-person guide.

STEPS TO GET YOUR GUIDEALONG AUDIO TOUR:

1. SIGN IN + REDEEM your VOUCHER CODE: https://store.guidealong.com/voucher
2. DOWNLOAD the GuideAlong App
3. SIGN IN to the GuideAlong app with the same Apple or Google account as Step 1
4. DOWNLOAD the Audio Tour NOW

FIND YOUR VOUCHER CODE AND INSTRUCTIONS
- Email: Search for “GuideAlong”. Check All Mail and junk/spam.
- Text: Search for “GuideAlong”.
- This Ticket: Find the VOUCHER CODE at the top under the QR code and redeem at Step
- Viator App: Open your booking and Contact Support > Contact Tour Operator.
- TripAdvisor App: Account > Messages.
- Support: Call GuideAlong toll-free on 1866-477-1791.

DOWNLOAD THE GUIDEALONG APP & TOUR NOW
You must download the GuideAlong app and tour to your phone over WiFi or cellular data beforehand. If you can OPEN your tour and see START TOURING, it is downloaded. No service is required while touring.

FLEXIBLE TRAVEL DATE
There’s no expiry date or time limit for your tour. If your plans change, there’s no need to change your travel date.

CHARGING & SOUND
Use a USB/C car charger adapter in the auxiliary power outlet (cigarette lighter) to keep your phone charged, not the vehicle's USB port. Audio will play through Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and the app’s map will display on your phone. Connect your phone via Bluetooth to listen through the car stereo: guidealong.com/travel-tips-bluetooth/.

HELP & SUPPORT

- FAQs: See the GuideAlong app’s Help menu or online FAQs at guidealong.com/faq.
- Contact GuideAlong Support: Call toll-free 1866-477-1791, chat online at guidealong.com, or email info@guidealong.com.