Hiking in Yosemite National Park
Experience Overview
Follow your feet on this 6-day hiking tour that shows off the very best of Yosemite National Park. Giant sequoia trees, the massive Half Dome rock, stunning views from the top of Sentinel Dome and thunderous waterfalls of the appropriately named Mist Trail – this hiking trip covers a lot of ground in a short time. Best of all, you get to experience Yosemite with a bit of comfort, thanks to transportation to and from the trailheads and accommodation close to the park’s entrance. But this trip is more than just pretty sights – you’ll also learn about the area’s Native American heritage and pioneer past, and about the important work being done to preserve and protect the region.
Highlights
- Enjoy an itinerary designed to show you the very best that Yosemite National Park has to offer, with an expert local leader doing all the navigating for you.
- Hike at your own comfort level with options for alternate routes and a schedule that eases you in – your first hike is an easy one, allowing you to go slow before tackling more serious trails.
- Learn about the important work being done by Yosemite Conservancy, with an educational guided walk through the historic Ahwahnee village, where you’ll learn about Native American heritage and the park’s conservation efforts.
- Take on the challenge of the Four Mile Trail to Sentinel Dome – the views from Glacier Point over Yosemite Valley are some of the very best in the park.
- Get an introduction to Yosemite National Park with a walk through the Tuolumne Grove of Giant Sequoias, passing beneath (and through!) the towering trees.
Trip Details
Product Code: 2547
Tour Type: Small Group
Accommodation: Moderate
Transport: Private vehicle
Guide Language: English
Tour Operator:
Intrepid Travel
Supplier Code: SIXY
Starts: San Francisco, United States Of America
Finishes: Yosemite to San Francisco, United States Of America
Duration: 6 days
Departures: Guaranteed
Physical Rating:
Average
Includes
Meals: Breakfasts (5), Lunch (1),Accommodation: Hotel (1 night),Lodge (4 nights)
Price
Price per person: (Double Occupancy) CAD $3,585 ($598 /day)
Itinerary
Welcome to California! Your adventure begins in San Francisco – The City by the Bay that boasts a beautiful setting and a vibrant, multicultural heart. You’ll have a welcome meeting at 6 pm tonight. If you arrive early, maybe check out the vintage stores along funky Haight Street, catch the tram down to the waterfront or take an adventure cruise on the bay past Alcatraz Island.
Accommodation:
- Hotel (Number of Nights: 1)
This morning, leave San Francisco behind and hit the road headed for the famous Yosemite National Park. After arriving, enjoy the first walk of your trip – an easy, downhill hike at the Tuolumne Grove of Giant Sequoias. The grove is home to, no surprise, a couple dozen mature giant sequoia trees, including one that’s been carved into a tunnel you can walk right through. Of course, what goes down must come back up, but your return upward climb will be rewarded once you arrive at your accommodation. While many visitors to Yosemite stay in campsites, you’ll get to unwind at a rustic mountain lodge within a short drive to the park entrance. Settle into your home for the next few days and soak up the atmosphere.
Included Activities:
- Tuolumne Grove hike
Accommodation:
- Lodge (Number of Nights: 1)
The Mist Trail is Yosemite's signature hike, and today you get to experience it for yourself. Starting from the east of Yosemite Valley you’ll cross the Vernal Fall Footbridge, make your way up granite stairways and zig-zag up rocky switchbacks. The trail gets you right up close to Vernal and Nevada Falls, so be sure to pack your rain gear as you’ll get sprayed! There are also incredible views scattered along the whole route, looking out across the valley toward the iconic Half Dome and rock formation and along the Merced River. In the evening, rest up back at the lodge.
Included Activities:
- Mist Trail signature hike
Accommodation:
- Lodge (Number of Nights: 1)
Today, you’ll take things up a notch with a walk along Yosemite’s Four Mile Trail. Start at the base of Sentinel Rock, then make your way to the top of Yosemite Valley. A consistent, steep gradient means the trail is certainly not a regular walk in the park, but the views of the valley, El Capitan, Half Dome and Yosemite Falls from the top of Sentinel Dome are more than worth the effort. Once you’ve finished the walk, head back to your accommodation to rest up!
Included Activities:
- Four Mile Trail to Sentinel Dome hike
Accommodation:
- Lodge (Number of Nights: 1)
Today is slightly different, with a free morning for you to enjoy your way. Head to Yosemite Valley for more hiking on your own, or perhaps to visit local museums, rent a bike or anything else that interests you. Your tour leader will be able to help you with arrangements. In the afternoon, your group will rendezvous for an included walk with an expert guide from Yosemite Conservancy. This is a unique opportunity to learn about the important work the group does for the Native American community and preserving their culture within the park. As you walk from the historic Ahwahnee Hotel through the meadows of Yosemite Valley and past the ruins of an old pioneer village, you’ll hear Native American stories and history, and learn about Yosemite’s role in the country’s conservationist movement. Your guided walk will end at the Yosemite Valley Lodge, where your leader will be waiting to transport you back to the lodge for your final night.
Included Activities:
- The Ahwahnee historic lodge visit
- Yosemite Valley Conservancy exclusive walk
Optional Activities:
- Yosemite Valley Bike Rental Half Day (30 USD)
Accommodation:
- Lodge (Number of Nights: 1)
After saying fond farewells to Yosemite, you’ll head west to vibrant San Francisco. Stop in at a local restaurant along the way for a final lunch with your group, then continue on to do a walk over the iconic Golden Gate Bridge. Your adventure then finishes upon arrival in San Francisco at around 3 pm. No accommodation is provided for tonight, but if you do wish to spend extra time in the city, just speak to your booking agent.
Included Activities:
- San Francisco - Golden Gate Bridge walk
Similar Tours
Tour Operator
Intrepid Travel
Intrepid Travel is a global adventure travel company, dedicated to providing sustainable, experience-rich travel opportunities. They’ve been the leader in ethical, small-group travel since 1989 - taking people around the world for more than 30 years. They’re the world’s largest travel B Corporation - dedicated to being the best travel company for the world. In 2002, they established The Intrepid Foundation so their travellers could make a lasting impact on the communities they had visited. Although Intrepid Travel absorbs all administrative costs of The Intrepid Foundation, they are separate legal entities, allowing The Intrepid Foundation to grow independently. Intrepid Travel is made up of a collection of tour operator brands and 28 destination management companies all united by one vision: To change the way we all see the world.
In Business Since 1989
Reviews
Helen - Traveled, October 2023
Really enjoyed the trip - Lana our guide was fantastic, and we saw a lot of the park with a busy (but manageable) itinerary. Our group (reasonably fit people from their 20s to their 70s) were able to go at our own speeds, so we were all able to enjoy the hikes.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 10/26/2023
Eleanor - Traveled, October 2023
I’d definitely recommend this Yosemite hiking trip as it gives you time to properly explore the park and see all that it has to offer. The hikes weren’t too challenging which made for nice days out. We were busy from early in the morning until the evening so we definitely got our moneys worth. Our guide was excellent and made the experience very enjoyable.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 10/16/2023
Lindsey - Traveled, October 2023
I highly recommend this trip if you want to visit Yosemite and hike in a group. This trip includes the meadow, high country, and the Mist Trail (just to name a few highlights). We went in October when the trails weren’t as crowded compared to the summer and saw some fall foliage. Lana was a great guide. She brought tons of knowledge, patience, and enthusiasm to the group. I’m glad I did this trip.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 10/16/2023
John - Traveled, September 2023
This was an unforgettable trip - Yosemite was amazing, but it was our tour guide who brought the place to life and made each and every day so much fun.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 10/02/2023
Linda - Traveled, September 2023
Amazing time. Joseph was an incredible leader. Enjoyed having a small group of solo travelers. Will definitely book with Intrepid again.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 09/18/2023
William - Traveled, September 2023
This was my first small group trip. Low cost and well organized. I was there to see a National Park, not a 5 star hotel. Get in shape for this trip, lots of hiking.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 09/27/2023
Cynthia - Traveled, August 2023
Kate was an absolute pleasure to travel with as our leader. Her excitement to show us her favourite locations, and passion for the park made this trip very special. Was a small group, which could have been a challenge, but it ended up being a good blend of personalities. Felt like she contributed to the vibe of the group while still taking the lead in an environment she felt very comfortable in. Made us all feel comfortable and share in her enthusiasm for Yosemite Park. Highly recommend...and the forced lack of access to wifi at the motel was a treat. A true escape for a week!
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 09/03/2023
Aisling - Traveled, July 2023
This was a superb trip. An excellent way to explore some of Yosemite. The round trip to San Francisco makes it so convenient. The hikes were really enjoyable, they’re well described in the itinerary so we knew what to expect. Our guide Mike most definitely enriched our experience. He is a fountain of knowledge and provided us with so many stories and historical information. He also made sure that we got the most out of each day. I am so thrilled that we chose this option rather than trying to navigate it ourselves. And we feel very lucky to have had Mike as our guide.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 08/05/2023
Rob - Traveled, July 2023
My wife and I’s 6 day trip to Yosemite was one of the best holiday’s I have had in 20 years. The landscape is spectacular, the hikes are great, and the tour was led expertly by our excellent guide Mike Harding. I absolutely recommend the trio.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 08/09/2023
Marie Genevieve - Traveled, July 2023
I had an absolutely wonderful time on this trip! Mike was a first-rate guide, smart, knowledgeable, accommodating, kind, interesting, well organized, fun. I was always the last one to finish the hikes and he was always super responsible and patient. The itinerary was great, we saw gorgeous places in Yosemite, the hikes were challenging but doable. I thoroughly enjoyed myself, got into better shape, felt much less stressed by the end. I totally recommend this trip!
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 08/17/2023
Barbara - Traveled, June 2023
We completed the Yosemite hiking adventure the last week of June 2023. Overall the trip was fabulous: well organized, full days every day, informative and congenial. Our guide Mike was great on all counts, couldn’t have asked for better. As a (reasonably fit, I thought) 70 year old, I would caution that the hikes were more strenuous than we expected. Of course, the 40 years old and younger ladies were all impressively fine. My only criticism was staying at the Cedar Lodge, which was just adequate. And there is spotty cell service in the park; no one’s fault, just be prepared. I would recommend this trip highly to younger hikers.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 07/07/2023
Eleanor - Traveled, June 2023
It was a bucket list experience to visit Yosemite, and this trip lived exceeded my expectations. We had a great group and a fantastic guide who made sure everyone got the most out of the trip.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 06/28/2023
Iris - Traveled, June 2023
Another great trip with Intrepid. Our itinerary had to be adjusted a good bit due to the extreme snow fall amounts in the Sierra Nevadas over the winter and flooding from snow melt. But, our fun, very knowledgable, and enthusiastic guide, Jay, made sure he did all he possibly could to make up for any delays and changes.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 07/03/2023
Carol - Traveled, June 2023
This trip provided a great opportunity to get more than just a cursory view of the park. The hiking was diverse and when the weather or park conditions did not cooperate the tour leader Jay was quick to provide excellent alternatives. The accommodation left a lot to be desired but I'm sure it is selected for the location and the tour leader mitigated that drawback as well. I would highly recommend this trip.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 06/28/2023
Diane - Traveled, September 2022
Yosemite breathtaking. Inaccurate pre trip information re accommodation. Cedar Lodge a motel not updated since the 80s. Food offer dire. No housekeeping service during stay. Unacceptable given price of trip
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 09/28/2022
Jin - Traveled, September 2022
The trip initineray was very well designed and all hikes were incredible. Yosemite is simply gorgeous! Hotel at Yosemite could be better though (it's not the same as shown in booking information). The team leader need to improve his professional enthusiasm and knowledge. The trip would be more pleasant if he could be more attentive and 'be there'.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 09/28/2022
Leanna - Traveled, July 2022
If you are looking for an in-depth experience in Yosemite National Park, this is the trip for you. I got to see several different areas of the park and complete some challenging hikes. Phil was a knowledgeable and helpful guide who made all parts of the trip flow together seamlessly. Accommodation at the Cedar Lodge was comfortable and close to the park entrance. I highly recommend this trip!
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 07/29/2022
Michael - Traveled, July 2022
Yosemite Hiking trip was amazing! Stunning park, two great classic hikes, Mist Trail and Cathedral Lakes plus so much more! Guide Phil was excellent, professional, so knowledgable and great driver. Could not do all this on your own, definitely recommend this trip.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 07/26/2022
Mattias - Traveled, June 2022
The trip was a blast! Our guide was really informative and fun to talk to! He made even the toughest parts of the hike fun.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 07/02/2022
Chris - Traveled, June 2022
We were a family of 4. The walks and scenery of Yosemite were beautiful. Our guide made it incredibly enjoyable and we can't wait to revisit the states in the near future!
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 07/04/2022
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