Hiking in Yosemite National Park
Hiking in Yosemite National Park
Hiking in Yosemite National Park
5 Days Starting and ending in San Francisco
Visiting: San Francisco to Yosemite National Park, Yosemite National Park – Cathedral Lakes, Yosemite National Park – Mist Trail, Yosemite National Park, Hetch Hetchy Reservoir to San Francisco
Tour operator:
Tour code:
SIXY
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Group size:
1 - 12
Physical rating:
Medium, Medium
Age range:
15-99 years
Trip Styles:
Interests:
Activities:
From:
$2395
$2212 (USD)
Operator discount: -$120
The Big ADVENTURE Sale: -$63
Tour Overview
Follow your feet on this 5-day walking tour that shows off the very best of Yosemite National Park. From giant sequoia trees, to the stunning Cathedral Lakes, to the massive Half Dome rock 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 in a cosy mountain lodge. 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
Itinerary
Day 1: San Francisco To Yosemite National Park
Location: San Francisco to Yosemite National Park
Accommodation: Lodge
Meals Included: lunch
Welcome to California! Your adventure begins with a welcome meeting at 8 am this morning in San Francisco. It’s recommended you arrive early, as after the meeting we'll head oft for the famous Yosemite National Park, with a lunch stop along the way at the historic Iron Door Saloon, the oldest continuously operating saloon in California, dating back to the mid-1800s. Be sure to check out the saloon’s old photos of the Hetch Hetchy valley and collection of antique gold mining tools. Look around closely and you might even spot a few stray bullet holes in the walls. After lunch, enjoy your first walk today – 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 charming mountain lodge within a short drive to the park entrance. Settle into your home for the next few days and soak up the rustic atmosphere.
Included Activities:
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Day 2: Yosemite National Park – Cathedral Lakes
Location: Yosemite National Park – Cathedral Lakes
Accommodation: Lodge
Meals Included: breaksfast
It’s an early start today to the trailhead for the famous Cathedral Lakes, approximately 2 hours away by vehicle. It’s all worth it though, as this hike reveals some of the most impressive views in the High Sierra. Soak up the jaw-dropping, high-altitude scenery of the Lower and/or Upper Cathedral lakes that are worth every step of your 3- to 5-hour hike. If you’re concerned about difficulty and altitude levels, don’t worry – you’ll be given a choice of different routes, depending on the group’s comfort and abilities.
Included Activities:
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Day 3: Yosemite National Park – Mist Trail
Location: Yosemite National Park – Mist Trail
Accommodation: Lodge
Meals Included: breaksfast
Today’s drive to the start of the trail is shorter (approximately 1 hour), but the hike is no less incredible. The Mist Trail is Yosemite's signature hike, for good reason. While many of the park’s hikes leave the best views for the end, this trail is scattered with fabulous views along the whole route, including a few waterfalls (be sure to pack your rain gear as the falls are close to the trail and you will get sprayed). You’ll also get to see Yosemite’s iconic Half Dome rock formation. It was once believed that the Half Dome was completely inaccessible to climbers, until George Anderson reached the summit in 1875. Over a century later, famed climber Alex Honnold, star of the 2017 documentary Free Solo, would hold the record for the fastest ascent of the Half Dome’s Regular Northwest Face route – the first Grade IV climb in the USA. In the evening, rest up back at the lodge.
Included Activities:
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Day 4: Yosemite National Park
Location: Yosemite National Park
Accommodation: Lodge
Meals Included: breaksfast
Today is slightly different, with a free morning for you to enjoy your way. You can take a shuttle to Yosemite Valley for more hiking on your own, or perhaps to visit local museums, rent a bike or anything else that interests you. Or, you may want to sign up for white water rafting (additional cost). 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:
-
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Day 5: Hetch Hetchy Reservoir To San Francisco
Location: Hetch Hetchy Reservoir to San Francisco
Meals Included: breaksfast
For your last day, enjoy a short hike on the shores of the beautiful Hetch Hetchy Reservoir. Not only is this area stunning to see, but it’s also an important historic site for conservationists – controversy surrounding the construction of the Hetch Hetchy Dam helped lead to the creation of the US National Park Service in 1916. You’ll then drive back to San Francisco, aiming to arrive around 5 pm to 6 pm, at which point your Yosemite adventure ends and you are free to begin your trip home at your leisure. If you require an additional night’s accommodation in San Francisco, we can arrange that for you.
Included Activities:
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What's Included
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Iron Door Saloon visit
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Mist Trail signature hike
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Cathedral Lakes hike
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Tuolumne Grove hike
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The Ahwahnee historic lodge visit
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Hetch Hetchy Reservoir walk
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Yosemite Valley Conservancy exclusive walk
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Meals
5 breakfasts, 1 lunches, 1 dinners
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Accommodation
Hotel (5 nights)
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Transport
Private vehicle
What's Not Included
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Tipping and Gratuities
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International Travel
Transport
- AIRPORT TRANSFERS IN THE USA & CANADA
- We recommend taxis and rideshare services like Lyft and Uber when traveling to and from hotels in the USA and Canada. These services are widely available across North America, offering convenient and accessible transportation options. Private transfers in North America incur high costs and present an increased risk of missed connections due to their fixed schedules. In contrast, taxis and rideshares offer both cost-effectiveness and flexibility, ensuring a smoother journey. With transparent pricing, GPS tracking, and on-demand availability, we believe that taxis and rideshare apps not only offer a reliable alternative to private transfers but also provide a secure, trustworthy, and budget-friendly transportation option for our customers.
- NORTH AMERICA VEHICLES
- Our large fleet of 15-passenger vans are fully equipped with air-conditioning system, V8 engines and any camping or cooking equipment needed for your trip. Most have cloth-upholstered seats and carpeted interior with radio or CD players. Your luggage is typically transported in a trailer which is towed behind the van.
- The vans are regularly serviced by a well-established network of maintenance and service facilities throughout the continent. However, unforeseen maintenance problems can still occur while on the road and we appreciate the patience of our travellers as we make necessary repairs as quickly as possible.
- While your group will have a van for all included activities on the trip, the services of the van and leader may not be available for your use during free time, or after you have arrived for the day. If you need a special trip into town you may need to arrange transport or a taxi.
Accommodation
- The style of accommodation indicated in the day-to-day itinerary is a guideline only and may change. On some occasions, alternative arrangements may need to be made due to the lack of availability of rooms in our preferred accommodation. In these cases, we will use a similar standard of accommodation.
- Throughout the trip, we request that our properties prepare rooms in time for our arrival, especially if we're arriving prior to normal check-in time. However, this isn't always possible which means we won't be able to check-in immediately on arrival at some hotels. Instead, we can store our luggage and explore our new destination or on some trips, have use of shared day rooms until all rooms are available.
Important Information
- 1. Your adventure begins with a welcome meeting at 8am on Day 1 in San Francisco. Please see Joining Point Hotel listed in the Essential Trip Information for this itinerary.
- 2. You are expected to arrive back into San Francisco around 5pm and dropped off at the same location as the joining point on the final day. There is no accommodation included on the last day in San Francisco, however we can request any additional nights should you need them.
- 3. A single supplement is available for this trip. The single supplement applies to all nights on your trip and is subject to availability. Please speak to your booking agent for further information.
Check out our Q&As
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Are all entrance fees included in the price?
Yes, except optional activities
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Are the local guides on the tour English speaking?
Yes
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Are airport transfers included in this tour?
No
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Are children permitted to take part in the tour?
Yes if aged 15+ and accompanied by an adult
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Is this trip right for you
This is a walking trip; a good fitness level will help you enjoying all included walks and activities. We will walk up to 8 miles (12.5 km) per day, with elevation gain of 600 metres.
Yosemite National Park boasts warm summers but be prepared for colder evenings and possibly rainy days. Good clothing and appropriate footwear are a must.
On our final day we will reach San Francisco between 5 pm and 6 pm. This night’s accommodation is not included so please plan your departure accordingly, or pre-book a post-tour night.
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Are international flights included in this tour?
No
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What policies are in place for Covid-19?
Please contact us for latest COVID-19 policies
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How long has the tour company been trading?
Intrepid Travel has been taking travellers around the world for over 30 years
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Will the accommodation included meet local health and safety regulations?
Yes
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What Ethical Travel credentials does the tour company have?
Since 2002, The Intrepid Foundation has supported over 130 organisations across the world. We’re creating positive impact through the joy of travel, community and connection.
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Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?
Over 50% of traveller travel solo with Intrepid. You can choose to share a room with another solo travelle of the same sex for no additional charge, or choose to pay a single supplement if you’d like your own room. Please request this when booking, and we will secure you a single supplement wherever possible. Please note, if you are booking a last-minute trip, it may be harder for us to secure a single room
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Free Date Changes
Intrepid Travel allows you to make 10 free date changes, as long as the change is made at least 56 days before the start of the tour.
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Transfer as credit to Future Tours
Intrepid Travel allows you to transfer existing payments to a future tour to avoid cancellation fees if you can't travel and inform intrepid travel, 56 days before departure.
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Low Deposit
Intrepid Travel requires a minimum deposit of 400 USD per person or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 56 days before departure.
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Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of intrepid travel charges.
Up to 56 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.
At 55 days before tour starts: Forfeit 30% of booking price.
At 30 days before tour starts: Forfeit 60% of booking price.
At 14 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.
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COVID Protection
Trips from 1 January 2023 onwards
From 1 January 2023, Intrepid will no longer require travellers to provide proof of vaccination against COVID-19.
However, we continue to strongly recommend that all travellers and leaders get vaccinated to protect themselves and other Specific proof of testing or vaccination may still be required by your destination or airline. Please ensure you check travel and entry requirements carefully.
This policy excludes all Polar trips and select adventure cruises, where testing and vaccination remains a requirement. Please refer to the Essential Trip Information of your chosen tour for more details. -
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