Much Better Adventures

Adventures / Epic Treks

Hike the Valleys and Peaks of Yosemite National Park

Lace up your boots to hit secluded trails through iconic Yosemite

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Trip Ref #10112

Adventures / Epic Treks

Hike the Valleys and Peaks of Yosemite National Park

Lace up your boots to hit secluded trails through iconic Yosemite

DURATION
3 nights
LOCATION
United States
ANNUAL LEAVE
2 days off work
SEASON
Apr-Oct
GROUP SIZE
Up to 9 people
MEETING POINT
San Francisco Airport, California
ACCOMMODATION
Campsite · Cabin
DIFFICULTY
Moderate

Anyone with good fitness levels and a love of the great outdoors

Spend 2 full days hiking secluded trails along the Yosemite valley and camping under the stars

See some of Yosemite's big-hitters; El Capitan & Vernal Falls and get up close to giant 3000 year old sequoia trees

Explore the Yosemite valley floor before ascending to new heights to see the valley from iconic lookout points.

Included

Guides

Expert, medically-trained naturalist guides with wilderness first responder training

Accommodation

2 nights camping and one night in a peaceful cedar cabin

Meals

Delicious fresh food included throughout

Transfers

To and from the airport (or your accommodation in San Francisco) and everything in-between

Equipment

All you need for on the trail camping

Permits

All national park entry fees and permits

Not Included

Flights to and from the meeting point

Travel insurance

Personal expenses

Tips for your guides

The Area

Logistics

Starts

San Francisco International Airport (SFO)

12pm on Day 1

Ends

San Francisco International Airport (SFO)

4pm on Day 4

Transfers

Your host will meet you at San Francisco International Airport, California at 12 pm so please book a flight that arrives before 11.30 am. Alternatively, you can be collected at your accommodation in San Francisco at around 10.30 am if you are already in town.

Your trip ends back at San Francisco International Airport where your host will drop you off at 4 pm. Book any flight that leaves after 5.30 pm to ensure you have enough time to check-in. Alternatively you can be dropped at your accommodation in San Francisco if you are staying on.

Travel options

There are direct flights to San Francisco International Airport (SFO) from all over the US and major hubs in Europe.

What about all the carbon?

We mitigate 4x the carbon generated by all our customer flights annually through our partnership with Cool Earth.

Day 1

Campsite · Twin share

Breakfast

Lunch

Dinner

Day 2

Campsite · Twin share

Breakfast

Lunch

Dinner

Day 3

Cabin · Twin share

Breakfast

Lunch

Dinner

Day 4

Departure day

Breakfast

Lunch

Dinner

What is the food like?

Evening meals around the campfire will be based around rice and pasta dishes with fresh vegetables. For breakfast there will be eggs, pancakes and fruit. Lunches will be meat-based sandwiches unless you request a vegan/vegetarian option. During the adventure you'll be kept full of delicious, local snacks. Water, tea and coffee are provided as well as wine and beer in the evenings.

Vegetarian, vegan and other dietary requirements can be accommodated - just request when booking

What is the accommodation like?

Campsite

You will camp in one of Yosemite's historic campgrounds, located in Central California's rugged Sierra Nevada Mountain Range. You'll camp under the stars, amongst the Giant Sequoias, near waterfalls, sheer granite cliffs, deep valleys, grand meadows, and more. Campsites are equipped with flush toilets, vault toilets, and drinking water. Each campsite contains a picnic table, fire ring, and a food storage locker.

Yosemite Pines Cabins

You'll stay in cedar wood cabins set amongst pine trees at a site just outside the national park. The cabins are comfortable with air conditioning, water coolers and coffee makers. Your cabin has a veranda, picnic area and fire pits ready for classic American campfire evenings after your days spent hiking in Yosemite.

Upgrades

For solo travellers looking for their own space, an optional private room can be booked for an extra charge, see Optional Extras for the price. Please request this at the time of booking (this is subject to availability).

Day 1

Hit the road to Yosemite and hike amongst giant sequoias

Hiking

2-3 hours · 7-8km · 150m up · 150m down

Your adventure begins at San Francisco airport where you'll be met by your host. Together with your fellow adventurers you’ll jump in the van and hit the road for a couple of hours over to Yosemite National Park. In the afternoon you'll enjoy a warm up hike in Mariposa Grove, the largest sequioa grove in Yosemite with over 500 mature giant sequioas where you can get up close to these iconic trees.

This evening you will set up camp and enjoy a camp dinner as you prepare for your big day in the valley tomorrow.

Day 2

Hike the Yosemite valley floor to the big hitters

Hiking

6-8hrs · 16km · 900m up · 900m down

After a big campsite breakfast you'll spend a full day exploring the Yosemite Valley floor. Your route packs in some of the park's most famous sites - El Capitan, Half Dome, and Yosemite Falls - towering above you as you hike around the winding trails. Throughout the day, your guide will share stories of the area and the park's history while keeping an eye out for unique flora and fauna.

Day 3

Hike up to see the park from above

Hiking

6-8hrs · 16km · 610m up · 610m down

Today you'll take on a more challenging trail to see the park from high above. Depending on conditions, your hike may be Yosemite Falls, the Four Mile Trail to Glacier Point, or a hike to Vernal Falls. Expect to take on some serious elevation as you ascend to new heights and see the valley from some iconic viewpoints. Tonight you'll enjoy a final dinner around the campfire, hearing Yosemite stories and maybe the odd bear-encounter tale from your guides!

Day 4

Farewell Yosemite

Hiking

2-3hrs · 7-8km · 150m up · 150m down

After a final campsite breakfast, you'll pack up and head out on one last hike nearby to soak up the last of Yosemite, for this trip at least. Jump back in the van for the drive back to San Francisco in time for any onward travel.

Please Note

All our adventures take place in wild places. Things can go wrong in wild places. Your perfectly planned itinerary may change a bit (or a lot) if the weather turns, someone gets hurt, or a volcano erupts. Usually though, changes make it all the better.

15% Off Outdoor Gear

In need of a few more items? All bookings receive a 15% discount on us to use at Cotswold Outdoor, Snow + Rock, Runner's Need, and Cycle Surgery.

What's included?

All your camping equipment including tent, sleeping mat and cooking items.

What's available to hire?

  • Sleeping bag (see Optional Extras for prices)

What do I need to bring?

Bags

  • Soft overnight duffel bag or rucksack
  • Daypack (35+ litres)
  • Waterproof liner for kitbag or rucksack / drybags

Clothes

  • Waterproof jacket
  • Waterproof trousers
  • Breathable wicking layers
  • Fleece jacket or similar
  • Warm hat
  • Buff or neckscarf
  • Lightweight trousers/shorts / skirts
  • T-shirts
  • Underwear & socks
  • Sunglasses
  • Sunhat
  • Something to sleep in
  • Hiking boots (worn-in)
  • Sandals

Sleeping

  • Sleeping bag (2-3 season). Also available to hire.
  • Cotton or silk sleeping bag liner (optional)
  • Travel pillow or pillowcase (optional)

Other

  • Padlock for left luggage
  • Universal travel plug adapter
  • Travel Insurance documents
  • Ear plugs
  • Insect repellant
  • Suncream
  • Personal first-aid kit (inc. blister treatment)
  • Personal items (biodegradable toiletries, hand-gel sanitary wear etc)
  • Toilet kit (toilet paper, biodegradable bags to carry out)
  • Quick-dry towel
  • Headtorch or torch
  • Reusable water bottle x1 ltr
  • Energy bars and snacks

This adventure is for anyone with a basic level of fitness. While the days hiking in the park are fairly long - up to 8 hours - the trails are easy with plenty of stops. Day 3 involves a fair bit of ascending so is more of a challenge, however the pace is easy going and you'll be stopping often to marvel at Yosemite's sweeping vistas.

Sure can! Over 50% of our travellers travel solo, it’s a great way to meet like-minded people.

Tips are not included in the trip cost. The amount to tip is entirely at your discretion but there is an expectation to tip in the USA; your guides will rely on tips for a considerable portion of their income.

We suggest to budget for 10-20% of the trip cost as a guideline.

There is drinking water available at your accomodation on nights 1 and 3.

The hiking route has several water re-supply points, so you just need to bring reusable water bottles to fill up throughout the hike and for the overnight in the backcountry.

In July and August you can expect cool mornings followed by warm pleasant daytime temperatures. Summer days are typically sunny, with an occasional thunderstorm. Daytime highs are mostly in the 70s Faranheit (20-25 celcius), occasionally creeping up to the 80s (late twenties celcius)

September is a little cooler particularly in the mornings and evenings while camping out, so bring extra layers.

We’ve teamed up with the guys at World Nomads to offer insurance designed for adventurous travellers across 140 countries that includes overseas medical, evacuation, baggage and a range of adventure sports and activities. To get yours sorted, click here.

We suggest that you book travel insurance as soon as you book the trip, just to cover you for any last minute life changes. We know you’re an active lot and injuries do happen!

All of our group adventures are especially designed for adults to enjoy (18+) as we want these adventures to bring together outdoorsy people who are truly like-minded.

"I cannot recommend this highly enough! The people on the trip were amazing. Easily the best trip I've ever been on!" Charlotte, 2019, Trustpilot.

We automatically convert prices from the local currency that a host receives to your chosen currency. We update our exchange rates on a daily basis so this does mean that prices displayed on the site are subject to currency fluctuations, which is why you may see them change over time.

If you wish to change the currency you pay in, head to the bottom of the page.

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Transferrable Deposits

Cancel up to 60 days before departure and we'll transfer your deposit into credit for a future booking.

Free Date Changes

Free date changes up to 60 days before departure.

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