Hiking the Best of Yosemite National Park

57hours is committed to providing safe outdoor adventure experiences. We require all guides using our platform to have a COVID-19 safety plan and to make the details of that plan accessible to travelers. In most cases, group sizes will be reduced, guides will avoid overcrowded locations, and other safety measures will be met depending on the location and activity.

We also expect clients to respect local regulations and take measures to protect themselves, guides and the communities they’re travelling to. For more information on COVID-19 measures in Yosemite, CA, please refer to the Government of California website.

Please contact us if you have any questions or require further information. We are happy to provide you with the most up-to-date information!

What you get on this adventure:

• A professional, knowledgeable, medically-trained, Yosemite hiking guide
• All meals indicated in itinerary
• Tent, sleeping pad, and group camping equipment
• Round-trip transportation from the meeting point to Yosemite
• Park entry fee

What’s not included:

• Accommodation prior and after the trip
• Meals not indicated in the itinerary
• Sleeping bag—available for rent
• Personal camping gear
• Transportation to the meeting point

These hiking adventures are best for intermediate to advanced hikers. Intermediate hikes will see a little more change in elevation and hikes will start to increase in length, hiking anywhere between four to eight miles. Advanced hikes are full day treks with steep descents and challenging switchbacks. You will hike 3-9 miles per day with a 25-35 lbs backpack.

It is highly recommended you have some previous recent wilderness backpacking experience and previous hiking experience with the ability to hike up to 10 miles a day. You should have the ability to carry an overnight backpack for up to 10 miles a day for multiple days in a row. Very good physical condition is required. Keep in mind, the weather in summer can be very hot and you’ll also be packing a daypack filled with water and other things you’ll need throughout the day. 

Here’s a list of the equipment you need to bring:

• Day pack (15-30 L)
• Luggage (can be left in the vehicle, 1 small suitcase per person)
• Sleeping bag (rated to 20 degrees or below)
• Cotton or silk sleeping bag liner (optional)
• Travel pillow
• Water bottle or hydration bladder (2L capacity)
• Lightweight hiking boots or shoes
• Outer waterproof shell jacket (hard shell) with hood
• Hiking pant (soft shell)
• Lightweight long underwear baselayer bottom
• Lightweight long underwear baselayer top
• Insulating layer – midweight
• Insulated down or synthetic jacket
• Synthetic T-shirt
• Socks and underwear
• Camp shoes or sandals
• Comfortable clothes for camp
• Sunhat
• Warm hat
• Towel
• Sunglasses
• Ear plugs — optional
• Flashlight or a headlamp
• Toiletries (sunscreen, hand sanitizer, bug spray, toilet paper, etc.)
• Eating utensils and a lightweight bowl — can be provided by the guide
• Pocket knife
• Swimwear — optional
• Flip flops — optional
• Camera — optional (but recommended)

Group sizes and pricing:

• The tours listed above are not private and pricing is per person. 
• The standard group size on these Yosemite hiking tours is eight guests to one guide, but larger groups can be accommodated.
• It takes a minimum of 4 participants for the tour to run.
• Price is based on double occupancy accommodations. Single supplement is available for an additional $200 per person.

Custom dates for this guided Yosemite hiking tours are possible. If you’re traveling with a larger party, contact us prior to booking to make arrangements. 

Min. age requirement:

• Everybody over the age of 18 is welcome to book this hiking adventure.

If you plan to hike with anyone under the age of 18, please contact us prior to booking to make arrangements.

A 35% deposit is due upon booking. The remaining amount is paid the latest 2 months (60 days) prior to departure. Once the trip is confirmed by the guide, the cancellation policy stated below applies.

• Cancellations made more than 30 days before the trip start date will receive a refund, less a 20% cancellation fee.
• Cancellations made within 30 days of a trip start date will receive no refund.

Your guide is not responsible for the cost of any flight changes or additional travel expenses if a participant is requested to change trip dates for safety reasons. Depending on current travel restrictions, participants may be asked to provide a negative COVID test upon arrival for a trip.

To get to Yosemite, most people fly into Sacramento International Airport (SMF) which is around three hours away from the park. Another option is flying into the San Francisco International Airport (SFO), just over over four hours away from the park. 

If you choose to arrive at San Francisco International Airport by 11:00 AM PST on Day 1, your guide will pick you up shortly after arrival. Alternatively, your guide can collect you from your accommodation or another central point in San Francisco (within 30 minutes of airport) by 10:00 AM EST if you choose to arrive a day early.

Your guide will transport the group to the airport to arrive by 2:00 PM PST on Day 5. Please plan a departure after that time. Alternatively, if you’d prefer to book a hotel, please be prepared to find personal transportation from the airport.