Discover Yosemite on Private Day Hikes

What you get on this adventure:

• • Experienced, Yosemite hiking guide(s) with extensive knowledge of the area
  • Private full-day (6-8 hours) hike in the Yosemite National Park (specific location depends on the chosen itinerary)
  • First aid kit, water purification methods, toilet paper (for emergencies), sunblock and bug repellent

What’s not included:

• • Transportation to and from the meeting point (pick-up and drop-off from your hotel can be arranged) 
  • Accommodation before and after the adventure — if applicable
  • Lunch and snacks
  • Travel/medical insurance — recommended
  • Park entry fee
  • Guide gratuities 

These Yosemite full-day hiking tours vary in difficulty, but all require at least some hiking experience. The Yosemite Valley and Tuolumne Meadows tours are perfect for beginners. They usually involve between 6 and 10 miles (9.7-16 km) of hiking and are highly customizable, which will affect the actual distances and elevation gains. 

A little more strenuous is the Glacier Point and Beyond tour and not because of the mileage (which is roughly the same as with the last two tours), but because the first mile of the hike will involve a pretty sharp uphill section, with a total elevation gain of 1,150 ft (350 m). 

The Yosemite’s Waterfalls and Mount Hoffman tours are much more strenuous and require strong hiking experience from participants. The first one usually involves around 7 miles (11.3 km) of hiking, but with an elevation gain of 2,585 ft (788 m). Reaching the top of Mount Hoffman, on the other hand, involves 11 miles (17.7 km) of hiking, with an elevation gain of 2,700 ft (823 m). It’s also important to add that the high point during the Mount Hoffman hike will be at 10,850 ft (3,307 m), so some prior acclimatization is recommended especially for this tour.

Please keep in mind that temperatures can get very high in the summer. Your Yosemite hiking guide(s) will always be by your side during hikes and will notice if it gets too strenuous for anyone, making frequent breaks.

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

• • Water bottle or hydration bladder (2L capacity)
  • Lightweight hiking boots or shoes with good ankle support
  • Trekking poles — recommended 
  • Daypack large enough to fit everything you may need in a day
  • Lunch and snacks (trail mix, energy bars, dry fruit etc.)
  • Light waterproof rain jacket
  • Fleece/warm wool jacket
  • Lightweight hiking pants/shorts
  • Sunhat
  • Swimwear and small towel
  • Personal medication
  • Toiletries (sunscreen, hand sanitizer, bug spray, toilet paper, etc.)
  • Headlamp or flashlight
  • Sunglasses
  • Camera — optional (but recommended)

Dress comfortably and according to the season. Make sure to keep an eye on the weather forecast and adjust your packing list accordingly. Layers are best and don’t wear jeans.

Group sizes and prices:

• For these private adventures, the maximum client-to-guide ratio is 5:1. 
• These Yosemite hiking tours are open for solo hikers and private groups between 2 and 8 participants. 
• The cost decreases as the group grows, so it’s a perfect chance to travel with friends and family! 

Yosemite day hikes can be arranged for larger groups. Contact us to make arrangements.

Min. age requirements:

• If you are older than 18, you’re good to go.
• These guided Yosemite day hikes are family-friendly! Children are welcome to join, but must be in the presence of a parent or legal guardian. 

To get to Yosemite, most people fly into Sacramento International Airport which is around three hours away from the park or the Fresno/Yosemite International Airport which is also three hours away. Another option is flying into the San Francisco International Airport, just over four hours away from the park. From here, you can rent a car or take a shuttle service. 

For the Yosemite Valley and the Yosemite’s Waterfalls Tour, you will meet your Yosemite hiking guide at the Curry Village Tour Kiosk at 8am. 

For the Tuolumne Meadows Tour, you will meet your guide at the Lembert Dome Picnic Area at 9am. 

For the Glacier Point and Beyond tour, you will meet your guide at the Glacier Point Parking Lot at 9am. 

For the Mount Hoffman Tour, you will meet your guide at the Sunrise Lake Trailhead at 8 am. 

Please note that the driving time will vary somewhat depending on the itinerary you choose as they have different meeting points. If arriving the day before, we suggest finding accommodation in Curry Village, Yosemite Village, Foresta, or El Portal. 

Transportation from your hotel to the meeting point and back can be arranged for an added fee of $300 or $400 for your entire group (depending on your distance from the route). This option may not always be possible, but is generally a good option for anyone located within a 1-hour drive from the route. You’ll be able to leave a note for your guide with a pick-up location during booking or you can contact us prior to booking to make arrangements.

We highly recommend that you cover all your bases with both emergency medical and travel insurance. With medical insurance, if you have an accident or medical emergency in the wilderness, you’ll avoid paying out of pocket for costly expenses. This covers everything from hospital treatments to emergency air transportation and more.

Travel insurance covers canceled flights, natural disasters and other scenarios that may interrupt your travel plans. 

We also expect you to respect local regulations and take measures to protect yourselves, your guides, and the communities you’re traveling to. 

If you need assistance selecting the right insurance for your group, let us know and we will be happy to help!