Meet your guide in the parking area in front of the White Wolf Lodge/Campsite at 4 pm. Get acquainted with the group and gear. If time allows before dinner, we’ll explore some of the area’s hidden gems, like the tranquil meadows or nearby trails. Enjoy dinner with the group and camp at the White Wolf Backpacker’s Camp at approximately 8,000 ft (2,438 m).
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Explore the hidden beauty of Yosemite's Grand Canyon of the Tuolumne on this guided backpacking tour. Discover rushing waterfalls, tranquil pools, and the majestic Tuolumne Meadows. It’s a 5-day adventure, with all permits, meals, and equipment provided. Immerse yourself in nature, surrounded by granite domes and peaks, as the pure waters of the Tuolumne River carve through the 3,000-foot-deep canyon. This trip is perfect for water lovers and those seeking to visit a less-visited area of the park.
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After breakfast, we’ll go on a long but mostly downhill 10.5-mile hike dropping over 3,500 feet (1,067 m) into Pate Valley (4,380 ft/1,335 m) on the western end of the Grand Canyon of the Tuolumne. We’ll descend through diverse terrain, from dense forests to open vistas, soaking in the breathtaking scenery along the way. Once we’ve reached your campsite, we’ll set up our tents and enjoy a delicious dinner.
Meals: Lunch, and dinner
Hiking: 10.5 mi (16.9 km)
Elevation: +100 ft, -3,600 ft (+30 m, -1,097 m)
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Today’s journey begins after breakfast, with a hike along the Tuolumne River, gradually ascending eastward. Our group will follow the river’s winding path, offering dramatic views of granite walls and cascading waterfalls. We’ll hike approximately for 7 miles (11.3 km) to a picturesque riverfront campsite nestled within the canyon’s granite walls, across from the captivating Cathedral Creek cascades into the Tuolumne. At the end of the day, we’ll enjoy another great dinner before retreating to our tents.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
Hiking: 6.9 mi (11.1 km)
Elevation: +1,600 ft, -350 ft (+488 m, -107 m)
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After the regular morning activities, we’ll continue our trek up the Tuolumne, passing famous spillways such as Waterwheel Falls, LeConte Falls, and California Falls. We’ll arrive at Glen Aulin High Sierra Camp (7,980 ft/2,432 m), where we’ll have time to relax along the beach below before witnessing a spectacular sunset from a nearby bluff. What a way to finish the day!
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
Hiking: 6.5 mi (10.5 km)
Elevation: +2,250 ft (+686 m)
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After breakfast and breaking down your tents, our group will start the last hike of the adventure—departing the Tuolumne River gorge and ascending into the expansive Tuolumne Meadows (8,600 ft/2,621 m). We’ll hike for 5,5 miles (8.9 km) with breaks at prime water holes and serene lakes. Upon reaching the Tuolumne Meadows, we’ll catch a shuttle back to the vehicles at White Wolf. Expected ending time is between 12 pm-2 pm. Say goodbye to your Yosemite hiking guide, fellow hikers, and Yosemite—or continue touring on your own.
Meals: Breakfast and lunch
Hiking: 5.5 mi (8.9 km)
Elevation: +700 ft (+213 m)
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What you get on this adventure:
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- Experienced, Yosemite hiking/backpacking guide(s) with extensive knowledge of the area
- A 5-day or 6-day Yosemite hiking & camping tours (depending on your chosen itinerary)
- Backpacking permits
- Required Park Reservations
- Meals during the adventure (as indicated in the itinerary)
- Personal backpacking equipment — backpacks, single-person tents, sleeping bags, pads, trekking poles, eating utensils (upon request)
- Group camping equipment
- Overnights at camping sites
- All transit during the adventure
What’s not included:
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- Transportation to and from the meeting point
- Accommodation before and after the adventure — if applicable
- Travel/medical insurance — recommended
- Park entry fee
- Personal expenses before heading into the backcountry
- Guide gratuities
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These Yosemite hiking tours require strong hiking experience and, preferably, some backpacking experience as well. These tours are open for people who hike regularly and are generally physically active. The Grand Canyon of the Tuolumne itinerary includes daily hiking covering between 5.5 and 9.5 miles (8.9-15.3 km)—with an elevation gain of up to 2,250 feet (685 m). Similar in difficulty is the Hidden Yosemite itinerary, with daily hiking between 4.5 and 8.4 miles (7.2-13.5 km), and an elevation gain of up to 2,200 ft (670 m).
During both adventures, all participants should be able to carry a 30-50lb backpack. Temperatures can get very high in the summer nights and it can also get pretty cold during the nights (due to high elevations). Your guides will always be by your side during hikes and will notice if it gets too strenuous for anyone in the group, making frequent breaks. They will also teach you all the necessary skills you need for backpacking.
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Here’s a list of the equipment you need to bring:
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- Water bottle or hydration bladder (2L capacity)
- Lightweight hiking boots or shoes
- Camp sandals/shoes
- Underwear/undergarments (synthetic preferred for hiking) and long underwear
- Spare clothes for layering
- Light waterproof rain jacket, fleece/warm wool jacket, and warm synthetic jacket for mornings and evenings
- 1-2 Pairs of lightweight hiking pants and shorts
- Sunhat, beanie, bandanas/buffs, mosquito head net
- Swimwear, camp pillow and towel
- Personal medication
- Toiletries (sunscreen, hand sanitizer, bug spray, toilet paper, etc.)
- Headlamp or flashlight
- Sunglasses
- Camera — optional (but recommended)
- Cards, small games, book and other things for entertainment at the camp — optional
Backpacks, sleeping bags, sleeping pads, trekking poles, camp pillows, bowls, mugs and sporks are all included in the price of the trip. However, feel free to bring any of these items if you have your own. Dress comfortably and for the weather in clothes you can move in. Make sure to keep an eye on the weather forecast and adjust your packing list accordingly. Layers are best and don’t wear jeans. A comprehensive equipment list will be made available upon booking.
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All dates listed for these itineraries remain tentative until your guides confirm trailhead permits, usually 22-23 weeks in advance. Although their success rate is high, should they not gain the exact dates through permitting, you will be contacted and offered choices including new dates and/or different itineraries. Should no alternative work, a full cancellation/refund will be granted.
Please refrain from making travel arrangements (that are unchangeable) until dates/permits are confirmed.
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You can expect excellent backcountry cuisine throughout your guided Yosemite backpacking tour! Typical breakfasts might include burritos, oatmeals, pancakes, dried fruit, bagels, etc. For dinner, your guides will prepare a variety of pastas, risottos, beans, couscous, meats, vegetables, etc. Lunch will consist of trail food with fruits, vegetables, pita, bagels, salami, cheeses, hummus, trail mix, energy bars, etc. All special dietary requests (vegan, keto, gluten-free, vegetarian—you name it) can be easily accommodated, just let your guides know in advance!
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Group sizes and prices:
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- For these group adventures, the maximum client-to-guide ratio is 5:1. The number of participants in a group is usually between 4 and 8.
- The cost does not decrease as the group grows
Yosemite hiking & camping tours can be arranged for larger or for private groups (with a custom date). Contact us to make arrangements.
Min. age requirements:
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- If you are older than 18, you’re good to go.
- Minors younger than 18 are permitted to join, but must be in the presence of a parent or legal guardian. Both adventures are family-friendly!
If your group has hikers under the age of 18, contact us prior to booking to make arrangements.
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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.
You will meet your guide at the White Wolf Campground for the Grand Canyon of the Tuolumne itinerary at 4pm on Day 1 and at the Tuolumne Wilderness Center for the Hidden Yosemite itinerary at 12pm on Day 1. If arriving the day before, we suggest finding accommodation in Curry Village, Yosemite Village, Foresta, or El Portal.
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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!
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