Cultural
Departure city: San Francisco, USA
End city: San Francisco, USA
Join us on this extraordinary trekking adventure through Yosemite National Park, a massive wilderness area straddling the Sierra Nevada Mountains – The backbone of California, cresting in magnificent 4400 metre granite peaks. Yosemite is famous not only for its 1000 metre deep valley, flanked by some of Earth’s tallest waterfalls but also for its superb alpine wildlife/scenery and groves containing some of the world’s oldest and largest trees. Since 1864 the park has been protected by legislation and more recently designated for its significance as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Hike and walk around Yosemite Valley
Visit Yosemite National Park
Explore beautiful Nature parks & Mount Hoffman
On arrival in San Francisco, the hotel offers a free shuttle from the airport. Make your way to the hotel and check in. The rest of the day is at leisure.
Start of the trek
At 8:00 am your guide will meet you at the hotel. We then leave the city and head to the southern entrance of Yosemite. An inspiring trek takes us deep into a forest of the Giant Sequoia trees where some of these goliaths reach heights of 115 meters and ages of 1800 years! We will establish our base under the sheer cliffs of Half Dome in the heart of Yosemite Valley. Tonight, we enjoy the amazing sunset in the valley and look for wildlife, such as coyotes and bears.
Drive time: 200 miles / 320 km or 3.5 hrs
Mariposa Grove/Yosemite: 3-4 hrs, ca. 6 miles / 10 km
Elevation difference: +/-400 m
Meals: B, L
Glacier Point and Yosemite’s John Muir Trail
A shuttle takes us to iconic Glacier Point, where we enjoy stunning views of Half Dome and Little Yosemite Valley as well as the impressive Vernal and Nevada waterfalls. During the last ice age, glaciers carved this impressive valley creating the sheer cliffs we see today. A cliff-hanging trail takes us below Half Dome to the deep rock valley created by the Merced River. Arriving at Little Yosemite Valley we join the John Muir Trail. Descending past massive Vernal and Nevada Waterfalls we soon reach Happy Isles Trailhead and our cabins in the heart of Yosemite Valley.
Panorama Trail: 6 hrs, ca. 7 miles / 12 km, elevation difference: +200 m/-1000 m
Meals: B, L
North Dome
Hidden off Tioga Pass Road is the little-traveled trail to North Dome. We walk in ancient forests to the rim of the impressive Yosemite Valley. From North Dome, we enjoy unobstructed views of Half Dome and the valley below.
North Dome: 4-5 hrs, approx. 9 miles / 15 km, elevation difference: +/-500 m
Meals: B, L
May Lake & Mount Hoffman - 3305m
Today, a remote trek takes us to one of the most memorable peaks: Mount Hoffman. To reach this, we begin by heading to beautiful May Lake, nestled below the peak and then follow a cross-country route to the mountain’s summit with vast views over Half Dome, Yosemite Valley, and the wilderness to the north.
Mount Hoffman: 5-6 hrs, approx. 6 miles / 10 km, elevation difference: +/-600 m
Meals: B, L
Mount Dana - 3979m
Mount Dana is Yosemite’s second highest mountain at 3979m. Its peak sits at the eastern boundary of the mountain range on the proud crest of the Sierra Nevada range. There are no maintained trails here and some route finding and/or boulder hopping is required. As we gain elevation views open up across Tuolumne Meadows and Yosemite’s mountain wilderness. To the east, the vast desert of Owen’s Valley extends beyond the sheer cliffs.
Mount Dana: 5 hrs, approx. 5miles / 8 km, elevation difference: +/-1000 m
Meals: B, L
Back to San Francisco
We depart early for San Francisco. In 3.5 - 4 hours we reach the city draped over the mountains by the sea. Our journey concludes with a walking tour of the downtown area, including Chinatown, Coit Tower, and Fisherman’s Wharf. The rest of the day is free for you to explore the city on your own.
Drive time: 3.5 hours, 200 miles, 320 km
City tour: 3-4 hours, approx. 2-3 miles / 4-7 km, elevation difference: +/-100 m
Meals: B, L
Departure Day
Our tour concludes today. We recommend you take the hotel’s airport shuttle.
Meals: B
Why stop there, the USA has a lot of places to visit and experiences to have, so talk to us today about extending your USA adventure with another tour, cruise, independent itinerary or a self-drive holiday adventure.
Terms and conditions apply. Subject to change and availability. Prices are per person twin share and subject to currency fluctuation. (ba)
