There is no better way to enjoy the majesty of Yosemite National Park then by putting on a pair of boots and hiking the mountain trails, walking among giant sequoias, or standing in the mist of a waterfall. On our Yosemite Tour your naturalist guide will take you to many of the icons of the park including Bridalveil Falls, El Capitan, Glacier Point, and Half Dome. We will also venture out of the valley to Hetch Hetchy & Tuolumne Meadows as well as Mariposa Grove. Woven into the natural beauty of the park is a deep cultural history including the pioneers who settled this area, the Buffalo Soldiers who first protected this park, and John Muir who had the vision to protect this park for generations to come.

ITINERARY

Day 1 — Fresno to Yosemite This morning we make our way to the southern entrance of Yosemite National Park via the shores of Bass Lake. Our first stop in Yosemite is Mariposa Grove with the largest collection of mature sequoia trees in the park which has undergone a 2-year renovation adding even more walking trails to explore. In the afternoon we will explore the Pioneer Yosemite History Center that celebrates the human history of the park with a number of structures from the park’s past. Meals included: Lunch & Dinner 

Day 2 — Glacier Point and Yosemite Valley Before heading into the valley of the park we will drive to Glacier Point and take a short walk to the view point providing panoramic views of the park including Half Dome, North Dome, and Yosemite Falls. Make sure you have your cameras at the ready for one of the most iconic views of the park as we enter Yosemite Valley. We will stop for a short walk to Bridalveil Fall before arriving at our home for the next three nights, Yosemite Valley Lodge. Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner 

Day 3 — Exploring the Valley We will hop on the park shuttle this morning to Half Dome Village and the Mist Trail to see Vernal and Nevada Falls with the hike being anywhere from 2-8 miles depending on what you’d like to do. For those who choose a shorter hike you can visit the Ansel Adams Galley, Yosemite Conservation Heritage Center, or simply relax along the Merced River at the Majestic Yosemite Hotel. After dinner walk right from your room to hear the roar of Yosemite Falls under the starry skies. Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner 

Day 4 — Hetch Hetchy or Tulomne Meadows Depending on weather conditions will determine where our day trip out of the valley takes us. One option is to visit the Hetch Hetchy area where a controversial dam was built in 1925 and home to a lovely trail to Wapama Falls, a two-part 1,000-foot cascade. Or we can continue driving along Tioga Road to Tuolumne Meadows featuring a fantastic hike through high-elevation meadows with views of the Cathedral Range. After returning to the lodge we will enjoy dinner with views of Yosemite Falls. Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner 

Day 5 — Yosemite Falls Our hike today starts right from the lodge on one of the oldest trails in the park originally constructed in the 1870s to Yosemite Falls. You will have options for a hike ranging from 2-7 miles to a magnificent viewpoint of the Upper Yosemite Fall or all the way to the top of the falls at 6,500 feet. We will enjoy dinner at the Majestic Yosemite Hotel including a tour to learn more about the architecture and history of the hotel including the famed Firefall. Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner 

Day 6 — Departures from Fresno We bid farewell to Yosemite this morning to return to Fresno for mid-afternoon flights. Meals included: Breakfast

Lodging

Big Trees Lodge o‍‍r lodging nearby – 1 night This Victorian era hotel features wrap around verandas in each of the six buildings where you can relax on an Adirondack chair as you soak up the beauty of Yosemite. The lodge is situated in a large grove of trees and right above the Pioneer Yosemite History Center in the southern end of the park. 

Yosemite Valley Lodge or lodging nearby – 4 nights The perfect base camp to explore the park you are just a short walk from Yosemite Falls and the rest of the valley. Its architecture is designed to blend into the surrounding natural beauty of Yosemite while offering remarkable views of the park.

PUBLIC DATES AND AVAILABILITY