Hiking in Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada

5 Days | A California showcase of spectacular mountains, rivers and lakes

4.9 out of 5 based on 9 reviews submitted.
Walking & Trekking
From
CHF  1,271
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See some of California’s most famous natural wonders and stunning scenery on a 5-day round-trip small group hiking adventure which packs plenty of magical moments into a short space of time. Uncover the natural wonders of San Francisco, before you travel to Yosemite National Park to marvel at waterfalls and giant sequoias, spend the night at Lake Tahoe, and see both Echo Lakes. With easy to moderate hikes, comfortable accommodation, and a knowledgeable leader, this hiking adventure is big on beauty.

Trip overview

Map of Hiking In Yosemite And The Sierra Nevada including United States Of America
Start
San Francisco, United States
Finish
San Francisco, United States
Theme
Walking & Trekking
Destinations
United States
Physical rating
Indicates how physically exerting a trip is, and how fit you will need to be to enjoy it. More info on physical ratings
Style
Original
Ages
Min 15
Group size
Min 1 - Max 12
Trip code
SIXS
We’re in the process of figuring out how much CO2-e this trip generates. In the meantime, find out more about our climate commitments and carbon reduction target.

Why you'll love this trip
  • See a different side of San Francisco on the Lands End Trail which offers views of the Golden Gate Bridge, Pacific Ocean and rocky California coast.
  • Stroll through The Tunnel Tree, a giant sequoia in Yosemite National Park which is so large the trail had to be cut through the centre of it.
  • See Vernal Fall on The Mist Trail, one of Yosemite's signature hikes which has more spectacular views than you can point a camera at.
  • Hike along the shores of Upper and Lower Echo Lakes which are the gateway to the spectacular Desolation Wilderness area.
  • Breathe in the fresh scent of pine and aspen trees as you take in the views of Mount Morrison and Laurel Mountain on a scenic walk around Convict Lake.
  • By travelling on this trip, you’ll learn about our Intrepid Foundation partner, the Grand Canyon Conservancy. Donations help them protect Grand Canyon National Park and support trail restoration, conservation of native plants and wildlife, and educational programs. Intrepid will double the impact by dollar-matching all post-trip donations made to The Intrepid Foundation.

Is this trip right for you?
  • This is a fast-paced trip that features some of the best hikes in Yosemite and the SIerra Nevada Mountains in just a few days. In oder to make the most of our time in the region, we will have early starts and four one-night stays.
  • The Sierra Nevada Range boasts warm summers but be prepared for colder evenings and possibly rainy days. Good clothing and appropriate footwear are a must. In recent years late snow has closed Tioga Pass to vehicle traffic into June and even July. In this case we will take an alternative route from Yosemite around the Sierras to Mammoth Lakes.
  • In the case that the route to Mammoth Lakes via Tioga Pass is closed due to late season snow, you will stay one additional night near Yosemite instead of continuing to Mammoth Lakes on Day 3. If Tioga Pass is closed, it will also not be possible to access the trailhead for Pothole Dome. In this case your leader will choose another hike within the National Park. The exact hike will depend on the group's interests and abilities. You will continue to Lake Tahoe on Day 4, which takes approximately 4.5 hours from Yosemite.
  • On our final day we will reach San Francisco at around 5 pm. This night’s accommodation is not included so please plan your departure accordingly, or pre-book a post-tour night.

Itinerary

Map of Hiking In Yosemite And The Sierra Nevada including United States Of America

Inclusions

Meals

4 breakfasts

Transport

Private vehicle

Accommodation

Hotel (4 nights)

Activities
  • San Francisco - Lands End hike
  • Mist trail to top of Vernal Falls hike
  • Tuolumne Grove hike
  • Pothole Dome hike
  • Convict Lake Loop hike
  • Mono Lake South Tufas hike
  • Echo Lakes Trail hike

Dates and availability

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Important notes

1. Your adventure begins with a welcome meeting at 12 noon and further activities on Day 1 in San Francisco. Please see Joining Point Hotel listed in the Essential Trip Information for this itinerary.
2. You are expected to arrive back into San Francisco around 5pm and dropped off at the same location as the joining point.
3. There is no accommodation included on the last day in San Francisco , however we can request any additional nights should you need them.
4. A single supplement is available if you’d prefer not to share a room on this trip. The single supplement applies to all nights of your trip and is subject to availability. Please speak to your booking agent for further information.
5. In the case that the route to Mammoth Lakes via Tioga Pass is closed due to late season snow, you will stay one additional night near Yosemite instead of continuing to Mammoth Lakes on Day 3. If Tioga Pass is closed, it will also not be possible to access the trailhead for Pothole Dome. In this case your leader will choose another hike within the National Park. The exact hike will depend on the group's interests and abilities. You will continue to Lake Tahoe on Day 4, which takes approximately 4.5 hours from Yosemite.

Essential Trip Information

Want an in-depth insight into this trip? Essential Trip Information provides a detailed itinerary, visa info, how to get to your hotel, what's included - pretty much everything you need to know about this adventure and more.

Read Essential Trip Information

Reviews

4.9 out of 5 based on 9 reviews submitted.
Reviews are from travellers who have completed their trip and want to share their experience. We show all reviews, but may remove any that include profanity or inappropriate content, are unrelated to the trip or reveal personal details.

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Deborah · Traveled September 2023
Do it! Beautiful hikes, lovely opportunities, glorious weather, and excellent guide/coordinator Jayms made this a wonderful experience. I will admit some hikes challenged me (I’m one month away from turning 65 and others on trip were late 20s to early 50s), but everyone was great and I loved this trip. The areas visited were well chosen—I especially liked the Mist Trail, Convict Lake, and Echo Lake hikes. Resting by the river in the Tuolumne meadow was a treat, and our initial hike at Lands End in SF was a nice intro. Even the locations Jayms chose for us to eat our lunches were spectacular.
Review submitted 13 Sep 2023

Claudia · Traveled May 2023
First time traveling solo and with Intrepid and I don’t regret it at all! Due to the weather there were a lot of changes to the itinerary and last minute adjustments but our leader handled it very well. He was very professional, kind and organized. He also made sure we stayed safe during the entire trip. Loved meeting people from different parts of the world which made this trip much more interesting. Will definitely book another trip.
Review submitted 08 Jun 2023

Susan · Traveled May 2023
This was an outstanding trip. In spite of itinerary changes that had to be made due to the snow last winter, Jayms pivoted and found other beautiful locations and hikes. Everything was very professional and well organized.
Review submitted 30 May 2023

Gunes · Traveled September 2022
This was my second solo Intrepid Travel. Walking in California's Sierra Nevada trip was absolutely amazing and I cannot recommend it more! Well, the scenery and nature of the region was amazing. We had a diverse group of people on this trip and everyone was absolutely fantastic individually. Our guide Jamys made every effort possible to make us the best out of our trip even when we had unexpected and challenging situations, like the wildfires nearby. The second day hike at Yosemite NP was the most challenging day for me because of the altitude and steepness of the trail, smoke and my feeling already tired, but, it was still amazing because Yosemite NP is absolutely a unique place! I loved the preserved nature there. The fourth day morning by the Convict Lake was the most memorable, serene and peaceful memory of this trip for me. The last day we had to change plans because of the wildfires, but it turned out to be a great taste of history and culture of San Francisco. Jamys showed us some of the landmarks of the city, amazing architecture and the diverse and unique neighborhoods like Haight-Ashbury...etc, while giving some historical background. In short, there may be some challenges and maybe not everything went on as already planned in the itinerary but I had a great memorable trip!
Review submitted 17 Sep 2022

Emily · Traveled July 2022
Could not recommend this trip enough! The itinerary was perfect, no long drives & managed to cram so much in. Absolutely incredible scenery & hiking. If you are lucky enough to get tour leader Mike Harding too then it doesn’t get any better! Seriously, just book it!!
Review submitted 21 Jul 2022
Hiking in Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada
From
CHF  1,271