Private & Hiking Tours of Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada

Departure and Return times are customizable, but we will have suggestions of what will be best at the time of your visit. Dress should be appropriate for weather and planned activities.

Notes

Half Day Tours include transportation, Naturalist/Guide, park fees, snacks, and water. Full Day Tours include transportation, Naturalist/Guide, park fees, lunch and water. Gratuities are not included.

All lunches include water, fresh fruit and chips. Condiments come on the side. Menu items subject to change without notice​​

•     Turkey and provolone on wheat bread
•     Roast beef and cheddar on sourdough bread
•     Ham and Swiss on white bread
•     Veggie with avocado, lettuce, tomato, cucumber, wax peppers on wheat bread
•     American cheese on white bread
•     Peanut butter & Jelly on white bread

Water will be available throughout the day.

For reservations please call your hotel or contact Discover Yosemite at: 559-642-4400 (call or text) or info@discoveryosemite.com. Call or email for an individualized itinerary.

Waterfalls*

Waterfall walks/hikes can be short and easy to very strenuous. These can be included as part of a diverse tour or can be the theme for the day. Some waterfalls are seasonal, drying up in the later part of summer. Your guide will help you choose the best waterfalls running at the time of your visit.

Bridalveil and Lower Yosemite Falls: These are two of the most beautiful waterfalls in the park and are easily included in a tour of Yosemite Valley. The paved walks are accessible to almost anyone.

Vernal and Nevada Falls: The first part of the Mist Trail involves a moderate climb to a footbridge with a lovely view of Vernal Fall. From there the trail becomes steeper and quite strenuous, with steps leading through the mist of the waterfall to the top. The hike to the top of Vernal Fall is 3 miles round trip. The 1.6 mile loop to the footbridge and back is one of our Half Day options. Either hike can be combined with other stops for a Full Day. The trail continues past Vernal Fall to Nevada Fall. The first part of this trail is flat and quite easy, with switchbacks leading to spectacular views at the top of the fall. This 7 mile round trip is for sturdy hikers.

Yosemite Fall Trail: This trail leads from Yosemite Valley to the High Country, offering spectacular views of both the Valley and Yosemite Fall. For a short but energetic hike, take the 3 ½ mile round trip to Observation Point, where you can see the powerful Upper Fall close up and look down on Lower Yosemite Fall and the cascade connecting the two. This is a good winter/early season hike, when Yosemite Fall is running. Avid hikers may wish to continue to the top of the fall. This 7.2 mile round trip with a 2,700 foot gain in elevation is for experienced hikers. The trail is set back in a recess for this final leg, so don’t expect views of the Valley as you climb, but it does offer intimate views of Upper Yosemite Falls. The upper trail is an early summer hike, with a short window between when the snow melts off this part of the trail and Yosemite Fall dries up.

High Country

The Tuolumne Meadows/Tioga Pass area offers a full range of touring possibilities from sightseeing to extensive hiking or a combination of both. You can take a swim in Tenaya Lake, have lunch among the domes at Olmstead Point (with a great view of the north side of Half Dome) and meander among wildflower meadows.

This area – at over 10,000 feet and right at the timberline – is famous for its broad vistas, flower filled meadows and animal life. There are many other hiking options we can discuss with you.

Tours are led by professional Naturalist/Guides with extensive knowledge and experience in Yosemite National Park. Itineraries can accommodate everyone from families to avid hikers to senior citizens. All of our tours and hikes are based on a minimum impact philosophy, consistent with Park Service guidelines to preserve the Park for future generations.

*These areas are seasonal. Check with your reservation specialist for areas that will be accessible during your visit.

Other Options

Mariposa Grove* is the largest and most spectacular grove in Yosemite. A hike to the massive Grizzly Giant and the California Tunnel Tree leads past many remarkable sequoias. This 2 mile round trip hike can be a Half Day Tour or combined with other activities. Or take the 6 mile round trip hike to Wawona Point. This hike leads through the park-like upper grove, which has a concentration of stately sequoias. You can see a replica of the log cabin that Galen Clark (the Father of Yosemite) built and the hollow sequoia where he stabled his horses. Most visitors only go as far as the California Tunnel Tree, so the upper grove offers a more peaceful experience of these majestic giants.

Sentinel Dome*: Locals consider this to be the best viewpoint in Yosemite. From the top of Sentinel Dome’s 8,122-feet, approximately 80% of Yosemite can be seen in a 360-degree panorama. This is an easy ¾ mile hike with a very short moderate section near the top of the Dome. A tour of Yosemite Valley or a wildflower walk along the Glacier Point Road* compliments this hike perfectly.

Sample Multi-Day Private Tour Itineraries

☀️ ☀️ Two days—One full day, One ½ day

Day 1-Private Full-Day Yosemite Tour (9 hours from pickup to drop off)

Sit back and relax as your driver takes you to see the following highlights Half Dome, El Capitan, Yosemite Falls, Bridalveil Fall, Glacier Point, Wawona, Royal Arches, Turtleback Dome, Three Brothers, Leaning Tower, Ribbon Fall, Cathedral Spires, Yosemite Chapel, Vernal Falls, and Nevada Falls. Please note that locations are subject to change if weather does not permit a visit.

During your private tour, your knowledgeable driver will tell you all about the park. From its unique natural history to its interesting human history, your guide knows the park and will bring it to life. At select locations, you’ll get out of the vehicle to take photos, take short walks and admire the views of this incredible park.

Tour is customizable so you can opt to omit any area in lieu of doing a longer hike at other locations.

Day 2-Mariposa Grove Half Day hiking tour (5 hours from pickup to drop off)

On your tailored hike, you’ll stand beneath one of these giants, gaze all the way up its tall trunk and through its high branches to see sky above. For the full immersion, you’ll get a taste of walking amongst these giants on your hike.

On your trek, you’ll learn all about these striking trees, take awesome photos and learn to appreciate these impressive trees and their role in this unique ecosystem.

☀️ ☀️ Two days—Two full day tours

Day 1-Visit Yosemite Valley adding in multiple hikes or one long hike

You can opt for a long easy hike doing the Yosemite Valley Loop, a long strenuous hike to Upper Yosemite Falls, a moderately strenuous hike up to Nevada Falls or a combination of shorter hikes.

Day 2-Hiking in Mariposa Grove and Glacier Point

Take a longer stroll in among the majestic giant sequoias, walk the Wawona Meadow Loop, hike up to Sentinel Dome and visit Glacier Point.

☀️ ☀️ ☀️ Three Days—One High Country, One Full Day, One ½ day

Day 1-High Country Private Tour (10 hours from pickup to drop off)

The Tuolumne Meadows/Tioga Pass area offers a full range of touring possibilities from sightseeing to extensive hiking or a combination of both. You can take a swim in Tenaya Lake, have lunch among the domes at Olmstead Point (with a great view of the north side of Half Dome) and meander among wildflower meadows.

This area – at over 10,000 feet and right at the timberline – is famous for its broad vistas, flower filled meadows and animal life. There are many other hiking options we can discuss with you.

Tours are led by professional Naturalist/Guides with extensive knowledge and experience in Yosemite National Park. Itineraries can accommodate everyone from families to avid hikers to senior citizens. All of our tours and hikes are based on a minimum impact philosophy, consistent with Park Service guidelines to preserve the Park for future generations.

Day 2-Private Full-Day Yosemite Tour (9 hours from pickup to drop off)

Sit back and relax as your driver takes you to see the following highlights Half Dome, El Capitan, Yosemite Falls, Bridalveil Fall, Glacier Point, Wawona, Royal Arches, Turtleback Dome, Three Brothers, Leaning Tower, Ribbon Fall, Cathedral Spires, Yosemite Chapel, Vernal Falls, and Nevada Falls. Please note that locations are subject to change if weather does not permit a visit.

During your private tour, your knowledgeable driver will tell you all about the park. From its unique natural history to its interesting human history, your guide knows the park and will bring it to life. At select locations, you’ll get out of the vehicle to take photos, take short walks and admire the views of this incredible park.

Tour is customizable so you can opt to omit any area in lieu of doing a longer hike at other locations.

Day 3-Mariposa Grove Half Day hiking tour (5 hours from pickup to drop off)

On your tailored hike, you’ll stand beneath one of these giants, gaze all the way up its tall trunk and through its high branches to see sky above. For the full immersion, you’ll get a taste of walking amongst these giants on your hike.

On your trek, you’ll learn all about these striking trees, take awesome photos and learn to appreciate these impressive trees and their role in this unique ecosystem.

Cancellation Policy

No refunds will be issued if you cancel a tour within 7 days of your tour date. Cancellations prior to 7 days of your tour date will incur a 10% cancellation fee. View Full Cancellation Policies.

Discover Yosemite offers private tours of Yosemite & private hiking tours customized to guests’ abilities and interests. Whether you want to visit Yosemite Valley or the High Country, explore a grove of Giant Sequoias, identify Sierra wildflowers or hike to waterfalls, domes or mountain peaks, the Naturalist/Guides on our Yosemite private tours can take you there. We’ll work with you to customize your ideal tour and enlighten you about Native American history, geology, glaciers, flowers, trees, animals and photography. You can even customize a tour for your children using the Jr. Ranger program – whatever interests you most.

Map and Mileage to Yosemite

All other travel is mere dust and hotels and baggage and chatter.” – John Muir