Best of Yosemite Valley Winter Tour
Yosemite National Park
5.0 (11 reviews)Trip Highlights
- Private Tours
- Includes Entrance into Yosemite
- Transportation Provided
- Stunning Yosemite Views
- Breathtaking Waterfall Hike(s)
- Iconic Photography Opportunities
- Top-shelf Backpack & Trekking Poles
- Breakfast, Snacks & Lunch
Description
Join Wildland Trekking for a wonderful tour of Yosemite National Park in winter! This sight-seeing and hiking tour (snowshoeing in the case of deeper snow) is offered to anyone staying in the town of Mariposa, CA; at Autocamp Yosemite; anywhere on the Highway 140 corridor east of Mariposa, or in Yosemite Valley. We will pick you up at your accommodations the morning of your tour and provide a refreshing continental breakfast while we enjoy a scenic shuttle along the Merced River into Yosemite Valley (unless you’re already in the Valley.)
Your guide will explain the fascinating natural and cultural history of Yosemite while we visit the must-see highlights of “the Valley.” You will experience iconic views, winter waterfalls, towering granite monoliths, pristine rivers and more as we make our way through the Park.
You can read about the specific itineraries, select dates and book online below. And we’re here 7 days a week to answer any questions at 800-715-HIKE (4453)!
SEASON
This tour is operated from November through February.
Please Note: If you’re interested in this tour during the spring, summer or fall, check out our standard Best of Yosemite Valley Tour.
$225-$620 Per Person
Season: November-February
DIFFICULTY LEVEL 2
Scale of 1-5. 1 is least difficult; 5 is most difficult
This trip follows well maintained trails. Some concerns include loose dirt, large stepping stones and tree roots. Some trails are likely to have icy and/or snowy sections. The half-day version and full-day version vary on the hiking distances and elevation gains as detailed below.
Hiking Distances:
2-6 miles
Backpack Weight:
10-15 pounds
Terrain:
Lightly Rugged
Max Daily Elev. ↑↓:
200-600 ft
Heights Exposure:
Light
PHYSICAL DEMANDS OF THIS TRIP
- Hiking uphill or downhill with a 10-15 pound backpack for 3-5 hours
- Hiking with occasional, light heights exposure
- Hiking on trails with snowy and/or icy sections
SOLITUDE LEVEL 3
- Level 1: around other hikers the entire time
- Level 2: around other hikers most of the time
- Level 3: around other hikers some of the time
- Level 4: see a couple other groups during the hike
- Level 5: most likely to have the trail to ourselves
Learn About Our Private Trips
View Private Trips"*" indicates required fields
Itinerary & Rates
- Hiking Mileage: 2-4 Miles
- Elevation Gain/Loss: minimal to 1000 ft
- Duration: 8-10 hours
On the full day tour, we begin with pick up between 7 and 8 am. From here, we head into Yosemite Valley and begin our grand day of exploration. Like the half day tour, the full day itinerary is tailored to your interests and desires, but gives us more time for longer hikes/Snowshoe and additional stops. Most groups enjoy starting at a famous viewpoint that offers stunning initial views of the Valley, where we can see Bridal-Veil Falls, Half Dome and El Capitan. Our tour from here takes us on a loop through Yosemite Valley, and we can embark on a series of shorter hikes/Snowshoe to pack as much diversity in as possible, or we can tackle a larger hike to bigger views or a grander destination. Options include pristine lakes, waterfalls, panoramic viewpoints, historical sites, the base of El Capitan and more. Somewhere along the way, we’ll stop for a delicious, picnic lunch prepared by your guide.
Full Day Tour Rates:
1 person: $620 per person
2 people: $350 per person
3 people: $310 per person
4-5 people: $260 per person
6 people: $225 per person
10 and under: $155 per person
*Prices do not include guide gratuity
TRIP DATES & BOOKING
AVAILABLE TO BOOK
This trip is available and bookable online! Click on the date to register now or contact us online to book through our award-winning customer service team!
GOING FAST
This trip has 1 or 2 spots remaining and is bookable online! Click on the date to book now or contact us online to book through customer service.
REQUEST A RESERVATION
This trip is exclusively booked through customer service due to logistics with lodging, permits, staffing, availability, or something else. Please contact us online or call us at 800-715-HIKE (4453) to request a reservation.
Tour dates reflect general availability. You will select your desired tour during the registration process, and the price will adjust based on the size of your group. The season for this hike is November-February.
Don't see your dates? Call us! We may be able to add new trip dates.
800-715-HIKE (4453)Trip Details
What's Included
- Trained hiking guide(s) with years of personal wilderness and hiking experience, medical certifications, and a passion for leading people into breathtaking landscapes. See Guide Bios.
- Round trip transportation from Mariposa, Autocamp Yosemite, anywhere on the Highway 140 corridor east of Mariposa or Yosemite Valley
- Entrance into Yosemite National Park
- A commitment to make the tour as exciting, challenging, informative, and full as you’d like, and as is possible in a day
- Breakfast, trail snacks and a picnic lunch
- Use of a top of the line, technical day pack
- Use of trekking poles and snowshoes (if required)
- Mandatory 5% national park fee that passes through directly to Yosemite
What's Not Included
- Lightweight hiking shoes or hiking boots
- Waterproof rain jacket or poncho
- Warm wool or fleece top (Spring, Fall, Winter)
- Warm hat and gloves (Spring, Fall, Winter)
- Water bottles or bladder (2 liters total capacity)
- Sunhat
What's Not Included (Recommended)
- Sunglasses
- Knee braces (if needed)
- Sunscreen
- Camera
- Gratuity for your guide (industry recommendation is 10-20% of trip cost)
Food: What to Expect
Day hike tours include a continental breakfast, energizing trail snacks and a delicious picnic lunch. Your guide will customize the food for your hike, but as an example a typical lunch consists of gourmet sandwiches or wraps, fruit, veggies, chips, drinks and a dessert. On wintery or cold days you may be treated to soup or a hot, freshly cooked lunch (if you’d prefer a hot meal, please let us know!)
We regularly accommodate vegan, vegetarian, kosher and non-gluten diets and will make adjustments for food allergies. These and other special dietary requests may require an additional fee.
Trip Logistics
Where Do We Meet?
We can pick you up in the town of Mariposa; the Autocamp Yosemite Resort; anywhere on the Highway 140 corridor east of Mariposa; or at Curry Village in Yosemite Valley (at Shuttle Stop 14). Your guide will contact you approximately 7 days before your trip to determine the exact rendezvous time and location.
Safety Precautions
Your safety is our top priority. Our hiking tours are led by professional hiking guides, all of whom are wilderness-certified first responders or EMT’s, each with years of guiding and wilderness experience. Guides adhere to standardized risk management protocols in case of any potential or actual incident, and all tours carry an emergency communication device and comprehensive first-aid kit. Additionally we have a “24/7” system through which guides or guests can reach Wildland support personnel at any time.
If you have any further questions about safety, please contact us at 1-800-715-HIKE (4453) for more information.
Age Restrictions
Age restrictions on this trip are as follows:
- 12 and older to join daily departures (mixed groups)
- 5 and older to join private tours, with final approval on a case by case basis
Weather in the Sierras
Being a high mountain environment, the Sierra Nevada Mountains are prone to sudden temperature and weather shifts. This is an exciting aspect of being in the mountains. On trips in June, snow is a possibility, and the rest of the summer rain is always a possibility on your trip. To be fully prepared, please follow the recommended clothing list closely (this list comes as part of your trip packet when you register). See below for average summer temperatures:
| Average Temperatures (Fahrenheit) | ||||||
|
Month
|
Valleys
|
Alpine
|
||||
|
hi
|
low
|
hi
|
low
|
|||
|
January
|
49°
|
26°
|
45°
|
25°
|
||
|
February
|
55°
|
28°
|
46°
|
26°
|
||
|
March
|
59°
|
31°
|
48°
|
27°
|
||
|
April
|
65°
|
35°
|
54°
|
30°
|
||
|
May
|
73°
|
42°
|
62°
|
37°
|
||
|
June
|
81°
|
51°
|
71°
|
46°
|
||
|
July
|
89°
|
57°
|
77°
|
50°
|
||
|
August
|
89°
|
56°
|
81°
|
53°
|
||
|
September
|
82°
|
51°
|
71°
|
46°
|
||
|
October
|
74°
|
39°
|
62°
|
37°
|
||
|
November
|
58°
|
31°
|
51°
|
29°
|
||
|
December
|
48°
|
26°
|
46°
|
25°
|
||
Trip Reviews
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Darci O
Great Day
Daniel was great on the Yosemite trails. He keep our family moving but also made timely stops to get us ready to go farther. He knew trails very well (the ones not paved). Daniel also talked about the same areas during other seasons for our future plans. He was kind, polite and patient. Thank you
Elena H
Phenomenal Guide and Day Hikes
Last year I hiked with Danny and after our first hike, I booked more for the rest of the week! My husband came along to Yosemite this year and I was so excited for him to meet Danny. Danny greeted us early with a bright smile and breakfast and we packed up and hiked the valley. He evaluated our hiking right away and the pace was perfect! We booked 3 hikes with Danny this year and we would not have seen or experienced the park without his guidance. He’s outstanding! And so full of knowledge! One reason why I love hiking with Danny is I feel safe. Anytime I slip or stumble he immediately responds. He’s also very laid back and has a great sense of humor! A 1/2 day hike with lunch feels like an hour! It goes by too quickly! We could have stayed with him all daylong. Lunch was always perfect. I joked with him that his lunches were the best food in the valley and it really was true. The rest of the food in the valley was horrible! We hiked our 2nd day to the Mariposa Grove with the Sequoias. It was beautiful. Then, He surprised us to a visit to Hetch Hetchy Dam. Another spectacular place. I took a nap on the car ride back. Love the new trucks!!! Our 3rd hike was an all day hike to visit Vernal and Nevada Falls. We took off early to beat the tourists and it worked! I really was amazed I finished the hike! Danny knew when I needed to rest and made me my favorite PB &J with snacks! Danny is the reason why I decided to return to Yosemite this year off season. Next year we are going to stay 12 nights and schedule 6 hikes! We miss him already!
Barbara N
FANTASTIC!!!!
Fabulous day seeing the highlights of Yosemite Valley. Morgan was a terrific guide, knowledgeable about the park, and made it a fun day.
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