Best of Yosemite Valley Winter Tour
Yosemite National Park
5.0 (9 reviews)Trip Highlights
- Private Tours
- Includes Entrance into Yosemite
- Half-day & Full-day Versions
- 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 half-day or full-day 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. Both the half-day and full-day tours include light hikes or snowshoe excursions, with the full-day tour featuring a longer hike/snowshoe.
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.
$135-$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:
8-12 lbs
Terrain:
Lightly Rugged
Max Daily Elev. ↑↓:
200-600 ft
Heights Exposure:
Light
PHYSICAL DEMANDS OF THIS TRIP
- Hiking uphill or downhill with a 8-12 lb 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
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Options & Rates
Half Day Tour
- Hiking Mileage: 1-2 miles
- Elevation Gain/Loss: minimal to 500 ft
- Duration: 5-6 hours
Your tour will start with pickup between 7 and 8 am. Coffee and a continental breakfast will be provided. After a short shuttle along the scenic Merced River Canyon, we will make our way into Yosemite Valley.
In terms of the exact itinerary, it is customized to your group’s specific interests and desires. This is your day! With most groups, we start with a famous viewpoint that offers breathtaking views of the signatures sites of Yosemite Valley: Bridal-veil Falls, Half Dome, and El Capitan. From here, the guide will work with you to determine the best hike(s) or Snowshoe to choose from. Options include pristine lakes, waterfalls, panoramic viewpoints, historical sites, the base of El Capitan and more. Our tour takes us in a loop around the Valley, and prior to departure, your guide will prepare a picnic style lunch with a great view. After lunch we will transport you back to your lodging for the conclusion of the tour.
Half Day Tour Rates:
1 person: $570 per person
2 people: $300 per person
3 people: $260 per person
4-5 people: $175 per person
6 people: $135 per person
10 and under: $105 per person
*Prices do not include guide gratuity
Full Day Tour
- 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 the half-day or full-day time allotment
- 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 will pick you up at in Mariposa, CA; Autocamp Yosemite; anywhere on the Highway 140 corridor east of Mariposa or Yosemite Valley between 7:00 and 8:00 AM. 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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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.
Victor C
Exceeded our expectations
Absolutely recommend Wildland Trekking for your hiking needs. Exceeded our expectations
Elena H
It’s worth every dollar spent
You will looove this company and the guided tours! They exceeded all of my expectations! From making the reservation to completing the hike, I assure you it’s worth every dollar spent. A lot of fun, very informative, safe and my guide was amazing! I did the Yosemite Valley hike! That afternoon I booked another hike for the next day!!
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