Private Guided Hiking Tour in Yosemite

Overview

See Yosemite National Park on an outing that combines short easy hikes with outdoor education–great for children and adults alike! Spend quality time with your family and friends while learning about Yosemite from your experienced guide who will tailor the day to the experience level of your group. Come away with in-depth knowledge of this natural wonderland as well as great photos for your album.

City: Yosemite National Park

Tue 29 Jul

Other dates

You can choose the date already on the booking website

Starting at $292.50

Make a reservation

Tue 29 Jul

Starting at $292.50

Make a reservation

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What's Included

Private guided hiking tour

Informative local guide

Vehicle reservation permit into Yosemite National Park

Custom Tour Location (you must contact us upon confirmation to discuss)

Additional Info

Service animals allowed
Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
Please provide your hotel and contact information (phone number, email and accommodations) in the Special Requirements box at checkout. Hotel information is so we may provide you with driving directions to the meeting location; pickup/drop-off is not included.
Please dress in athletic-wear
Items recommended to bring: camera, gloves, extra layer of clothing, jacket, sunscreen, hat, snacks and water

What To Expect

Yosemite National Park

You’ll meet your experienced guide at the trail and set out to see Yosemite from a different perspective. Every tour is designed to take advantage of the best locations available at the time of your visit, with an effort to avoid the crowds, even at the height of the summer season. Travel along less-visited trails with your expert guide, getting an incredible experience of the forest, waterfalls and meadows around Yosemite Valley. You’ll gain a deeper understanding of the Yosemite wilderness while your expert guide provides security and safety on the trail. Your guide will also be available to take photos of your group so that you have amazing shots from your day out in Yosemite!

Yosemite Valley

Choose from two options for your family or group: Beginner Hike Enjoy a pleasant half-day hike on a gentle trail in Yosemite Valley or the High Country with excellent photo opportunities. You’ll have a picnic at a scenic site, either a magnificent vista point or alongside a meadow, lake, or stream. Expect to hike four to five miles with minimal elevation gains on a tour that lasts approximately five hours. Moderate Hike You’ll escape from the crowds and take some of Yosemite’s most scenic trails a little further during a hiking tour that is perfect for novice hikers who want a bit more of a challenge. Expect to hike five to six miles with elevation gains up to 1000 feet (305m) on a tour that lasts approximately six hours.

Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Traveler Photos

Reviews (79)

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billythekid01

May 2021

Was planning my first trip to Yosemite, along with my sister and brother-in-law. We were only going to be in the park for one night, so we decided to hire a private guide to make the most of our time in the park. We chose YEsplore to provide us our guide for the hike and am so happy that we made that decision. We met our guide, John, at 8AM and over the course of the next few hours, he led on the most amazing hike through this most spectacular park. John was personable and knowledgeable and tailored the pace of our hike to one that we were comfortable with. On our drive home that afternoon, we commented multiple times about how happy we were with out decision to hire a guide and even more happy that we chose John and YExplorer. We would definitely recommend them to others.

Response from Host

May 2021

Thank you so much. We appreciate you taking the time to express how much you enjoyed your tour with us in the amazing Yosemite National Park.

Ivette_S

May 2021

The tour was to include hiking to waterfalls and walking along Merced River. The tour guide only had time to take us to waterfalls since she had another appointment at 1. I paid top price for this tour and did not get what was advertised.

Response from Host

May 2021

Ivette Santaella, the owner of Santaella Legal Group in San Ramon, CA, hired YExplore for a private guided hiking tour in Yosemite National Park on April 24, 2021. Ivette called our business on April 22 with a very belligerent tone and demanded that we provide a free lunch for the tour. Santaella stated that their hotel offered a (non private) tour with a free lunch for "much less money". Ivette then accused YExplore of "false advertising" and attacked my character stating I was "taking advantage" of Yosemite visitors. When I asked for her to show proof of the "free lunch advertising" she saw, Santaella was silent and could produce nothing to support the claim. Ivette still had the option to cancel the tour after the conversation but chose to continue with the booking. Ivette, her son, and one other friend booked an Intermediate Yosemite Falls tour that travels on the Upper Yosemite Fall Trail and around the Valley floor. It is a tour that typically lasts approximately 5 hours. Her tour was to begin at 8am and end around 1pm. Her guide's next assignment was to begin at 1:30 pm to accommodate another group affected by an incoming snowstorm so there was no conflict at all. This is just one of Ivette's untruthful statements in the review. Ivette emailed YExplore on the morning of April 24 because she was going to be late to the tour. The group did arrive late for the tour, but the guide remained at the meeting location to accommodate them. Ivette's son immediately apologized to the guide. While on the way to Columbia Rock up a very steep rocky trail, our guide witnessed Ivette Santaella, her son, and her son's friend eating an edible gummy controlled substance during a snack break. Despite the guide's warning, they each ate their gummy and admitted it was a recreational drug. Almost immediately after that, Ms. Santaella's condition to complete the hike declined rapidly. The guide described her as "staggering and walking like an infant". The group requested and were granted an extraordinary amount of rest breaks for under three miles of hiking. Ms Sanatella's physical condition was so bad that she had to be helped down the steep trail by her son as they were forced to take many more rest stops. After another extended break on the floor of Yosemite Valley, Ivette got up and informed the guide that she wished to end the tour. It was much earlier than the 1pm end time. Santaella's action to terminate the tour was voluntary so her statement in this review and her characterization of our guide's comments to her are patently false. Since the tour ended, Ms. Santaella has been smearing our company on every review site she can find. After reading the first fabricated review, we contacted the guide to give her account of the day. We received the guide's shocking report and contacted Ms. Santaella immediately. We requested that Santaella withdraw the negative review, and that we wished for an amicable resolution to this issue. Santaella then offered "If you want to pro rate the fees I will consider updating my review." When we declined, Ivette only grew more combative. We asked why someone would want to cause so much damage to the reputation of a small family run business who has suffered inconceivable economic hardship in the past two years during park shutdowns and lack of ability to work while enduring a global pandemic. But Santaella was uncaring and even vindictive. It is unfortunate that small businesses are subject to the type of people who believe they can inflict harm on their ability to earn a living because the disgruntled guest felt like they overpaid for their trip. I will not let that happen to YExplore and will defend our reputation vigorously. The incident on the trail was reported to the authorities of Yosemite National Park. John P. DeGrazio YExplore Owner

julienbruns

Apr 2021

I had an absolutely fantastic guided tour in Yosemite with Gena through YExplore! I cannot express how fantastic YExplore and my guide Gena was! YExplore was so responsive and easy to work with! They provided me with a very detailed explanation of what to expect as well as a detailed itinerary. My guide Gena was incredible! She was very knowledgable and provided me with so much knowledge of Yosemite! It was truly an incredible experience that I would not have been able to have without my guide Gena or YExplore! On 2 days of touring with Gena she took me to Vernal, Nevada and Yosemite falls! Seeing Yosemite falls was breath taking!! So much beauty in Yosemite!!

Response from Host

Apr 2021

Thank you so much. We are very pleased you had such an incredible trip to Yosemite. Our guides aim to help you have a memorable visit, and we are very happy you decided to share how fantastic your experience was.