Trip Highlights:
As many of our local guides will tell you, some of their first and most powerful experiences in Yosemite National Park were on classic, multi-day camping/hiking trips. The convenience of camping in a car-friendly site gives the opportunity to venture out daily to see the different landscapes, views, and vistas in every corner of this magnificent park.
Our Classic Camping/Hiking Adventure is a traditional way of visiting Yosemite without the “roughing-it” experience of a backpacking trip. We will shuttle out daily from our campsite, with daypacks and lunch in hand, to our selected hiking destinations. As the #1 guide service in Yosemite, our tours highlight a variety of iconic and popular features throughout the park as well as some of the lesser known gems. We will hike to the top of giant waterfalls, along glacially polished granite, through alpine meadows full of wildflowers, and past giant sequoia trees. We will stand atop granite domes and reach the top of a major summit. Along the way, your professional and knowledgeable guide will share the history of Yosemite as well as information about the geology, natural history, plants, and animals of the area.
Every night you will stay in a comfortable campsite. We will provide all of the luxury camping gear. You can leave the cooking to our experienced outdoor guides, known for providing tasty and satisfying meals. The night will come to an end with stories and laughter around the campfire. S’mores are on us.
This is a great Yosemite multi-day tour that caters to families and hikers of all skill levels. This is a top-choice for first-timers to Yosemite.
In addition to our published dates, you can contact us about planning other dates/packages ranging from at least three days in length.
*Classic Camping Dates remain tentative until we are able to secure campsites, which we obtain approximately 5 months in advance. We currently have confirmed campsites through September 15th, 2023. Additional months will be confirmed on a rolling basis on the 15th of every month (ex. June 15-July 14 will be confirmed on February 15th).
Our 9/21-9/25 date is a women’s exclusive adventure. Learn more here: Women’s Adventures.
Length
Price
Per Person
All 2025 dates remain tentative until confirmed 22-23 weeks in advance.
Yosemite Reservations: Participation in Lasting Adventures programs, trips, and/or tours includes entry during any time period when reservations are needed to enter Yosemite.
All dates remain tentative until permitted 22-weeks in advance. Please remain from making travel arrangements outside of this timeline. We will contact you if we are unsuccessful in obtaining your dates. Feel free to contact us if you would like to confirm.
Day 1: Yosemite Valley
You will meet your guide at Curry Village at 4 pm. This will be followed by group orientation and introductions. After getting settled in the campsite and after dinner, the group will partake in an evening stroll of the eastern side of the Yosemite Valley. Campfire in the campsite as time allows. Total Mileage: 2-4 miles
Day 2: Mist Trail
After a hearty breakfast, we will shuttle to the Happy Isles trailhead to hike the famous Mist Trail. This hike gets you right up next to two of Yosemite’s most well-known waterfalls, Vernal and Nevada Falls, and along the eastern edge of the aptly named Panorama Cliff. You will complete your loop and return to the valley via the famous John Muir Trail, offering new perspectives of the waterfalls you just hiked beside. Following the hike we will catch the shuttle back to our campsite for dinner and relaxation. Total Mileage: 7.2 miles
Day 3: Glacier Point, Sentinel Dome & Taft Point
After an early morning breakfast, we will head to Glacier Point, where we will spend time taking in the views and history of this famous landmark. From Glacier Point we will hike to the summit of Sentinel Dome at 8,122’ for amazing 360-degree views. After descending Sentinel Dome, we will follow along the southern rim of the valley to the famous Taft Point for an amazing view into Yosemite Valley from the cliffs above. Total Mileage: 7.0 miles
Day 4: Mt. Hoffman & May Lake
After a hearty breakfast, we will shuttle to the May Lake parking lot where we will have the option to summit Mt. Hoffman at 10,850’. This is the geographical center of Yosemite as well as John Muir’s favorite view in all of Yosemite. On our way back, we will have a chance to take a dip in May Lake. As time permits we will shuttle into Tuolumne Meadows for a quick overview, and perhaps, another amazing sunset opportunity. We will share a warm cooked meal around the campfire when we return back to camp. Total Mileage: 6.0 miles
Day 5: Self-Guided Tour/Tuolumne Grove of Sequoias
During breakfast your guide will present some options for a self-guided tour on your way out of Yosemite such as further exploration within the Yosemite Valley, a visit to the Tuolumne Grove of Sequoias (Hwy 120-west), a visit to Tuolumne Meadows (Hwy 120-east), or the Pioneer Village & Wawona along Hwy 41 south. Plan to leave the campsite by 10 am. As coordinated, you can also plan for a 12:30 pm meeting at the Tuolumne Grove of Sequoias with your guide for further interpretation along this hike. Your own transportation would be needed to get to/from the Tuolumne Grove.
This is a sample itinerary only.
Although we do our best to follow this itinerary; it can and will change for matters out of our control. Should weather, fire, and/or delayed seasonal openings affect the chosen itinerary, a different itinerary will be offered. Also, as a group you can work with your guide to develop new daily itineraries by request.
Additional Information
REQUIRED FORMS
In addition to full payment, the final acceptance of any participant is subject to receipt and review of all the Required Forms. These forms are also attached to your confirmation email once you register online.
We will require an additional medical release for any guests on multi-day trips, any “Half Dome in a Day” hiker, or any guest who is currently under the care of a physician for any ongoing disease, illness, or any other condition/factor that may be a concern on the trip.
DIETARY CONSTRAINTS
Although we are able to accommodate many specific dietary constraints and choices, we prepare foods in a facility with peanuts, gluten, soy, and other major allergens and are not certified as an ‘allergen-free’ facility. We take steps to limit the risk of cross-contamination, but we cannot guarantee that the foods we prepare will be fully free of major allergens.
We have experience in accommodating a variety of dietary choices and concerns, including, but not limited to:
If we have questions or concerns about the information on your medical form, we will call you the day before your trip to ensure we are packing foods you are able to eat without issue.
TRADITIONAL BACKPACKING
Lasting Adventures runs “traditional backpacking” trips. This is done without using porters, stock, or other outside assistance. For this trip, you will be expected to carry your personal gear, a share of the group gear, and food in a backpack. The weight can be expected to be 30-50 lb. and no more than the recommended ⅓ of your body weight.
As needed, it is recommended that participants discuss their ability to fully participate in a backpacking trip with their doctor, including (but not limited to) the ability to carry heavy loads over long distances and strenuous and uneven terrain. Levels of difficulty listed on our website are relative and in no way an objective declaration of difficulty. A regular physical exercise program is recommended before going on your adventure.
TRIP ITINERARIES
All trips are subject to itinerary changes for various reasons, including, but not limited to permitting, weather, forest fires, park or public land closures, and/or road closures. In most situations, we will offer an alternative itinerary of equal value and quality or a credit equal to the total amount paid through the end of the following season. Payments are non-refundable for itinerary changes. If a trip is canceled before its start date due to circumstances beyond our control, a credit equal to the total amount paid will be issued.
STAFF SCHEDULES
Due to the nature of backpacking, our guides work long hours. To provide the best possible experience to our guests and guides, we limit the number of hours our guides work to 15 hours per day. Guides will not be required to be available from 9 pm to 6 am unless the group agrees to a different period before this standard break.
During time off, our guides will be available for emergencies but should be allowed to rest and not be considered available for other purposes outside of working hours. Please don’t request non-time-sensitive assistance from guides during this period. Our guides are also entitled to take 10 minutes every four hours and 30-minute meal breaks every 5 hours, between 6 am and 9 pm. We appreciate your cooperation with these scheduling requirements.
COUPONS
See our Coupon Use Terms and Conditions.
TRAVEL INSURANCE
For your protection and ours, we strongly recommend the purchase of Travel Insurance, which can provide you with coverage for trip cancellation/interruption (including COVID-19), travel delay, medical expenses, emergency assistance, airfare, and baggage loss/delay to protect your financial investment. We recommend those with “cancel for any reason” clauses included. See reviews of some of the best Cancel For Any Reason Travel Insurance Options presented by Forbes or Squaremouth. Othe
Travel Insurance is the easiest and best way to protect yourself and our smaller non-profit organization against last-minute cancellations. We are happy to provide timely and accurate documentation for any insurance claim related to our trips when requested. Please remember that when canceling a reservation, you must first contact the company responsible for ensuring your reservation.
PAYMENT SCHEDULE
Full payment is preferred for all backpacking trips and youth programs/summer camps. During check-out, you may pay a 50% deposit at the time of booking and the remaining 50% at least 30 days from departure. If choosing this option, you can either complete payment on your own with the self-service link in the confirmation email, or you will be billed automatically at or shortly after the 30-day interval for the remaining amount. Final Lodging/Hiking package payments are due 45 days in advance. Any new multi-day booking made at/within 45 days in advance must be paid in full. Feel free to contact us directly to set up any other payment plan.
When registering online, expect to pay a booking fee of 3.0% (which is capped at $30) and a processing fee of 2.7% (no cap). These fees can be avoided when paying by check. For detailed information, see our Payment Options page.
CANCELLATION AND REFUND POLICIES
Lasting Adventures reserves the right to cancel trips. If a trip is canceled due to circumstances beyond our control, a credit equal to the total amount paid will be issued. Lasting Adventures is not responsible for additional expenses incurred while preparing for the trip.
The following cancellation policy is only for trips booked directly through our official website, lastingadventures.com. If you have booked via a third-party website (such as TripAdvisor/Viator, bookyogaretreats.com, or 57Hours), the below policy does not apply, and you are held to the third-party’s cancellation policy.
Multi-Day Adventures/Summer Camps Cancellation Policy
48-Hour Risk-Free Cancellation Policy
Any reservation can be canceled within 48 hours of the initial booking, and we will grant you a full refund minus a 2.7% processing fee for credit card transactions. After 48 hours, our standard terms and conditions apply. To cancel, please email us at staff@lastingadventures.org or leave a voicemail at 800-513-8651. This policy does not apply if the booked trip occurs within 96 hours of the initial booking.
Fire/Smoke Cancellation Policy
Fire/smoke cancellations are considered circumstances beyond our control. If your chosen travel insurance does not cover fire/smoke cancellations, a credit equal to the total amount paid will be issued. If we cancel during your adventure with us, we will issue a non-refundable credit equal to the dollar amount associated with the number of days not used. In both cases, these credits will be lifetime/transferable but non-refundable.
Other Considerations
Departing From a Trip: Once a participant has joined a trip and the trip has begun, no refunds or credits will be issued, regardless of the reason for departure. Costs associated with assisting a participant with evacuating from the wilderness will be passed on to the participant. Travel Insurance is strongly recommended.
Minimum Participants: Our Guide Service multi-day trips have a two-person minimum. (Yoga trips have a three-person minimum.) Our Summer Camps have a four-person minimum. Should we fall short on these minimums, we will contact you 30 days before your scheduled start date with options that may include switching to another trip/date and/or a single-participant surcharge.
Infectious Illness Policy (including COVID): Any participant on any program/trip with any sign/symptom of a potential illness will not be able to participate, and no refund or credits will be given. Many forms of Travel Insurance cover these circumstances. We ask that you screen yourself and/or your child before participating and contact us to cancel if any sign of illness is present. Health screenings can be expected in all youth programs.
Half Dome & Other Summits: Reaching the top of a summit, such as Half Dome, is risky and can be made far worse by inclement weather. While we aim to get everyone to the top, summiting is not guaranteed. Lightning and rain can be deadly on exposed summits, and our experienced guides may have to call off a summit bid if weather conditions are unfavorable. You will not be allowed to summit using a Lasting Adventures permit should the experienced guide decide the conditions are not favorable.
TRIP CHANGE/CREDIT POLICY
Once you book a trip with Lasting Adventures, the value you paid is valid towards switching to another trip in the current or the coming year, pending available spaces on the new trip. Changes to your booking and conversion to credit must occur more than 30 days before your original start date. Changes within 30 days are subject to fees. Once changed to a lifetime/transferrable credit, credits are non-refundable and are a dollar-for-dollar value.
COUPONS
See our Coupon Use Terms and Conditions.
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All Lasting Adventures Backpacking trips require trailhead permits which we gain 22-24 weeks in advance through a lottery process. Should you register for a date that we are unsuccessful in gaining permits for, we will work with you to pick other dates or trips with full cancellation/refund always the final option.
