Should Yosemite reservations be required, participation in Lasting Adventures programs, trips, and/or tours includes entry when reservations are needed
2026 Departure Dates by Month
This is a sample itinerary only.
Day 1: Pre–Trip Lodging
This comprehensive Yosemite hiking package includes lodging the night before and the night after your 4 scheduled days of hiking, thus making the total package a 6 day/5 night package with 4-days of hiking/exploration in the middle. Obtaining reservations in and around Yosemite can be extremely difficult and sometimes impossible, so we schedule these rooms in advance and as a courtesy to our guests. Should you not need the pre- or post-trip lodging we can discount accordingly. Pre-trip lodging is included by default; cancelling pre-trip lodging must happen at least 61 days prior to the first night. There will be a 7 pm Orientation/Introductions with our guides for those who have checked in today.
Day 2: Yosemite Valley & Mist Trail.
Today you will be picked up by your guide(s) at Rush Creek Lodge at 8 a.m.; so grab your breakfast early. After morning stretches we will start off towards the Happy Isles trailhead to hike the famous Mist Trail. This hike takes 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 drive back to Rush Creek Lodge for an evening of relaxation. Total Drive Time approx. 45-min each way. Total Mileage: 7.2 miles
Day 3: Mt. Hoffman & May Lake
After pick-up from Rush Creek we will shuttle you to the May Lake parking lot where we will have the option to summit Mt. Hoffman (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. We will return to the lodge in time for dinner and s’mores at the campfire circle by the outdoor pool. Total Drive Time approx. 60-min each way. Total Mileage: 6.0 miles
Day 4: Mariposa Grove, Glacier Point, Sentinel Dome & Taft Point
This is one of our busiest days! In the morning we will head to the famous Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoia trees located by the parks southern boundary. This is the largest grove in Yosemite and is home to over 500 mature trees. After touring the grove, we will head to a picnic lunch in Wawona. After lunch we will continue our travels to the famous Glacier Point, where we will spend time taking in the views and learning about the history of this most famous landmark. From Glacier Point we will hike to the summit of Sentinel Dome at 8,122’ for an amazing 360-degree view. After descending Sentinel Dome, we will have the option of hiking to Taft Point for a magical sunset all before returning to the lodge. Total Drive Time approx. 105-min each way. Total Mileage: 9.0 miles
Day 5: Tuolumne Meadows
After pick-up at Rush Creek, our guides will shuttle you back along the scenic Hwy 120/Tioga Pass Road to one of the largest high-elevation meadows in the Sierra Nevada: Tuolumne Meadows. At 8,600’ Tuolumne Meadows offers us a chance to hike and explore at an alpine level. We will hike 1.6-miles to the top of Lembert Dome for an amazing view of this glacially formed meadow before backtracking 1.3-miules to Dog Lake for lunch and a swim. We will then explore further down the Tuolumne River before returning to the Tuolumne Meadows Visitor Center to catch our shuttle. If time allots on the return we can stop at the Tuolumne Grove of Sequoias for a 2.5-mile rt hike to enjoy this historic grove. Drive Time approx. 75-min each way. Total Mileage: 6.0 miles
Day 6: Post-Trip Lodging
Those staying for a final night can have that one well-needed morning to sleep in, and perhaps, follow your late morning with a scheduled massage at Rush Creek (optional, not included in our price).
Although we do our best to follow this itinerary; it can and will change for matters out of our control. Should weather, fire, group desires, and/or delayed seasonal openings affect the chosen itinerary, a different itinerary will be offered.
Room Amenities, courtesy of Rush Creek:
- Alexa Entertainment Devices – To allow you to stay in touch and entertained, we offer wifi enabled Alexa devices in all of our guest rooms that provide access to music, sports, news, talk and more.
- Comfy Beds with Feather Pillows – To help you get a great night’s sleep, our rooms feature comfortable Sealy beds and luxurious, hypoallergenic feather pillows from Pacific Coast Feather.
- Gourmet Coffee Brewers – Coffee lovers will appreciate our Keurig single-cup brewers. These patented units allow you to brew gourmet coffee in the comfort of your own room.
- Hot Water Kettles & Complimentary Tea – Boil water in the comfort of your room for a calming cup of tea at the end of your day filled with Yosemite adventures.
- Daily New York Times Digest – Keep up on current events with this abridged daily version of the New York Times, free for lodging guests.
- In-Room Games & Books– Spend some quality time as a couple or a family enjoying our selection of classic games, from Scrabble to Yahtzee to Dominoes.
- Mini Fridges – Our rooms include a small refrigerator perfect for storing snacks, beverages, etc. Visit our general store to stock up on these items and more.
- Hair Dryers/Irons – Hairdryers are provided in each of our rooms. Irons are available upon request at our Reception Desk.
- In-Room Safes – For that extra peace of mind, we’ve added programmable electronic safes to all our rooms. These safes are large enough to store your camera, laptop and more.
- Daily Housekeeping – Housekeeping service is provided on a daily basis. Fresh towels and linens are provided at check-in and upon request during your stay. We are proud to supply Earththerapy bath products in all of our guest rooms.
- Guest Laundry – You’ll find coin-operated laundry machines for guest use in the hotel.
- Free Wi-Fi – You can stay connected with free Wi-Fi service in all of our guest rooms, in our lovely Computer Lounge located in the Guest Lodge, in the Main Lodge Guest Lounge, and in the public areas of the Guest Lodge and Reception building.
- Air Conditioning – All Lodge Rooms, Suites, and Villas feature air conditioning with individual temperature control.
| Double Queen Room | Lodge King Room | Villa | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 person | $5,533/person | $5,283/person | $6,457/person |
| 2 people | $3,944/person | $3,794/person | $4,380/person |
| 3 people | $3,337/person | $3,237/person | $3,628/person |
| 4 people | $2,920/person | $2,845/person | $3,133/person |
| 5 people | not available | not available | $2,759/person |
| 6 people | not available | not available | $2,506/person |
- For a detailed packing list, please see our Lodging/Hiking Equipment List. If you have other items you would like to bring, but feel unsure, contact us at staff@lastingadventures.com to help you decide. Your guide will bring a first aid kit, water treatment supplies, toilet paper/trowel, sunscreen, bug spray, and a passion for adventure.
- See here for our Frequently Asked Questions, Yosemite Weather, and Yosemite Transportation Options.
- Price includes: 5 nights lodging at Rush Creek Lodge, 4 days of hiking with professional local guides, 4 days of lunches (days 2-5), transportation to/from day hikes within the park for duration of the trip, and park entrance fees.
- Not included: Transportation to/from Rush Creek Lodge before and after your time with Lasting Adventures, Breakfasts, Dinners, and alcoholic beverages or other special purchases. (Dining options available at the Rush Creek Lodge.)
- Single travelers requesting shared accommodations will be required to pay a “forced single supplement” when there are no other travelers of the same sex/gender also requesting shared accommodations.
Your participation helps sustain our non-profit mission of supporting youth, families, and disadvantaged communities with positive experiences in America’s National Parks and natural spaces.
REQUIRED FORMS
In addition to full payment, the final acceptance of any participant is subject to receipt and review of all Required Forms. For overnight adventures, you will find these forms attached to your confirmation email once you register online, and must be filled out by each member of your party as soon as possible.
TRAVEL INSURANCE
For your protection and ours, we strongly recommend purchasing Travel Insurance, which can provide coverage for trip cancellation/interruption, 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 keep in mind that when canceling a reservation, you must first contact the company that made your reservation with us.
PAYMENT SCHEDULE
Full payment is preferred for all trips. 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 you choose this option, you can either complete payment on your own using the self-service link in the confirmation email. Final payments for the Lodging/Hiking package are due 45 days in advance. Any new multi-day booking made within 45 days of the start date 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% (capped at $30) and a processing fee of 2.7% (no cap). These fees can be avoided when paying by check and are non-refundable. 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 policy below does not apply, and you are held to the third-party’s cancellation policy.
Lodging/Hiking Cancellation Policy
- More than 90 days before the start date, we will grant a full refund minus a 2.7% processing fee for credit card transactions.
- Between 90 and 61 days before the start date, we will grant a full refund minus $50/person and a 2.7% processing fee for credit card transactions.
- Due to the cancellation policy of our partner hotels, no refunds or credits are possible for Lodging/Hiking packages within 61 days of the first night’s accommodations. All date or accommodation changes should be made before this time.
48-Hour Risk-Free Cancellation Policy
Any reservation can be canceled within 48 hours of the initial booking, and we will issue 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 trip is booked 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 amount for the 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.
Infectious Illness Policy: Any participant on any program/trip who exhibits any signs or symptoms of a potential infectious illness will not be allowed 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 you or your child shows any signs of illness. 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 even more dangerous 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 the weather is unfavorable. You will not be allowed to summit with a Lasting Adventures permit if the experienced guide decides the conditions are not favorable.
TRIP CHANGE/CREDIT POLICY
Once you book a trip with Lasting Adventures, the value you paid is valid toward switching to another trip in the current or upcoming year, pending available spaces on the new trip. Changes to your booking and conversion to credit must occur more than 60 days before your start date, and no refunds or credits are available within 61 days of the first night’s accommodations.
COUPONS
See our Coupon Use Terms and Conditions.
