Picturesque view of a large mountain range with forest in the foreground.
Hiker posing on a rock, clifside.
People swimming in lake surrounded by forest and mountains.
Hiker meeting a groundhog.
Three Backroads guests posing on a hike for a photo.
A redwood tree grove at dusk.
Waterfall in Yosemite
Mountains at sunset with forest in the foreground.
Exterior view of Hotel Ahwanee
Hiker posing on a cliffside, leaning on a rail.
Waterfall flowing down smooth rocks.
Portrait of a deer in a meadow.
Walking & Hiking
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California's Yosemite Women's Walking & Hiking Tour

National Park's Dramatic Half Dome & Waterfalls

Women's Adventures

6 days 5 nights

Activity Level: 1-4

Casual Plus Hotels

From: $4,699 pp dbl occ

($1,300 for sgl occ)

Half Dome, El Capitan, Yosemite Falls—legendary landmarks in an epic national park whose grandeur is almost overwhelming. Marvel at soaring granite cliffs that were once likened to Gothic cathedrals. Soak up sublime vistas. Hike to thundering waterfalls. Behold towering sequoias. Welcome to Yosemite National Park: 761,266 acres of "wow!"

California Yosemite Women Walking & Hiking Tour map
California Yosemite Women Walking & Hiking Tour map

California

Start/End San Francisco

Start/End locations may vary. Do not book flights until your trip details are confirmed.

Highlights

  • Experience spectacular hikes to alpine meadows, waterfalls and jaw-dropping panoramas 
  • Gaze skyward on a walk through a grove of giant sequoias, Yosemite's ancient trees 
  • Explore the endless trails of Tuolumne Meadows, a glacier-carved area over two miles long 
  • Discover the impressive rock formations for which Yosemite is known, including world-famous Half Dome

Itinerary

Accommodations may vary based on departure date.
6 Days Casual Plus Hotels
Accommodations may vary based on departure.
Day 1
Description

Hike amid an awe-inspiring grove of giant sequoias, Yosemite's imposing ancient trees—some estimated to be 1,800 years old, give or take a few centuries | What's your pleasure this afternoon? Perhaps you'll be up for a swim or a spa treatment at our hotel, cradled by the pines of Sierra National Forest. 

Accommodations
Exterior view of Tenaya Lodge
Tenaya Lodge
Fish Camp
| Casual Plus Hotel

A comfortable mountain resort near Yosemite's South Gate with plentiful amenities and panoramic forest views. (pool, spa) 

Days 2-3
Description

Set out on foot from Yosemite Valley, journeying past waterfalls and towering granite walls | Settle into The Ahwahnee, an iconic hotel in Yosemite Valley | Take in the unique design and architecture of this historic jewel and savor a memorable dinner below chandeliers dangling from the dining room's 34-foot-high ceiling | Glean a treasure trove of Yosemite Valley secrets from a local naturalist | Choose to spend the afternoon however you wish: set out on a hike to Yosemite Falls, hop on a bike and cruise through Yosemite Valley or visit the Ansel Adams Gallery.

Accommodations
Exterior View of The Ahwahnee
The Ahwahnee
Yosemite Village
| Casual Plus Hotel

A National Historic Landmark, this iconic hotel features elaborate stained-glass windows, original Miwok Indian arts and crafts, Oriental rugs and Shaker-style furnishings. (pool)

Days 4-6
Description

Explore sprawling Tuolumne Meadows with endless hiking trails, glorious high-country scenery and a profusion of summer wildflowers | Gaze up at Lembert Dome, a huge mound of polished granite | Delight in the range of amenities at Yosemite’s newest lodge situated on a wooded 20-acre expanse |​ Get to know Hetch Hetchy, an enchanting valley with fascinating natural and human history | Behold a striking granite dome Native Americans called Kolana and the triple cascade of Wapama Falls | Hike alongside the South Fork of the Tuolumne River to delicate two-tiered Carlon Falls. 

Accommodations
The pool at Rush Creek Lodge
Rush Creek Lodge
Groveland​
| Casual Plus Hotel

Set on 20 wooded acres at the doorstep to Yosemite National Park, this new lodge offers an ideal blend of contemporary sophistication and rustic warmth. (pool)

The earlier you book, the more choice you'll have and the lower your price. And you can always change your mind — you won't be charged to transfer to a different trip before your final payment is due. View cancellation policy.

Click on dates for pricing, itinerary variations and to book your trip. Price is per person, double occupancy in USD.

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Our Private Trips are best for groups of 6 or more. We suggest joining a scheduled trip.

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Activity Level: 1-4

Every Backroads trip is designed to appeal to a wide variety of interests and fitness levels. Several routes and a range of levels are offered each day so you can choose how much or how little activity you want to do. Learn more about how we determine activity levels.

Route notes

The terrain on this trip includes well-maintained trails that vary from level to hilly and include substantial elevation gains and losses on longer options. Most activities take place at elevations of 5,000–9,000 feet, which can make the routes feel more challenging than the mileage may suggest.

Daily Route Options

* Includes shuttle.
Day 1
Walking & Hiking
Level 1 | 4 miles | 800 ft. gain
Level 2 | 7 miles | 1200 ft. gain
Day 2
Walking & Hiking
Level 2 | 4 miles | 1100 ft. gain
Level 3 | 4 miles | 1600 ft. gain
Level 4 | 7 miles | 2200 ft. gain
Level 5 | 9 miles | 2200 ft. gain
Day 3
Walking & Hiking
Level 1 | 3 miles* | 200 ft. gain
Other
Naturalist-Guided Walk (3 hours)
Day 4
Walking & Hiking
Level 1 | 4 miles* | 300 ft. gain
Level 3 | 7 miles | 1000 ft. gain
Day 5
Walking & Hiking
Level 1 | 3 miles | 500 ft. gain
Level 2 | 5 miles | 800 ft. gain
Day 6
Walking & Hiking
Level 1 | 3 miles | 300 ft. gain

What's Included

  • All breakfasts, 6 lunches, 4 dinners
  • Expertise and services of our experienced Trip Leaders
  • Snacks and beverages between meals
  • Additional guides and experts from the region on many trips
  • Van shuttles to support a variety of route options
  • Comprehensive Travel Planner with detailed pre-trip information
  • Private guided tours at museums, historic sites, wineries and other select attractions as noted in the Travel Planner
  • All gratuities at hotels and restaurants
  • Special events, including wine tastings and other select attractions as mentioned in the Travel Planner
  • On biking and multi-adventure trips, use of fully equipped Backroads titanium bike plus helmet and accessories
  • Trailercycles, carriers, and kid-sized helmets for Family Trips
  • Equipment and experienced guides for kayaking, rafting, snorkeling, sailing and canoeing as described
  • Park and other entry fees
  • Fares for trains, ferries and other modes of travel as listed in the Travel Planner
  • Select coach transfers
  • Baggage transfers and porterage

Straight talk

We want to make sure you're on the right trip and that you have the best experience possible. Every Backroads trip is unique and this one is no exception.

Shuttle Time

We know you signed up for an active vacation, so why would you want to spend time sitting in a van? The truth is, we do spend more time shuttling on this trip than we do on many other Backroads trips, but that's because we're willing to go the distance to bring you the very best of Yosemite's natural wonders. Of course, we could cut out some shuttle time by only exploring one corner of the park, but how could we possibly choose which experiences to sacrifice? We have planned our itinerary to make the most of this vast and spectacular national park. 

Service at The Ahwahnee

The Ahwahnee is a historical treasure and by far the best place to stay in the Yosemite Valley. Its location within Yosemite National Park makes it an ideal base for exploring the valley's many sights, but it also means it is run by the national park and subject to park regulations and oversight. Similar to many national park lodges, service at The Ahwahnee can seem slow and casual when compared with the hospitality found on other Backroads trips.

Ask a trip expert

Have a question and need expert advice? Our team of Trip Consultants is here to help! You can also visit our Help Center.

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