Are you ready for an escape from the clamor of the city? On this four-day, curated adventure, you’ll travel into the vast natural grandeur that takes you deep into the Sierra Nevadas. Revel in the dramatic, glacier-formed cliffs, enjoy the soft, wildflower-speckled meadows, wonder at the towering sequoias, and take in the clear sparkling water of Lake Tahoe, in this dynamic tour along the mountain range that inspired John Muir’s most powerful conservation efforts.
You’ll get a taste of California’s rich agricultural hub as we pass through a slice of the Central Valley and connect with the rich history of California’s gold country, passing through some of the first settlements built during the Gold Rush.
During this comprehensive four-day Yosemite and Tahoe Sierras Tour, you’ll have opportunities to hike through Giant Sequoias, admire the picturesque lakes of the Eastern Sierras, and brave a dip in the startlingly clear Lake Tahoe waters.
Relax in comfort with hotel accommodations in all 3 destinations. At the end of a day of hiking and exploring, you’ll have access to hot showers and a cozy bed to get a good night’s sleep. Single supplement for solo travelers also available.
Weather permitting. Some activities are not accessible in extreme weather or due to road closures. Every attempt will be made to find comparable activities if these options are not available during your trip. This tour runs weekly, from May to September (see Yosemite Escape 3-day Camping Tour for additional summer overnights in Yosemite).
Highlights
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“We have recently returned from a seventeen day holiday in California, working our way up the coast using Amtrak trains and buses. As we had no car we needed a tour to visit Yosemite and Lake Tahoe. We couldn’t have chosen a better tour and it was certainly the icing on the cake for our holiday. Our guide Phil was a very personable guy who made every effort to make the tour interesting and enjoyable. Phil was very knowledgeable about the history, the geology, the environment and the people of the places we visited. He was always flexible and catered for everyone’s interests and physical ability. My husband and I are in our seventies and whilst we are quite fit for our age we found this tour relaxed and manageable. The rest of the people on our tour were a great bunch and easy to get along with. I would certainly recommend this tour, our experiences were unforgettable and definitely enriched by our guides knowledge. Thanks Phil.”
**Sample Itineraries: Please note that due to rapidly-changing conditions beyond our control (weather, crowds, traffic) and the small size of our vehicles/groups, we allow our guides the flexibility to tailor your itinerary to best suit the needs of the group. While we guarantee that we’ll do our best to provide you with all of the highlights within this Yosemite and Tahoe Sierras Tour itinerary (conditions permitting), we do not guarantee them in this specific order. **
After departing San Francisco, you’ll head through California’s famous Gold Rush Country, high into the mountains of the Sierra Nevada. Once we reach the drop-off location, you’ll have 4 hours of free time to explore this natural playground. Experience the majestic views from Yosemite Valley with some of America’s tallest waterfalls and towering granite cliffs rising 4,000 feet from the valley floor. You’ll have options to meander or bike down paved paths, hike the trails, engage further with the park’s history at the visitor center, or visit the Ansel Adams Gallery. Just a few hours in the park will show you why the iconic landscapes have been the inspiration for countless artists and photographers dating back to John Muir’s first expeditions in the late 1800s.
After a full day of traipsing around the park, we’ll head to the rustic mountain resort to kick back, have some drinks and share the stories of your day.
Did you catch the scent of a trail you didn’t have time for? This morning you’ll have plenty of time to follow your inspiration. Next, we’ll set off for Yosemite High Country with views like no other.
Prepare to dine among giants as we arrive at a grove of Sequoia trees. You’ll take in the meditative views as next to trees that measure up to 300 feet tall, 30 feet wide, and older than one thousand years.
In the afternoon, you’ll ascend to almost 10,000 Feet (3000+ meters), traversing Yosemite’s Tioga Pass viewing iconic sites like the reflective Tenaya Lake and weaving your way through Tuolumne Meadows before descending the fiercely steep eastern slope of the Sierra Nevadas.
You’ll have some time to explore beautiful Mammoth Lakes, California before hitting the hay. With a hint at its prehistoric past, the name is quite fitting… the size of the mountains, the number of lakes, and the expanse of the valleys. Try your hand at mountain biking or take a scenic Gondola ride up to 11,053 ft (3368 meters) and check out one of the most stunning 360 degree views in California. Explore the geologic, natural, and human history of Mammoth and find out why this is one of the most studied regions in the world.
We’ll continue into the mountains as we connect with the rich history of California’s gold country, passing through some of the first settlements built during the Gold Rush. Take in the earthy forest smell as we make our way to the heart of the park. Your guide will pepper in stories and historical facts about the different sights. Be sure to listen for the logistics as we get ready for the day tour!
As you take in the crisp morning air, your guide will facilitate a personalized adventure schedule! Get up close and personal with Lake Tahoe, the highest alpine lake in the USA either by kayak, stand-up paddleboard. Rent a bike to trundle the paths along the lake’s gorgeous sandy shores. If you would prefer more of a bird’s eye view with panoramic vistas of Lake Tahoe, Carson Valley and the Desolation Wilderness, take the 2.4 mile gondola ride up to Heavenly Mountain resort where you can hike, go tubing, or explore the zipline or ropes course. Having trouble deciding? You always have the option to keep it simple and go on a short hike with the expert direction of your guide.
We’ll wave goodbye to this natural playground as leave Lake Tahoe behind. On our way back to the city by the bay, we’ll pass through the state’s capital city, Sacramento, following the historic Pony Express Trail through El Dorado National Forest. We’ll deliver you back to San Francisco in time for dinner.
We understand how important quality time with your friends and family is. We also understand the hesitation some customers may have in sharing a vehicle with people they don’t know. While we love the ease of travel & new friendships that shared tours provide, we have adapted to bring our customers more options when it comes to booking a tour.
This tour is now available to book as a private excursion for up to 8 guests. You’ll receive the same itinerary and inclusions that our typical tour would provide, plus personal one-on-one attention from your guide and the ability to choose exactly who you’ll bring with you.
Feeling like making some changes or additions to the itinerary? Contact us and we can create a quote for any custom experience you’d like to partake in anywhere in the 50 states.
Reserve your Yosemite and Tahoe Sierras Tour as a private excursion now!
Our rates are based on a maximum of 8 guests with two quad occupancy guest rooms included. After clicking below and choosing an available date, elect the ‘private tour’ option.
Private tour for 1-8 guests: $9,066 total
At Incredible Adventures, we believe that you should be able to travel stress-free. So we’ve partnered with Arch RoamRight to offer our guests the most comprehensive travel insurance possible. Wherever you are, you’ll be guaranteed financial coverage for any unexpected twists and turns on your travels. We believe no one should have to lose out on investing in a once-in-a-lifetime trip!
SF & International: (415) 642-7378
US & Canada toll free: 1 (800) 777-8464
info@incadventures.com
