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Highlights
Discover some iconic scenic wonders within Yosemite National Park
Summit the incredible, the rugged Half Dome, which will have you using cables to climb a steep rock face to reach otherworldly views.
Enjoy refreshing dips in the “Wild and Scenic” Merced River after hours of hiking to magnificent vistas.
Spend three nights camping in Yosemite’s backcountry, where the flow of the river acts as a natural white noise.
Consume tasty backcountry meals in stunning locations, such as lunch atop Half Dome and dinners at your wild campsites.
One word describes this "bang for your buck" guided 5-day Half Dome Backpacking Tour in Yosemite National Park: epic. Traverse a montage of remarkable scenery before ascending the iconic Half Dome. Camp along the scenic Merced River, pass by the roaring Nevada Fall and meander a portion of the famous John Muir Trail.
But the pinnacle of this guided backpacking adventure is the Half Dome summit, which has you climbing cables up a steep rock face. The adrenaline-induced climb will enhance the views of the green-tinged cliffs' layered in the valley below. You'll spend three nights backcountry camping on this wild adventure, so get ready to immerse in Yosemite's magnificent backyard!
*Do note that there’s a 4-day option for this tour and the Length of itinerary is determined by permit availability. These permits are secured 24 (or less) weeks before the trip.
Please check out this blog to find out more about the COVID-19 precautions during the tour.
One word describes this "bang for your buck" guided 5-day Half Dome Backpacking Tour in Yosemite National Park: epic. Traverse a montage of remarkable scenery before ascending the iconic Half Dome. Camp along the scenic Merced River, pass by the roaring Nevada Fall and meander a portion of the famous John Muir Trail.
But the pinnacle of this guided backpacking adventure is the Half Dome summit, which has you climbing cables up a steep rock face. The adrenaline-induced climb will enhance the views of the green-tinged cliffs' layered in the valley below. You'll spend three nights backcountry camping on this wild adventure, so get ready to immerse in Yosemite's magnificent backyard!
*Do note that there’s a 4-day option for this tour and the Length of itinerary is determined by permit availability. These permits are secured 24 (or less) weeks before the trip.
Please check out this blog to find out more about the COVID-19 precautions during the tour.
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Half Dome Backpacking Tour Itinerary
Day 1 Meet in Yosemite National Park
Head to Curry Village and check in sometime after 5 pm. At 6 pm, you’ll meet your guide and the rest of your group for a brief orientation. Enjoy dinner on your own tonight at one of the surrounding restaurants.
Overnight Location: Hotel in Curry Village
Distance: None
Meals: None
Day 2 Start your hike
Get ready for your first day of hiking! After breakfast on your own, you’ll meet your guide at the Half Dome Village Mountain Shop bright and early (at 7 am). Your car will stay in the parking lot, and head towards the trailhead to start your journey. Soon you will reach your camp, situated along Illilouette Creek, below the shadow of Mt. Starr King.
Overnight Location: Camping at Illilouette Creek
Distance: 4 mi, 697 ft ascent, 1540 ft descent
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 3 Go to Little Yosemite Valley
Today will take you to another compilation of scenic views, such as Nevada Falls, and at your campsite, you’ll have a chance to chill at beaches flanking the wildly stunning Merced River. Enjoy marvelling at the incredible views of the Little Yosemite Valley!
Overnight Location: Camping in Little Yosemite Valley
Distance: 5-7 mi, 1798 ft ascent, 2070 ft descent
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 4 Climb Half Dome
Consume a fulfilling breakfast before getting ready to summit the iconic Half Dome! After climbing the cables and once your adrenaline rush fades, the views of Yosemite high country will emerge into focus. It’s genuinely mesmerizing from the top! Enjoy lunch here before making your way back to camp. Once you’re back at camp, you can cool off in the Merced River.
Overnight Location: Camping in Little Yosemite Valley
Distance: 6.7 mi, 2875 ft ascent, 2876 ft descent
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 5 Hike the John Muir Trail
Today may be the last of your backpacking trip, but that doesn’t mean the trail won’t wind to more mesmerizing views—you get to travel a section of the iconic John Muir Trail along the bubbling Merced River. You will catch views of the Nevada and Vernal falls. Arrive back in Curry Village in the afternoon.
Overnight Location: None
Distance: 5.3 mi, 811 ft ascent, 2935 ft descent
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Half Dome Backpacking Tour Price and Dates
This guided tour in the Sierra Nevada is always run as a fixed-departure tour where you would be joining a group, therefore the price is fixed and only depends on the number of people sharing the room or a tent.Prices below are per person and are based on a 5-day tour itinerary. In case the permit is secured for 4-days, the prices below will be USD200 per person lower.
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Accommodation on Half Dome Backpacking Tour
This backpacking adventure will have you staying in a cozy luxurious campground one night. The specialty lodging has modern necessities that will keep you comfy and relaxed. Keep in mind that rooms are double occupancy, but you can always upgrade to single occupancy for an additional fee. Single travellers are also required to pay a supplement. You will spend the remaining 3 nights backcountry camping.
In some cases, the accommodation listed below may be swapped for other similar accommodations.
Single Rooms and Solo Travelers
You can pay a supplement of USD165 to have a private room in a hotel. Contact us and we can try and match single travelers up, where possible. However, if there are no options, solo travellers will pay a supplement of USD80.
What’s included in the Half Dome Backpacking Tour?
Meals
4 breakfasts, 4 lunches, 3 dinners, and trail snacks along the route are included.
Accommodations
Accommodations for 1 night in Curry Village. 3 nights of wilderness camping are also included. Accommodations before and after the tour in Yosemite Valley are not included.
Transportation during the Tour
Receive a free private shuttle ride from Curry Village (Yosemite Valley) to the trailhead on Day 2.
Also Included
- Guide
- Personal backpacking gear (per request), such as sleeping bags, backpack, sleeping pads, tents, trekking poles
- Group gear, such as stoves, group first aid kit, cooking items, water filters, etc.
- Hot coffee and tea in the mornings
Not included
- Flights and transportation to get to and from Yosemite Valley
- Personal clothing and shoes
- Accommodations before and after the adventure tour in Yosemite Valley
- Personal expenses + gratuities (recommended 10-20% for excellent service)
- Evacuations
- Insurance
Optional Extras
- You can upgrade to a single occupancy in the hotel for an additional fee
- Extra night in Yosemite Valley before or after the tour
- How hard is the Half Dome Backpacking Tour?
- Do I need a Visa to travel to the United States?
- When is the tour length being confirmed?
- Are meals included on the Half Dome Backpacking Tour?
- Do I need insurance?
- How do I get to Curry Village to start this tour?
- Is the Half Dome Backpacking Tour in English?
- Where does the Half Dome Backpacking Tour end?
- Do I need special vaccines to travel to the United States?
- Are there any travel restrictions for the United States?
- When is the best time to travel to California for this tour?
This tour is rated as 3 / 5, as it has you hiking moderate routes every day. You also need to be comfortable with camping in the wild for 3 nights. Please note that the ascent to Half Dome is very steep, and those who are afraid of heights might feel very uncomfortable here.
Check with your local country about visa requirements. You could also try this website, though you should verify with your government.
The tour length is being confirmed when permits for this tour are issued, which usually happens 23-24 weeks before the tour.
4 breakfasts, 4 lunches, 3 dinners, and trail snacks along the route are included.
Yes, it is mandatory to have Health and Medical insurance to join this trip. Get your Travel Insurance.
You can fly to Fresno Yosemite International Airport. From Fresno, you can take the Yosemite Area Regional Transit System (YARTS) to get to Yosemite Valley. You can also drive to Curry Village.
Yes, the tour guide speaks English.
The tour ends in Yosemite Valley (in Curry Village), California.
Check with your family doctor.
Please check with your local government about travel restrictions before you book your tour. This map from the US Department of State provides an overview of the current status in countries around the globe. The UK‘s Foreign Office and Government of Canada also provide advice on foreign travel. Note that the travel advice may change depending on your nationality.
The best time to travel to California for trekking is during the summer. This tour is available from June to September.
Customer Ratings
SYMG was started in 1991 by three friends offering hiking trips into California’s mountains in hopes of more closely meshing lifestyle with work. The combination proved successful and SYMG has become a leader in the active travel and mountain guiding world, providing carefully planned and executed trips in the most spectacular wilderness areas of California and beyond. Now, 30 years later, we’ve shown thousands of people the beauty of Yosemite and the High Sierra and have been named one of the “Best Outfitters on Earth” by National Geographic Adventure Magazine.
