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Yosemite Grand Traverse Backpacking Tour

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Yosemite Grand Traverse Backpacking Tour
From $2,995USDBook Now
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8 days from $2,995USD
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Yosemite Grand Traverse Backpacking Tour
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Get ready for an unforgettable, rugged trekking experience of a lifetime on this epic 8-day Yosemite Grand Traverse Backpacking Tour. This 80-kilometre trek winds to a collage of remote natural wonders tucked into the corners of Yosemite National Park, including a challenging, but undeniably rewarding hike to the summit of Clouds Rest and an epic night of camping by Cathedral Lake.

This guided adventure requires some training before you lace up your boots as you’ll be twisting between 400-800-plus metres of elevation and 9.5-16 km a day! National Geographic even dubs this guided backpacking tour as one of the “World’s Top 15 Trails,” so you know the momentary pain will all fade when you soak in the supernatural views!

United States, North America
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Yosemite Grand Traverse Backpacking Tour

Backpack to wild, remote areas of Yosemite National Park
4.70
(46 reviews)
8 days from $2,995USD
Easy quote
Duration
8 days
Season
Jul-Sep
Activity
Trekking
Type
Guided, Scheduled
Accommodation
Hotels and camping
Difficulty
Hard (4/5)
From $2,995USD (see prices for this tour)
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National Geographic
Guardian
FodorsTravel
Time
Backpacker
National Geographic
Guardian
Yosemite Grand Traverse Backpacking Tour
Personalized Service
Let our experienced travel advisors plan your perfect adventure

Get ready for an unforgettable, rugged trekking experience of a lifetime on this epic 8-day Yosemite Grand Traverse Backpacking Tour. This 80-kilometre trek winds to a collage of remote natural wonders tucked into the corners of Yosemite National Park, including a challenging, but undeniably rewarding hike to the summit of Clouds Rest and an epic night of camping by Cathedral Lake.

This guided adventure requires some training before you lace up your boots as you’ll be twisting between 400-800-plus metres of elevation and 9.5-16 km a day! National Geographic even dubs this guided backpacking tour as one of the “World’s Top 15 Trails,” so you know the momentary pain will all fade when you soak in the supernatural views!

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Read about our scale for Tour Difficulty Ratings.
Trip highlights

Explore remote, undiscovered areas nestled in the corners of Yosemite National Park on this 80-km backpacking expedition.

Enjoy camping in the thick of the wild, including spending a night at one of the most intoxicating views in Yosemite: Cathedral Lake.

Summit to Clouds Rest, where magnificent, otherworldly views of the dangerous Tenaya Canyon sprawled below enchant.

Hike a section of the famous, renowned John Muir Trail, and admire the alpine meadows and towering glaciated peaks as you walk.

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Day by day itinerary
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Day 1
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Travel to Fresno, CA
Begin your adventure in Fresno, California! Check into the hotel around 4 pm. Meet your guide at 6 pm for an orientation with the rest of your group. You’ll double-check your gear and go over the details for the upcoming backpacking trip. Enjoy dinner on your own at the hotel.
Distance None
Overnight Location Hotel in Fresno
Included Meals None
Day 2
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Start your trek
Enjoy a complimentary breakfast before hopping in a shuttle and heading to the trailhead. You will hike around 7 km to Knoblock Meadow, where you will set up camp for the night. Spend some time exploring while the guide(s) concoct dinner. Cap off the day the starry night sky.
Distance 6 mi, 1800 ft ascent, 300 ft descent
Overnight Location Camping at Knoblock Meadow
Included Meals Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 3
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Ascend Isberg Pass
Wake up early and prepare for another epic day of hiking. Today’s journey winds up to Isberg Pass. En route, you’ll walk by a high lakes basin before ascending the pass. Spend the night surrounded by an amphitheatre of peaks as you camp lakeside at the source of the Merced River. Fall asleep to the lullabies of nature!
Distance 8 mi, 2300 ft ascent, 800 ft descent
Overnight Location Camping at Merced River
Included Meals Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 4
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Go down the Merced River
Today’s route has you descending by a montage of intoxicating views of the Clark Range, waterfalls, meadows, and glistening spots to swim and cool off. Bask in the stars lighting up the sky and the soothing sounds of the Merced River at night.
Distance 6.8 mi, 150 ft ascent, 2300 ft descent
Overnight Location Camping at Merced River
Included Meals Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 5
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Head to Sunrise Creek
Get ready for another of winding to stunning views! Begin by hiking into Echo Valley before reconquering the elevation you just lost. Meander along massive granite ridges and marvel at the vistas of Little Yosemite Valley playing right before your eyes as you hike. Kick-off your boots and relax at Sunrise Creek.
Distance 10.5 mi, 1565 ft ascent, 1385 ft descent
Overnight Location Camping at Sunrise Creek
Included Meals Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 6
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Hike to Clouds Rest
Expect an unbelievably rewarding day today. Begin by summiting Clouds Rest. You’ll reach the pinnacle late in the morning, giving you a moment to catch your breath and admire the Tenaya Canyon sprawled below. You’ll then drop your backpack and head up to the peak on a 5.7-km round trip. After this, you’ll continue hiking to Sunrise Lakes. Spend the rest of the day basking in nature and chilling out.
Distance 8-8.5mi, 2746 ft ascent, 1591 ft descent
Overnight Location Camping at Sunrise Lakes
Included Meals Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 7
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Walk the John Muir Trail
Today’s route takes you to a section of the famous John Muir Trail. Walk by charming alpine meadows and soaring pyramidal peaks as you make your way to one of the most incredible, electrifying views in Yosemite: Cathedral Lake. Upon arrival, opt to explore one of the off-trails or splash around in the refreshing water. Revel in the calming whispers and roars of the wild as you spend one last night in nature.
Distance 6 mi, 1322 ft ascent, 896 ft descent
Overnight Location Camping at Cathedral Lake
Included Meals Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 8
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Leave the backcountry
Pack up your gear and wind to Tuolumne Meadows in Northern Yosemite. Your shuttle will pick you up from the trailhead. But the tour doesn’t end here! A scenic drive awaits. Enjoy relaxing as you watch the breathtaking vistas of the park play like a movie before your eyes as you snake back to Fresno. Expect to get back to town between 5-6 pm.
Distance 3.7 mi, 230 ft ascent, 1293 ft descent
Overnight Location None
Included Meals Breakfast, Lunch

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4.70 (46 reviews)
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Dates and prices

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.

The prices below are per person:

StartFinishDurationPlaces LeftPrice

2025-07-05

Fresno

8 days / 5+ Spaces Left

2025-07-12

Fresno

85+
$2,995USD

2025-08-16

Fresno

8 days / 5+ Spaces Left

2025-08-23

Fresno

85+
$2,995USD

2025-09-06

Fresno

8 days / 5+ Spaces Left

2025-09-13

Fresno

85+
$2,995USD
What’s included

Meals

7 breakfasts, 7 lunches, 6 dinners, and trail snacks along the route are included.

Accommodations

Accommodations for 1 night in the hotel in Fresno, and for 6 nights of wilderness camping.

Transportation during the Tour

Receive a free private shuttle ride from Fresno to the trailhead, and from the ending trailhead back to Fresno.

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 to get to and from Fresno
  • Personal clothing and shoes
  • Accommodations before and after the adventure tour in Fresno
  • 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 Fresno before or after the tour

Accommodation for Yosemite Grand Traverse Backpacking Tour

This backpacking adventure will have you staying in a cozy hotel one night. The hotel 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 6 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 {price currency="USD" value="110"} 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 {price currency="USD" value="55"}.

Non-Standard Cancellation

  • 64 days or more prior to departure: the cancellation fee will be 50% of the total trip cost.
  • Between 34 and 62 days prior to departure: the cancellation fee will be 75% of the total trip cost.
  • 33 days or less prior to departure: the cancellation fee will be 100% of the total trip cost.
Frequently asked questions

How hard is the Yosemite Grand Traverse Backpacking Tour?

This tour is rated as 4 / 5, as it has you hiking moderate to challenging routes every day. You also need to be comfortable with camping in the wild for 6 nights.

Do I need a Visa to travel to the United States?

Check with your local country about visa requirements. You could also try this website, though you should verify with your government.

Are meals included on the Yosemite Grand Traverse Backpacking Tour?

7 breakfasts, 7 lunches, 6 dinners, and trail snacks along the route are included.

Do I need insurance?

Yes, it is mandatory to have Health and Medical insurance to join this trip. Get your Travel Insurance.

How do I get to Fresno to start this tour?

You can fly to Fresno Yosemite International Airport.

Is the Yosemite Grand Traverse Backpacking Tour in English?

Yes, the tour guide speaks English.

Where does the Yosemite Grand Traverse Backpacking Tour end?

The tour ends in Fresno, California.

Do I need special vaccines to travel to the United States?

Check with your family doctor.

Are there any travel restrictions for the United States?

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.

When is the best time to travel to California for this tour?

The best time to travel to California for trekking is during the summer. This tour is available from July to September.

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Why travellers choose this tour
At 10Adventures, it’s easy to make memories with the following six optional inclusions on this tour:
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