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Yosemite Grand Traverse Tour with Horsepack Support

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Yosemite Grand Traverse Tour with Horsepack Support
From $4,495USDBook Now
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8 days from $4,495USD
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Grand Yosemite Traverse Tour with Horseback Support
Personalized Service
Let our experienced travel advisors plan your perfect adventure

Get ready for an epic 8-day adventure tour through the iconic and most-photographed regions of Yosemite National Park. The scenery is absolutely breathtaking, and to boot, you’ll have pack mules doing most of the heavy lifting for you, leaving you free to appreciate your surroundings without struggling under the weight of your pack.

Spend the first night in a hotel before venturing out to camp in the backcountry for the next six nights. Once you embark from the trailhead, you’ll have 80 glorious kilometres ahead of you, traversing through iconic spots of this magnificent park. Hike alongside clear rivers, summit peaks, and climb over high-mountain passes overlooking the expanse of Yosemite with crests and valleys extending to the horizon. Those who know the history of National Parks in the US will recognize the name of the John Muir Trail. You’ll connect along this trail and spend one night next to the slice-of-paradise Cathedral Lake.

Epic sunrises and sunsets abound on this tour. It’s a moderately challenging 8-day journey, but with pack mule support and exceptional meals along the way, you’re sure to enjoy every moment of it.

Please check out this blog to find out more about the COVID-19 precautions during the tour.

United States, North America
Happiness promise

Yosemite Grand Traverse Tour with Horsepack Support

Hike across the picturesque landscapes of Yosemite on this 8-day tour
4.70
(46 reviews)
8 days from $4,495USD
Easy quote
Duration
8 days
Season
Aug
Activity
Trekking
Type
Guided, Scheduled
Accommodation
Hotels, Camping
Difficulty
Moderate (3/5)
From $4,495USD (see prices for this tour)
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National Geographic
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FodorsTravel
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National Geographic
Guardian
Grand Yosemite Traverse Tour with Horseback Support
Personalized Service
Let our experienced travel advisors plan your perfect adventure

Get ready for an epic 8-day adventure tour through the iconic and most-photographed regions of Yosemite National Park. The scenery is absolutely breathtaking, and to boot, you’ll have pack mules doing most of the heavy lifting for you, leaving you free to appreciate your surroundings without struggling under the weight of your pack.

Spend the first night in a hotel before venturing out to camp in the backcountry for the next six nights. Once you embark from the trailhead, you’ll have 80 glorious kilometres ahead of you, traversing through iconic spots of this magnificent park. Hike alongside clear rivers, summit peaks, and climb over high-mountain passes overlooking the expanse of Yosemite with crests and valleys extending to the horizon. Those who know the history of National Parks in the US will recognize the name of the John Muir Trail. You’ll connect along this trail and spend one night next to the slice-of-paradise Cathedral Lake.

Epic sunrises and sunsets abound on this tour. It’s a moderately challenging 8-day journey, but with pack mule support and exceptional meals along the way, you’re sure to enjoy every moment of it.

Please check out this blog to find out more about the COVID-19 precautions during the tour.

rating
Read about our scale for Tour Difficulty Ratings.
Trip highlights

Experience nature unburdened by your pack weight—you don’t have to carry it!

Climb to incredible heights over Isberg Pass (3,200 m / 10,500 ft) that marks the border of Yosemite.

Hike through remote and iconic areas of the park and see first-hand what all the fuss is about.

Relish in having gourmet backcountry meals prepared for you as you chill in the wilderness.

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We know Adventure
10Adventures only does Hiking, Cycling and Adventure Holidays. Its our mission to help you explore the world!

Trip map

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Day by day itinerary
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Day 1
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Arrival in Fresno
Welcome to California! Find your own transportation to the hotel in Fresno to check-in after 4pm. Your guide will meet you and the rest of the group in the lobby at 6pm for an orientation on the adventure ahead. Have dinner at the hotel and get some sleep to prepare for this grand traverse.
Distance None
Overnight Location Hotel in Fresno
Included Meals None
Day 2
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Hike to Knoblock Meadow
Meet a private shuttle at 7am in the lobby to head to the trailhead about 3 hours away. Start the first leg of this journey entering the wilderness towards Knoblock Meadow. Once you reach the camp, your guide will prepare dinner, and you can sink into camp life under the stars.
Distance 6 mi, 1800 ft of ascent, 300 ft of descent
Overnight Location Camping
Included Meals Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 3
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Climb Isberg Pass (3,200 m)
You have a challenging day ahead, so fill up on breakfast prepared by your guide. In the morning, you’ll begin the ascent to Isberg Pass, reaching 3,200 m / 10,500 ft, and cross into Yosemite National Park. From the top of this pass, your efforts will be rewarded with mountain views extending to the horizon. Descend towards Merced River, where you’ll set up camp next to the lake marking the river’s headwaters. Huddle around the campfire admiring the lake and the several peaks surrounding it.
Distance 8 mi, 2300 ft of ascent, 800 ft of descent
Overnight Location Camping
Included Meals Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 4
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Walk Along the Merced River
Rise early and watch the sunrise over the glorious peaks around you. Enjoy breakfast, and begin today’s journey, which will be mostly downhill—a nice break from the uphill battle yesterday. Pass by several creeks, waterfalls, and inviting swimming holes all branching off of the Merced River. Walk among fragrant alpine meadows, eventually leading down to set up camp next to the river.
Distance 6.8 mi, 150 ft of ascent, 2300 ft of descent
Overnight Location Camping
Included Meals Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 5
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Hike Echo Valley + Sunrise Creek
After breakfast, you’ll continue hiking along the Merced River into Echo Valley. This will be the longest hiking effort of the tour with equal amounts of elevation gain as loss. Hike along stunning granite ridges that offer an expansive view of Little Yosemite Valley. Set up camp for the night near Sunrise Creek, which is adjacent to tomorrow’s route to summit Cloud’s Rest.
Distance 10.5 mi, 1565 ft of ascent, 1385 ft of descent
Overnight Location Camping
Included Meals Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 6
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Summit Cloud’s Rest + Hike to Sunrise Lakes
Get an early start today for a big climb right off the bat. Just off the main trail, you’ll head to the top of Cloud’s Rest at 3,025 m / 9,926 ft, where epic panoramic views await. Descend onto the primary trail hiking through Tenaya Canyon during the afternoon. Reach Sunrise Lakes, a sparkling alpine pool surrounded by pines and rocky peaks. After a few nights in the wilderness, you’ll feel right at home as you have dinner around and watch the alpine glow of sunset illuminate nature’s magic.
Distance 8-8.5 mi, 2746 ft of ascent, 1591 ft of descent
Overnight Location Camping
Included Meals Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 7
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Trek John Muir Trail to Cathedral Lake
Have breakfast with your group, then join up with the John Muir Trail, named after the naturalist known as the “Father of the National Parks.” Follow this trail through incredible wildflower meadows and alongside treed peaks to reach the idyllic Cathedral Lake. This high alpine lake has had millions of photos taken of it, so what’s a couple more? You’ll arrive at the lake in the afternoon with plenty of time to explore, relax, swim, or just admire the view before setting up camp and watching an epic sunset before bed.
Distance 6 mi, 1322 ft of ascent, 896 ft of descent
Overnight Location Camping
Included Meals Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 8
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Hike Out to Northern Yosemite + Transfer to Fresno
Enjoy your last morning in the mountains, and begin the descent to the trailhead. You’ll walk through the picturesque Tuolumne Meadows, where you’ll feel like you’re walking through a Yosemite National Park postcard. At the trailhead in Northern Yosemite, a private transfer will meet you to bring you back to Fresno around 5–6pm. Say goodbye to your Grand Traverse crew. On to the next leg of your journey!
Distance 3.7 mi, 230 ft of ascent, 1293 ft of descent
Overnight Location None
Included Meals Breakfast, Lunch

Why book with 10 Adventures?

We know adventure

Founded by experienced travellers, active and adventure vacations are all we do.

Experience the trip of a lifetime organized by a team of travel specialists who combine knowledge and passion for adventure travel.

Self-guided specialists

With over 600 tours across 30+ countries, we specialize in self-guided tours.

Combine the freedom of travelling on your own with the confidence that all of your logistics are taken care of.

Packed with value

Get everything you need for your next vacation with one easy booking.

We take care of accommodations, luggage transfers, gear rentals, and more - so you can focus on making memories.

World Class support

Get unbeatable support at every step of your journey.

Whether you are planning or travelling, no matter what your question, a real human is always a call or click away.

Hassle free bookings

Have peace of mind for when travel plans change.

Explore our flexible booking, payment, and cancellation options, as well as our Lifetime Deposits program.

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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

2025-08-23

Fresno

8 days / 5+ Spaces Left

2025-08-30

Fresno

85+
$4,495USD
What’s included

Meals

7 breakfasts, 7 lunches, and 6 dinners are included.

Accommodations

Accommodation for 7 nights is included in the tour.

Transportation during the Tour

Transportation for your camping gear is included during this tour with pack mule support. You will receive a private shuttle transfer to and from Fresno and the trailheads.

Also Included

  • English-speaking guide services
  • Group gear: stove, cookware, water filters, first aid kit
  • Personal gear available: backpack, sleeping bag, sleeping pad, trekking poles
  • Tent
  • Backcountry camping permits
  • Trail snacks
  • Pack mules to carry camping gear, and personal items of up to 15 lbs per person

Not included

  • Personal expenses + gratuities (recommended 10-20% for excellent service for guides and 3-5% for packers)
  • Trip insurance
  • Flights
  • Voluntary or involuntary evacuations
  • Anything not mentioned as “Included”

Optional Extras

  • Extra nights in Fresno

Accommodation for Yosemite Grand Traverse Tour with Horsepack Support

The hotel on this trip is 3-star. You will also camp in the wilderness for 6 nights in a high-quality tent with gear like sleeping bags and pads provided. Rooms are double occupancy, and single travelers will pay a supplement.

In some cases, the accommodation listed below may need to be substituted for other comparable 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 Tour with Horseback Support?

We rate this tour as a 3 / 5. You should be comfortable hiking for a week on moderate elevation gain for up to 17 km. Please note, that the pack animals will be carrying your personal items, up to 15 lbs per person.

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 Tour with Horseback Support?

7 breakfasts, 7 lunches, and 6 dinners 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 reach Fresno by flying into Fresno Airport and get a hotel shuttle, or by car from San Francisco Airport (3.25 hours) or Los Angeles Airport (3.75 hours).

What is the maximum size of the group?

The group consists of max 11 travellers.

Is the Yosemite Grand Traverse Tour with Horseback Support in English?

Yes, the tour guide is English-speaking.

Where does the Yosemite Grand Traverse Tour with Horseback Support 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 in July and August.

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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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