Discover some iconic scenic wonders within Yosemite National Park
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.
Highlights of the Half Dome Backpacking 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 $200 USD per person lower.
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 $165 USD 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 $80 USD.
Hotels on Standard Tour
Curry Village in Yosemite National Park ★
Curry Village offers a “glamping” experience. They have a combination of rooms: heated tents, unheated tents, cabins, and hotel rooms.
Camping in Yosemite National Park
Revel in the mountainscapes as you camp at lakefront and riverside spots below a blanket of stars.
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
Frequently Asked Questions about Half Dome Backpacking Tour
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.
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