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At-A-Glance

Trip Dates:

May 20, 2012 through May 25, 2012

May 20-25, 2012

Yosemite has captured the hearts of millions, but only a privileged few experience this legendary landscape burst into life each spring. Start your journey at the Mariposa Grove of giant sequoias. At Pioneer Yosemite History Center, you’ll learn about people who played important roles in this park’s protection. Head deeper into the park as you descend into Yosemite Valley and retrace favorite locations of renowned naturalist John Muir—excerpts from his journal allow you to almost transcend time at Glacier Point, El Capitan, and Bridalveil Fall.

View Trip Photo Slideshow

For details about this trip, download the brochure (pdf)

Tour Highlights

John Muir’s Yosemite

John Muir, an American naturalist of Scottish birth, is a legend in US conservation. Muir was nearly 30 years old when he first experienced the Yosemite Valley. He would much of the rest of his life working to protect this national treasure, including petitioning congress to establish Yosemite National Park and convincing President Theodore Roosevelt that Yosemite Valley needed to be included in the park as federally protected land.

Your Expert Guides

Explore the jewels of Yosemite with two of the most admired ParkScapes guides, Betsy Robinson and Steve Gehman.

Tour Details

Arrive/Depart

Fresno, California

Length of Tour

6 days/5 nights

Pace

Easy to moderately active, offering a choice of activities each day to suit different activity levels and interests. Be prepared for a variety of hikes and walks on uneven trails.

Price Includes

All accommodations, meals as noted (B-Breakfast, LLunch, D-Dinner), ground transportation, entrance fees, professional guide services, park and other entrance fees, and miscellaneous program expenses.

Price Does Not Include

Roundtrip airfare to and from destination, gratuities for naturalist guides, alcoholic beverages, or personal expenses.

Payments/Cancellations

Space is confirmed by calling the NPCA at 800.628.7275. A $500 per person deposit is due at registration. Final payment will be invoiced separately and is due 90 days prior to departure. Cancellation notice must be submitted in writing and is effective upon date of receipt. Cancellations up to 90 days prior receive a refund, less the $250 per person handling fee. Cancellations 90-61 days prior to departure, 25% of the tour cost is forfeited; 60-31 days prior to departure, 50% of the tour cost is forfeited; 30 days or fewer prior to departure result in the loss of 100% of your total cost.

Travel Insurance

To protect yourself from the loss of deposit and cancellation fees, you are encouraged to purchase travel insurance. If you need assistance, NPCA recommends contacting Travel Insurance Services.

Daily Itinerary

Special Note: Several daily activities will include easy to moderate hikes within the park. Hiking options may include elevation gain and/or loss; the degree of difficulty will be determined based on participant abilities and interests. Participants should be prepared to walk on uneven ground during the the course of daily activities.

May 20: Arrival in Fresno, California

Meet your tour guides and fellow NPCA participants at the Fresno airport this afternoon. Depart the airport and travel to the south entrance of Yosemite National Park, considered by many to hold the most magnificent scenery in the American West. Towering cliffs, expansive vistas, abundant waterfalls and important wildlife habitat are all components of John Muir’s legacy. Gather this evening for a welcome reception and opening remarks. Your stay this evening is at the Wawona Hotel, which is located four miles from the park’s south entrance and is cradled between the majestic Mariposa Grove of giant sequoias and Yosemite Valley. Wawona Hotel (L,D)

May 21: Mariposa Grove, Yosemite National Park

Today you’ll have the opportunity to explore the impressive Mariposa Sequoia Grove. This amazing stand of 500 giants is the largest of Yosemite’s three sequoia groves. Late in the afternoon, a historian from the Pioneer History Center will join us for a talk about the rich history of the park, and point out key features of the Wawona Hotel, built in 1879. Afterward, enjoy a group dinner then relax with time for stargazing. Wawona Hotel (B,L,D)

May 22: Wawona to Yosemite Valley, Yosemite National Park

We make our way from historic Wawona into the heart of Yosemite Valley for a look at the classic features of El Capitan, Half Dome, Sentinel Peak, and other breathtaking natural attractions. Enjoy some amazing hikes today that could include Glacier Point, Bridalveil Fall, and Lower Yosemite Falls. As you explore the valley, learn more about the legacy of renowned naturalist John Muir; retrace some of his favorite locations and read excerpts of his journals. Yosemite Lodge (B,L,D)

May 23: Yosemite Valley, Yosemite National Park

Take a morning nature walk to catch a glimpse of the wildlife in Yosemite. Meet with a Park Service ranger to learn about and discover the challenges of preserving the majestic character of Yosemite while working to reduce congestion, construction, and further development within the park. Visit the Valley Visitor Center, Yosemite Museum, and Ansel Adams Gallery. Return to Yosemite Lodge for a group dinner this evening. Yosemite Lodge (B,L,D)

May 24: Hetch Hetchy, Yosemite National Park

Journey to the Hetch Hetchy Reservoir located in a beautiful valley for hikes through the wildflowers. Hetch Hetchy, a lesser known twin to Yosemite Valley, is home to spectacular scenery and is the starting point for many less-used wilderness trails. This afternoon return to the lodge for some free time berfore a private tour of the Ahwahnee Lodge. Enjoy a festive farewell dinner at the beautiful Ahwahnee. Yosemite Lodge (B,L,D)

May 25: Departures home from Fresno, California

Transfer to the Fresno airport for afternoon flights home. (B)

Pricing Details

NPCA Member Price From

$3,395 per person double occupancy; $830 single supplement.

Deposit

$500 per person

Map

Alternate Departures

Unable to join us for this Springtime in Yosemite tour? NPCA’s travel partner, Off the Beaten Path, is offering additional naturalist led journeys to Yosemite National Park this spring and fall. Schedule of alternate departures:

• June 17-23, 2012
• September 2-8, 2012
• September 23-29, 2012

Off the Beaten Path shares NPCA’s love of national parks and our philosophy of engaged, small group travel. For more information on alternate departures, contact Off the Beaten Path directly at 800-445-2995.

Travel Partner

Off the Beaten Path

Lodging Info

Wawona Hotel

Yosemite Lodge

Booking Info

To contact NPCA's ParkScapes program for questions or reservations please call 800-628-7275 or email travel@npca.org. You may also book directly online.

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