Semi Private Sprinter Van Yosemite Tour
Includes Glacier Point, Yosemite Valley, Ahwahnee Lunch, Water, Fees, Gratuities.
Don’t want a Private Tour? Are Bus Tours too large for spending quality time in beautiful Yosemite National Park? Join our Semi Private Sprinter Van Tour where you would join one or two more couples. We guarantee no more than 9 people on this Tour. This tour will offer you personal service with a warm gathering of travelers.
Our Semi Private Sprinter Van Tours are designed for couples celebrating their anniversary, a birthday or a special event. Take your Mother out for a wonderful outing and treat yourselves to a memorable Yosemite getaway with an Ahwahnee Lunch! Smaller tours are also recommended for visiting the secret gems of Yosemite.
For your Ahwahnee lunch, we will refund $25 per guest, and you will pay for your lunch directly. As an alternative, especially on a beautiful blue sky day, you can opt for a picnic lunch that you preorder and we will provide a free souvenir refillable water bottle with your picnic lunch.
NOTE: On occasion, we will be using a different vehicle than pictured. It depends on how many guests have signed up for the semi private tour and which direction we are entering Yosemite. If we cannot utilize the Sprinter Van for this tour, you will be refunded $10/per person.
OPTIONAL FOUR MILE TRAIL HIKE – If you are looking for a small group tour AND want to do a strenuous hike (elevation difference of 3200 feet), we are the only company offering a four mile hike. When we reach Glacier Point, you will start hiking down on the Four Mile Trail. When you get to the bottom, you can make a right and walk 500 feet and go across the beautiful Swinging Bridge over the Merced River, with a breathtaking view of Yosemite Falls. The Trail takes you to the commercial bus parking area. From there you walk to the right and go towards the Yosemite Lodge where we will meet you. OR, if you prefer, when you get to the bottom, there is a shuttle bus stop. You can take the shuttle to Yosemite Lodge in the Valley where we will meet you. If you choose this option, you will not have time to participate with an Ahwahnee Lunch. Instead, we will provide you with a deluxe box lunch.
The Semi Private Tours have a maximum of 9 guests. They include an Ahwahnee lunch OR a picnic lunch with a free tshirt.
Tenaya Lodge [Total tour time: 7 hours].
Yosemite Semi Private Tour – $480/Couple, $440/Senior Couple over 60.
Ahwahnee Lunch, water, entrance fees, and gratuities are included. Maximum of 9 guests on the Tour.
During the months of November – March, if there is only one couple on the tour, then additional fees $150-$250 will be added.
Semi Private Yosemite Tour from Tenaya Lodge
Oakhurst, Bass Lake, Coarsegold [Total Tour time: 8 hours].
Mariposa, Midpines [Total tour time: 7 hours].
El Portal [Total tour time: 6 hours].
Yosemite Semi Private Tour – $520/Couple, $480/Senior Couple over 60.
Ahwahnee Lunch, water, entrance fees, and gratuities are included. Maximum of 9 guests on the Tour.
During the months of November – March, if there is only one couple on the tour, then additional fees $150-$250 will be added.
Semi Private Yosemite Tour from Oakhurst/Mariposa
Fresno/Madera/Merced [Total tour time: 10-11 hours].
Yosemite Semi Private Tour – $550/Couple, $510/Senior Couple over 60.
Ahwahnee Lunch, water, entrance fees, and gratuities are included. Maximum of 9 guests on the Tour.
During the months of November – March, if there is only one couple on the tour, then additional fees $150-$250 will be added.
Semi Private Sprinter Van Yosemite Tour from Fresno/Madera/Merced
Itinerary
Glacier Point and Yosemite Valley
We depart Fresno between 5:15am and 5:45am in Summer and between 7:00am and 8:00am in Winter. As soon as we leave Fresno, we view the beautiful landscapes of Madera County as we climb the foothills and pass through Coarsegold and arrive in Oakhurst. Oakhurst departure is 6:45am in Summer and between 8:00am and 9:00am in Winter. From Oakhurst we have the option to go from Bass Lake/ Fish Camp and enter the Park from the South Gate, traveling on what we call the Mountain View Drive) OR we may go around from Mariposa/Midpines, traveling on what we call the River View Drive), which is California State’s Scenic Highway along the Merced River all the way into Yosemite Valley through the Arch Rock Entrance Station. It all depends on where our guests are today.
Travelling to Chinquapin, we will go to Glacier Point first, where we will stop for 30-45 minutes. At this point if you are going to hike on the 4 Mile Trail, you will start here and the rest of the guests will stay in the vehicle as we drive down to Yosemite Valley.
As we climb up to Glacier Point, we see several trailheads: McGurk Meadow, Ostrander Lake, Bridalveil Creek, Dewey Point. We pass the Badger Pass ski area, Sentinel Dome, Taft Point trailhead and Washburn Point.
Glacier Point is an overlook with a commanding view of Yosemite Valley, Half Dome, Yosemite Falls, Vernal Falls, Nevada Falls, and the Yosemite High Country. This viewpoint is accessible by smaller vehicles from approximately late May through October of November. We are among the very few companies that can visit Glacier Point as we keep our group sizes small and travel in smaller vehicles. Big buses are not allowed here. The short walk to Glacier Point will reward you with a breathtaking view of both Yosemite Valley and the Yosemite High Country, which is part of the majestic Sierra Nevada Mountain Range.
Making a Yosemite Y at Glacier Point.
When we reach Yosemite Valley, we will stop at Tunnel View to see the jaw dropping view of the Valley as we come out of the Tunnel. We will stop here for 10-15 minutes and point out our view of Clouds Rest, El Capitan, Half Dome, and Bridalveil Falls. This is also the trailhead for Inspiration Point, which is located on the old stagecoach road into Yosemite Valley. Shortly after, we continue driving to visit El Capitan and Bridalveil Falls for 10 minutes. Time permitting we may walk to the base of the waterfalls or continue our journey in Yosemite Valley to see Cathedral Rocks on our right and Yosemite Falls on our left, Yosemite Chapel on the right. We will stop at Sentinel Bridge to see a breathtaking view of Half Dome, and take the iconic picture of Half Dome with its reflection in the Merced River. We will continue to drive to Yosemite Lodge. You will have time to walk to the base of Yosemite Falls, visit the Souvenir shop, use restrooms and get a cup of joe at Starbucks if you wish.
A Yosemite Tour with lunch at the historical Ahwahnee Hotel is THE BEST way to spend a day in Yosemite and have a memorable once-in-a-lifetime experience. The Ahwahnee Dining Room has hosted US Presidents, VIPs from around the world, including Queen Elizabeth II, and is the site of the annual extravagant Christmas Bracebridge Dinner. You may select your lunch from the extensive Ahwahnee menu. Enjoy the beautiful dining room with a glass of wine or a beer (at extra cost).
When we leave here we will stop in front of El Capitan, Spanish for “The Captain”. El Capitan rises over 3000 feet from the Valley Floor and is one of the largest granite monoliths in the world. Hopefully we will be able to spot the rock climbers who come to scale the sheer granite face. We have another stop at Valley View before we start heading back. Besides these main stops there may be other stops depending on the time we have, and what the group prefers.
Consider purchasing our exclusive Yosemite T-shirt! Only $14.99. Available when you book your tour online.
Our guides are all local and going to Yosemite is their passion. Each one of them brings their own personal experiences, stories and secret spots to share with you. They are delighted to meet you and wish to show you why this area of the world is a very special place.
Disclaimer: Sometimes due to scheduling issues, the hiking portion may be changed to go in the uphill direction. The duration of the Tour can vary due to weather, traffic, and how much fun we are having.
OPTIONAL FOUR MILE TRAIL HIKE
At Glacier Point, guests who are looking for hiking time have the option to hike down the Four Mile Trail, which will end on Southside Drive, where they can cross Swinging Bridge and follow the trail to meet us at Yosemite Valley Lodge.
The Four Mile Trail is about 5 miles from Glacier Point to Yosemite Valley Lodge. Most of the time we offer the option of hiking down from Glacier Point to the Valley but sometimes due to scheduling we may offer the option to hike up to Glacier Point from the Valley. The elevation at Glacier Point is 7200 ft and the Yosemite Valley is at 4000 ft elevation. In 2016 President Obama and his family hiked this spectacular trail and only Crossroads Tours offers this option to you.
Crossroads Tours is not offering a personal guided hike and by accepting to hike on the Four Mile Trail or any other trails you are releasing Crossroads Tours from any liability. This hike is STRENUOUS and going downhill is very steep at some places and you must be prepared with appropriate clothing, shoes, walking stick, water and whatever else you may require. It takes about 2-3 hours hiking downhill. Crossroads Tours will allow you 4 hours maximum to reach the Yosemite Valley Lodge. Beyond 4 hours Crossroads may not be able to standby for you and you may have to find other transportation back. If Crossroads has to wait for you the cost will be $ 95 an hour which will be calculated after 4 hours.
Need a lift?
In need of transportation between San Francisco, Los Angeles, Fresno, Oakhurst, Fish Camp, Coarsegold, Madera, Mariposa, Yosemite Valley, and Tuolumne Meadows areas? We offer comfortable shuttle service to and from these areas, including deluxe limousine service. Check us out here.