Private Yosemite Tour — Ford Transit, Sprinter, Bus or Trolley

Private Yosemite Tour in a Ford Transit, Sprinter, Bus, or the Oakhurst Trolley

You and up to 15 more of your friends and family will be picked up at your hotel or meeting point in a comfortable, roomy Bus (holds 15), Ford Transit (holds 9), Sprinter (holds 9), or the Oakhurst Trolley (holds 15). Your tour guide and driver will introduce Yosemite to your entire group.

You should have good walking and hiking shoes depending on how much you plan to walk. Dress appropriately for the time of year and don’t forget your phone chargers, jackets, hats, camera, sunscreen, and medications. Tell us if you have any specific needs we can help with. Celebrate your group visit with our exclusive matching Yosemite t-shirts, available for purchase — get one or two sizes over to fit comfortably.

Pricing by vehicle

• Ford Transit — $1,499. A roomy Ford Transit for a day tour of Yosemite with up to 9 total friends and family (as low as $169/guest for 9 guests). Park fees and lunch are included, along with a driver and private guide.
• Sprinter Van — $1,799. A sporty Sprinter Van for up to 9 total friends and family (as low as $199/guest for 9 guests). Park fees and lunch are included, along with a driver and private guide.
• Bus — $2,999. A bus for up to 15 total friends and family (as low as $199/guest for 15 guests). Park fees and lunch are included, along with a driver and private guide.
• Oakhurst Trolley — $3,399. The Oakhurst Trolley for up to 15 total friends and family (as low as $229/guest for 15 guests; additional persons $199/person). Park fees and lunch are included, along with a driver and private guide.

A $250 deposit reserves your date, with the balance collected within 30 days of the tour.

Making the Yosemite Y at Glacier Point

Our Oakhurst departure is 6:45 AM in Summer and between 8:00 AM and 9:00 AM in Winter. From Oakhurst we have the option to go from Bass Lake / Fish Camp and enter the Park from the South Gate (the Mountain View Drive), OR we may go around from Mariposa / Midpines on what we call the River View Drive — California State’s Scenic Highway along the Merced River all the way into Yosemite Valley through the Arch Rock Entrance Station.

At Chinquapin, we have the option to go into Yosemite Valley first or Glacier Point first. If there is heavy traffic from the peak season or it is a weekend, we prefer to visit Yosemite Valley first, then go to Glacier Point for our picnic lunch. If we go to Glacier Point first, our lunch break is at Yosemite Falls; if we go to Yosemite Valley first, our lunch break is at Glacier Point.

From Chinquapin, we turn to climb up to Glacier Point where we will stop for 30–45 minutes. As we climb, 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 or 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.

Taking in the scenery from Tunnel View

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, 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, where you will have time to walk to the base of Yosemite Falls, visit the souvenir shop, use restrooms, and get a cup of joe if you wish.

When we leave here we will stop in front of El Capitan, Spanish for “The Captain.” El Capitan rises over 3,000 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.

Optional Four Mile Trail hike

If you are looking for a private tour AND want to do a strenuous hike (elevation difference of 3,200 feet), we are the only company offering a four-mile hike. When we reach Glacier Point, you start hiking down on the Four Mile Trail while the rest of the guests stay in the vehicle as we drive down to Yosemite Valley. At the bottom you can cross the beautiful Swinging Bridge over the Merced River, with a breathtaking view of Yosemite Falls, then walk to Yosemite Lodge where we will meet you — or take the shuttle from the bottom to Yosemite Lodge.

The Four Mile Trail is about 5 miles from Glacier Point to Yosemite Valley Lodge. The elevation at Glacier Point is 7,200 ft and Yosemite Valley is at 4,000 ft. 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. 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 — be prepared with appropriate clothing, shoes, walking stick, water, and whatever else you may require. It takes about 2–3 hours hiking downhill. We will allow you 4 hours maximum to reach the Yosemite Valley Lodge. Beyond 4 hours we may not be able to stand by, and the cost will be $95 an hour calculated after 4 hours.

Our guides

Our guides are all local and going to Yosemite is their passion. Each one 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

In this tour people will see more of Yosemite National Park in one day than most other tours of Yosemite. Since this is a private tour, we are able to accommodate your special requests to visit other areas of Yosemite National Park. 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.