Luxury Yosemite & Mammoth Lakes: 5-Day Eastern Sierra Private Tour
Difficulty
moderate
Duration
5 days
Fitness Level
Moderately fit—able to handle several short hikes at high elevation and long days in a vehicle.
Overview
A private, five-day luxury tour that threads Yosemite Valley, Mammoth Lakes, Mono Lake, Devils Postpile and Bodie into one curated journey. Expect high-country panoramas, geothermal oddities, hot springs and accommodations with pickup from San Francisco and surrounding towns.
Luxury Yosemite & Mammoth Lakes: 5-Day Eastern Sierra Private Tour
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You step out of a heated SUV at Tioga Pass and the air slaps your face with thinness and clarity—9,943 feet of high-country cold that sharpens light and keeps the world looking almost new. Guides unfold maps on the hood, point to granite monoliths and ribboned rivers, then fold the map away and let the place speak: waterfalls that dare you to come closer, basalt columns standing like an argument in the meadow, alkaline lakes that throw back impossible reflections.
Adventure Photos
Adventure Tips
Acclimatize before hikes
Spend the first morning moving slowly—altitude around Mammoth and Tioga Pass reaches 8,000–11,000 ft and can cause headaches and shortness of breath.
Sturdy boots and traction
Trails include talus, granite slabs and slick river crossings; ankle-supporting hiking boots with good tread make short hikes far more comfortable.
Hydration and sun protection
High-elevation sun is intense—carry 2–3 liters of water per person and use SPF, sunglasses and a wide-brim hat.
Plan for early light
Golden hour at Glacier Point and sunrise at Mono Lake or Alabama Hills deliver the best photos and cooler hiking conditions.
Local Insights
Wildlife
- Mule deer
- Golden eagle
History
Bodie State Historic Park preserves an authentic late-19th-century gold-mining boomtown; Mono Lake’s tufa formations reflect a millennia-long geologic process and Paiute ties to the basin.
Conservation
High-elevation meadows and ancient bristlecone pines are fragile—stay on trails, avoid disturbing soils, and pack out waste to protect the ecosystem.
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Adventure Hotspots in Mammoth Lakes
Recommended Gear
Supportive hiking boots
Protects ankles and provides traction on granite, talus and meadow trails.
Insulating shell or down jacket
High-elevation mornings and nights can be cold even in summer; a light insulating layer is essential.
fall specific
Hydration system (2–3 L)
Prevents altitude dehydration during hikes and long drives between stops.
summer specific
Camera with wide-angle lens
Captures expansive granite faces, tufa towers and alpine lakes—bring spare batteries for cold conditions.