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YExplore Yosemite Adventures - Day Tours
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YExplore Yosemite Adventures - Day Tours

See all things to do
See all things to do
YExplore Yosemite Adventures - Day Tours
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About
The only Yosemite Tour Company offering custom guided Yosemite experiences (Adventure Hikes, Half Dome Hikes, Multi Day Backpack Trips, Nature Walks, Birding Walks, Wildflower Walks, Snowshoe Hikes and Photography Workshops) 12 months a year. We guarantee smaller group sizes for a more personalized experience with our professional guides who are all local to Yosemite. We are a socially responsible company providing educational services that follow Leave No Trace principles to minimize our impact in nature to ensure that the ecology of the park will not be compromised. Custom Adventures, Workshops and Family Activities are available to Individuals and Groups of all ages and experience levels in every season.
Yosemite National Park, California
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Tours and Tickets by YExplore Yosemite Adventures - Day Tours

Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.

Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

5.0
5.0 of 5 bubbles373 reviews
Excellent
359
Very good
10
Average
3
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Terrible
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Grace
2 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Can’t recommend enough
Mar 2021 • Solo
John and Catherine provide an excellent service. John as a tour guide was extremely thoughtful, knowledgeable, and responsive. He made my first time snowshoeing a pleasure and he made me feel safe with respect to the terrain and COVID.
Written March 7, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
YExploreYosemite
Thank you so much for your kind words of recommendation. We are so happy that you found our services useful and they helped you enjoy your day in Yosemite.
Written March 16, 2021
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Sammibears
Washington DC, DC23 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Fun and Educational Hike
Nov 2017 • Couples
We had a fantastic time with our guide Jay! He was extremely knowledgeable and filled the hike with history, nature fun facts and great storytelling. The views we saw from Sentinel Dome during the morning part of our hike were exceptional! We ran into some trouble when the weather took a turn and fog rolled in, putting a damper on our hike. Jay took it in stride and kept us entertained even though there was nothing to see for more than half of the hike save for the eerie dense fog straight out of a horror movie. We already know we want to travel back to Yosemite because of all we missed out on given the weather challenges and we will definitely be back to YExplore whenever we can make a trip back.
Review of: Private Guided Hiking Tour in Yosemite
Written November 20, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
espranzani
Northern NJ2 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Breathtaking Views and Great Exercise!
During a trip out to the west coast, my boyfriend and I decided we had to fit in some time to see Yosemite. We had a window of a day and a half and we were hoping to get as much out of that as possible. It was important to us to not only see Yosemite Valley that everyone talks about, but to learn about the history of the area and get off the beaten trail and really get a taste of this amazing place.

Y Explore helped us fulfill our wishes and more. We found Y Explore via other great reviews on TripAdvisor. I went to their website and read about the different skill levels of hikes available. I really liked having the option to pick and choose not only the level of difficulty but what sites we would like to see.

I called and spoke with Catherine who was very helpful in figuring out what hike would be best for us. I explained we were a couple in our early 30's who exercised regularly. We were looking for something rather challenging with great scenic points for picture taking. We weren't afraid of hiking for several hours but we also did not have experience hiking in very strenuous situations.

She advised we take an 8 mile challenging hike from Glacier Point to Sentinel Dome and Taft Point.

We stayed at the Wawana hotel which is just inside the south entrance to the park and on the morning of our hike, drove the 40 minutes to Glacier point, getting there around 8 am. It was so peaceful and quiet with a little fog / smoke drifting around the peaks of the mountains (there was a small fire burning somewhere deep in the park, we couldn't see it, just smell it slightly).

Our guide was John and we were the only people he was guiding that morning. We got a lot more than we bargained for as far as history and knowledge. He knew so much not only about the terrain and where he was taking us, but also about the history of Yosemite and that area of California, and about the wildlife, plants and trees. If we had decided to do some hiking on our own, we never would have learned half as much!

He helped to point out different view points and great picture-taking spots. We also felt a lot safer about where we could walk and what we could do. His passion for the area was definitely undeniable. I couldn't help but feel jealous that he and his wife are able to do what they truly love as a living!

The hike took about 4.5 hours, although I think our pace was probably faster than usual (I'm from the NY area and tend to do everything fast), I can see it easily taking about 6 hours normally. We stopped to eat a lunch we packed while at one of the lookout points. In addition, John took pictures of us with his own camera at different places and made them available to us via their website, which is very cool.

After the hike, John suggested we head down into the valley via car and drive the 7 mile loop and see the different things we saw on the hike from that perspective. It was amazing to get down there and look up to where we were. It was pretty crowded down in the valley, but we didn't feel the need to stop at all the touristy places for the most part, because John had already filled us in on more than we would learn from the visitor's center! John also advised us on where to take some good pictures down there.

In the end not only would I highly recommend using Y Explore, because of their knowledge, passion, and willingness to cater any kind of hike from simple to extreme to your needs, but I will also definitely go with them when we get a chance to go out again. I would love to do the Half Dome hike and John said he would take us any time.

Thanks for everything John and Catherine!

Liz and Chris
Written September 11, 2008
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Peg P
CA7 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Yosemite Photography Tours
I found this company while searching for photography tours in Yosemite. John, the owner was very helpful. He contacted me to see exactly what I was interested in doing. He confirmed the plan with me before the trip. During the actual tour, the owner and the photographer were both very professional, knowledgeable, helpful and attentive. They made sure that they were meeting my needs. It was a wonderful learning experience and everything I expected and more. I would highly recommend it.
Written January 14, 2008
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hudson
3 contributions
1.0 of 5 bubbles
It was the worst experience ever.
Apr 2019 • Family
It was the worst experience ever!!!

1. The guide just enjoys "her" hiking. The guide gave no explanation for Yosemite and she knew nothing about Yosemite even if we asked her a question about Yosemite. She only knows trails, but anyone can know trails by Googling.

2. The Guide is a liar. She lied to us that she'd send us a picture and cut off contact after taking the picture. It turned out that she had taken pictures for her work.

3. The next day, we searched for the trail through google and went hiking to another course. We saw her at the top and she saw us, too. But she ran away because she was not honest with us.

4. People do not pay high prices for trails. It is very easy to search trails nowadays. People want to know the history, geography and culture of the area. I always take a guided tour whenever I trip. For example, when I went to the Grand Canyon, Sedona, etc., I took guided tours. The trips were really good because the guides explained the history, geography and culture of the area.

5. YExplore should not just be busy making money, but should employ competent guides.
Review of: Private Guided Hiking Tour in Yosemite
Written April 29, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
VBD888
Encino, CA4 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Private hike with John from YExplore
Nov 2013 • Solo
Just had a six hour hike around Yosemite Valley with John. I had the greatest time. John was knowledgeable about the history, wildlife and ecology of the valley. It was well worth the time. Best of all John enjoys what he does and it shows. He is an enthusiastic guide who knows the valley very well. We went off the usual paths which made it more interesting. I will definitely with YExplore again.
Written November 22, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Alese and Mort P
Delray Beach, FL21 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Yosemite in a Day / Use Y-Explore to guide your trip
Jul 2012 • Couples
Amazing people, John & Catherine DeGrazio! Amazing day! Amazing planning! Amazing photography opportunities! Amazing food! Amazing sights! Do you get the idea? This was an absolutely spectacular visit to Yosemite National Park. We had only the one day to see "everything" Yosemite had to offer and without Y-Explore to guide us there is no way that could have happened. Catherine made all the original plans with us by phone and email. She is warm and gracious and made us feel so comfortable before we even arrived at Yosemite. John took over the day of our excursion. He greeted us with smiles, a strong handshake and we were off on our journey of exploration. Of course there were lots of other people at the iconic areas but John found so many special spots where it was just the four of us that we almost felt as if we were discovering new vistas in the Park. He promised we would see magnificent mountains, waterfalls, deer and a bear. He delivered on everything. The vistas are there but running into the deer and seeing the bear (in the distance) was a special treat. John is an encyclopedia of park information, fact and fiction. His warm personality exudes the excitement of being in the Park. He made you feel the love he has for nature and these surroundings. You could see his eyes light up when sharing his thoughts, introducing newbies to this magical kingdom. Though tired and exhausted from non-stop euphoria all day, we hated to see it end. There is no way we would ever be at Yosemite again without John by our side. We got to see: Sentinal Bridge, Cooks Meadow, Lower Yosemite Falls, El Capital Meadow, Crane Flat, Pot Hole Dome, Tuolumne Meadows, Tuolumne River (and walked in the water), Tenaya Lake (also cooling off in the water), Olmsted Point, Crane Flat, Wawona Tunnel, Tunnel View, Glacier Point and Porcupine Creek. Just listing these spots makes us tired ... and there was so much more. If you ever get to Yosemite you must check out Y-Explore ... 800-886-8009. We promise you you will be delighted with anything they plan for you; hiking, climbing, photography, private, groups ... you name it and they are THE BEST. They will make your trip one you will always, always remember. To say the least, we were ecstatic with their attention, service and planning. An absolutely perfect day!
Written July 23, 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
SashaPry
Washington DC, DC17 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Great Taft Point & Sentinel Dome hike with a Wonderful Guide!!!
Jul 2011 • Couples
If you only have 1 day to explore Yosemite and have never been to the park before YExplore is a great option. They provided great directions from our B&B to the start of the hike, and all of the tips on the website (how much water to bring, clothes to wear, shoes to wear, etc) were very helpful in preparing for the trip. They were also great in helping us decide upon a hike to take- neither my boyfriend or I have ever gone hiking on the West Coast and weren't really sure how we would handle the elevations or what inclines to expect.

Our guide Ryan was awesome, without question. He was very knowledgeable about the park (I loved the tales of how El Capitan and Half Dome were formed, but I won't spoil it for others!). We also got to learn about the different trees, flowers and animals in the park which we really enjoyed. He was very mindful of the pace we were able to go and had an easy-going nature which never made our conversations dull. We also enjoyed meeting his wife along the hike, and the two of them provided excellent suggestions on other places to visit after our hike and during our stay in Yosemite. The duration of the hike was as-outlined on the website which also helped with planning.

The only reason I gave YExplore a 'Very Good' and not 'Excellent' rating was because we had a bit of a shuffle a few days before our trip to California when we were contacted and told that there was still snow on Mt Hoffman and we had to choose another hike. I definitely enjoyed the Taft Point/Sentinel Dome hike but the seemingly last-minute change left my boyfriend and I with one more thing to figure out before leaving for our vacation.

FYI- also know that if you are traveling by yourself or with 1 other person you will pay more than if others join your hike or you are part of a group.
Written July 24, 2011
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
BorzoiNewYork
New York4 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Way More Than We Expected!!
Not experienced hikers, my husband and I were looking for someone to take us "off the beaten track" in Yosemite. So we did a Google search and had the extreme good fortune of finding Y Explore. Our objective was to have someone show us the trails and keep us out of trouble. We got much more than that over our four days of hiking. First of all John and Catherine (the owners) chose four outstanding hikes that fit our ability and showcased the diversity of Yosemite. Secondly, the two guides (John himself on two hikes and James McGrew on two hikes) were incredibly instructive. Yosemite history, wildlife, ecology, geology, trees---we heard about it all. They were not only incredibly knowledgeable and enthusiastic, but projected a great love for the park. And finally, John and James were great fun to be with. We had no idea how much a guide could enhance our hiking experience!
Written January 11, 2009
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
WimbledonExplorers
Gerrards Cross, UK3 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Hiking in Yosemite? Photography in Yosemite? Y Explore were outstanding
We went on a day hike and a half-day photography tour with Y Explore during our trip to Yosemite.

As experienced travellers, we knew exactly what we wanted, did our research, spoke directly to various companies, and from our first chat directly with Catherine, to an amazing day out hiking with John and half a day of great photography tuition with Walter, to getting a fab follow-up email from John and downloading our own fantastic photos (if we do say so ourselves!), we were delighted with our two experiences!

John was our hiking guide, and his commitment to his job, his knowledge of Yosemite, his efforts and flexibility to make the day perfect for us, and also his additional photography knowledge and wider tips to make the most of our trip in Yosemite exceeded our expectations. The amazing surroundings and fantastic weather were a huge bonus too!

We went on a moderate / strenuous day hike, but John and Catherine listen to requirements and adapt accordingly. I cannot recommend them enough.

Walter was our photography guide for half a day, and he was a great teacher and general great guy and we really enjoyed our time with him! My husband was new to SLR photography, and I had bumbled along with a trial-and-error approach for years, but Walter clearly and patiently took us through how to make the most of our cameras, and we were delighted with the results. Walter also took us to some great locations: having lived in the Yosemite area for over 20 years, Walter - like John - had a tremendous amount of knowledge and tips about the park that you wouldn't find in any guidebook. This truly is the best way to experience Yosemite.
Written September 24, 2008
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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