Will we see El Capitan? Half Dome?
Will we see waterfalls?
Are we on the bus ALL day?
What’s included in the price of the tour?
Where do we have lunch?
Can we forego the included lunch and eat at the Ahwahnee?
Can we eat and drink on the bus?
Will there be opportunities for shopping?
Is there a lot of walking on the tour?
Are the buses wheelchair accessible?
Can we bring our pet?
What should we wear?
Will I see a bear?
Will we see the geysers?
Q Will we see El Capitan? Half Dome?
A Yes. You’ll have many views of both on the Full Day and Yosemite Valley tours, and can also see both on the way to Tioga Pass. There are stunning views of Half Dome from Glacier Point.
Q Will we see waterfalls?
A Yes, although how many depends on when you visit and which tour you take. Bridalveil flows year round, as do Vernal and Nevada Falls (seen from Glacier Point). The rest of Yosemite’s waterfalls are seasonal. Even our famous Yosemite Falls dries up in the summer and start running again after the first snowfall in the high country. On tours into the Valley, you may see Ribbon Falls, Horsetail (and sometimes Ponytail) Falls, Silver Stand and the Cascades. Spring and early summer are the best times to see waterfalls.
Q Are we on the bus ALL day?
A No. In fact you’ll be off the bus more than you are on it. There are many photo stops along the route, and you’ll have from 30 minutes to over an hour to explore the Mariposa Grove, Glacier Point and areas of Yosemite Valley.
Q What’s included in the price of the tour?
A The price includes the tour, beverages and park fees on all tours. Lunch or dinner is also included on Full Day, Sunset and Full Moon tours. Gratuities are not included.
Q Where do we have lunch?
A The lunch spot may vary depending on the time of year and other considerations, but we can guarantee it will be in a scenic area.
Q Can we forego the included lunch and eat at the Ahwahnee?
A Unfortunately, there is insufficient time for lunch the Ahwahnee. Park regulations do not allow us to drop off at the hotel, so guests must take a shuttle to get there. There is usually a lengthy wait for seating and lunch itself is an “unhurried” affair. All of this takes more time than we are able to spend in that part of the valley.
Q Can we eat and drink on the bus?
A We do stop frequently and prefer that you wait until then. The roads are windy, so things tend to get spilled, and the food odors can be difficult for anyone prone to motion sickness. Water is always fine, of course.
Q Will there be opportunities for shopping?
A There are very few opportunities for shopping. Mariposa Grove and Glacier Point both have souvenir stores, but our time at these locations is limited and you may want to forego shopping in favor of enjoying these areas. Park regulations prevent us from dropping our guests off at Yosemite Village, where most of the park’s businesses are located. If you don’t mind missing some of the sites, your driver can direct you to Yosemite Village to shop using the park’s shuttle buses.
Q Is there a lot of walking on the tour?
A There are opportunities to do some walking, but it’s not required.
Q Are the buses wheelchair accessible?
A Our 14-passenger bus has both a wheelchair lift and a wheelchair station. Just let us know when you book if you need this accommodation. We can also fit collapsible wheelchairs on our regular buses for those who are able to get on and off the bus on their own but have trouble walking.
Q Can we bring our pet?
A Unfortunately we can’t take pets. The only animals that can come on the tours are service animals.
Q What should we wear?
A There’s an apocryphal quote attributed to Mark Twain, supposedly uttered after experiencing a summer snowstorm in Yosemite. “Yosemite has only two seasons, the end of one winter and the beginning of the next.” Chances of seeing snow in the summer are rare, but it’s a good idea to wear layers at any time of year, as the weather can change dramatically during the day.
Yosemite Valley weather is warm to hot in the summer, with occasional afternoon thunderstorms. Spring and Fall are highly variable, with days tending toward mild, but either season can bring snow or rain. Winter is cold with frequent snow. Be prepared for snow and ice even on sunny days, since there are areas of the valley that never see the sunlight in the winter months. For the weather forecast: www.weather.com/weather/local/95389
Q: Will I see a bear?
A: We sincerely hope not. As thrilling as it is to see one, bears that gravitate to populated areas of the park are endangered bears. The National Park Service works hard to keep our wild bears in the wild. However, there’s an excellent chance of seeing lots of other wildlife: mule deer, coyotes, marmots on the Tioga Pass tour, and numerous birds, including Steller’s Jays, Black-headed Grosbeaks and possibly a hawk or an eagle.
Q Will we see the geysers?
A Sorry, the geysers are in Yellowstone National Park. So are the Buffalo. (Note: a FAQ is a question that has been asked of us several times. And yes, we do get this one often.)
Please note: Answers about what you’ll see relate to tours within Yosemite National Park. For tours outside the park, see descriptions under Natural History and Hiking Tours.
“…the sublime rocks were trembling with the tones of the mighty chanting congregation of waters gathered from all the mountains round about, making music that might draw angels out of heaven.” John Muir
|
