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Land Journey

Yosemite and Sequoia: John Muir's California

Ken Burns American Journeys
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Year, Departure Type

Select small group departures (averaging 24 Tauck guests), or classic departures, and the year you would like to travel.

Days
8
From (per Person)
$7,290 USD
Journey Type
Land
Time of Year
May - Jun, Sep - Oct
Cities & Landmarks
San Francisco, Muir Woods National Monument, Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks, Yosemite National Park, Fresno
Yosemite National Park

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Overview

EXPERIENCE WITH TAUCK

 

TAUCK EXCLUSIVE – Filmed vignettes by filmmakers Ken Burns and Dayton Duncan that tell the stories of the history and ideals of the people behind the creation and preservation of the national parks

 

Meet a naturalist from the Sequoia Field Institute to hear stories about John Muir's discovery of the Giant Forest before discovering it yourself on guided walks, drives and a hike to the top of Moro Rock

 

TAUCK VALUE INCLUDES

 

Explore the incredible landscapes of Muir Woods, Sequoia and Yosemite national parks, from the famed Giant Sequoias and redwoods to mountains, lush forests, amazing waterfalls...

 

Discover the night sky over Sequoia National Park as a naturalist guides you through the spectacular constellations that are visible in the absence of "light pollution"

 

SEE WHAT YOUR JOURNEY INCLUDES

Activity

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On some days, walking extends to 2–3.5 miles (~4,000–7,000 steps), with occasional stairs, hills, or uneven surfaces. Standing periods may last up to 90 minutes, but this level still includes breaks and lower-effort days.

Pace

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Full days with little downtime. Select days may offer opt-out opportunities or lighter alternatives. Ideal for travelers who want to stay engaged, but with some room to pace themselves.

View Full Itinerary

Legendary Journeys and Adventures

At his first breathtaking view of Yosemite in 1869, young John Muir had a life-changing moment – a surge of euphoria as he wandered, overwhelmed in the great natural beauty of a landscape unlike anything he had seen before…

Follow Muir's path on Tauck's compelling Yosemite tour that traces his trajectory from San Francisco to the Sierra Nevada, embracing Muir Woods, Sequoia National Park and his beloved Yosemite, experiencing the powerful beauty of glacier-carved mountains, soaring redwood and sequoia forests, and the story of why they remain for us exactly as he found them. Read Less

Enjoy a two-night stay in the heart of Yosemite at The Ahwahnee

A Yosemite Icon Since 1927

Set in the heart of Yosemite National Park, The Ahwahnee is a national park treasure—celebrated for its striking architecture and timeless sense of place. A rich blend of Art Deco, Native American, Middle Eastern, and Arts & Crafts influences, its design was crafted to complement the grandeur of its surroundings, with views of Half Dome, Glacier Point, and Yosemite Falls. Inside, soaring ceilings, hand-stenciled beams, stone fireplaces, and stained glass create a warmth that has welcomed presidents, queens, and travelers for generations.

Mariposa Museum & History Center

"The Best Little Museum of its Size West of the Mississippi"

Founded in 1957, the Mariposa Museum & History Center brings the region's past to life, offering a thoughtful look at Native American heritage, Spanish settlement, the California Gold Rush, and the evolution of Yosemite and Mariposa County. Exhibits invite you to step back in time, while a remarkable archive of photographs and county records quietly safeguards generations of local stories.

Sequoia National Park at night

Day 3

Observe the night sky over Sequoia National Park with a naturalist

When John Muir first wandered into the Sierra Nevada in 1869, the power of the otherworldly landscape – cathedral-like groves of towering Sequoias, glacier-clad mountain peaks, plunging canyons, crystal lakes and torrential waterfalls – transformed him forever. The self-made naturalist and conservationist then made it his mission to explore and document every natural wonder in the region, including what he called the "Giant Forest" – today's Sequoia National Park. During your visit, a naturalist from the Sequoia Field Institute reveals how Muir found and documented his "Giant Forest" in 1875, and another guides you through the spectacular constellations that fill Sequoia's night skies in the absence of "light pollution."

Stay inside Sequoia and Yosemite national parks

Days 3 – 7

Enjoy multiple-night stays at acclaimed lodgings in Sequoia and Yosemite national parks

On Tauck's "Yosemite and Sequoia: John Muir's California," you'll experience these two great national parks of the West as a true insider, with multiple-night stays at sought-after lodgings situated right inside the parks – the contemporary cedar and stone Wuksachi Lodge® in the heart of Sequoia National Park; and the magnificent The Ahwahnee, a historic 1920s gem set amidst the treasures of Yosemite National Park.

Fairmont San Francisco

Night 7

Grace and grandeur atop San Francisco's Nob Hill

With a panoramic view of the city and the Bay from high atop Nob Hill, Fairmont San Francisco presents an unmatched blend of an ideal location, luxurious accommodations and superb services in the heart of this extraordinary city… and has done so for over a century, since its opening in 1907… exactly one year after the great San Francisco earthquake.

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Your Journey

Pricing & Availability

About Booking This Tour

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COVID-19 Travel Requirements

The below provides an overview of Tauck's requirements and those of the countries we visit, along with our supplier partners who have implemented their own Covid policies that may go beyond Tauck's requirements. The trip-specific guidelines are for U.S. travelers.

Up-to-date destination entry requirements will be posted 60 days prior to the first seasonal departure for each tour or cruise series. For journeys not yet posted below, please visit our Travel Requirements page. As entry requirement change frequently, please check often.

 

Tauck 2024 Covid Policy

For 2024 tours and cruises, Tauck has no remaining Covid requirements. There is no vaccination requirement or travel pledge to be signed. This 2024 policy could change if there is a surge in infection rates or other factors that could impact the safety of our guests and employees.

Tauck 2023 Covid Policy

  • Vaccination Requirement: All Tauck guests age 12 and older must be fully vaccinated. Additionally, you must have had at least one booster dose and/or have proof of recovery from Covid.
  • Requirements for Minors: Though highly recommended, vaccination for minors age 11 and under is not required by Tauck. However, if unvaccinated they must present a negative result from either a PCR or antigen test taken within 3 days of departing for their Tauck trip. If a child age 11 or under is vaccinated but not boosted, they must also present a negative test prior to their Tauck trip.
  • Tauck Travel Agreement: Tauck requires all guests to sign our Travel Well Pledge. Your Tauck Director will provide this document for your signature on the first day of your trip, and will check your proof of vaccination and booster/or proof of recovery. Additional information can be found at here.

To ensure the safety of your fellow travelers and the communities we visit, all guests must follow health and safety protocols when necessitated by local health guidance or our supplier partners. Your Tauck Director will keep you informed of these local requirements.

Although not required by Tauck, some countries may require a pre-travel Covid test. It is important that you carefully check the most recent entry requirements (listed below) for your tour or cruise. 

Additional Destination Requirements

Your health and safety remain our number one priority while you are traveling with us on Yosemite and Sequoia: John Muir's California.

  • All Tauck guests age 12 and older must be fully vaccinated and have had at least one booster dose and/or have proof of recovery from Covid. Although highly recommended, vaccination for minors age 11 and under is not required by Tauck. However, if unvaccinated they must present a negative result from either a PCR or antigen test taken within 3 days of departing for their Tauck trip. If a child age 11 or under is vaccinated but not boosted, they must also present a negative test prior to their Tauck trip.
  • We strongly encourage guests to check the requirements for any transit/layover destinations that will be part of your journey.
  • The city of San Francisco currently requires that everyone 12 years or older must be vaccinated to dine indoors at restaurants. As a result, please be sure to carry proof of full vaccination, such as the CDC Vaccination Record card. For any unvaccinated guests, this will most likely prevent you from attending our Welcome Reception and Farewell Dinner at the St. Francis and Fairmont hotels. It will also restrict what you can do with free time in San Francisco.

If You Have To Cancel

If you cancel within 10 days of initial deposit

Within the first 10 days after you place your initial deposit, you may cancel your reservation for any reason with no cancellation fees.

If you cancel more than 10 days after initial deposit

Regardless of reason, cancellations result in costly charges from our travel and hotel providers covering penalties and fees incurred by canceling confirmed bookings. These fees vary from tour to tour. Therefore, the following fees apply.

 


Cancellation Fees with Tauck's Guest Protection Plan:

Loss of Guest Protection fee, per person

 

Cancellation Fees without Tauck's Guest Protection Plan:

60 days or more before departure = $350 per person

59-8 days before departure = $600 per person

7-1 days before departure = $900 per person

 

Time of cancellation will be when notice is received in our Wilton Woods, CT office.

In the event of an unforeseen circumstance beyond our control, Tauck reserves the right to amend the cancellation terms outlined herein.

Note: All Guests, regardless of residency, who book a Tauck journey have the option of purchasing the Cancellation Fee Waiver provided by Tauck in the event they need to cancel their trip after making their reservations. Tauck's Guest Protection, which includes both the Cancellation Fee Waiver and the Travel Insurance Benefits and Assistance Services described above, is not available to residents of Puerto Rico.

Travel Terms and Conditions

Click here to find Tauck's Travel Terms & Conditions.

Trip Prep & Essentials

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The Tauck Experience

Why Tauck?

Leave Your Worries At Home

One Upfront Price – No Hidden Costs

Tauck Directors – Simply The Best

Never Settle For Ordinary

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Book Today... And Travel Dreams Begin

Discover The World

Call us, or call your travel advisor, to book your preferred departure date today – and explore our beautiful brochures to find your inspiration for your next journey.

Book Today... And Travel Dreams Begin

Discover The World

Call us, or call your travel advisor, to book your preferred departure date today – and explore our beautiful brochures to find your inspiration for your next journey.

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