Yosemite Eco Tour from San Francisco: 2 days

You will be picked up from your hotel in a bio-diesel van. An English-speaking guide will go with you.

You will cross the Bay Bridge with views of Alcatraz and Angel Island through Oakland and the East Bay, then proceed to the Central Valley through the Gold Country and Sierra Foothills. Around 11:30am, you will arrive at Yosemite National Park.

Once in Yosemite, your guide will give you a 1½ hour narrated tour of Yosemite Valley and surrounding areas. You will stop by the giant sequoia trees. The towering sequoias (Californian redwoods) are the largest living things on the planet. They are found in one area of the world only, the western slope of the Sierra Nevada mountains.

At around 1:30pm, you will enjoy a further guided tour through Yosemite's glaciated valley with its famous waterfalls and rock formations.

The Yosemite Valley is approximately 1 mile wide and 7 miles long. During the tour, you will make numerous stops to enjoy, photograph and appreciate the spectacular beauty. You will see the valley from a number of superb vantage points, the best of which is perhaps Inspiration Point at 4,500 feet above sea level. Yosemite is a mecca for rock climbers, and the sight of people climbing El Capitan's 3,000 feet sheer rock face is quite amazing (seasonal).

At around 3pm, you will stop near the base of Yosemite Falls. Your guide will offer a choice of activities. These include various walks, a visit to the gallery of the celebrated landscape photographer Ansel Adams, or to the Ahwahnee Hotel, known for its magnificent architecture. Alternatively, you could swim at your hotel, or relax along the river.

In the evening you can dine at Lodge (payable direct) and relax in the bar.

By 8am you should be ready for an exciting day in Yosemite.

You will drive as a group to Glacier Point for views of Yosemite Valley. Here you have the option to hike back to the Valley or return in the van and have a full free day in Yosemite. You get to choose. There are plenty of different hiking options, from short easy walks to long, strenuous ones. Your guide will give you all the details. You can also choose to check out the main visitor's center, The Ansel Adams Gallery, The Ahwahnee Hotel, spend time by the river, or rent a bike (not included).

You will rejoin your group and head to the base of El Capitan to watch the climbers doing their stuff on El Capitan. It will then be time to head back to San Francisco. You will stop on the way for a bite to eat (payable direct).

Around 9pm you will be nearing San Francisco. Enjoy the sight of the City lights as you cross Bay Bridge. The tour vehicle will drop you back at your hotel.

The tour vehicle will drop you back at your hotel.