Compare Red Peak Pass Loop by Wildland Trekking vs Honolulu Hawaii Experience 7D/6N by Bamba

Day 1

This Yosemite trip begins with rendezvous in Yosemite Valley on the patio of Half Dome Village (formerly Curry Village) in front of the Yosemite Mountain Shop at 6PM on Day 1. The Mountain shop is located on the street-facing side of the Half Dome Village Pavilion (closest to the parking lot). You will easily spot your guide waiting for you in a Wildland Trekking hat. We'll conduct an orientation meeting, after which we'll get settled in the Backpackers Camp a stone's throw away from majestic Tenaya Creek and under the spectacular domes and cliffs of Yosemite Valley. We'll enjoy dinner either at Half Dome Village or in camp.

Day 2

Hiking Mileage: 7 miles

Elevation Gain: 1200 feet

Elevation Loss: 1400 feet

We enjoy a quick breakfast in Yosemite Valley and make sure all loose ends are taken care of before we board a shuttle to our trailhead at Glacier Point, one of the most beautiful spots in Yosemite. Here, after taking in the incredible panoramic views of the High Sierra, we begin our adventure. Taking advantage of our high elevation trailhead, today’s hike is initially downhill along the sparsely forested slopes of the east-facing Illilouette Ridge. We reach the crossing of Illilouette Creek at the half way point of our day and carefully ford the knee deep stream. After a filling trailside lunch we continue up the Illilouette Canyon to our forested campsite along the banks of the Clark Fork of Illilouette Creek. Here, after a hot and satisfying dinner, we’ll fall asleep to the sounds of the stream filled with the snow melt of the Clark Range high above us.

Day 3

Hiking Mileage: 9 miles

Elevation Gain: 2500 feet

Elevation Loss: 300 feet

After an early wake up call, we eat a hearty breakfast and continue our hike up Illilouette Creek towards the rocky ramparts of the Clark Range. On the trail we maintain a constant but manageable ascent as we approach the Merced Pass Lakes, sight of an infamous plane crash in the 60’s. A few more miles bring us to our destination for the day, incredible Lower Ottaway Lake. One of the most beautiful lakes in Yosemite, it is situated in a rocky amphitheater surrounded by colorful Red Peak, Ottaway Peak and Merced Peak. These peaks are made up of red and yellow metamorphic rocks which are some of the oldest rocks in the Sierra Nevada. As we set up camp and prepare for dinner the west facing peaks above us light up with one of the best shows of alpenglow in the Sierra!

Day 4

Hiking Mileage: 9.5 miles

Elevation Gain: 2000 feet

Elevation Loss: 2500 feet

It’s another early rise this morning as we traverse around Lower Ottaway Lake and begin our ascent to the highest trailed pass in Yosemite, Red Peak Pass. We follow in the footsteps of Ansel Adams, who originally scouted out this route in the 1920’s and made the first ascent of nearby Red Peak. Once at the pass, we pause to catch our breath in the rarified air at well above 11,000 ft. It’s almost all downhill from here to our campsite along the Triple Peak Fork of the Merced River. But first, high above tree line, we trek through one of Yosemite’s most beautiful alpine regions with views stretching from the park’s northern borders to the jagged peaks of the Minarets, far to the south. Finally, descending into a lodgepole forest, we reach camp and can relax along smooth granite slabs and soak our tired feet in the ice cold waters of the Merced.

Day 5

Hiking Mileage: 6.7 miles

Elevation Gain: 1600 feet

Elevation Loss: 200 feet

We have a mellower day today with a moderately easy hike to our night’s camp near Washburn Lake. So we linger a little longer and savor our breakfast and hot drinks around the morning campfire. Once on the trail we amble along the west bank of the Merced enjoying the relatively level trail through the glacially smoothed landscape. After a scenic riverside lunch, the trail steepens a bit as we continue our descent toward Washburn Lake, which we soon reach. After setting up camp among the granite boulders, we have a little time to enjoy the area, perhaps take a swim or just lie back and watch the clouds go by.

Day 6

Hiking Mileage: 7 miles

Elevation Gain: 1600

Elevation Loss: 1600 feet

Today we pack up and hit the trail as we continue following the Merced River as it makes its way from the high alpine peaks to the floor of Yosemite Valley. We soon pass a set of falls as we amble past the Merced Lake Ranger Station and then a little farther along the bustling Merced Lake High Sierra Camp. But, the sounds of the campers quickly fade as we contour the shore of bucolic Merced Lake. The granite cliffs become taller as the trail descends along the river and the cascades become more numerous until we reach our days goal near glacially smoothed Bunnell Dome. Here we set up camp as the setting sun’s rays shoot up canyon, illuminating the domes and high peaks of the Cathedral Range.

Day 7

Hiking Mileage: 8 miles

Elevation Gain: 300 feet

Elevation Loss: 2900 feet

Today, we sadly pack up camp for the last time and prepare for our last day on the trail. But, we’ve saved some of the best for last as we hike past many of Yosemite’s most iconic features, including Half Dome, Clouds Rest, Liberty Cap and two of the most photographed waterfalls in the world: Vernal and Nevada Falls. It’s almost all downhill and the miles quickly go by as our trail hardened muscles and our lightened backpacks make the hiking seem easy. Too soon we’re at the trailhead and aboard the shuttle to Half Dome Village where we’ll have an early afternoon lunch and bid farewell to Yosemite and the great adventure that we had.

Day 1: Honolulu, United States

Day 2: Honolulu, United States

Day 3: Honolulu, United States

Get ready to embark on an incredible downhill bike ride through Oahu’s mountain road with epic views above Waikiki, Honolulu and Manoa Valley
The trail is located on sacred land and offers visitors a different and unique glimpse of the island
During the 5-mile ride, you will be accompanied by a guide who will tell you the area’s cultural history as you discover diverse landscapes
When you reach the grassy park at the bottom, it's a short drive to Kewalo Basin for your 2-hour catamaran sail.
Leave your shoes for a snorkel to explore underwater while you keep an eye out for colourful reef fish
Enjoy some time to go swimming and snorkelling
To bring the day to a close, you will be transported back to your Waikiki hotel.

Day 4: Honolulu, United States

Day 5: Honolulu, United States

Get ready for the ultimate experience to soak up all the beauty and culture of Hawaii in just one day! After being picked up in Waikiki, you will be swept away to the island’s most breathtaking landmarks and destinations, including the spouting “Blow Hole,” and the renowned Kualoa Ranch, which is nestled against the stunning Koolau Mountains
Start your sightseeing tour with the Diamond Head, A 200,000-year-old defining volcanic structure formed in the Honolulu Volcanic Series
It’s a worldwide symbol of the Hawaiian Islands! Afterwards, visit Kahala Estates, a large concentration of some of the most expensive real estate and beachfront properties in Hawaii in which many celebrities and business moguls vacation homes.
Continue with the Halona “Blow Hole” Lookout and see how this volcanic lava tube propels water into the sky like a whale’s blowhole! Make a stop at the Waimanalo Town, a quaint, scenic town is known for its local flavor and numerous plant nurseries and agricultural lots that extend back toward the Koolau Mountains, followed by another stop at the Nuuanu Pali Lookout, the bewitchingly scenic lookout was also the site of the Battle of Nuuanu, one of the bloodiest conflicts in Hawaiian history
It was here that Kamehameha I conquered the island of Oahu on his quest to unite the Hawaiian Islands.
Get ready to visit the amazing Byodo-In Temple, a picturesque Buddhist temple tucked in the Valley of the Temples, is a half-sized replica of the 900-year-old temple in Japan
It has been featured in the TV series Hawaii Five-O, Magnum P.I., lost and the 2001 movie Pearl Harbor
Then, go to Chinaman’s Hat, the basalt islet in Kaneohe Bay, is shaped curiously like a hat
According to Hawaiian mythology, the island is formed from the remains of a giant lizard or dragon’s tail that was chopped off and tossed in the ocean.
For the final part of this amazing tour, get to know Kualoa Ranch to enjoy the Legends and Legacy at Kualoa Ranch Private Nature Reserve owned by eight generation descendants of Fr
Gerritt P
Judd. On 4,000 acres, it is one of the most sacred places on the island, with their goal to protect and enhance the natural beauty of the lands
The Laie Hawaii Mormon Temple, which is the first temple built by the Latter Day Saints Church outside the continental United States, this beautiful complex features breathtaking lush tropical gardens of Hawaiian foliage and flowers, cascading water features and more.
Last but not least, visit the North Shore Surfing Beaches, the surfing mecca of the world! Watch out for the massive waves that have attracted so many surfers to its shores
These beaches are also a popular area for filming
Finish at the Dole Plantation, Hawaii’s “Pineapple Experience,” see pineapples from all over the world and try the delicious Dole Whip ice cream. (Approximate 20 min stop.)
*Please note that hotel pick-ups are between 6:45 a.m. – 7:25 a.m.

Day 6: Honolulu, United States

Enjoy a sunset cruise specially created for fun-loving people! On this cruise, it doesn't matter if you come alone or accompanied, here you will find the best party partners while enjoying our famous "Holokai Hooch" cocktail
All drinks are included during the cruise! Give yourself a moment to relax with a refreshing drink while you enjoy an incredible sunset.

Day 7: Honolulu, United States

Transfer from Honolulu to Honolulu