Guided El Capitan Hike
Price Per Person
Solo Tour: $400 per person
2 Participants: $350 per person
3 Participants: $300 per person
4 Participants: $250 per person
5+ Participants: $200 per person
Choose Your Date! Private Tour.
Destination
El Capitan, Yosemite National Park
Trip Highlights
✔ Summit the Iconic El Capitan- Reach the top of one of Yosemite's most breathtaking peaks with panoramic views stretching across the entire park, including a jaw-dropping perspective of Half Dome.
✔ Experience Yosemite's Wilderness - Traverse serene meadows, ancient forests, and granite ridgelines as you make your way to the summit.
✔ Iconic photo stops and storytelling from passionate, knowledgeable guides
✔ Picnic lunch (upgrade available) or local food stop break for lunch
✔ Learn about Yosemite’s wildlife, Indigenous history, and natural wonders
✔ Welcoming to all: solo travelers, couples, families, and international guests
✔ Perfect for Adventurous Hikers: Ideal for those with excellent fitness levels ready to conquer elevation gains and extended trail time.
✔ Women-led, empowering, and inclusive – all are welcome!
El Cap Private Hike
Experience a fully guided hike to the top of El Capitan in Yosemite National Park.
Experience Yosemite from a perspective few ever reach with our private guided hike to the summit of El Capitan. Led by our team of experienced female guides, this is more than just a hike—it’s a full-day journey in a supportive, confidence-building environment designed to help you push your limits.
As you make your way through forested trails and along the rim of Yosemite Valley, you’ll gain a completely different appreciation for El Cap—not just as an iconic wall, but as a place you can stand on. From the summit, take in sweeping views of the valley below, Yosemite Falls, and the surrounding High Sierra.
Ideal for adventurous women and anyone seeking a meaningful, physically rewarding experience, this hike blends challenge, perspective, and connection in one of the most iconic landscapes in the world.
Join us and stand on top of El Cap—where very few ever do.
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Embark on a challenging yet rewarding journey to El Capitan in Yosemite, a hike renowned for its technical terrain and stunning vistas.
This rigorous 15+ mile round trip trek, with an elevation gain of over 4,000 feet, requires a good level of fitness and stamina.
The trail navigates through diverse landscapes, including dense forests, rocky switchbacks, and narrow ridges, offering an exhilarating experience for avid hikers.
At the summit, 7,616 feet above sea level, you'll be rewarded with panoramic views of the High Sierra, including the iconic Half Dome.
Our guiding team ensures a supportive atmosphere, focusing on safety and encouraging each hiker to push their limits.
This hike is ideal for those who relish a physical challenge and have a passion for exploring high-altitude terrains in one of America's most famed national parks.
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5:30 am - Meet your guide at the trailhead & check-in. She will review the day’s itinerary and ensure that all have ample water, food and hiking gear.
Before setting off, your guide will cover Leave No Trace principles.
You will set off on your amazing hike and a comfortable pace for your group. Expect to spend 10-12 hours on the trail unless you are highly fit and acclimated to the altitude.
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Hiking: Steep terrain, long miles at altitude.
This trip is rated Strenuous.
Our pace will be determined by the slowest person in the group. We have plenty of time to hike and there is no rush. A slower pace means a higher success rate for the group.
We recommend that you stay well hydrated and fed prior to departure to assist in mitigating altitude sickness if you are coming from sea level.
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Included in your booking:
Professional Wilderness Guide with Wilderness First Aid or Responder Certification that has ample Yosemite National Park experience.
Private booking - just you and your group.
Group safety gear, first aid kit & satellite communication device.
Permit fees
% back to the Park
Special discount to shop at the Alpinistas store
Not included:
Trip insurance
Water, meals, snacks - Can be upgraded to include food for a fee.
Guide gratuities
Required gear, see in below section (available for rent when checking out)
Personal items
Make it a Weekend in Yosemite!
Book a Mt. Dana Summit Hike the very next day!
Why Choose Us?
🌲 Authentic Yosemite Experience – We run tours all season in Yosemite from deep wilderness to Yosemite Valley sights.
🏔 Local, Expert Guides – Passionate outdoor professionals with deep knowledge of the area.
⏳ Flexible Scheduling – Private and small group tours tailored to your experience level.
🎒 Hassle-Free Booking – We provide everything you need for an unforgettable experience.
Gear List
Layering is the key to staying comfortable while being active outdoors. The secret to achieving maximum comfort with minimum weight is to bring versatile layers that can be mixed and matched to create the right amount of insulation, ventilation, and weather protection.
When packing, try to bring only what you need. This not only makes your load lighter but also helps our amazing field staff.
If you've already booked your trip, don't worry! You’ll be getting emails with a detailed list of what you'll need to bring (plus tons of other helpful information).
Are you looking to reduce your carbon footprint or save some money? Check out our shop at Alpinistas and the Re-Cover department for gently used gear online.
Get ready to conquer the outdoors, Alpinistas! We can't wait to see you on the trail.
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Hiking boots or trail running sneakers with Vibram grip soles
(Fashion shoes without a durable sole make for active use are prohibited due to safety concerns. Boots may be available for rent but limited sizes.)
Small Day Hiking Backpack or Fanny Pack
Hiking apparel, bring layers dependent on weather (To be confirmed close to your trip.)
Hiking Socks (Synthetic or Wool)
Sunblock, sunglasses and lip balm with SPF
Water (1.5-2.5 liters) or Hydration System
Electrolytes, snacks, lunch if desired
Personal Bathroom Kit: Toilet Paper, Ziplock Bags, Personal Wipes, Hand Cleaner - Pack it all out.
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This will be nice for you to have:
Trekking poles
Hat, Bandana or Buff for Sun Protection
Have questions about the gear list?
Give us a call at (855) 622-4951 or send us a chat or email.
Helpful for booking
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After you book your reservation, you will receive a confirmation email with some action items. (Please check promotions and spam folder if you don’t receive a confirmation immediately.)
As you start to get closer to your event date, you will receive additional emails confirming itinerary details and other important or helpful supplemental information such as start time and driving directions. You will also have someone from our office reach out to discuss any questions that you might have.
The week of the event, you should be ready to go and you will receive a final email introducing your guides, providing you with their contact information and other last minute notes.
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The closest airport to Yosemite is in Fresno, CA (FAT).
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Sierra daytime temperatures at this time of year can range between 70s - 80s degrees F, with overnight lows dropping to the 40s - 50s.
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While our company is proudly female-forward and specializes in creating empowering experiences for women, our custom, private trips are open to everyone.
We welcome all individuals, regardless of gender, who share a passion for outdoor adventures and respect the ethos of inclusivity and support that we foster.
Our focus remains on ensuring a safe, welcoming, and unforgettable adventure for all our guests.
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“Dear women adventurers of all skill levels, you need to take a trip with Alpinistas! I just returned from the Cold Weather Skills workshop in Yosemite and I've learned more in three days than I have in all my years of hiking and camping. It's so rare to find guiding experiences that are fun, connect you with likeminded folks, AND equip you with a ton of new skills.”
— Ashley
“I had the absolute best experience on a rock climbing trip with Joanne’s Team! Every part of the weekend was fantastic - the camping experience was wonderful, the guides were knowledgeable and kept everyone safe, and the climbing was so much fun! I'm looking forward to future trips with Alpinistas, and love the work they are doing in making outdoor education more accessible to women!”
- Rebecca
What People Are Saying about Alpinistas Adventures
“The women I met that weekend were so amazing for their love of the outdoors, their curiosity, and their tenacious spirits. I learned so much from our skilled guides who made us feel safe to ask any and all questions regardless of how silly they might be. Thank you Alpinistas for a truly amazing weekend! I can’t wait for the next adventure 🏕️”
— Katarina
“I joined a Cold Weather course and winter camping weekend with them in Yosemite and absolutely love it! The guides are passionate about what they are teaching us, they are so supportive, and the event was organized so well.”
- Ashley-Marie