Reservations: Programs & Policies

• Trip Philosophy: SYMG trips focus on the experience of spending time in the wild and beautiful places of Yosemite, Sequoia Nat'l Park, and the Sierra National Forest. Though we offer a variety of trips, there are three things you find consistent on all trips - enthusiastic, skilled guides, incredible scenery, and healthy backcountry cuisine.
• What's Included: In addition to great guides, and well designed trips, we also provide most meals while in the backcountry, all activity specific gear, personal camping gear, and accommodations. Please review itineraries for each trip's specific information, found on our web site.
• Guides: The quality of your guide is what makes a good trip great, and in many ways distinguishes one company from another. SYMG guides are professional, courteous and patient individuals with great skills in the mountains and with people. Guides have wilderness medical training, and participate in ongoing education each year.
• Safety: Experience, use of good judgement, leadership skill and effective decision making are great factors in having a safe trip. SYMG places great emphasis on the well being of our guests, and our guiding protocol is typically well above the industry standard. SYMG guides are trained in advanced wilderness-specific first aid. The group's safety is always the first priority.
• AMGA Accreditation: Accreditation helps ensure that a guide service or outdoor program maintains the highest levels of proficiency and safety, and is in line with current standards and techniques. SYMG is an accredited guide service and rock climbing school.
• Weather: We plan our trips and departure dates for times when conditions are most stable. Weather can affect any trip, even at the most stable times of the year. There are no refunds for bad weather.
• Cancellations, Deposits, Refunds, Payments: All multi-day, open sign-up group trips that cost under $500.00 have a non refundable deposit of $100.00 per person that will not be refunded after signing up. The non refundable deposit for trips that cost between $500.00-$1600.00 is $200.00 per person and trips between $1,600.00-$5,000.00 have a $400.00 non refundable deposit. Privately guided day trips are also subject to the $100.00 non refundable deposit but are not billed per person, rather per day. On all privately arranged trips, either custom or standardized itineraries, there is a 25% non refundable deposit based on the total trip cost. On all trips (except Long-Trails and International trips, see below:), cancellations made 30 days or more prior to trip departure receive a full refund, less the deposit. Cancellations made 29-6 days prior to trip departure receive 50% refund less the deposit. There are no refunds for cancellations made 0-5 days prior to trip departure, or after the trip's begun. All payments are due 60 days prior to departure on US trips and 120 days prior to departure on International trips.
• For Long Trails trips, which include Trans Sierra Trail, Yosemite Grand Traverse, and John Muir Trail and International Trips, which include Peru, Argentina, Mexico, and Costa Rica. The cancellation policy is as follows: Balances are due at 120 days. $400.00 non refundable deposit per person required. Cancellations made 60 days or more prior to trip departure receive a full refund, less the deposit. Cancellations made 14-59 days prior to trip departure receive 50% refund less the deposit. There are no refunds for cancellations made 0-13 days prior to trip departure, or after the trip's begun. Refunds will be issued promptly in the form of a check.
• Gratuities for guides: Gratuities for your guides are greatly appreciated and typically range from 10-20% of your trip's cost: total, not per guide.