Join an adventurous group of 15 Muslim men backpacking deep into Yosemite's wilderness. Hike beneath towering granite walls, cross bridges past waterfalls and pray together under the winter stars. Come home with new brothers, new skills and a deeper connection to Allah's creation.
Trip Highlights
- Trek deep into the wilderness of Yosemite National Park
- Hike past majestic waterfalls and towering granite walls
- View wildlife in its remote natural habitat
- Stargaze under Yosemite's dark night sky
- Base camp near Rancheria Falls
- Pray with your brothers in untouched nature
- Halal meals by the campfire
- Professional guidance through the mountains
- Learn to catch and cook food in the wild
- Ride an AWD Mercedes Sprinter shuttle from the Bay Area
- Premium four-season backpacking gear provided
Trip Details
- Dates
- Fri-Mon, January 15-18, 2027
- Length
- 4 days, 3 nights
- Trail
- 13.4 miles over 3 days, starting at 3,800 ft
- Group
- 15 Muslim men, 18+
- Experience
- None needed, basic fitness encouraged
- Pickup
- MCC East Bay (pickups available along the route)
- Departs
- Friday, 10:30 AM sharp
- Returns
- Monday evening
What's Included
Professional guide support
- Navigate the mountains safely with professional guides
- Backpacking tips and know-how along the way
- Personal attention to your health and condition throughout the trip
- Campsite support so you can enjoy the trip: cooking, cleaning, water filtration, serving coffee and more
Safety and emergency plan
- Wilderness First Aid certified team
- Satellite connection to emergency services
- Careful trip planning, from route study to weather monitoring
Halal meals throughout the adventure
- A primal feast of halal steak and potatoes to start the trip
- Halal backpacking meals in the wild (supporting Muslim-owned businesses)
- Trail snacks: halal jerky, electrolytes, and candy for quick energy
- Hot coffee served every morning
Premium four-season gear rentals
- Sized and fitted to you
- 85-liter backpack with pack liner
- One-person backpacking tent
- REI Magma 15 sleeping bag
- Big Agnes sleeping pad
- BearVault BV450 bear canister
- Rain poncho
Round-trip Rawasi AWD shuttle
- Ride together in an AWD Mercedes-Benz Sprinter
- Departure from MCC East Bay in the Bay Area, with pickups available along the route
Bathroom hygiene kit
- Your own istinja bottle, trowel, hand sanitizer and biodegradable toilet paper
- Stay clean and keep your taharah deep in the backcountry, far from any bathroom
Winter Trekker 1 completion patch
Earn a Rawasi Adventures embroidered patch for completing the first winter edition of the Rawasi Backpacking Retreat
You Bring
- Warm layers
- Hiking shoes
- Water bottle
- Utensils: fork, spoon and knife
- Toothbrush, toothpaste and personal hygiene items
Your full packing list comes in your confirmation email.
We're all waking up for Fajr to pray, so we're not missing anything. Our deen is still intact, and if anything, we're actually connecting more with nature and Allah.
I was always looking for like-minded Muslim brothers... backpacking for me... gives me a chance to connect better with my Creator and strengthen my iman.
SubhanAllah, Allah still calls us the most beautiful of creation when we have all this... So how lucky are we to have Allah? Ya Kareem.
Itinerary: 4 Days, 3 Nights
Is This Trip Right for Me?
No backpacking experience needed. There are two backpacking days, with a day at base camp in between and an optional day hike. If you're in basic shape, you can do this. For the most enjoyable trip, we recommend a little training beforehand to build your pace.
We'll Get You Ready
Every brother who books schedules a personal call with our team. We'll learn where you're at, answer your questions, and help you get trail-ready before January. On the trail, 3 guides look after 12 participants, so you're supported every step of the way.
What to Expect on the Trail
- Pace
- Steady, with breaks along the way
- Distance
- 13.4 miles total, spread over 3 days
- Trail
- Established, nothing technical
- Pack
- Minimum 28 lbs with the full kit
- Solitude
- Deep in Yosemite's roadless wilderness
Your Guides
Ibrahim Abdul-haqq Twist
Ibrahim was born into a family rooted in the outdoors, working in conservation in Ecuador's Amazon rainforest since 1995 and organizing nature retreats for the Bay Area Muslim community since 2008, a life that instilled in him a love and respect for the wild. His love for backpacking took hold on his first trip as a kid, on South Sister in Oregon. A California native, he backpacks the Sierra Nevada, chases trout and salmon as a backcountry fisherman, hunts, and loves studying maps to plan every route. He has also explored the Amazon jungle, volcanoes in Indonesia, and trails in New Zealand, Australia, Italy, Utah and Oregon. As co-founder of Rawasi Adventures, his passion is bringing Muslim brothers into the wilderness for life-changing experiences, far from the noise of everyday life.
Yasir Malang
Yasir has spent years leading mountain bike rides, day hikes and group backpacking trips to build community and help brothers connect with Allah's creation. Whether it's your first night under the stars or you're a seasoned hiker, he's there to make sure you feel confident and comfortable in the wild.
Bushran Mohammed
Bushran found the outdoors in high school and made it a way of life in Colorado, backpacking to alpine lakes, mountain biking and snowboarding. Now in California, he says yes to almost any adventure, from cliff jumping to midnight kayaking in the Everglades, and he loves bringing people into the wilderness for the first time. Out there, he prays in the open air and takes in what Allah has created.
Reserve Your Spot
Professional guides, halal meals, four-season gear, AWD shuttle, bathroom hygiene kit, safety plan and wilderness first aid
Pay in full at booking. Your spot is yours once you book.
Your Commitment
- Before Dec 1
- If you need to cancel, a 30% cancellation fee applies.
- Starting Dec 1
- No refunds. If something comes up, we encourage you to give your spot to a brother you know.
- If we cancel before departure because of weather or closures
- Everything you paid becomes credit toward any Rawasi Adventures retreat of your choice. If it costs less, we refund the difference.
- If we cancel for any other reason
- You choose a full refund or full credit.
- Once we head out
- The trip lead may adjust plans for safety and conditions. That's part of the adventure.
4 days, 3 nights in Yosemite’s Hetch Hetchy. One spot per booking.