What is the cancellation policy for this tour?

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

How long does this tour take?

Please check the tour page for the exact duration.

Self-Guided Audio Driving Tour in Lake Tahoe

Q: Where does this tour start?

This tour starts at: From Carson City, join Hwy 50 westbound to reach the lake loop route. Commentary begins about 15–20 minutes before reaching the lake. After booking, search your email for “Download Audio Tour,” then preview the route in the app..

★★★★⯨ 4.8

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Overview

Download the GuideAlong self-guided audio tour and you'll discover more on your Lake Tahoe road trip. Hear fascinating behind-the-scenes stories, local tips and directions play automatically along the route, all based on your location.

You'll be guided to all of the area's famous highlights as well as lessor known gems including one of the most photographed places on earth, historical estates from the turn of the 20th century, and a famous mountain pass that has witnessed some epic moments in American history.

Enjoy the freedom to explore offline at your own pace, spending more time at places that interest you, and bypass any that don’t.

✅ Stories, tips and directions play automatically based on your location
✅ Travel at your own pace
✅ Tour offline using GPS, no cell service or WiFi needed
✅ Suggested itineraries for half, full or multi day use
✅ Buy once, use forever! No expiry, includes free updates.
✅ Like having a tour guide along for the drive

Purchase one tour per vehicle.

Gallery

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What's Included

✓ Included

Support: Toll free phone, chat and email
Easy To Use: Pre-download and tour offline
Trip Planners: In-app, web and PDF
Location Based: Stories, tips & directions that autoplay
Includes an app-based self-guided experience, so you do not need any in-person guide.
Buy once, use forever! No expiry, includes free updates
GuideAlong (GyPSy Guide) Audio Tour: 275+ Points
Flexible Routes: Suggested itineraries or create your own

✗ Not Included

Entry Fees, National Park Passes, Reservations

Itinerary

Stop 1

As the audio guides play commentary based on your gps location, you can create your own itinerary along the tour route to match your interests and schedule. Or you can use our trip planners for our suggestions on half, full or multi day itineraries. Some of the many highlights are listed below;

Stop 2

Chimney Beach is arguably the most fabulous of Tahoe's undeveloped beaches. Named after the remains of the old caretaker's cabin, this sheltered cove of giant boulders and glittering turquoise waters casts its spell on all who visit. A sometimes steep, half mile hike down is required but persevere and you'll make it. The hidden coves stretching in both directions allow for some degree of solitude.

Stop 3

Donner Pass is the site of a key passage through the Sierra Nevada range, and as such has witnessed some epic moments in American history, ranging from the tragic fate of the Donner Party to the construction of both the first transcontinental railroad and transcontinental highway. Visiting options at the Donner Pass area include the Donner Memorial State Park and Lake which is home to an engaging museum, or keep driving up the old highway to see the remnants of the original railway tunnels blasted out by Chinese immigrants, ancient petroglyphs, and several scenic viewpoints.

Stop 4

Completed in 2019, the gorgeous East Shore Trail runs for three miles between Incline Village and Sand Harbor, offering easy access to 11 semi-wild beaches and 17 vista points as it meanders through Lake Tahoe Nevada State Park. The trail is paved and wide, making it bicycle, wheelchair and pedestrian friendly. And if you'd like to visit Hidden Beach (one of the more peaceful spots in North Tahoe to enjoy the sunset), walking or cycling from here is the only option. At the trail's terminus is Sand Harbor State Park, where you can rent kayaks and stand-up paddleboards.

Stop 5

Castles, waterfalls, and beaches, oh my! Whatever your fancy, you’ll be sure to find it at Tahoe’s most popular park. This stunning glacier-carved cove has one photogenic vista after another and is the most photograph location around Lake Tahoe. Admire Tahoe’s only island, Fanette, from Inspiration Point; or idly floating on an SUP while soaking up some rays, you can’t go wrong. One of Emerald Bay’s most unique sights is the maritime heritage underwater trail for snorkelers and divers, which passes the wrecks of various barges and boats beneath the surface. Hikers can take in the famous Rubicon Trail, Lower Eagle Falls, Upper Eagle Falls, and Eagle Lake in the Desolation Wilderness. This can be a busy location and an early arrival improves your chances of scoring a close-by parking spot.

Stop 6

The Gatekeeper's Museum in Tahoe City has two main collections: a collection of Native basketry, and a small display related to the 1960 Winter Olympics. The 270 handwoven baskets, most of which date from the turn of the twentieth century, range from Arizona to British Columbia, exhibiting an array of traditional designs. Just next to the Gatekeeper’s Museum is Fanny Bridge, which crosses Lake Tahoe’s only outlet: the Truckee River. Fanny Bridge originally got its name from - you guessed it - the backsides of all those tourists peering over the bridge at the trout in the Truckee River! And we'll enjoy scenic views of the pretty Tahoe Dam from this location.

Stop 7

You don’t have to be a skier or hike huge vertical to get elevated views for less effort. With over a dozen ski resorts in the Tahoe area, there are plenty of choices to take in the high country, but the most famous ride of all is the Heavenly Gondola. Climbing 3,000 feet in 12 minutes, and traveling 2.4 miles from the lake shore to the observation deck and Tamarack Lodge, the eight-seat gondola is the fastest - and least demanding - option for getting into the mountains. Open year round, the summer season features an adventure park, hiking trails, and a second chair lift that climbs even higher than the gondola.

Stop 8

Following the shoreline between Emerald Bay State Park and DL Bliss State Park, the Rubicon is often named Tahoe’s best hike. You can link up all sorts of sights along the way, from the Vikingsholm Mansion and Lower Eagle Falls in Emerald Bay to a ruined 1916 lighthouse in DL Bliss. If you set up a car shuttle (parking can be a challenge), you can just do the hike one-way (4.5 miles). If not, you’ll need to hike round trip, which is a total of 9 miles, but the elevation change is not like a true mountain hike.

Stop 9

Get a taste of the lifestyles of San Francisco’s rich and famous... one hundred years in the past. Three vacation homes - the Baldwin, the Pope, and the Valhalla -stand amid towering old growth trees on Tahoe’s south shore. At the turn of the 20th century, a casino, ballroom, croquet courts, and steamer cruises kept well-heeled guests entertained. During the summer months you can tour the mansions or catch a concert en plein air, but the grounds remain open throughout the year and always make for an interesting stroll. Nearby is the public Kiva Beach, with fabulous views of the Desolation Wilderness beyond.

Meeting & End Point

📍

Meeting Point

From Carson City, join Hwy 50 westbound to reach the lake loop route. Commentary begins about 15–20 minutes before reaching the lake. After booking, search your email for “Download Audio Tour,” then preview the route in the app.

🏁

End Point

Commentary plays automatically based on your location, so you have flexibility on where and when you want to start and end your tour anywhere along the tour route.

Find Hotels in Lake Tahoe

Good to Know

Suitable for all physical fitness levels
How to Access: After booking you’ll receive an email and text with instructions (search “Download Audio Tour”). Click the link in the email/text to sign in with your preferred Apple or Google account and redeem your voucher code ahead of time.
Download The GuideAlong App: Download the free app over WiFi or cellular data and sign in with the same Apple or Google account.
Download The Tour: Download the tour in the GuideAlong app under 'My Tours' over WiFi or cellular data.
Start The Tour: Open the tour in the GuideAlong app to preview the start locations, tour route and trip planner, or start the tour.
Location-Based Stories: Audio commentary plays automatically as you drive using your phone’s GPS chip. Wherever you are and whichever direction you’re going, you’ll hear the best stories and tips.
Flexible Travel Date: Tours are a one-time purchase with no expiry or date/time limit. If your plans change to a different day, there’s no need to change your travel date.
Tour at Your Leisure: With GuideAlong, you control the pace. Start, stop, and resume the tour any day, anytime, adapting it to your schedule.
Driving Tours: Group Savings: One purchase covers everyone in the vehicle, making it a cost-effective way to explore.
Works Offline: No internet or cell service is required once the audio tour is downloaded to your phone, so you can relax and tour offline.
Bring A Charger: Pack a USB/C car charger for charging and easy sound connectivity, and make sure your device is fully charged.
Technical Support: The GuideAlong support team is available daily by toll-free phone, online chat, and email.
The app’s audio will play through your car’s Apple CarPlay and Android Auto display, while the app’s map will display on your phone. You can connect your phone to the car via Bluetooth to listen to the commentary through the car stereo.

Known For:

Private and Luxury in Lake Tahoe, Weather Dependent - Weather-Proof in Lake Tahoe, Car Tours in Lake Tahoe, Bus Tours in Lake Tahoe, Day Trips in Lake Tahoe, Excellent Quality in Lake Tahoe, Private Sightseeing Tours in Lake Tahoe, Best Conversion in Lake Tahoe, Historical Tours in Lake Tahoe, Full-day Tours in Lake Tahoe, Audio Guides in Lake Tahoe

Special Instructions

Includes an app-based self-guided experience, so you do not need any in-person guide.

STEPS TO GET YOUR GUIDEALONG AUDIO TOUR:

1. SIGN IN + REDEEM your VOUCHER CODE: https://store.guidealong.com/voucher
2. DOWNLOAD the GuideAlong App
3. SIGN IN to the GuideAlong app with the same Apple or Google account as Step 1
4. DOWNLOAD the Audio Tour NOW

FIND YOUR VOUCHER CODE AND INSTRUCTIONS
- Email: Search for “GuideAlong”. Check All Mail and junk/spam.
- Text: Search for “GuideAlong”.
- This Ticket: Find the VOUCHER CODE at the top under the QR code and redeem at Step
- Viator App: Open your booking and Contact Support > Contact Tour Operator.
- TripAdvisor App: Account > Messages.
- Support: Call GuideAlong toll-free on 1866-477-1791.

DOWNLOAD THE GUIDEALONG APP & TOUR NOW
You must download the GuideAlong app and tour to your phone over WiFi or cellular data beforehand. If you can OPEN your tour and see START TOURING, it is downloaded. No service is required while touring.

FLEXIBLE TRAVEL DATE
There’s no expiry date or time limit for your tour. If your plans change, there’s no need to change your travel date.

CHARGING & SOUND
Use a USB/C car charger adapter in the auxiliary power outlet (cigarette lighter) to keep your phone charged, not the vehicle's USB port. Audio will play through Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and the app’s map will display on your phone. Connect your phone via Bluetooth to listen through the car stereo: guidealong.com/travel-tips-bluetooth/.

HELP & SUPPORT

- FAQs: See the GuideAlong app’s Help menu or online FAQs at guidealong.com/faq.
- Contact GuideAlong Support: Call toll-free 1866-477-1791, chat online at guidealong.com, or email info@guidealong.com.