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This unique geography school trip to San Francisco, Yosemite and the Grand Canyon offers your students the chance to get close to nature in a fun and active way!

Start your trip in San Francisco, where your students will consider how it's affected by its location on the San Andreas fault. Then visit the award-winning California Academy of Science and their Earthquake exhibit, where you can learn all about aspects of earthquakes on a local and international scale.

Then spend 4 nights in Yosemite National Park, where your students will enjoy a real geography adventure! Continue on towards Las Vegas, making a brief stop in Death Valley before ending your trip with the spectacle that is the Grand Canyon.

Suggested Itinerary (11 days, 9 nights)

Yosemite National Park, USA

Explore Yosemite National Park

Hike and study the landscape of Yosemite National Park with a choice of three areas to focus on – life sciences and ecology, watershed studies, earth science and geology, cultural history or current environmental issues.

Located in the western Sierra Nevada and designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1984, Yosemite National Park is world famous for its spectacular scenery including waterfalls, giant sequoias, mountains, glaciers and meadows.

Yosemite was key to the development of the USA’s national park system, thanks to the movement to protect it from development which led to President Abraham Lincoln signing the Yosemite Grant in 1864.

Did you know?

Almost 95% of Yosemite National Park is designated wilderness and boasts an incredible biological diversity – the park is home to over 250 species of vertebrates.

California Academy of Science, USA

Visit California Academy of Science

The California Academy of Science is the greenest museum in the world and houses a world-class aquarium, planetarium and natural history museum!

It’s also one of the largest natural history museums in the world, with over 46 million specimens in its collection.

Founded in 1853, the Academy is particularly notable for championing the involvement of female scientists. In fact, in its first year of existence it passed a resolution approving of female participation in every department of natural science and inviting their cooperation.

Did you know?

The Academy is topped by a living green roof of 1.7 million plants, all of which are native to California. And its design was inspired by the seven major hills of San Francisco!

The Grand Canyon, USA

Visit the Grand Canyon

Possibly the most famous natural attraction in the US, the Grand Canyon is possibly one of the best places in the world to learn about the effects of erosion.

Here, two billion years of the Earth’s geological history is laid bare, thanks to the erosive power of the Colorado River and its tributaries.

This is a truly spectacular visit that will impress upon your students how the study of geography can help them to understand the incredible world around them.

Did you know?

The Grand Canyon is huge! It measures 277 miles in length and at its stretches 18 miles across at its widest point!

Day 1

Morning

Flight to San Francisco

Afternoon

On arrival transfer to your hotel for check in

Evening

Free time

Day 2

Morning

Visit the California Academy of Science - Rainforest Exhibit

Afternoon

Take in the view of the Golden Gate Bridge

Evening

 Free time

Day 3

Morning

Optional visit to Alcatraz

Afternoon

Visit to Fisherman's Wharf

Evening

Free time

Day 4

Morning

Depart San Francisco for Yosemite National Park

Afternoon

Arrive at Yosemite and move in to your NatureBridge heated tent camp at Curry Village

Evening

Dinner and evening programme

Day 5

Morning

Breakfast in camp and depart on hike

Afternoon

Lunch on trail

Today focus on "Earth Science & Geology"

Evening

Dinner and evening programme

Day 6

Morning

Breakfast in camp and depart on hike

Afternoon

Lunch on trail

Today focus on "Watershed Studies"

Evening

Dinner and evening programme

Day 7

Morning

Breakfast in camp and depart on hike

Afternoon

Lunch on trail

Today focus on "Current Environmental Issues"

Evening

Dinner and evening programme

Day 8

Morning

Breakfast at camp before departing from Yosemite for Las Vegas

Afternoon

Stop en-route to visit Death Valley - the hottest, driest and lowest place in North America

Evening

Arrive in Las Vegas, evening at leisure

Day 9

Morning

N/A

Afternoon

Day trip to the Grand Canyon and Hoover Dam (entry optional)

Evening

Free time

Day 10

Morning

Free time to explore Las Vegas

Afternoon

Transfer to the airport for flight home

Evening

Overnight flight

Day 11

Morning

N/A

Afternoon

Arrival in the UK

Evening

N/A

  • tick icon4-day NatureBridge Adventure field trip programme (full board)
  • tick icon9 nights' bed and breakfast accommodation
  • tick iconAirport taxes and passenger duty at current rates
  • tick iconAirport transfers in resort
  • tick iconATOL protected return flights from the UK
  • tick iconComprehensive travel and medical insurance
  • tick iconDay trip to the Grand Canyon by private coach
  • tick iconDetailed information pack
  • tick iconEntry to the California Academy of Science
  • tick iconFree staff place ratio 1:10
  • tick iconItinerary planning service
  • tick iconNational Park entrance fees
  • tick iconPrivate coach transfers between destinations
  • tick iconVamoos travel app - giving you access to all your trip documents on your phone or tablet
  • tick iconVAT at current rates to tour operators

Educational activities and visits

Alcatraz Cruises

Alcatraz Cruises

Alcatraz and history go hand in hand. Once home to some of America's most notorious criminals, the federal penitentiary that… Read More

California Academy of Science

California Academy of Science

The California Academy of Sciences, located in Golden Gate Park San Francisco, contains an Aquarium, the world’s deepest Philippine Coral… Read More

Golden Gate Bridge

Golden Gate Bridge

The best way to see and enjoy the bridge is to drive to either side, park your vehicle and then… Read More

Grand Canyon

Grand Canyon

The Grand Canyon is the most famous natural attraction in the USA. It is one of the best examples of… Read More

NatureBridge Yosemite

NatureBridge Yosemite

NatureBridge Yosemite gives your students the opportunity to immerse themselves in nature, among the stunning surroundings of Yosemite National Park… Read More

Accommodation

Camp Curry NatureBridge Yosemite
Hostelling International Fisherman's Wharf
Hostelling International- San Francisco Downtown
La Quinta Convention Center
Camp Curry NatureBridge Yosemite

Camp Curry was founded in 1899 by David and Jennie Curry, two schoolteachers from Indiana. "Ma" and "Pa" Curry are no longer around to welcome guests, yet the legacy of hospitality remains 100 years later.The cabins in Boystown are heated tent cabins. Each cabin has 2 single beds and 1 double bed. The cabins are heated by a propane heater and have wooden floors, frames and walls and ceilings of heavy-duty, waterproof canvas. Each of these cabins are equipped with a light and an electrical outlet.Meals are served in the Curry Village Dining Pavilion.

Hostelling International Fisherman's Wharf

The San Francisco Fisherman's Wharf Hostel is the most popular budget option in the city. Housed in historic buildings in a National Park setting with views of Alcatraz and the Golden Gate Bridge, this is an ideal choice for travellers who prefer green grass and birdsong to the frenetic pace of urban life.

Hostelling International- San Francisco Downtown

The San Francisco Downtown Hostel offers a five-star location at rock-bottom price. Stay in the heart of San Francisco's tourist district, one block from Union Square, in a vibrant neighborhood filled with restaurants, theaters, and art galleries.

La Quinta Convention Center

The spacious rooms at La Quinta Convention Centre include a continental breakfast each morning. In addition to breakfast; the hotel has room service available from Cabana Grill; located on the sundeck in the beautiful pool area. All 251 rooms offer free high-speed internet access, cable television, coffee maker, hair dryer, iron with ironing board and an alarm clock.

Supporting you every step of the way

1 Creating Your Perfect Trip

We'll tailor make your school trip to meet your specific requirements

2 Launching your trip to parents and students

Head to our resources section for FREE promotional materials

3 After you've booked

Your dedicated Itinerary Coordinator will work with you on the finer details of your trip

4 While you're away

You'll be able to reach us 24/7 during your trip if you need our help

5 After your trip

Head back to our resources section to continue the learning

Need help?

Zoe Campbell — Learning & Development Manager

Don’t hesitate to contact me for any advice or further information on how your school trip can be tailored to your requirements.

Halsbury Travel
Halsbury has thankfully catered this trip to us according to our requirements with an affordable cost and Covid guarantees. — Bolton Muslim Girls' School

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As an Assured Member of the School Travel Forum (STF) we have an effective Safety Management System in place.

As well as reassuring you that your group's safety will be prioritised at all times, this will also help you to meet your due diligence and reduces the amount of External Provider paperwork required.

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Our Accreditations

Our ABTA bond means all our school trips are financially protected. Plus, all air tours and flights arranged by us are also ATOL protected.

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The Learning Outside the Classroom (LOtC) Quality Badge is your reassurance that Halsbury Travel is committed to offering LOtC activities that are safe and beneficial to learning.

The Halsbury Difference

School trips designed by teachers for teachers

Originally founded by teachers in 1986 and with several former teachers in our team, we understand the pressures on you as Group Leader and work hard to relieve them.

Trips tailored to your curriculum and learning objectives

We’ll design your trip around your specific learning objectives and curriculum, to ensure it meets your particular requirements.

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