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)

Day Morning Summary Afternoon Summary Evening Summary
1

Flight to San Francisco

On arrival transfer to your hotel for check in

Free time

2

Visit the California Academy of Science - Rainforest Exhibit

Take in the view of the Golden Gate Bridge

 Free time

3

Optional visit to Alcatraz

Visit to Fisherman's Wharf

Free time

4

Depart San Francisco for Yosemite National Park

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

Dinner and evening programme

5

Breakfast in camp and depart on hike

Lunch on trail

Today focus on "Earth Science & Geology"

Dinner and evening programme

6

Breakfast in camp and depart on hike

Lunch on trail

Today focus on "Watershed Studies"

Dinner and evening programme

7

Breakfast in camp and depart on hike

Lunch on trail

Today focus on "Current Environmental Issues"

Dinner and evening programme

8

Breakfast at camp before departing from Yosemite for Las Vegas

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

Arrive in Las Vegas, evening at leisure

9

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

Free time

10

Free time to explore Las Vegas

Transfer to the airport for flight home

Overnight flight

11

Arrival in the UK

11 days, 9 nights Price from £1,799 pp
  • 4-day NatureBridge Adventure field trip programme (full board)
  • 9 nights' bed and breakfast accommodation
  • Airport taxes and passenger duty at current rates
  • Airport transfers in resort
  • ATOL protected return flights from the UK
  • Comprehensive travel and medical insurance
  • Day trip to the Grand Canyon by private coach
  • Detailed information pack
  • Entry to the California Academy of Science
  • Free staff place ratio 1:10
  • Itinerary planning service
  • National Park entrance fees
  • Private coach transfers between destinations
  • Vamoos travel app - giving you access to all your trip documents on your phone or tablet
  • VAT at current rates to tour operators

Accommodation

Tour Highlights

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!

Educational Activities

Alcatraz Cruises

Alcatraz Cruises

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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

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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

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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

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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

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

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?

I love being able to help others experience the joys of travel. Being able to talk enthusiastically about places you have visited yourself is always a pleasure. – Zoe Campbell Learning & Development Manager

Don't take our word for it …

This is a fantastic opportunity for students and I can honestly say that the pressure of organising a trip abroad is made easy through the use of Halsbury. — Welling School , February 2019

Your School Trip is Fully Protected

As a fully-accredited school travel company, booking with Halsbury Travel offers you complete peace of mind. Our accreditations are your guarantee that:

  • Your school trip will be fully financially protected
  • Your group's safety will be prioritised
  • Your trip will be a quality educational experience
Find out more about our accreditations

Safety prioritised

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.

High quality service

Our Accreditations

We are a Member of ABTA, which means we are obliged to maintain a high standard of service to you by ABTA’s Code of Conduct.

Quality educational experiences

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.

Financial protection for coach tours

For non-flight packages, the Association of Bonded Travel Organisers Trust Limited (ABTOT) provides financial protection under The Package Travel and Linked Travel Arrangements Regulations 2018 for Halsbury Travel (5493), and in the event of their insolvency. ABTOT cover provides for a refund in the event you have not yet travelled or repatriation if transportation was included in your package. Please note that bookings made outside the UK are only protected by ABTOT when purchased directly with Halsbury Travel. 

Financial protection for flight trips

All air tours and flights arranged by us are also **ATOL protected**. Our ATOL number is ATOL 5079. Protection extends primarily to customers who book and pay in the United Kingdom.

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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