A geography school trip to the Grand Canyon will allow your students to take in one of the most breathtaking sights in all of the US!
This 277-mile-long canyon has been carved over millions of years by the winding Colorado River that now runs approximately 1 mile down at the base of the canyon. The canyon ranges in width from 4 to 18 miles and offers visitors views that can’t be matched anywhere else in the world.
Also not to be missed are the stunning Zion and Bryce Canyon National Parks. Zion is located at the junction of the Colorado Plateau, Great Basin and Mojave Desert regions, which provides the park with unique geography and a variety of ecosystems, which allows for unusual plant and animal diversity. Bryce Canyon, despite its name, is not actually a canyon, but rather a giant natural amphitheatre. Bryce is distinctive due to its geological structures, called hoodoos, formed from wind, water and ice erosion of the sedimentary rocks on river and lake beds.
Suggested Itinerary (9 days, 7 nights)
Explore Zion National Park
Canyoneers from all over the world are drawn to the incredible canyons of Zion National Park and it’s a fantastic place to learn about the effects of erosion.
Zion National Park is located at the junction between the Great Basin, the Colorado Plateau and the Mojave Desert, and has a completely unique geography that will leave your students awestruck.
Here you’ll discover mountains, buttes, canyons, mesas, rivers, natural arches and monoliths.
Did you know?
Zion National Park is home to one of the longest freestanding arches in the world. Kolob Arch spans a whopping 287 feet!
Follow the Emerald Pools Trail
The Emerald Pools got their name from the algae that gives them a green tint. One of Zion’s signature trails, you’ll see waterfalls, pools and some impressive monoliths!
The trail actually follows a small stream that collects along three pools along its course. A round-trip to all three pools is 2.5 miles.
The area around the pools is almost like an oasis in the desert, thanks to the beautifully lush vegetation. And the opportunity to walk behind waterfalls is something your students will never forget!
Did you know?
The middle pools offer spectacular views across to some of the park’s best-known landmarks, including Red Arch Mountain, Lady Mountain, Mount Majestic and Cathedral Mountain.
Enjoy the Riverside Walk
This easy, scenic trail will take you past hanging gardens, pools, brooklets and towering cliffs, with plenty of opportunity to see the local flora and fauna!
This trail follows the Virgin River from the Temple of Sinawava up to the Narrows. This is the perfect trail for groups, as it’s suitable for all abilities and offers the opportunity to see a range of features, from hanging gardens to towering cliffs.
This is also a fantastic trail if your group is interested in seeing some of the local wildlife – mule deer, blue herons, chipmunks and wild turkeys are common sightings here.
Did you know?
This trail was originally know as the ‘Gateway to the Narrows’ but it was felt that that sounded rather foreboding, so it was renamed the ‘Riverside Walk’ in the 1990s.
Day 1
Morning
Flight to Las Vegas
Afternoon
Transfer to accommodation on arrival
Evening
Optional evening meal at a local restaurant
Day 2
Morning
City tour of Las Vegas
Afternoon
Travel to Zion National Park
Overnight in Hurricane
Evening
Optional evening meal at a local restaurant
Day 3
Morning
Explore Zion National Park with your guide
Afternoon
See spectacular river landscapes and learn about their formation
Evening
Optional evening meal at local restaurant or accommodation
Day 4
Morning
Depart Zion and head to Bryce
Afternoon
Explore Bryce with your expert guide
Evening
Optional evening meal at a local restaurant
Day 5
Morning
Drive to Page
Optional activities on the Colorado River (seasonal availability)
Afternoon
Continue on to the Grand Canyon
Evening
Optional evening meal at a local restaurant
Day 6
Morning
Spend the day learning about the formation and features of the Grand Canyon with your expert guide
Afternoon
Continue visit to the Grand Canyon
Evening
Optional evening meal at a local restaurant
Day 7
Morning
Visit Montezuma Castle on the way to Phoenix
Afternoon
Arrive in Phoenix and enjoy some free time
Evening
Optional evening meal at a local restaurant
Day 8
Morning
Optional visit to the Desert Botanical Gardens or learn how Phoenix became the go-to case study for urban sprawl
Afternoon
Transfer to the airport
Evening
Overnight flight to the UK
Day 9
Morning
N/A
Afternoon
N/A
Evening
Arrive back in the UK
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7 nights' bed and breakfast accommodation
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Airport taxes and passenger duty at current rates
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Airport transfers in resort
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ATOL protected return flights from the UK
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Comprehensive travel and medical insurance
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Daily transportation
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Detailed information pack
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Expert guide
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Free staff place ratio 1:10
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Itinerary planning service
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National Park entrance fees and hiking permits
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Vamoos travel app - giving you access to all your trip documents on your phone or tablet
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VAT at current rates to tour operators
Curriculum Links
A-Level
- Case study of a river catchment
- Minerals and rocks
- Geomorphic processes
- Geochronology
- Water and carbon cycles
- Characteristics of a distinct ecosystem
- Hot desert systems and landscapes
- Biodiversity: flora and fauna
- Fieldwork
GCSE
- Physical processes affecting land formation
- Erosion, transportation and deposition
- Fluvial landforms
- Characteristics of ecosystems
- Biodiversity: flora and fauna adaptations
- Water and carbon cycles
Key Stage 3
- Geological timescales and plate tectonics
- Rocks, weathering and soils
- Hydrology and coasts
Educational activities and visits
Bryce Canyon National Park
Bryce Canyon National Park is a spectacular sight and not to be missed on any trip to Utah. The name… Read More
Emerald Pool Trails
The Emerald Pools Trail was completed in 1925 and named due to the green tint the algae gives the three… Read More
Grand Canyon
The Grand Canyon is the most famous natural attraction in the USA. It is one of the best examples of… Read More
Montezuma Castle
Rising 100 feet above the Beaver Creek floodplain, Montezuma Castle is a testimony to the resilience and innovations of a… Read More
Riverside Walk
The Riverside Walk is easy and very scenic. The paved trail follows the Virgin River from Temple of Sinawava up… Read More
Zion National Park
Zion National Park is surrounded by the towering cliffs andis known for its incredible canyons, including The Narrows, which attract… Read More
Accommodation
Bryce View Lodge guests can enjoy clean, comfortable rooms and full amenities including swimming pools, spas, restaurants and shopping, all located within an easy stroll of Bryce View Lodge.All guest rooms have cable TV, direct-dial telephones, air conditioning and combination bath and showers.
The Comfort Inn Zion is the finest of Zion National Park hotels. Experience the special southern Utah hospitality, outdoor pool, 18 hole mini-golf course, non-smoking rooms, free breakfast, convenient location and breathtaking views.
Zion National Park, St. George, Utah and Mesquite, Nevada are just minutes away.
Conveniently located at the border of Scottsdale and Tempe, this charming desert getaway continues to give each guest the royal treatment. Each suite offers a fully equipped kitchen along with a telephone, a TV with cable and in room movies. In room coffee, hair dryer, iron & ironing board are also available.
All rooms at the Hotel Sleep Inn Flagstaff come equipped with coffee makers, hair dryers, irons, ironing boards and 27-inch televisions. Mini-suites with king beds, sofa sleepers, microwaves and refrigerators are also offered. This is a non-smoking hotel. Handicap accessible rooms are also available.Guests can expect free 24 hour tea and coffee as well as a complimentary breakfast. You can also make use of the hotels heated indoor pool and spa.
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 put together a superb trip and their care and attention to our group was top notch. I will certainly be working with Halsbury for future trips.— Shanghai American School
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