Geography Trip to West Coast USA
A geography school trip to the USA’s West Coast offers the unforgettable opportunity to explore the Grand Canyon, Death Valley, Yosemite National Park and San Francisco!
Spectacular canyons, volcanic activity, diverse ecosystems, magnificent rivers and sprawling coastal urbanisation are all here for you to explore, giving your students plenty of opportunity to see geography in action.
Combine your trip with some amazing sightseeing options, such as the Golden Gate Bridge, all of which will highlight the human impact on the landscape and the methods employed to try to overcome the environmental challenges in the area.
Suggested Itinerary (10 days, 8 nights)
Explore 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!
Explore Bryce Canyon
Bryce Canyon is a collection of natural amphitheatres and is most famous for its spectacular array of hoodoos!
Despite its name, Bryce Canyon isn’t actually a canyon, because it wasn’t formed by the erosion caused by a central stream. It was, in fact, carved out by headward erosion.
Of course, this means it’s the perfect place to learn more about different types of erosion and their effects on the landscape, particularly if you combine your visit to Bryce Canyon with a stop at the Grand Canyon.
Did you know?
Bryce Canyon is named after Mormon pioneer Ebenezer Bryce. It’s said that he stumbled into the main amphitheatre of the canyon when looking for lost cattle – after that, the locals referred to it as ‘Bryce’s Canyon’ and the name stuck!
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.
Day 1
Morning
Flight to Phoenix
Afternoon
On arrival transfer to your hotel
Evening
Evening mealat accommodation
Day 2
Morning
Travel to the Grand Canyon
Afternoon
Walk along the South Rim to view the millions of years of wind and water erosion that have created the Canyon
Continue to Tuba City
Evening
Evening meal and overnight in Tuba City
Day 3
Morning
Travel to Monument Valley to view the desert plain with its gigantic sandstone monolithic structures
Afternoon
Lunch of Navajo specialities followed by a jeep tour with Navajo Indians
Arrive Page late afternoon, making stops at Lake Powell and Glen Canyon Dam
Evening
Western meal with live country music show and overnight in Kanab
Day 4
Morning
Beautiful drive crossing the plains to Bryce Canyon to view its pink cliffs
Afternoon
Continue to Las Vegas
Evening
Buffetmeal and overnight in Las Vegas
Day 5
Morning
Travel to the Valley of Fire offering superb multicoloured desert landscapes, strangely eroded rocks and 150 million year old sand dunes
Afternoon
Continue to Lake Mead and visit the Hoover Dam on the famous Colorado River
Return to Las Vegas
Evening
Visit the Borax Museum displaying the history of mining in Death Valley
Continue to Mammoth Lakes
Day 6
Morning
Leave Las Vegas for Death Valley, approx. 320 ft below sea level
Discover Badwater Point, the lowest spot in the valley, Furnace Creek and Stovepipe Sand Dunes
Afternoon
Visit the Borax Museum displaying the history of mining in Death Valley
Continue to Mammoth Lakes
Evening
Meal and overnight at Mammoth Lakes
Day 7
Morning
Drive to Yosemite National Park, a clear contrast to the landscape previously visited
Discover Half Dome, Yosemite Valley, Bridalveil Falls and Yosemite Falls
Afternoon
Drive down from the mountains across the fertile agricultural lands of Central Valley to San Francisco
Evening
Meal and overnight inSan Francisco
Day 8
Morning
Take a guided tour of San Francisco including the Bay, Chinatown, Union Square and more
Afternoon
Visit Golden Gate Park and the California Academy of Science with its excellent Earthquake Exhibition
Photo stop at the Golden Gate Bridge
Evening
Fisherman's Wharf for meal and overnight in San Francisco
Day 9
Morning
Morning at your leisure for a little shopping
Afternoon
Transfer to the airport for your return flight
Evening
Return flight to the UK
Day 10
Morning
Arrive in the UK
Afternoon
N/A
Evening
N/A
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8 nights' half-board 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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Detailed information pack
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Free staff place ratio 1:10
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Guide available throughout the tour
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Itinerary planning service
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National Park and California Acadamy of Science entry fees
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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
- Water and carbon cycles
- Characteristics of a distinct ecosystem
- Biodiversity: flora and fauna adaptations
- Hot desert systems and landscapes
- Minerals and rocks
- Fossils and time
- Geomorphic processes
- Geomorphology
- Geohazards - seismic activity
- Glacial landscapes beyond the UK
- Glacial erosion, transportation and deposition
- Case study of a river catchment
- Fieldwork
GCSE
- Characteristics of ecosystems
- Biodiversity: flora and fauna adaptations
- Balance and interrelationships of biomes
- Water and carbon cycles
- Features of drylands and deserts
- Physical processes affecting land formation
- Erosion, transportation and deposition
- Fluvial landforms
- Fieldwork - investigating physical environments
- Characteristics of plate boundaries
- Effects of tectonic hazards
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
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
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 gives your students the opportunity to immerse themselves in nature, among the stunning surroundings of Yosemite National Park.… Read More
Cultural activities and visits
Accommodation
Circus Circus offers 3,767 guest rooms, including 135 suites, that provide comfortable, affordable accommodation with easy access to all the excitement Las Vegas has to offer.
The hotel offers a selection of shops and restaurants including a pizzeria, steak house and Deli.
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.
Experience the sights, sounds and history of the Navajo Nation Reservation at the Quality Inn Navajo Nation hotel in Tuba City, Arizona, minutes from Dinosaur Tracks, Diné College and the Explore Navajo Interactive Monument. The historic Tuba Trading Post is next door to the property. Stop by the on-site Hogan’s Restaurant for a selection of Mexican, American and local cuisine.All guest rooms feature a cable television, hairdryer, iron and board.
Welcome to the Royal Inn Kanab, Utah centrally located between southern Utah's most popular national parks and other scenic destinations, Kanab is the perfect base for any visit to the great southwest; Zion National Park, Bryce Canyon National Park, Grand Canyon North Rim, Lake Powell are an easy drive from Kanab.All guest rooms have coffee makers, hair dryers, irons & ironing boards and cable television, some rooms come equipped with microwaves and refrigerators.
This rustic resort offers comfortably appointed Lodge rooms and resort amenities at good value. Each Lodge Queen/Queen room includes a full en-suite, TV with Cable, hairdryer, coffee maker, refridgerator and microwave.
The Embassy Hotel offers 84 spacious, clean and comfortable rooms each with private bathrooms, a TV and a telephone.
In addition, this hotel is well known for its excellent personal service and great rates.
Continental breakfast is complimentary for all guests.
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 — Tour Advisor
Don’t hesitate to contact me for any advice or further information on how your school trip can be tailored to your requirements.
The area is beautiful and really worth visiting. The Schwarzwald Museum was really good and ideal to do before the Eble-Uhren Park as they complimented each other. The Mercedes-Benz Museum was fantastic and the students loved it. The Dorotheenhütte was very popular with our students and most of them made their own vase to take home. The Christmas markets were also excellent to visit with the students – we went to a small local one in Villingen and the large one in Stuttgart.— Ockbrook School
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