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)

Day Morning Summary Afternoon Summary Evening Summary
1

Flight to Phoenix

On arrival transfer to your hotel

Evening mealat accommodation

2

Travel to the Grand Canyon

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 meal and overnight in Tuba City

3

Travel to Monument Valley to view the desert plain with its gigantic sandstone monolithic structures

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

Western meal with live country music show and overnight in Kanab

4

Beautiful drive crossing the plains to Bryce Canyon to view its pink cliffs

Continue to Las Vegas

Buffetmeal and overnight in Las Vegas

5

Travel to the Valley of Fire offering superb multicoloured desert landscapes, strangely eroded rocks and 150 million year old sand dunes

Continue to Lake Mead and visit the Hoover Dam on the famous Colorado River

Return to Las Vegas

Visit the Borax Museum displaying the history of mining in Death Valley

Continue to Mammoth Lakes

6

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

Visit the Borax Museum displaying the history of mining in Death Valley

Continue to Mammoth Lakes

Meal and overnight at Mammoth Lakes

7

Drive to Yosemite National Park, a clear contrast to the landscape previously visited

Discover Half Dome, Yosemite Valley, Bridalveil Falls and Yosemite Falls

Drive down from the mountains across the fertile agricultural lands of Central Valley to San Francisco

Meal and overnight inSan Francisco

8

Take a guided tour of San Francisco including the Bay, Chinatown, Union Square and more

Visit Golden Gate Park and the California Academy of Science with its excellent Earthquake Exhibition

Photo stop at the Golden Gate Bridge

Fisherman's Wharf for meal and overnight in San Francisco

9

Morning at your leisure for a little shopping

Transfer to the airport for your return flight

Return flight to the UK

10

Arrive in the UK

10 days, 8 nights Price from £1,799 pp
  • 8 nights' half-board 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
  • Detailed information pack
  • Free staff place ratio 1:10
  • Guide available throughout the tour
  • Itinerary planning service
  • National Park and California Acadamy of Science entry fees
  • 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

Grand Canyon, USA

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!

Bryce Canyon, USA

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!

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.

Educational Activities

Bryce Canyon National Park

Bryce Canyon National Park

Read More
+

Bryce Canyon National Park is a spectacular sight and not to be missed on any trip to Utah. The name…

California Academy of Science

California Academy of Science

Read More
+

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

Grand Canyon

Grand Canyon

Read More
+

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

NatureBridge Yosemite

NatureBridge Yosemite

Read More
+

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

Cultural Activities

Alcatraz Cruises

Alcatraz Cruises

Read More
+

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

Golden Gate Bridge

Golden Gate Bridge

Read More
+

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

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 …

It is an excellent market experience for our students and they engaged very well with the planned tour. — Bower Park Academy , December 2018

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.

Rewarding loyalty scheme

Work together with other teachers in your school to save thousands of pounds on future school trips with our multi-trip loyalty scheme!