Overview
Discover the majesty of the American Southwest on this tour through three breathtaking national parks. Your students can look forward to exploring ancient landscapes, including the red Aztec sandstone formations at Valley of Fire State Park and the vast expanse of the Grand Canyon, and learning about the human history of the land.
Itinerary
Day 1
Travel to Las Vegas, NV
Valley of Fire State Park visit
See up close ancient petroglyphs that depict early human activity at the oldest state park in Nevada, where Take in the towering fiery red and tan rock formations made of sandstone and limestone that gave this park its name.
Travel to Utah
Dinner and hotel check-in
Day 2
Breakfast
Canyoneering adventure
Get spectacular views of Zion National Park's backcountry on this laidback, canyoneering adventure. Seated in a Jeep, you'll experience the thrill of off-road excitement as you travel through lush, green canyon slots and captures views of massive red, white, and pink cliffs.
Bryce Canyon National Park Orientation Trip
Learn about this park's crimson-colored geology through detailed exhibits and films. Read about the native plants and animals, like mountain lions and peregrine falcons, that have adapted to thrive in this high-elevation environment.
Picnic lunch
Bryce Canyon hike
Hike along red rock spires, called hoodoos, that rise up to 200 feet and were created through the process of freezing and thawing over millions of years. Discover why the Paunsaugunt Plateau is nicknamed "The Grand Staircase," and how it became so colorful.
Dinner
Day 3
Breakfast
Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park visit
Trek along these 15,000-year-old Navajo sandstone dunes and marvel at their rich shades of red, orange, and pink. Discover how the sand got its vibrant, pink-orange color and how wind plays the role of artist, constantly reshaping them into new formations.
Zion Human History Museum visit
Learn about water's role in shaping this rugged, geological wonderland. Marvel at artifacts from the Native Americans who populated this area for 1000s of years and gain insights into the park's natural and cultural history, such as how it was named and the 1930s trails were built.
Zion National Park guided hike
Get the best views of this iconic park by foot, as you trek through towering red rock canyons, narrow passages, and lush oases to find sprawling panoramic vistas. Learn about the park's rich geological and human history, local plants and wildlife, and more.
Picnic lunch
Riverside Walk
Stroll the paved Riverside Walk from the Temple of Sinawava, following the Virgin River as canyon walls rise dramatically around you. This scenic, accessible path offers a relaxed way to experience the beauty of Zion before the entrance to The Narrows.
Dinner
Day 4
Breakfast
Travel to Grand Canyon
Grand Canyon Visitor Center
Learn how the mighty Colorado River carved the canyon over millions of years and how Native Americans adapted to its rugged beauty. Watch films and explore interactive exhibits that illustrate the canyon's ever-changing geology, history, and diverse wildlife.
Grand Canyon South Rim Hike
Take in the grandeur of this breathtaking canyon—one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World—on this guided, mostly paved, walk along the South Rim. Find yourself humbled by its immensity and beauty of the colorful layers of rock, formed over nearly 2 billion years.
Picnic lunch
Dinner
Day 5
Breakfast
Travel to Las Vegas, NV
Colorado River float
Feel the smooth, steady currents of these famed waters as you float through this towering canyon. Spot desert wildlife, like bighorn sheep, and learn about the history of this spectacular setting, from the impacts of water to the volcanoes that formed it.
Lunch is included in the river float
Dinner
Day 6
Breakfast
Depart for home
Already Included
Transportation to & from your destination
Hotel accommodations
Meals (unless otherwise noted on your itinerary)
WorldStrides Course Leader - a dynamic destination expert who brings learning to life by leading your group's activities and discussions
Admissions to top attractions (details in itinerary)
WorldAssist staff members available 24/7/365 should your group need extra help
Free high school credit for students who choose to complete WorldStrides free online coursework post-program
Field Research Guide (Discovery Journal)
Scenes from Southwest National Parks
Health & Safety
Additional health and safety measures may be available within your respective destination. Refer to your program-specific materials for complete details.
Financial Assistance
Financial Assistance
WorldStrides provides over $2.5 million in financial assistance each year to thousands of families. Families with annual adjusted gross incomes of less than $85,000 may qualify. One simple call to Customer Service and you’ll know how much may be available for your trip even before signing up. Please note: financial assistance is given on a first-come, first-served basis.
Payment Plans
Advantage Payment Plan
At program sign-up you can opt to pay in full, or break up the cost of your trip with the Advantage Payment Plan. This plan allows you to pay a small initial deposit, then have your remaining payments spread out into affordable monthly amounts.
EZPay
We offer an EZPay option, which is a simple way to pay for your WorldStrides program by scheduling hassle-free, automatic drafts from your checking account. With EZPay, you'll never be late or miss an installment.
Fundraising Tools
Our easy-to-use tools put students in the driver's seat of their own fundraising efforts. Students can send e-cards, share links on social media, and even send out printed letters through WorldStrides' Gift of Education program. In one click friends and family members can make a direct donation to the trip - with 100% of the money raised going to offset their trip price. Thousands of students pay for their entire trip each year through the Gift of Education.
Also, WorldStrides makes program-specific scholarships available as well as other scholarship resources. Ask your Account Manager for more information about scholarships and fundraising tools.