Overview
Explore the landscapes of Yellowstone and the Grand Tetons with an immersive journey through two of the most iconic national parks in the world. Your group will witness geyser eruptions—including at legendary Old Faithful, float along the Snake River, and hike to famous vistas like Inspiration Point.
Itinerary
Day 1
Lunch
Travel to Idaho Falls, ID
Lava Hot Springs visit
Soak in the world-famous Lava Hot Springs! Students can relax in geothermal pools ranging from 102° to 112°, all fueled by natural underground springs. They’ll explore the Sunken Gardens to spot local birds in a serene, volcanic landscape.
Dinner
Day 2
Breakfast
Jackson Town Square Course Leader-led walking tour
Experience the Old West at Jackson Town Square! Students will walk under iconic elk antler arches, browse Western-themed shops, and visit the Veterans Memorial. They'll see a nightly historical shootout reenactment bringing the frontier to life.
Lunch
Snake River Float
Relax on a scenic Snake River float as students drift through pristine habitats, spot bald eagles, moose, and elk, and learn about the region’s ecology and history with expert guides.
Dinner
Snow King Mountain Scenic Gondola Ride
Ride the Snow King Mountain Scenic Gondola nearly 1,600 feet to the summit, where students enjoy a comfortable ascent and sweeping 360-degree views of the Grand Tetons, National Elk Refuge, and Jackson below.
Snow King Observatory & Planetarium show
Ascend to the summit for a stellar experience. Students use a 1-meter telescope to view galaxies and planets, then enjoy planetarium shows exploring the solar system and supermassive black holes.
Day 3
Breakfast
Travel to Grand Teton and Yellowstone National Parks
Jenny Lake Visitor Center visit
Visit the historic Harrison Crandall Studio at the Jenny Lake Visitor Center. Students explore the park’s artistic heritage while enjoying panoramic views of Teewinot Mountain and Cascade Canyon in the Teton Range.
Jenny Lakes shuttle boat
Glide across crystal-clear Jenny Lake on a scenic shuttle boat ride. Surrounded by Teton peaks, students enjoy glacial views, spot shoreline wildlife, and begin their alpine adventure.
Hidden Fall and Inspiration Point hikes
After crossing Jenny Lake by boat, students hike to 100-foot Hidden Falls to study hydrology and forest ecology, then climb to Inspiration Point for panoramic valley views and lessons on glacial geology and alpine ecosystems.
Lunch
Colter Bay photo stop
Stop at Colter Bay for a scenic lunch and photo opportunity. Students stroll the rocky shoreline, enjoy the driftwood-strewn beach, and photograph stunning Teton views with Mount Moran reflected in the clear water.
West Thumb Geyser Basin visit
Explore West Thumb Geyser Basin, where geothermal features meet Yellowstone Lake. Students see Abyss Pool and Fishing Cone while learning about hydrothermal ecosystems and the park’s volcanic history.
Canyon Village visit
Explore the Canyon Village area of Yellowstone, home to the dramatic Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone. Students view the powerful Upper Falls and the 308-foot Lower Falls from Artist Point, taking in colorful canyon walls carved by the Yellowstone River.
Dinner
Day 4
Breakfast
Enter Yellowstone National Park
Norris Geyser Basin visit
Explore a forested basin of geysers and hot springs, home to Steamboat Geyser, the world’s tallest active geyser. Vivid colors from heat-loving bacteria showcase one of the park’s hottest, most acidic extreme environments.
Lower Geyser Basin visit
Explore the Fountain Paint Pot area to see all four hydrothermal features. Students observe bubbling mud pots, colorful hot springs, and steaming vents while learning how heat, acidity, and microbes shape the landscape.
Midway Geyser Basin visit (time permitting)
Witness Grand Prismatic Spring, the world’s third-largest hot spring. Students marvel at its 370-foot expanse and colorful rings formed by thermophiles while exploring Midway Geyser Basin.
Lunch
Upper Geyser Basin visit
Explore the world’s largest concentration of geysers in the Upper Geyser Basin. Students walk scenic boardwalks to view eruptions, then visit the Old Faithful Visitor Center to learn about Yellowstone’s volcanic science.
Mammoth Hot Springs and Historic Fort Yellowstone visit
Explore Mammoth Hot Springs as students walk boardwalks past steaming, colorful terraces. Then visit Historic Fort Yellowstone to tour Army-era barracks and learn about the military’s role in protecting the park.
Dinner
Free time in West Yellowstone
Enjoy free time in West Yellowstone as students browse local shops for souvenirs, grab a snack at a mountain eatery, and soak in the charming gateway town atmosphere.
Day 5
Breakfast
Return to Yellowstone National Park
Lamar Valley visit
Experience the “Serengeti of North America” in Lamar Valley. Students view herds of bison, watch for wolves, and explore lush meadows along the Lamar River for premier wildlife viewing.
Lunch
Leave Yellowstone through Gardiner to Bozeman, MT
Depart for home
Dinner
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 Yellowstone and Grand Tetons
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.