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
Spread over 38,000 acres of red Aztec sandstone formations, the Valley of Fire State Park is the oldest state park in Nevada. The park's name derives from the shifting sand dunes 150 million years ago.
Travel to Utah
Dinner and hotel check-in
Day 2
Breakfast
Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park
See the beautiful shades of red, orange, and pink from the Navajo sandstone. The dunes are estimated to be about 15,000 years old. Test
Zion Human History Museum
Explore how water shaped the iconic landscapes of Zion. Learn about the rich cultural heritage of the Native American and early pioneer communities who once called this region home.
Zion National Park guided hike
Take a guided hike of Zion National Park.
Picnic lunch
Virgin River guided hike
Walk alongside one of the most picturesque sections of Zion.
Dinner
Day 3
Breakfast
Canyoneering Adventure
This ideal canyoneering adventure is an option like no other. The canyon is short, but beautiful and features two rappels with the highest totaling 100 feet. The canyon allows spectators to join without participating in actual rappelling, while offering a scenic Jeep experience with views of Zion National Park’s backcountry.
Bryce Canyon National Park Orientation Trip
See the world's largest concentration of hoodoos—irregular columns of rock located on a high plateau atop the Grand Staircase.
Picnic lunch
Bryce Canyon hike
Ever heard of a Hoodoo? Well, now you’ll learn all about them and get the chance to hike through these red rock spires in Bryce Canyon. Take in the breathtaking scenery during your hike and see if you can spot one of the elusive mountain lions among the trees in the Ponderosa Pine Forest.
Dinner and hotel check-in
Day 4
Breakfast
Travel to Grand Canyon
Grand Canyon Visitor Center
Take in the sheer beauty of one of the 7 natural wonders of the world. Learn about how the canyon was formed, the rich history of its people, and how the canyon continues to change each and every day.
Grand Canyon South Rim Hike
Take a guided hike along the South Rim Trail, featuring breathtaking views of the inner canyon.
Picnic lunch
Dinner and return to hotel
Day 5
Breakfast and hotel check-out
Travel to Las Vegas, NV
Colorado River Float
Enjoy the gentle swells of the Black Canyon waters while learning about rare desert wild life and the history of this geological wonder. Lunch along river.
Lunch is included in the river float
Dinner and hotel check-in
Day 6
Breakfast and hotel check-out
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.