Southwest National Parks NEW Small Van Destination Training
An intensive, small group, in-person destination training for tour leaders. Learn the most popular U.S. National Parks in this immersive adventure!
Learn the logistics & stories, get more work, and make new industry connections in this unforgettable training class.
The Southwest National Parks are gorgeous, and rich with stories and natural beauty.
Many tour companies are seeing unprecedented demand with large numbers of “bucket list” travelers who are eager to see and learn about this area. The parks are also logistically complex, and there’s so much to learn.
We’ll take you into the parks in an unforgettable way to give you the confidence to lead groups through this incredible part of the U.S.!
Highlights
Feel confident leading tours in Utah, Arizona, and Nevada.
Learn Las Vegas, Bryce, Zion, Coral Pink Sand Dunes, Grand Canyon, Sedona, Flagstaff, Route 66, plus smaller parks and hidden gems.
Get hired by tour operators looking for tour leaders & guides with this destination training.
Grow your network of fellow tour leaders who become sources of referral and support through your career.
Learn logistics: bus routing and parking, lunch spots, walking tours and more.
Our special wow moments that set you apart from the rest
Engaging stories that go beyond the dry facts.
Itinerary
Some of these itinerary items may change. Please refer to the booking page for exact details about dates and flights, etc.
Pre-Day • Position yourself in Las Vegas
We depart as a group the next morning. Today you should arrive any time. Hotel is not included on this night.
Day 1 • Las Vegas to Kanab
- We meet in Las Vegas this morning. You should arrive the night before.
- We’ll begin with a talk along the way introducing you to the history of the idea of national parks, with special emphasis on John Muir and Theodore Roosevelt.
- Along the way we’ll introduce you to the region, stopping at St. George to discuss LDS pioneers.
- This morning, we will head to the Best Friends Animal Sanctuary, famous from the TV show “Dogtown.”
- Included today is a picnic lunch you can also arrange for your own groups.
- We’ll spend our late afternoon in an unexpected and wonderful way: a visit to the incredible Coral Pink Sand Dunes. If you’ve never “surfed” down a giant sand dune, this is going to become your new favorite thing!
- Our final destination is the movie-making capital of the region, Kanab, Utah.
- Dinner tonight will be on your own.
Day 2 • Zion National Park
- Today, we’ll be tackling Zion National Park!
- After covering overall logistics, We’ll get physical with a couple of “easy” hikes that are perfect for those with limited mobility.
- Later, we will tackle a couple of more challenging hikes (optional) that are perfect for both students and adults who are looking for more interesting and challenging routes.
- The highlight, for those up to it, will be wading through the rocky waters of The Narrows, exploring the incredible adventure of hiking through water in one of the world’s most beautiful places. It’s an unforgettable wow moment.
- Dinner on your own
Day 3 • Bryce Canyon National Park
- Next up: the stunning Bryce Canyon National Park.
- As always we’ll start by getting you well versed on the natural and human history of the park, and its logistics.
- With elevations reaching over 9,000 feet, this is the most challenging day. We will offer a selection of 3 guided hikes that you can choose to complete all the way through or you can choose to ride the park shuttle and explore the area on your own.
- Tonight, dinner will be on your own.
Day 4 • Kanab to Flagstaff
- We leave Kanab and head straight to Antelope Canyon, a stunning natural wonder where we will get to explore the lower canyon with a local Navajo guide
- After, we’ll head toward Page, Arizona and make stops at the Carl Hayden Visitor Center, Lake Powell, the Glen Canyon Dam and more!
- Then, on the way to Flagstaff, we will make a stop at Sunset Crater, one of the youngest volcanoes in the U.S. Don’t worry, the volcano has been deemed extinct (or has it?).
- Finally, we’ll arrive in Flagstaff, AZ, our home base for the next two nights. We will provide a walking tour of the historic downtown to learn more about the area!
- Dinner tonight is on your own.
Day 5 • Grand Canyon National Park
- Finally, it’s our grand Grand Canyon day!
- We will explore all of the beauty of this vast, expansive area today. Although we are not “hiking” the canyon (that’s too much even for us), we will teach you how to build the perfect Grand Canyon day.
- We will immerse you in the shuttle system, stopping at our favorite view points, and hearing our unique stories ranging from the park’s geology to Native American customs and tales.
- Dinner tonight is included at Cameron Trading Post.
Day 6 • Flagstaff to Las Vegas
- It’s our final full day! Today, we head from Flagstaff to Las Vegas, with some fun stops in between!
- We’ll explore Sedona, and make a photo stop to Bell Rock and feel the power of a Vortex!
- Then it’s time to hit Route 66, making a stop in the iconic Seligman, Arizona.
- Upon arrival back into Las Vegas, we will have a city tour with a local who knows all the great stories of this City of Sin!
Day 7 • Departure Day
- After 6 full days together, today is departure day!
- Make your own way to Harry Reid International Airport in Las Vegas at a time of your choosing.
The TripSchool Difference
Not just a “FAM” tour: beyond surface stops at tourist highlights, we dive deep into these cities, and go behind the scenes.
Immersive: you’ll enter buildings, meet owners, taste foods to feel a real sense of place.
Participatory: you don’t just sit back and listen to us; we’ll also offer you storytelling/commentary assignments (optional) and technology tasks to learn a variety of new skills on tour!
Saturday, August 24th – Friday, August 30th, 2024
7 days, 6 nights
Small-group learning experience, maximum of 12 participants.
Arrive in Las Vegas at your convenience on Pre-Day, one day before the training.
Lodging, motor coach & paid admission to all parks included
$1,899 double occupancy.
(Solo supplement is $400)$99 nonrefundable deposit to save your spot
Book Now, save your place early!
The Southwest National Parks are one of the group travel industry’s most popular itineraries. Join us and learn the most traveled routes, logistics, hidden stops, bus filler, and how to engage your group the TripSchool way. Learning to confidently lead tours in these locations helps you get work quickly.
Certified TripSchool
Our Promise to you
Once you complete this program, you will feel in control of leading groups through this itinerary. Plus you will have the insider knowledge to look like a pro in front of your groups, and our blend of wow moments, storytelling, and technology engagement to put you above the rest.
We’ll vouch for you.
We actively speak with tour operators looking for tour directors. We stand by our trainings, and vouch for what you’ve learned. This means hopefully more work for you.
You become part of the TripSchool family.
Our community is awesome. The bond from the trip doesn’t stop at the end; you’ll be part of our private community groups, and also be able to reach out to Mitch and Alan any time, with any questions. We promise we’re accessible. We want to be a bridge between you and tour operators, and help you along in your careers!
