Arizona Adventure: Red Rocks, Living Cultures & the Grand Canyon

Teachers, contact us to get more info on offering this program at your school! Call or text us at 978-255-4601, or email us to learn more and get started!

Students and Parents, if your school is offering this program, please search below by your school or teacher’s name to find your program details:

Scroll down for day-by-day activities!

Day by Day Itinerary:

Day 1: Welcome to Arizona! | Phoenix & Sedona

Your Southwest adventure begins with your flight to Phoenix! Upon arrival at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport, meet your Global Citizen Program Director and board your private motorcoach. Start with a stop at Hole-in-the-Rock in Papago Park, where desert scenery provides a memorable backdrop for your first group photo.

Continue to Montezuma Castle National Monument to view its remarkable cliff dwellings from the trail below. Through an interactive archaeology and Indigenous history activity, consider what architecture, artifacts, and the surrounding landscape can reveal about the people who lived here. Discuss the importance of preserving cultural sites and respecting the communities connected to them.

Later, travel to Sedona, surrounded by spectacular red rock formations. Take time to explore the town before gathering for a welcome dinner at a local restaurant. Get to know your Program Director and share what you’re most excited to discover in the days ahead!

Day 2: Sedona | Art, Geology & Red Rock Adventure

Begin your day with a guided hike through Sedona’s striking red rock landscapes. Along the trail, investigate how geological processes have shaped the scenery and look for the adaptations that help desert plants and animals survive. Through observation and discussion, discover how rock, water, weather, and wildlife interact in this distinctive environment.

Next, see the landscape through an artist’s eyes during an outdoor painting workshop with a local artist. Experiment with color, light, and perspective as you create your own interpretation of Sedona’s scenery—no previous painting experience needed!

After lunch at a local restaurant, explore Sedona’s galleries and public art, considering how the surrounding landscape inspires creative expression. Later, buckle up for a Pink Jeep Broken Arrow Tour through rugged red rock terrain. Enjoy a different perspective on the formations you’ve been studying during an exciting off-road adventure.

Gather for dinner and share your favorite discoveries from a day that brings together science, creativity, and exploration.

Day 3: Grand Canyon National Park | A Journey Through Geological Time

Today, travel to Grand Canyon National Park to experience one of the Southwest’s most extraordinary landscapes. Begin at Mather Point, where sweeping views reveal the canyon’s immense scale and colorful layers. Take a moment to absorb the scenery before investigating the forces that helped shape it.

Visit Yavapai Geology Museum, then walk the Trail of Time to explore the canyon’s geological story. Examine rock samples and connect the layers visible across the canyon with the immense span of Earth’s history. Put your observations to work during an interactive geology challenge and, subject to availability, join a ranger-led presentation.

Continue with a guided walk along the South Rim, stopping at viewpoints to compare formations and discuss erosion, conservation, and the challenges of protecting a heavily visited natural landscape.

As the sun sets, watch the canyon’s colors and shadows change—a memorable finale to your day of discovery. Enjoy dinner before settling into your accommodations near the Grand Canyon.

Day 4: Flagstaff | Indigenous Art, Living Cultures & the Night Sky

Travel to Flagstaff and visit the Museum of Northern Arizona for a guided exploration of the region’s Indigenous art, history, and contemporary cultures. Learn how artistic traditions express identity, community, and connections to place while recognizing that Indigenous cultures continue to evolve and thrive today.

Participate in a hands-on pottery or art workshop with an Indigenous artist. Learn about the artist’s work and creative process, ask questions, and explore how materials and design can communicate personal and cultural stories.

Enjoy lunch in downtown Flagstaff, followed by time to explore its historic streets and local shops. Reflect on the different landscapes and communities you’ve encountered throughout your journey.

After dinner, turn your attention to the night sky during an interactive astronomy experience with a local educator. Weather permitting, enjoy stargazing and learn to identify features of the sky while discussing the importance of protecting dark skies. It’s a chance to connect your exploration of Earth’s geological history with the wider universe!

Day 5: Walnut Canyon | Cultural Heritage, Conservation & Homeward Bound

On your final day, visit Walnut Canyon National Monument to explore its canyon landscape and view cliff dwellings along the designated trails. Consider how the people who lived here adapted to their surroundings, making use of the landscape’s shelter and resources.

Through an interactive conservation and cultural heritage activity, discuss how visitors can help protect fragile environments and historic places. Bring together the week’s discoveries during a final group reflection and student presentations, sharing connections between geology, ecology, art, and Indigenous history.

Later, board your motorcoach for the journey to Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport and your return flight home. Leave with new perspectives, stronger friendships, and lasting memories of Arizona’s remarkable landscapes and living cultures!