A youth and student expedition in Tennessee
Five days for a youth group or school: mountain cabins in Gatlinburg, a day at Dollywood, a waterfall hike in Great Smoky Mountains National Park, and Pigeon Forge.
One base for the whole trip: cabins in the mountains, with Dollywood, the national park and Pigeon Forge a short drive away.
From Knoxville airport to Gatlinburg, and to each day’s activity.
Into Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
Four nights in mountain-view cabins in Gatlinburg.
Day 2
A full day at the park.
Pigeon Forge
Day 3
Laurel Falls, Newfound Gap, the aquarium and the SkyBridge.
Gatlinburg
Day 4
The Island and Outdoor Gravity Park.
Pigeon Forge
Day 5
The flight home from Knoxville.
Knoxville
What students do on this five-day trip.
Five days, day by day. Every group’s version is built around its own dates, its own pace and the places that matter most to its people.
For youth and student groups. Built for middle school, high school and youth groups, with chaperone ratios set by your leaders.
Days 1 to 5
Day 1
We fly to Knoxville and take the coach on the hour and a half drive to Gatlinburg, where we check in to our mountain-view cabins. After dinner we walk through The Island at Pigeon Forge to see the fountains and lights.
Dinner and overnight in Gatlinburg for four nights.
Day 2
A full day at Dollywood: Thunderhead, the Tennessee Tornado and Lightning Rod, shows, craft shops and the Grist Mill’s cinnamon bread.
All meals and overnight in Gatlinburg.
Day 3
In Great Smoky Mountains National Park we hike the Laurel Falls Trail, 2.6 miles there and back to an 80-foot waterfall, then drive the Newfound Gap Road to the Tennessee and North Carolina line. In the afternoon, Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies and the Gatlinburg SkyLift to the SkyBridge, the longest pedestrian suspension bridge in North America, then dinner and free time on the Gatlinburg strip.
All meals and overnight in Gatlinburg.
Day 4
A morning at The Island in Pigeon Forge for shops and arcades, then the afternoon at Outdoor Gravity Park, rolling downhill inside giant inflatable balls.
All meals and overnight in Gatlinburg.
Day 5
We ride back to Knoxville for the flight home.
Tell us the window you have in mind and we will build the itinerary around it: the time you have, and the places that matter most to your people.
Every inclusion can be tailored to your group.
Not included unless added to your package: travel insurance, the optional Smoky Mountain Wheel and SkyFly, snacks, and personal expenses.
Our group leader support team guides you every step of the way, Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm Eastern, at (877) 234-3002 or groups@christianexpedition.com.
Our 24/7 travel emergency team is there for travelers who are abroad and facing a travel-related emergency, at (877) 234-3002 ext. 9.
Start from this route, add a worship night or a service project, or drive in by coach, and we shape the days, the pace and the activities around your students.
“Our church has absolutely enjoyed every aspect of planning travel with Christian Expedition! Their team makes the process of taking our church to see incredible locations from the Bible easy and stress free!”
Pastor Josh LuechtCalvary Chapel Palm City
“Trey and his team have done a fabulous job organizing, managing and overseeing our trips to Israel and Greece.”
Pastor Jim GallagherSenior Pastor, Calvary Chapel Vero Beach
Travelers under 18 do not need ID for flights within the United States when traveling with the group. Adults need a REAL ID driver’s license or a passport.
Your own leaders do, at the ratio your church or school sets. Our tour director travels with the group and handles the logistics, so your leaders can be with the students.
Yes. Every expedition is built for one group, on that group’s dates. The five-day route on this page is our standard, and groups often add a worship night or a service project.
Laurel Falls is a paved trail, 2.6 miles there and back, with some steep sections. Most students manage it easily.
Travel insurance, the optional Smoky Mountain Wheel and SkyFly, snacks, and personal expenses. Anything not listed as included can be quoted for your group on request.
Tell us about your group and we will be in touch.