Once you choose the tour you would like to attend, the first step is to register! In order to register, you will need to have your passport information, emergency contact information and your health information for yourself and any guests. The deposit for each trip is required to complete your registration and reserve a spot on the trip.
When your registration is complete, you will receive a confirmation email. This email is important, and we ask that you read it thoroughly and keep handy as you will need it for reference in the future. Within your confirmation email, we will provide you with the necessary links to secure your background check and release forms, which each traveler is required to complete.
Each trip has a final payment deadline, which is typically three months prior to departure. Within this time, you may receive payment request emails so by the time we reach the payment deadline we have a secure amount of travelers registered for the trip. Please note that payments are directly paying for your trip costs, which is not considered a charitable activity and are therefore not tax deductible.
Approximately two weeks after the final payment deadline, we mail out a package that will contain everything you need to prepare for your trip. It will include your trip guide, name tag and lanyard, and two luggage tags per person.
The time to wait between receiving your package and departing for your trip can seem to take forever! We… will send you occasional emails to make sure you are getting any remaining steps done, such as securing your travel documents and booking your domestic flights. This is also the time when your trip leader will start sending the group personalized emails to help you get ready for your upcoming adventure. Along with the emails, the trip leader will also set up a Facebook page where the group can get to know each other, ask questions, and have meaningful discussions.
Approximately three weeks prior to departure you will receive your last mailing from us, which will contain your in-country itinerary and e-tickets for your international flight. Please keep in mind that traveling internationally is an adventure, and changes to your final itinerary are almost guaranteed! It is important to remain flexible and remember that most foreign countries do not run on “American time” and delays are common!