Travel Tips for Heifer Study Tours

On a Heifer Study Tour, you will meet the people that are being transformed through your support. Your presence will honor their hard work to make their lives and communities better.

Find tips to plan your trip, including study tour leaders, travel arrangements, supplemental travel insurance, travel documentation, accommodations, meals, cultural differences, health advisories, sanitation, physical requirements and what to wear/pack. Be sure to also check out our frequently asked questions.

If you have specific questions about your desired Study Tour, email the Study Tours Office. 

Study Tour Leaders
All study tours are led by experienced Heifer staff members or volunteers who are knowledgeable about Heifer’s work in the field and are seasoned travelers. They will partner with an in-country staff person to ensure you have a safe, comfortable and meaningful study tour experience. 

Travel Arrangements
Heifer Study Tours are “land only” tours. Participants are responsible for making their flight arrangements to the first location on the itinerary and return flight from the final location listed on the itinerary. This allows participants the option of their preferred airline and best rates as well as the opportunity for pre/post trips on an independent basis. Though our tours do not include transportation to and from the country destination, all in-country transportation listed on the itinerary is included in the fees and arranged by our guides.

The U.S. Department of State and Travel Document Systems can provide you with the most up-to-date information on travel advisories and travel in general:
www.travel.state.gov
www.traveldocs.com

Supplemental Travel Insurance
While we make every attempt to follow the announced travel schedule, itineraries may be changed or cancelled due to travel advisories or other situations that could possibly compromise the safety of participants. We strongly recommend that you purchase travel insurance which can be obtained from your insurance agent or travel agency. Below are several companies you can contact directly. This list is provided as information and not as a recommendation for any one specific agency.

www.insuremytrip.com (compares various insurance options)
www.travelguard.com  
www.csatravelprotection.com
www.travelinsure.com
www.travelsafe.com
www.accessamerica.com

Travel Documentation
You will need a valid passport to travel outside of the U.S. Many countries also require travel visas. It is your responsibility to obtain the appropriate documentation prior to your trip. Below are some resources to determine which documents you will need for your destination.

Passport/ U.S. Department of State:
www.travel.state.gov/passport/index

Accommodations
All participants will be staying in tourist-class hotels throughout the trip. In many developing nations, there are only the options of one-star hotels and four-star hotels. Because of cleanliness and safety issues, we generally lodge at four-star hotels, which are NOT equivalent to western four-star hotels.  Some Study Tours do include a night spent with a community where Heifer works.

Meals
Food is one of the best ways to experience a new culture. During your study tour, we will try to strike a balance of the new and the familiar. Many meals will be at the hotels or other high quality local restaurants – chosen and approved by our in-country staff for American tastes or preferences whenever possible. Meals tend to be simple but satisfying. We may eat in a restaurant, share local food in a village, pack a picnic or join a celebratory feast. We cannot guarantee that we will be able to meet special dietary needs.

Cultural Differences
Experiencing unique cultures is one of the best parts of Heifer Study Tours. As a Heifer representative, we ask you to be very respectful of cultural practices and appreciative of the differences.  Your study tour leader and preparatory reading will provide you with specific differences to anticipate, but an adventurous spirit and generous outlook will enhance your experience.
 
Health Advisories
Heifer Study Tours take participants to remote areas of the world. Most trips will require you to receive immunizations or medication to protect against diseases and other illnesses. It is your responsibility to insure that you have taken this precaution for the trip. Below are some resources to help advise you. Please consult with your own health care professional or a travel doctor/clinic in your area to prepare for your trip.

Immunization Requirements and Health Advice:
www.cdc.gov/travel
www.drwisetravel.com
www.mdtravelhealth.com

Sanitation
Be prepared to encounter sanitation that does not meet American standards. Public bathrooms may be infrequent or may only be outhouses or composting toilets. Water may be polluted so only drink and brush your teeth from the bottled water that will be provided for you throughout your trip. Every effort will be made to ensure that you are safe and comfortable, but you should be prepared to experience very different standards and accommodations.

Physical Requirements
All study tours are physically demanding and some may even be considered rigorous. Participants must be physically independent and have medical insurance that is valid in the country they will be visiting. Access to medical care may be hours away. Expect full days, rough roads and walking on rocky or hilly terrain. Conditions vary widely by area, and may include dust, altitude, sun, heat or cold. Your study tour leader can tell you more about the conditions of your particular trip. Itineraries may change during the trip, as Study Tour leaders judge necessary. Your study tour leader and in-country hosts will make sure that you are safe, but an adventurous spirit is a must!

What to Wear/Pack
Keep it simple and pack light. We will be moving from place to place often and you will be required to carry your own luggage at all times. Dress will be casual for most of the trip. Laundry facilities are limited so pack rugged, versatile clothing that is hand-washable and dries quickly. Wear comfortable, broken-in walking shoes that work well for rocky trails and muddy pastures. For women, a dress or skirt is typically more appropriate in rural areas. Your tour leader will advise you about special events or the customs of a particular culture.

Other Helpful Links
Weather:
www.weather.com
www.cnn.com/weather
www.wunderground.com
www.bbc.co.uk/weather/world

General Travel Information:
www.lonelyplanet.com

Time Zones:
www.worldtimezone.com

Exchange Rates:
http://www.exchange-rates.org/
http://www.xe.com/

For additional information, check the website of the embassy for the country you are visiting.