Frequently Asked Questions
Below are the questions we're often asked. If you don't see your question listed, please call our Passenger Services Department at 1-800-395-3288 and let them know so that you can have your question answered—and so we can add your question to the list.
What is educational travel and how does it differ from regular travel?I've never heard of World Leaders Travel. Why should I travel with you?
What does a typical program consist of?
Who leads programs?
Are all the activities organized, or will I have some free time?
What's included in the program rates?
Are international flights included in the program rates?
What if I want to extend my stay after the program or arrive early?
Can WLT help me with my international flight arrangements?
I'm traveling alone. Will there be others with whom I can spend time?
What about cabin shares?
What should I pack?
Do I have to speak the language?
What immunizations will I need?
What about food? Is that included?
I have special dietary needs. Can you accommodate them?
What is the smoking policy?
I have a physical disability. How will this affect my participation?
What if I need to cancel my trip?
What do you do with my deposit?
How far out in advance should we begin planning?
How can I learn more about a specific program or make a reservation?
My question isn't here. What should I do?
What is educational travel and how does it differ from regular travel?
Educational travel gives travelers the opportunity to learn in depth about a particular destination. From rich programs featuring world-class lecturers, on-site guides, and local experts—special events interwoven throughout each itinerary—enrichment lectures, panel and informal discussions, private tours, and behind-the-scenes presentations unavailable to most travelers—World Leaders Travel is sure to meet your very high standards. Our lecturers are not only noted experts in their fields but are also selected for their ability to convey information in an entertaining and enthralling manner. Your fellow travelers are also members of alumni, museum and other organizations and share your intellectual curiosity.[back to top]
I've never heard of World Leaders Travel. Why should I travel with you?
For more than thirty years we've been operating tours for some names you have heard of. Our prestigious clients include the Smithsonian, the American Museum of Natural History, National Geographic, and the National Trust for Historic Preservation. We also create and manage trips for the alumni associations of prestigious academic institutions such as Stanford, Yale, Princeton, Harvard, and Berkeley. Occasionally berths are available for these programs, and in these cases, WLT is able to offer these remarkable programs to individual travelers. Our partner organizations create and implement the educational component of our programs, so you can be assured that the quality of your experience will be very high.[back to top]
What does a typical program consist of?
There isn't really a "typical" WLT program. Our journeys span the globe and include every method of transportation. Some are designed for intimate parties of sixteen, while others can accommodate almost 200 travelers. Some are built around cultural or astronomical events such as festivals or eclipses, while others simply allow our passengers to immerse themselves and learn about a destination of interest. In other words, our programs are typical only in that each one is completely unique. Please give us a call at 1-800-395-3288 to learn about a specific program.[back to top]
Who leads programs?
Every WLT tour is led by a professional tour manager and at least one study leader. Their expertise will be supplemented with help from on-site guides, naturalists, local experts, and others.[back to top]
Are all the activities organized, or will I have some free time?
Almost all of our programs allow a little free time for individual exploration. After all, what's a trip to Istanbul without the chance to do a little shopping at the Grand Bazaar? Or a trip to Patagonia without a hike in the Torres del Paine? We strive to find the perfect balance between free time and structured activities.[back to top]
What's included in the program rates?
The services of a professional tour manager and the educational program are included in the program rates. In general, transportation within your destination and most meals are included. In the Terms and Conditions section of each brochure we itemize what is and is not included in the price. We never hide costs; that is, shore excursion costs are included unless specifically stated as excluded. If you have a question about a specific program, please call our Passenger Services Department at 1-800-395-3288.[back to top]
Are international flights included in the program rates?
Because many people would rather book their own international flights, WLT generally does not include them in our program rates. In the Terms and Conditions section of each brochure we itemize what is and is not included in the price. If you have a specific question, please call our Passenger Services Department at 1-800-395-3288.[back to top]
What if I want to extend my stay after the program or arrive early?
You are more than welcome to extend your stay on either end. If you would like assistance making air arrangements for a particular program, please call 1-800-395-3288 and ask for the Air Department.[back to top]
Can WLT help me with my international flight arrangements?
We are more than happy to help with international flight arrangements for WLT programs. If you would like assistance making air arrangements for a particular program, please call 1-800-395-3288 and ask for the Air Department.[back to top]
I'm traveling alone. Will there be others with whom I can spend time?
The beauty of educational travel is that you're surrounded not by strangers but by like-minded people who share your interests. Add to that WLT's small, intimate programs and professional tour guides trained to make groups "click," and you're bound to make lifelong friends.[back to top]
What about cabin shares?
If you would like to share accommodations, just let us know. We will do our best to arrange it.[back to top]
What should I pack?
When you make a reservation we will send you a packet with the information you'll need to know. It will include a packing list.[back to top]
Do I have to speak the language?
No. If you plan independent exploration then you might want to know a few important phrases, but you'll be with the group for the most part and someone will be there to translate.[back to top]
What immunizations will I need?
When you make a reservation we will send you a packet with the information you'll need to know. It will include a list of required immunizations. We strongly suggest that you consult your own physician as well.[back to top]
What about food? Is that included in the program rates?
Most meals are included. In the daily itinerary of every trip brochure, we list the meals that are included each day. To see the itinerary for a specific trip, you can call us at 1-800-395-3288. You can also look at a brochure by going to the trip page on this website; at the top right, click on the link that says "View brochure." (If there's no link, then no brochure is available yet. In that case you can get the information by calling the 800 number.) Scroll down until you see the day-by-day itinerary. At the bottom of each entry, meals are listed; they are abbreviated B for breakfast, L for lunch, and D for dinner.[back to top]
I have special dietary needs. Can you accommodate them?
The short answer is "yes." Please let us know as soon as possible after making your reservation what your issues are so that we can work with you to accommodate them.[back to top]
What is the smoking policy?
The smoking policy varies by trip and by location. For answers to specific questions, please call our Passenger Services Department at 1-800-395-3288.[back to top]
I have a physical disability. How will this affect my participation?
WLT has been able to accommodate many travelers with physical disabilities. Please call our Passenger Services Department at 1-800-395-3288 to discuss your particular needs.[back to top]
What if I need to cancel my trip?
We require a deposit, usually of $1,000, to confirm your reservation. At 120 days prior to departure, the full payment is due. If you must cancel your reservation within 120 days of departure, all payments are 100% nonrefundable, regardless of date of deposit. We encourage you to read the complete Terms & Conditions for each trip, which is available in the detailed brochure. Also, because the unforeseen can occur, we urge you to purchase trip cancellation insurance, available for coverage of expenses in conjunction with cancellation due to illness or accident. Baggage insurance is also a good idea.[back to top]
What do you do with my deposit?
World Leaders Travel holds all travelers' deposits and payments in a separate client trust cash account. This account is managed according to the California Business and Professions Code sections 17540.10 and 17540.11. This money is used expressly to pay suppliers who will be providing services for your trip.[back to top]
How far out in advance should we begin planning?
We generally recommend a year. If, however, you are making last-minute plans, give us a call at 1-800-395-3288. Space is sometimes available close to the day of departure.[back to top]
How can I learn more about a specific program or sign up for a program?
Call 1-800-395-3288 for more information or to make a reservation.[back to top]
My question isn't here. What should I do?
We would love to hear from you. Give our Passenger Services Department a call at 1-800-395-3288.[back to top]
