Travel FAQs

You do not need to be an alumnus of UNC to travel on a Tar Heel Travel program.  We offer the Tar Heel Travel program as a service to our alumni and friends of the University. As travel is a GAA member perk, we require one traveler per room to be a member of the General Alumni Association in order to be eligible to travel. GAA membership is open to anyone.  For more information or to join the GAA, contact the membership office at (800) 962-0742 or join online.

Single rooms are available on a limited basis and may require a single supplement to cover the cost of accommodations.  Please see the tour web site, or call (877) 962-3980, for details.

We do periodically offer young alumni trips exclusively to graduates up to 15 years out. Check the current trip schedule for more details.

The majority of our travelers are adults and while we welcome children, the programming is created with this audience in mind and there are minimum age requirements. Please inquire with the Tar Heel Travel office with questions on traveling with children.

To enjoy your travel experience, participants should be in good physical and mental health and be able to keep up with the pace of the group. Please note all tours require an element of walking and activity levels vary according to individual tour schedules. Program participants requiring extraordinary assistance must be accompanied by someone who can provide all required assistance. If you have specific concerns, please contact the Tar Heel Travel office with your questions.

Each tour is reserved on a first-come, first-served basis. Each reservation requires a deposit to hold space for each participant. If spaces are filled, you can choose to place your name on a waitlist and will be notified if and when space becomes available for a particular tour.

To place a room on hold while you finalize your reservation/tour decision, please email the Travel Office at enrichment@unc.edu or call them at (877) 962-3980.

There are cancellation penalties in effect after a deposit has been received. Depending on the tour operator, trip and date of cancellation, these fees revolve on an incremental scale in relation to the date of departure.  Please read the Terms & Conditions and Cancellation Policy for your tour.

The General Alumni Association and each of our tour operators consider the safety of our travelers as our top priority. For our international tours, we follow the guidelines and advice of the U.S. Department of State. For information on a particular country, visit the Department of State’s Background Notes.

For current travel warnings, visit the State Department/Bureau of Consular Affairs. For the latest information on airport and transportation security please see the Transportation Security Administration.

For specific Covid-19 related questions, please contact the Travel Partner for the tour as details are changing daily.

The General Alumni Association provides information to each of our travelers regarding trip cancellation insurance through Travel Insurance Select. Whether you select this insurance coverage or another insurance program of your choice, we strongly recommend for your protection that you purchase trip cancellation insurance. For more information on travel insurance, visit our GAA Travel Insurance page. To request an online quote  or purchase a policy online, visit USI.

Each tour includes your accommodations, leadership of an experienced tour director and travel during your tour. Other fees and expenses are noted in each brochure. Meal inclusion varies by tour depending on schedule. Tour prices include international airfare fees where indicated. If tour participants require assistance with their international airfare scheduling, each tour operator will offer airfare rates to all UNC travelers. Tours are selected and priced to our best knowledge and are subject to change. Revisions prior to brochure printing as is merited by tour location.

Travel insurance, personal items, some tips and gratuities for local guides and service staff, domestic airfare.