While traveling with India Ties and India Ties Lite, adoptees may wish to reconnect with people and places important in their life. We have had the most success with allotting 2-3 days mid-trip for this purpose. We will work with individual families on the arrangements, provide assistance locating significant people and places, as well as request government permission to visit orphanages, hospitals, etc. Due to the way many adoptees came into care and the laws surrounding parental and familial right in India it is very challenging and often illegal to search for birth family.

Costs to anticipate: airline flight or other transportation to the adoption city, accommodations for two nights, transportation in the adoption city, guide/translator services, research fees, and flight to rejoin the group in Delhi or to connect to an international flight (if doing LITE). In the past, costs ranged between $800 and $1000 per person depending on where the family traveled to (Costs, lodging, and logistical deals are estimates and are subject to change). We anticipate the cost for this portion of the trip to be about the same for both India Ties and India Lite participants. Both India Ties and Lite families may need to secure a hotel in Delhi prior to their international flights. The Ties Program will offer a hotel choice and pricing, as well as information on transportation.

Inclusions:

• Comprehensive pre-travel materials to help prepare logistically and emotionally for the journey, a very important part of each traveler’s readiness for this amazing, life-enhancing experience
• A team of adoption specialists available before, during, and after the trip who build bridges, facilitate activities and discussions, create community, and attend to details enabling you to focus on the meaning of the journey 
• Optional group discussions for adoptees and siblings (Connect & Chat) and adult loved ones traveling (Talk Time) led by an adoption specialist
• Assistance thinking through the significant people and places you'd like to visit related to your adoption and how visits might impact the adoptee's birth country experience
• Welcome and airport transfers upon arrival and departure, and transportation for all inclusions
• Double or triple occupancy in moderate or first-class accommodations with private bath, including tax and service fees
• Transportation between locations (Delhi and Agra) included in the journey
• Orientation gathering to help travelers get to know one another and understand the journey ahead
• All sightseeing, inclusions, admissions listed in the information packet (click to request)
• (B)reakfasts, (L)unches and (D)inners as shown in the information packet (click to request)
• English-speaking guides who will enrich your experience by sharing local customs, lifestyle, and humor

Exclusions:

• International airfares
• Passport and/or Visa fees
• Tips and Gratuity
• Personal expenses, spending money
• Any meals that are not included on the information packet itinerary
• Excursions or Extensions that families opt into during their time in-country including travel to the adoptee's province or city of birth.
• Optional activities
• Transfers between the airport and the hotel before or after the main tour itinerary (unless previously discussed)

Prefer to travel to India without a larger group? For some adoptees and their loved ones private travel is the best fit. Visit our page on Private Travel to learn the reasons private travel may be for you, or contact our India Ties Program Manager, Tanya Kaanta, to discuss the possibility of private travel (please include details like daes, length of visit, reconnections you'd like to make, why you think private travel is right for you, and any other information you'd like us to know).

While we excel in individualized trips, we generally recommend group travel for adoptees and their loved ones. Whatever your preference, a transformative heritage journey awaits – let us help you create memories that last a lifetime.