Travel Requirements
As you will almost certainly be aware, some aspects of travel have changed in recent times and especially if it’s been some time since you last went away, you should be aware of the following requirements that may be in place when you travel.
Vaccination: We continue to suggest that for everyone’s peace of mind and safety all non-medically exempt clients on our Group Tours be fully vaccinated, regardless of any country’s requirements. However we are no longer making this a condition of travel with us. Depending on the destination you should be aware that you may need to show the authorities on arrival that you have been fully vaccinated against covid with the most recent vaccination having been taken at least 14 days before the start of the trip. For UK Citizens, the easiest way to show this is via the NHS Covid-19 App. Your NHS appointment card from vaccination centres is not designed to be used as proof of vaccination and should not be used to demonstrate your vaccine status. For US Citizens, we would advise you to travel with your official CDC Card alongside any electronic options that might be available to you. For all other nationalities, you should check with the government in your country of residence. All clients should travel with a paper copy back-up wherever possible. You should ensure that the vaccine and dosage you have received matches any specific entry requirements for the country you are travelling to.
Covid Testing: You may need to take a PCR test before you enter/transit any country on your journey and/or take a covid test in-destination depending on the country regulations at the time of travel. We will assist you in making any arrangements necessary for all in-destination testing, but all tests will need to be paid by you locally. You may also be required to take a test to return to your country of residence. You can stay up to date with all official government-issued requirements for travel. For the UK, these can be found on the British, Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office website; for the US, it’s the Department of State website. Clients of other nationalities should check their own government’s website.
Insurance: While insurance which covers medical emergencies and repatriation remains a basic requirement for all our clients, in addition we would strongly advise you to choose a policy which provides sufficient covid-related cover, as some destinations may require you to show specific proof of insurance for covid. More general insurance information can be found here.
Local Regulations: We will always endeavour to comply with local covid regulations, which may include wearing facemasks and observing social distancing. However, there is a reality of small group travel that abiding by strict covid regulations for multiple days across multiple scenarios is not always realistically achievable and there may be times when it is not practical or possible to do so.
Additional Requirements: You should travel with a compatible smartphone as some countries may require you to download a ‘covid pass’ app onto your phone and/or to show QR codes which demonstrate vaccination or testing status. Some countries may also require you to complete passenger information forms prior to arriving at your destination, or pre-register via the destination government’s travel portal.
As rules and regulations can change regularly, we will be in touch closer to your departure date with the specific travel requirements for your trip.