Coronavirus Update
Coronavirus Update - February 2022
As the Coronavirus/Covid19 outbreak continues, we would like to sincerely thank our clients, crew and local operators who have been so supportive and understanding during this incredibly difficult time.
The pandemic has had a huge impact on lives around the world, and on our own travel industry. All our trips were completely stopped for over 18 months, but thankfully as restrictions have gradually started to ease, we've been able to gradually re-start running holidays again, country by country.
Before we commence operations again in any destination, we are running full risk assessments and putting new procedures in place to ensure we keep all our travellers, tour leaders and local team, as safe as possible and protected from infection. This includes the use of face coverings, hand sanitiser, social distancing, enhanced and more regular cleaning of vehicles - especially regular touch points etc.
We will also provide information and advice on the testing and vaccination requirements required for entry to each country. While it is not the case for every country, It is simplest to assume that you need to be fully vaccinated to travel on our trips. If full vaccination is not required, there will normally be extra costs for additional testing and paperwork required.
On our Overland trips we will be creating our own 'mini-bubble' on board the truck and again being extra careful with hygiene and infection control. You should also expect to need to take regular PCR tests before we cross borders between countries, and again it is best to assume you need to be fully vaccinated. You will need to cover the cost of any PCR tests required (generally around USD 40 to USD 100 per test), and you must have travel insurance in place that will cover the cost of any medical treatment required due to Covid-19, and the cost of quarantine accommodation should that be required. Our tour leaders will make sure that you are safely set up in a hotel to do your self-isolation period, but the truck will then need to continue on its way. You may make your own arrangements to re-join the trip after you have tested negative and completed the quarantine period required by the local authorities.
The first destination we started running trips in again was Pakistan, in late 2021. The wide open spaces and fresh mountain air on our Karakorum Highlights trip made for a perfect and safe escape from lockdowns back home.
The next destination to open up has been Morocco, which after a pause over the winter months, is back open again with our trips running again from February 2022.
The multi-country nature of our overland trips, and tighter restrictions in countries in Asia and South America has made re-starting Overland trips more challenging.
Our first Africa overland trips are starting in March 2022, with South America hopefully re-starting in mid-2022 and Central Asia paused until 2023.
We understand that you may have concerns at the moment that the trip you book could end up being postponed or cancelled due to the Covid-19 outbreak. As such we have introduced more flexible booking conditions for 2022 departures. If you are thinking of travelling in the near future, also have a look at our 'Travel in Times of Covid' information so you can be sure of what to expect on your trip.