COVID-19 Information Hub

Our COVID-19 policy and what we're doing to keep you safe

Like many of you, we're excited at the thought of heading out for an active holiday without restrictions as we all now ‘live with’ the virus. 

But we want you to rest assured that your safety and well-being continues to be our utmost priority. Since the outbreak of COVID-19 we have evolved our operating protocol to build in additional measures on our existing safety and risk minimalisation strategy.

Since the outbreak of COVID-19 we have evolved our operating protocol to build in additional measures on our existing safety and risk mitigation strategy. 

Our COVID-19 Travel Policy FAQs

We strongly recommend that all travellers are fully vaccinated. This will help create the safest possible environment for you, your co-travellers, and our guides and crew.

For all multi-day trips, you will be required to take out a travel insurance policy that covers for COVID cancellation. 

 Our recommended travel insurance company is Covermore. 

 For peace of mind please ensure that your policy will cover you where you cannot participate on the tour due to you contracting COVID or any government regulation that prevents you from joining the trip.

We strongly advocate for all our guides and support crew to be fully vaccinated to minimise the risk of severe illness or hospitalisation should they contract COVID.

In the vast majority of cases, yes. However, in some cases there may be some travellers on your trip who are not vaccinated.

Our protocols have been carefully honed with your wellbeing in mind, using our 45 years of experience and in accordance with the standards set by the WHO (World Health Organization) and WTTC (World Travel and Tourism Council).

Our tailored, nuanced rapid response field management protocol is a required standard throughout our operational bases.

Within all the risk mitigation strategies, it remains that COVID-19 is extremely contagious and there is a risk of exposure anywhere where people encounter one another which cannot be removed.

Acceptance of the inherent risk is voluntarily assumed by you when you when join our trips, though you should rest assured we have elevated our protocols with a heightened awareness of this new paradigm.

Please note that we will have a limited number of RAT tests available in our medical kit for this instance. Only participants who demonstrate symptoms will need to take a test.

There are currently no mandatory isolation requirements in Australia, however it is recommended that people who test positive stay at home until symptoms have resolved. 

Given the physically demanding nature and remoteness of our trips anyone who has tested positive for COVID on or within 7 days of departure will not be permitted to join their departure. This is consistent with the health and fitness requirements covered in our terms and conditions.

If you test positive within 7 days of departure you should proceed to make a claim for the tour costs via the recommended travel insurance policy that we require for all multi-day trips. Your reservation consultant can provide you with a letter outlining those costs in support of your claim.

Close contacts will be required to follow the respective state government health recommendations. 

In most cases this will include staying at home and testing if you experience even very mild symptoms.

For the protection of our guides and others on the tour, we will follow the respective state government health recommendations for testing positive to COVID which, as soon as detected, will involve being removed from the tour. 

Positive cases will also be asked to adopt the recommendations of the respective state government of your trip, which may include use of a mask in public places. 

In any cases where a positive case cannot be removed from a tour, strict isolation practices will be implemented for the remainder of the trip. With the tour underway, there will be no refund offered in this circumstance. 

The normal procedure would be for you make a claim for the tour costs via the recommended travel insurance policy that we require for all multi-day trips. 

 Your reservations consultant can provide you with a letter outlining those costs in support of your claim.

If you are deemed a close contact while on tour, we will follow the respective state government health recommendations for close contacts. This may include monitoring for symptoms and testing if experiencing any symptoms and wearing a mask.

Our standard booking cancellation clauses will apply.

Updated 22 November 2022


Our COVID-19 Safety Measures

What we're doing to keep you safe

The safety of our travellers has always been our number one concern. Since the outbreak of COVID-19 we have evolved our operating protocol to build in additional measures that build on on our existing safety and risk mitigation strategy.

We're COVID Safe We're a COVID Clean Practicing Business

 

This has involved submitting our COVID-19 Safety Plan to each respective state and territory government, as well as obtaining COVID CLEAN accreditation from Quality Tourism Australia. In completing these assessments we follow the recommended protocols for physical distancing measures and health and hygiene principles.

All guides have been trained on these actions which include additional cleaning and hygiene measures and field protocols that have been developed also in conjunction with our medical consultant Dr Ross Anderson.

Here is a snapshot of the measures that are in place on our trips operating in Australia.

  • The communal living area at our eco-comfort camps is the perfect place to relax after a day on the trail |  <i>Shaana McNaught</i>
  • All guides are wilderness first aid trained and carry a comprehensive medical kit |  <i>Lachlan Gardiner</i>
  • 0U3A0854 |  <i>#cathyfinchphotography</i>
  • Back up vehicle for cycling tours |  <i>Mick Wright</i>
  • Our guides will prepare spectacular meals at our camps |  <i>Shaana McNaught</i>
  • The tents at our eco-comfort camps are roomy, clean and comfortable |  <i>Shaana McNaught</i>
  • Facilities at our eco camps |  <i>#cathyfinchphotography</i>
  • Getting ready to hit the Franklin River |  <i>Glenn Walker</i>
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