FAQ

Covid-19 Policy 

With the ongoing impact of COVID-19, we’ve made a number of updates across safety management.

Our priority is the safety and well-being of our travelers and staff. Our suppliers and partners are carefully selected to align with our mission, values, and of course our health and safety procedures. We audit suppliers to ensure they have the appropriate health and safety measures in place.

With local tours now resuming, our staff and guides will be taking increased measures to ensure the safety and appropriate risk management of all clients:

• Guests have regular access to hand-washing facilities and hand sanitiser on tour
• Handshaking and hongi greetings are avoided
• Registers of close contacts on tour are kept
• Accommodation, transport and activity providers have appropriate COVID-19 protocols in place
• All guests and contacts are monitored for symptoms
• Any localised outbreaks relevant to the itinerary are avoided altogether with safer alternatives offered
• Our local guides are able to access quality health services quickly for our clients.

If a Driver/Guide presents with Covid 19 before a tour they are to stay where they are and Isolate. We replace the driver and the tour continues. 

If a passenger gets Covid-19, and Notifies us 5-7 days prior to the travel date of a one, two or three-day tour, we offer a transfer date. 

For longer tours, Our terms and conditions state that all deposits are non-refundable. However, we are very aware of the hard work that every student puts into fundraising and saving for each tour, and we will do our best to deliver some level of refund. The amount refunded will take time to calculate after a cancellation is made and will depend on what we’re able to recoup from suppliers.

2. We follow the guidelines set out by the SYTA as shown below in the case of a student becoming ill while on tour. 

Safety for Students Traveling

If a student becomes ill on the trip: The leader, with the support of the tour operator/director or guide, will implement the crisis management plan based on the severity of the illness. If the student shows signs of having a fever or cold: The student should be separated from the group, with a chaperone, until proper medical treatment may be determined. A chaperone should confirm the parents were notified and gave permission to take the student to a medical facility. The chaperones should designate who will stay with the student at the medical facility during treatment, not expected to be overnight. The rest of the group will most likely continue with the planned itinerary while the student receives treatment. It is important to communicate the situation with the other students, to avoid stigma or isolation of the ill student. Once treatment has concluded, provide details to the teacher or chaperone who stayed with the ill student on how and when they can reunite with the rest of their tour group. If a student needs to miss an activity due to illness or injury, a chaperone must stay behind to address the student’s needs. IF IT IS AN EMERGENCY: The chaperones will contact emergency medical services (EMS) to start the medical transport, then contact the parents. The chaperone should stay with the student throughout the experience. It’s important to call the parents on a regular basis, to provide updates from the doctor and to allow the student to talk with the parents. Every two hours is a good guide unless other timing was determined with the parents. The leader and parents will determine if the student will return home. The tour operator, working with the parents, will help facilitate the return of the student. The parents are responsible for the cost of the medical treatment and travel expenses home.