Covid 19 Safety Protocols – Updated 15 April, 2022

BenefacTours’ vendors comply with World Travel and Tourism Council’s Safe Travels Protocols to adhere to Covid 19 safety. Travellers are assured that hotels, restaurants, and transport providers have implemented health and hygiene protocols that are aligned with WTTC’s Safe Travels Protocols.

Example of a few of our vendors’ Covid policies

And Beyond – &BEYOND is committed to monitoring and amending our approach to travel during these uncertain times by providing guests with both flexibility and security during the COVID-19 pandemic. This Annexure replaces any previous releases and is applicable from 01 August 2021 and remains in place until such time as the restrictions impacting outbound travel from guests home country and/ or inbound travel to the destinations in their respective itineraries (in particular those countries where &BEYOND operates) and / or restrictions on operations as a result of government lockdowns are lifted. Once these conditions are lifted, any booking yet to travel or made under the auspices of this Annexure are subject to &BEYOND‘s standard terms and conditions.
And Beyond Travel in times of uncertainty

Explore – We’ll offer you a refund if your trip is cancelled.  Transfer your trip free of charge up to 10 days before departure. Cash refund if you’re required to self-isolate prior to travel due to a positive COVID-19 test or trace alert (such as the NHS track and trace) and are therefore unable to travel.
https://www.explore.co.uk/book-with-confidence

Exodus Travels – We are dedicated to creating incredible adventures, that are run responsibly, so as the world reopens, our guests can continue to book and travel with confidence. We will refund you if we have to cancel the trip for any reason. Transfer your trip free of charge up to 21 days before departure.* https://www.exodustravels.com/ca/your-stress-free-travel-experience
https://www.exodustravels.com/ca/book-with-confidence

G Adventures – We are thrilled to have run over 3,000 tours since restarting tour operations! As we continue to see more destinations open up to travellers, we have been able to run select tours in these destinations. However, we have had to make the difficult decision to suspend some of our G Adventures and National Geographic Journeys with G Adventures tours through to the end of May based on the current situations in those specific destinations, along with some operational challenges. The safety and security of our travellers, along with that of our staff and partners, continues to be our top priority, and this is a precautionary measure to continue to protect our travel community at this time. We will continue to reevaluate all of our tours going forward, doing the utmost to find ways to run them. Please know how eager we are to be able to share our big, beautiful world again. Updated march 23, 2022.
https://www.gadventures.com/coronavirus-travel-faq/

Goway Travel – book with confidence at a time when they’re ready, such as our updated Flexible Deposit policy, info on Travel Insurance including a Cancel-For-Any-Reason option, and information on our long-term membership and financial involvement in travel consumer protection commitments such as USTOA which requires a US$1million pledge to protect travellers and travel agents. https://www.goway.com/goway-travel/our-policies/

Intrepid Travel – We require all travellers and tour leaders to be fully vaccinated, and we also follow recommendations from the World Health Organization and the World Travel & Tourism Council’s (WTTC) Safe Travel protocols. All our itineraries undergo a comprehensive risk assessment and audit and our leaders and operators complete ongoing COVID-19 health and safety training and adhere to COVID-19 standards. In addition, the hotels, transport providers and other suppliers that we use must meet enhanced COVID-19 standards.
https://www.intrepidtravel.com/ca/covid19

Trafalgar – The wellbeing of our guests is our top priority. As part of this commitment, all guests traveling with Trafalgar through at least December 31, 2022 are required to be fully vaccinated against Covid-19, which may include a booster shot to keep the vaccination status current and valid, depending on the travel destination. You’re free to change or postpone your Trafalgar holiday. Last updated 4 January, 2022.
https://www.trafalgar.com/en-ca/resources/coronavirus-travel-update

 

 

 

 

How To Travel Safely

As we all await the opening of more borders, you wonder about how to travel safely during and after Covid-19. Now is a good time to plan those bucket list trips like safaris, epic treks or small ship cruising. People are starting to book tours again for the end of this year, 2021 and 2022.

Airlines and small group tour companies are constantly adapting to new safety measures to allow you to book with confidence. As a result, local guides are being trained on new procedures as well. Likewise, cancellation policies are being adapted with rebooking up to end of 2021 or 2 years hence. Here is an example from G Adventures:
“For a limited time, tours departing before Dec. 31, 2020 can be cancelled and rebooked up to 14 days prior to departure and those departing between Jan. 1st 2021 and July 31, 2021 can be cancelled and rebooked up to 30 days prior to departure. Terms and conditions apply.”

If you are wanting to get going sooner than later, consider these options to allow you to feel safe as you travel. Time to get dreaming and scheming.

1. Smaller is Better

Think small! The smaller the group. the safer you may feel. Small group tour companies are revamping tours to accommodate new safety protocols. This means that hotels, restaurants, and means of transport are all being adapted. For example, G Adventures, one of our vendors, has implemented new health and safety measures on all of their tours.

In addition to that, they have created a collection of 37 new tours branded “Plus”. These 37 PLUS tours have added steps that go that extra, physically distanced mile. These tours are scheduled to run starting this October and will continue until the end of 2021.

– Group size is reduced to maximum 12 passengers (average 8 – 10)
– Private vehicles  will be used exclusively (except for airplanes),
– Seating  – seats will be assigned each day while traveling and vehicles are thoroughly cleaned each evening
– My Own Room- Double or single rooms only will be assigned (no multishare) or if a traveller wants their own room, they can request “My Own Room” at half price. They will also get extra leg room on vehicles as no-one will be seated next to them.

2. Self-guided tours

Self guided walking or cycling tours are a great way to stay socially distanced while exploring a country. Move at your own pace.  Stop to take in a view or make a side trip. Linger over lunch or depart earlier than usual. Luggage is transferred and everything is arranged beforehand with 24/7 support. Exodus Travels is the world’s leading walking and hiking tour specialists, operating for 46 years. They are another awesome vendor for our clients.

3. Customize Your Own

Create your own tour, with your family or group of friends. You set your own travel dates, choose a group of 2 or more people, design action packed or leisurely pace, all to suit your interests and budget. Enjoy private local guides for your entire trip as well as a private vehicle and driver.

Classic Kenya Safari – Encounter the abundance of wildlife on your first game drive while  gazing at the snows of Mount Kilimanjaro. Seek out the thrilling big five – elephant, rhino, buffalo, leopard and lions on your unforgettable Kenya wildlife safari.  Options are to add on days or other game parks.  Also consider gorilla tracking in Uganda, camping in The Okavango Delta, viewing the power of Victoria Falls or sipping wine in Capetown. Other Wildlife Safaris with BenefacTours.

Annapurna Trek – Absorb the glorious views of the Nepalese countryside on this Annapurna Trek. Explore the greater Himalayan landscapes of northern Nepal, observing the Gurung, Magar and Manangi tribes and their lifestyles.  Other Trekking Tours in Nepal, Kenya, Tanzania, and South America with BenefacTours.

Other ideas for tailor made adventures – Galapagos small ship cruising, explore the diverse eco-systems of Costa Rica, cycle from Vienna to Budapest, conquer Mont Blanc. Certainly you can come up with your own ideas of a dream holiday.