Our health and safety policies follow recommendations from the World Health Organization and the World Travel & Tourism Council’s (WTTC) Safe Travel protocols for tour operators.
Before we run trips in any destination, our itineraries undergo a comprehensive risk assessment and audit. We have also introduced specific policies around testing and vaccination for your safety – see detailed FAQ’s below:
Travel Insurance
Adequate and valid travel insurance for your chosen itinerary is compulsory for all travellers and it is a condition of accepting your booking that you agree you will have obtained adequate and valid travel insurance. We recommend you take out insurance as soon as your booking is confirmed.
What kind of travel insurance do I need?
We strongly recommend you choose a travel insurance policy that includes cover for COVID-related issues and we encourage our customers to check the terms and conditions carefully, especially the differences between policies in terms of cancellations and medical cover for COVID reasons.
COVID related cancellation policy
What happens if I get Covid19 before the trip and can no longer travel?
In the first instance we recommend you consult your insurance policy and provider to check that you are covered for cancellation due to Covid19 infection.
Depending on when you confirm to us that you wish to cancel your place on the trip will determine the amount we are able to refund you minus the none refundable deposit you paid.
For our full policy on cancellation due to Covid19 and your obligations, please refer to section 7 of our Booking Terms and Conditions related to cancellation and changes,
When will I know if my trip is going ahead?
We will confirm that your trip is going ahead 90 days before travel, at which point you final balance payment will also be due.
If we have not been able to confirm that your trip will proceed at that point, your balance will be due once we have checked and confirmed that the latest official travel advice, entry requirements, or restrictions on return from travel will not prohibit your trip.
What happens if the trip cannot go ahead as planned due to the travel advice for a particular destination changing before the trip starts?
We are constantly reviewing the latest FCDO travel advice, entry requirements for key nationalities, and restrictions on return travel so you are always well informed. When it comes to your trip, we review the status of your destination on an ongoing basis, so we can keep you updated and informed.
Due to the changing travel restrictions related to the Coronavirus pandemic, it is necessary for us to feature contingency start dates for our trips, to be implemented if travel restrictions are updated due to a change in Government guidance of your home or host nation.
By agreeing to these terms and conditions, you are accepting your trip start date may be moved to the stated contingency date and no refunds of deposits or balances paid are applicable. In circumstances where we are no longer able to start the trip on the original date, we will notify you of the move to the contingency start date.
If continued restrictions mean the trip cannot start on the contingency date, we will issue a refund as per the terms set out in section 7 of these terms.
Destination Entry Requirements
Your specific passport and visa requirements, and other immigration requirements are your responsibility, and you should confirm these with the relevant Embassies and/or Consulates. We do not accept any responsibility if you cannot travel because you have not complied with any passport, visa, or immigration requirements.
Vaccination and Testing
Depending on your chosen destination, you may need a negative test to enter, even if you are fully vaccinated when you travel.
We have introduced a policy, which ensures that everyone in the group is either fully vaccinated or has tested negative just before travel. Read our policy on vaccinations here
Destination Entry Requirements
We recommend you check the entry requirements for your destination of choice from your country of departure. Your nationality may also be taken into account when entering a country so ensure you confirm what arrival forms need to complete before travel, if any. Inspired Ventures will not normally operate to a country that requires customers to quarantine on arrival.
Where you are not allowed to travel to, or enter any country due to not having complied with the official requirements as per section 13 of our booking terms and conditions we have no liability to you for any cost, loss or damage which you suffer nor will we refund you the cost of any unused portion of your travel arrangements.
Visiting the CIBT website for more information on the latest travel advice by departure and destination country.
Advice on accessing COVID testing for travel
Providing a negative COVID test will be a common requirement for entering a country for some time. Accessing the appropriate private test for travel is now easy in many countries. If, from the above information it is clear a test if required, we ask you to choose your test provider in good time.
We follows travel advice from the US, UK and Australian governments when making decisions about where and when to operate our trips. Some destinations or regions may open gradually or partially and, in many cases, only to nationals from certain countries. That means we will continue to operate trips in a destination if at least one of the listed governments is allowing travel to that destination.
In addition, each destination has their own vaccination, testing and health screening requirements for entry, exit and transit. It’s important that you check these on your government’s foreign travel advice website as these may include requiring evidence of recent COVID-19 test results or vaccination.
Whilst you are travelling
Do I have to wear a mask during the trip?
We will always follow the government requirements or guidance of the country you are visiting. Your tour leader will explain the latest requirements at the start of the trip.
Returning Home
Ensure you understand and can comply with your home government requirements for return travel at the end of your trip. For example, you may require a negative test taken before departure, or there could be quarantine requirements for travellers from certain countries.
For returning into the UK see more about the Travelling to England from another country during Coronavirus.
Responsible Travellers
As responsible travellers, anyone who chooses to travel with us has a duty of care to themselves and the people around them. We ask that all our travellers comply with local regulations and laws, as well as our own health and safety guidelines, to ensure that everyone can enjoy their adventure, while remaining well.
What happens if someone on the trip gets Covid-19
If you or someone else on your trip has symptoms of COVID-19 while travelling with us we will assist you to access appropriate medical care as quickly as possible. We will follow the advice of local health authorities on whether a COVID-19 test is required, whether there is a need to self-isolate or quarantine or whether there is a risk to other travellers in the group.
Should COVID-19 be confirmed, our full health and safety protocols will be enacted, including informing local health authorities, informing the group of the potential exposure, and sanitation protocols such as deep cleaning and disinfecting of accommodation and transport.
Please note that while we will assist to ensure that you get all the help and support you need, any expenses for testing, treatment or self-isolation will need to be covered by you and your travel insurer, so please ensure you have access to funds while travelling in case of this or other emergencies.
