Covid 19 – Great-Explorations.com

Travel Safely

Great Explorations style of travel, specializing in biking and hiking trips, is a great way to travel in these times. Lots of guests have traveled with us in 2021 and their experiences and positive feedback have confirmed that travel can be safe and is immensely rewarding in ways that we know well.

Arrive Healthy
Great Explorations requires guests on our guided trips to be fully vaccinated or receive a negative PCR or antigen test within 72 hours of trip start. If you are not able to provide adequate proof, we will be unable to welcome you on the trip.

Guests are required to bring a digital copy or picture of their vaccine card or negative COVID test result. A medical certificate confirming recovery from COVID-19 dated no more than 90 days before departure is also acceptable. Please note that many regions (including most international destinations) have additional requirements and/or documents needed for entry.
You are considered vaccinated two weeks after a second dose in a two-dose series or two weeks after a single-dose vaccine. See here for CDC vaccine guidance.

Where can I test in Canada?
British Columbia – LifeLabs PCR test; Iridia Medical
Alberta – DynaLIFE PCR test l Numi Health l Ichor Blood Services
Ontario – LifeLabs PCR Test l Ichor Blood Services

Where can I test in the United States?
See here for the testing site nearest you. At-home testing options will suffice only if they include a telehealth component (video call with a doctor); over-the-counter tests will not be accepted. Great Explorations recommends this self-administered antigen test.

Will my Guide(s) be vaccinated?
Great Explorations is mandating vaccines for all guides where local/international jurisdictions allow. The majority of our guides are already vaccinated. Those who are not yet fully vaccinated are required to test and complete a health screening before each trip.

Great Explorations recommends all eligible clients to be vaccinated.
Regional requirements are constantly evolving, often with very little notice, so traveling unvaccinated may cause trip disruption.

Face Masks
Masks will be required during group van transfers on open departures. We expect guests to comply with local mask protocols in hotels, restaurants etc. where required.

Staying Informed & Keeping You Up to Date
We continue to monitor the latest health advisories and how these may impact tour operations. The latest recommendations from the CDC and WHO, along with local authorities where we travel, are guiding our decisions.

Enhanced Training for Guides
We have initiated additional health and training protocols to handle issues that may arise. Our guides are prepared to proactively manage logistics around any adjustments that may be necessary during your trip.

The Advantage of Our Style of Travel

Small Groups
We have always promoted the benefits of small group travel – our group sizes have always been limited because we believe smaller groups allowed for a more intimate and genuine trip experience. In these times, there are even more reasons to keep group sizes to a reasonable number. For those booking private/custom trips, you will decide on the appropriate number that you are comfortable with.

Flexibility for Meals
As always, we plan flexibility into our dining plans. Should you wish to dine at a ‘table for two’, this is an option. Prefer outdoor picnic style lunch or dinner? We’ll make this happen. Room service? If that’s your preference, we can arrange.

Group Activities – Your choice
Group activities, including cultural events are always optional, with no pressure to join but with precautions taken should you choose to partake. We continue to provide guests with GPS routes and detailed route instructions so you have the flexibility to ride on your own and at your own pace with support never far away.

Our sister company Randonnée Tours offers self-guided tours, which is also a great option for travelers hoping to stick strictly with their own bubble but are itching to get back out on the road adventuring.

Re-openings & Requirements

As the world reopens, destinations around the globe are requiring proof of vaccination or other documentation for entry. We have listed countries that Great Explorations operates trips in.

Since these requirements are changing frequently, we recommend checking back regularly as your trip approaches for any updates. This information was last updated on November 12, 2021.

CANADA

All regions of Canada are currently open to vaccinated travelers from the US. See full entry requirements below.

British Columbia, Canadian Rockies, Nova Scotia, Québec

Travelers are required to provide COVID-19-related information electronically through ArriveCAN (app or web portal), including proof of vaccination, within 72 hours prior to departing for Canada. Travelers must also present a negative test taken within 72 hours before arrival, regardless of vaccination status, and have a paper or digital copy of their vaccination documentation ready to show on request.

Testing for guests returning from Canada to the US:

We are recommending that all guests traveling to Canada purchase an Abbott’s BinaxNOW COVID-19 Ag At-Home Rapid Test Kit one to two weeks before our departure. Click here for more on how to use this test.

For guests on our Canadian Rockies trips, an alternative option is to schedule a rapid test at the Calgary airport. The test costs CAD $75 (approximately US $60) per person and takes 15 minutes. You must book in advance on this website – select “Antigen Test” at the Calgary airport to schedule.

US DESTINATIONS

US trips that do have regional entry requirements are listed below.

Last updated: Dec 3, 2021
Effective December 6, 2021, all airline passengers to the United States ages two years and older, regardless of vaccination status or citizenship, must provide a negative COVID-19 viral test taken within one calendar day of travel.  Alternatively, travelers to the United States may provide documentation from a licensed health care provider of having recovered from COVID-19 in the 90 days preceding travel.  Check the CDC website for additional information and Frequently Asked Questions.

HAWAII

Visitors to Hawaii who have been fully vaccinated in the US can now bypass pre-trip testing. To skip the testing requirement, vaccinated visitors must create a Safe Travels Hawaii account and upload an image of their vaccination card, sign an attestation form and bring a hard copy of their vaccine card to show upon boarding and/or arrival. All non-vaccinated visitors 5 and over must show proof of a negative COVID-19 test taken 72 hours prior to arrival. Testing must be completed by a Hawaii-approved trusted testing partner and results must be obtained by the time of departure. Learn more

INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL: WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

Getting to Your International Trip

Most international destinations currently require proof of vaccination to enter. While some will accept a negative COVID-19 test in lieu of proof of vaccination, these requirements are constantly evolving. We therefore advise all guests traveling on international trips this year to bring proof of vaccination, in the form of both a physical vaccination card and a digital version (photo of the card). Traveling internationally without proof of vaccination, while technically possible in some destinations, presents greatly increased risks of travel interruption.

In addition to requiring vaccination, some international destinations also require a negative COVID-19 test for entry, and most require some form of Health Form or “Passenger Locator Form.” We suggest printing your completed health form to expedite your travel process. Some destinations require visitors to upload proof of vaccination (or negative test result) into a website or app before departure or arrival. See details by destination below.

More and more destinations are now requiring proof of vaccination for entry into restaurants and cultural sites. In some cases, a negative test taken within the previous 48 or 72 hours will also suffice.

Coming Back to the US

The United States currently requires that all travelers returning to the country from abroad show proof of a negative PCR or rapid COVID-19 test taken within 3 days of their return flight. Per CDC guidelines, this requirement can be met with select self-administered tests. Abbott’s BinaxNOW COVID-19 Ag At-Home Rapid Test Kit, which must be ordered online, meets all requirements for inbound US travelers. Click here for more on how to use this test. Please note that over-the-counter tests, including Abbott’s similarly named “BinaxNOW COVID-19 Self Test Kit,” will not fulfill the CDC requirement.

EUROPE

Most European countries where we operate have reopened to travelers from the US & Canada. Most European countries require that travelers from the US & Canada show proof of vaccination for entry. See details by country below.

CROATIA

Croatia is now welcoming international travelers who show proof of vaccination (in the form of a paper CDC card), a negative test or recovery from COVID-19. Visitors must also show proof of hotel booking (for Great Explorations travelers, a printed copy of your trip invoice should suffice) and complete a travel announcement form. Learn more.

Canadian travelers: Learn more.
Returning to Canada? Learn more.

CZECH REPUBLIC & AUSTRIA (Prague to Vienna trip)

Austria is now welcoming international travelers who show proof of vaccination, a negative test or recovery from COVID-19. Learn more.

Czech Republic is now welcoming vaccinated travelers from the US without quarantine requirements. Prior to arrival, all travelers must complete a Public Health Passenger Locator Form. Learn more.

While testing is not required for entry into the country for vaccinated travelers, many hotels and other facilities require a negative test for entry. We strongly recommend that you take a PCR test in the 72 hours prior to your departure for the Czech Republic. Testing is also available at the Prague airport. Learn more.

Please note that Czech regulations currently require the use of FFP2 or KN95 masks on airlines and in enclosed public spaces, including restaurants, cafés and museums. Fabric or disposable masks will not be accepted. Guests traveling on trips in the Czech Republic should bring one of the permitted masks for daily use.

We are recommending that all guests purchase an Abbott’s BinaxNOW COVID-19 Ag At-Home Rapid Test Kit one to two weeks before their departure. Click here for more on how to use this test. Alternatively, for travelers departing from Vienna, rapid tests are available at the Vienna International Airport between 7:00 am and 7:00 pm. Results are typically sent by email within 30 minutes.

Canadians can access Covid-19 Travel advice. Learn more.
Returning to Canada? Learn more.

FRANCE

France has moved the US back to its “orange list,” meaning that proof of vaccination is now required to avoid quarantine for all travelers arriving from the US. Before boarding, travelers must also complete and present this Certificate of International Travel attesting that they have no symptoms of COVID-19. Unvaccinated minors will be allowed to enter alongside vaccinated adults, but children 11 and older will have to show proof of a negative test result. Learn more.

Canadians can access Covid-19 Travel advice. Learn more.
Returning to Canada? Learn more.

France requires that all visitors be vaccinated. New regulations also require you to show proof of vaccination (or a negative test result from within the prior 72 hours) at restaurants, cultural institutions, hotels, cafés and most other public indoor places. France has implemented a new process for converting your CDC vaccination card to the French HealthPass system. Before departing for France, travelers must create an account and upload copies of their CDC card and passport to convert their credentials into a French Health Pass. Full instructions can be found here.

Testing for guests returning from France to the US:

Rapid antigen tests (approved by the CDC for inbound US travelers) are now available on a walk-in basis at pharmacies in all cities and towns in France. This is the least expensive and simplest option for testing in France. Your Trip Leaders can recommend the easiest way to get a test during or after your trip based on your travel itinerary.

Select self-testing kits are also an option. If you opt for self-testing, we suggest ordering an Abbott’s BinaxNOW COVID-19 Ag At-Home Rapid Test Kit one to two weeks before your departure. Click here for more on how to use this test.

Canadians can access Covid-19 travel advice. Learn More.
Returning to Canada? Learn more.

GERMANY

Germany is now welcoming vaccinated travelers from the US & Canada without quarantine requirements. Visitors arriving from the US & Canada will need to fill out a digital entry form. Learn more.

IRELAND

Ireland is now welcoming international travelers who show proof of vaccination from COVID-19. Travelers from the US and Canada do not need to show test results or quarantine. All visitors will need to fill out a Passenger Locator Form within 48 hours prior to travel. Travelers will need to keep their CDC vaccine card handy as hotels and restaurants may ask for proof of vaccination. Learn more.

Canadians can access Covid-19 travel advice. Learn More.
Returning to Canada? Learn more.

ITALY

Italy is now welcoming travelers from the US & Canada who present both proof of vaccination AND a negative test result. The test must be a negative molecular or antigenic swab test (PCR or rapid antigen test) taken within 72 hours of arrival. Travelers will also need to complete an online Passenger Locator Form. Documented proof of recovery from COVID-19 (translated into Italian, in addition to a negative test result) can also suffice in lieu of proof of vaccination. Learn more.

Rules once in Italy: New regulations require that you present a CDC vaccination card (or proof of recovery translated to Italian) to dine in restaurants or enter wellness centers, cultural institutions and other select venues. Guests should keep these documents handy during the trip.

Canadians can access covid-19 travel advice here: Learn more.
Returning to Canada? Learn more.

NETHERLANDS & BELGIUM (Amsterdam to Bruges trip)

The Netherlands (UPDATE 9/22/21) has announced that vaccinated travelers from the US no longer have to self-quarantine upon arrival. Visitors must show proof of vaccination and complete a Health Declaration Form. Learn more.

Belgium is now requiring proof of vaccination for all travelers from the United States. Learn more.

Canadians can access Covid-19 information. Netherlands – Learn more. Belgium – Learn more.
Returning to Canada? Learn more.

POLAND

Learn more.

PORTUGAL

Portugal is now welcoming visitors from the US & Canada with proof of a negative test result. Test can be a PCR test taken within 72 hours of boarding your flight, or a rapid antigen test taken within 48 hours of boarding your flight. There will likely be additional rapid test requirements during travel in Portugal. Travelers are advised to carry their CDC vaccine card with them at all times as it may help to avoid trip interruption. Travelers must also complete a passenger locator card within 48 hours prior to travel. Learn more.

Testing for guests returning from Portugal to the US:

We are recommending that all guests traveling to Portugal purchase an Abbott’s BinaxNOW COVID-19 Ag At-Home Rapid Test Kit one to two weeks before their departure. Click here for more on how to use this test.

Alternatively, US citizens can obtain inexpensive COVID-19 tests in Portugal from private medical clinics. Your Trip Leaders can recommend the easiest way to get a test during or after your trip based on your travel itinerary.