COVID-19 Hub

Intrepid 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.

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.

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.

If your government is advising against travel to a destination, but you choose to do so, please be aware that we will need to receive your written acknowledgement that you are aware you are travelling against government advice. You will also need to ensure that your travel insurance covers you for travel against government advisories.

This is a dynamic operating environment and situations continue to change and evolve quickly, but safety is our top priority. To ensure a trip is safe for travellers and the local communities we visit before operating, we look at a number of factors including:

• Government safety and travel advice
• Real time reviews and updates of current requirements by our local offices globally
• COVID-safe requirements and protocols
• Entry requirements for travellers, including testing and quarantine
• Current medical facility and healthcare availability within a destination
• Flight and airline accessibility in and out of a destination
• Ability for our travellers to get travel insurance protection for our destinations
• Accessibility to everyday services, such as restaurants, public transport, cultural sites, etc.

Due to the ever-changing nature of the variety of travel restrictions, we generally wait until between one and two months before a trip is scheduled to depart to make a decision on whether the trip will run or not. This is in order to keep the possibility of travelling viable for any travellers who may be in a position to do so. All travellers will be notified of their options at least one month before they are scheduled to depart, to allow them time to make any changes to their current arrangements. However, at times it may be necessary to cancel a trip at late notice should the factors listed above change.

The majority of our trips are based on small group adventures, with an average group size of 10 travellers, and as a result carry less inherent risk of COVID-19. Any trips that are designed for larger groups will be carefully risk assessed before operating. On all trips we will follow local government guidance on permitted group sizes. This may mean reduced group sizes for the entire trip, for certain activities, or in certain environments such as restaurants or transport.

Our operations teams are keeping up to date with local developments, including any closures or changes to visiting sights and attractions. We may need to make some changes to the activities or destinations included on your trip to comply with advice from local authorities or our health and safety protocols. We will endeavour to keep travellers updated before departure, including through our Essential Trip Information online. Particularly if you are on one of the first trips once a destination re-opens for foreign travellers, an open mind and sense of flexibility will help you get the most out of your trip.

At all times on trip we comply with local regulations on physical distancing and permitted group sizes. As a general rule, Intrepid will follow recommended guidelines of 1.5m/5ft apart from others. When necessary, we will make changes to itineraries to avoid crowds by visiting attractions or travelling outside of peak times. We understand that maintaining physical distancing at all times between group members when on a trip would be difficult and impractical. 

Our trips are based on twin share accommodation. Most of our trips have Single Supplements available for solo travellers who wish to have their own room. We are working with our accommodation providers to ensure that more rooms are available for those travellers who wish to room alone.

Travel insurance providers’ policies vary. Please check with your individual provider for more information. 

We are working with our local partners to provide hand sanitiser at accommodation, on transport and at restaurants. We recommend also bringing your own personal supply for times when it is not available, such as when exploring a destination independently.

If you are unwell prior to travelling, please stay at home and contact us to make alternative arrangements. Please refer to our Booking Conditions for more details on our refund policy.   

This global health crisis has impacted everyone enormously, so we want to make sure your future travel plans are safe, and reassure you that we are committed to supporting our customers in the best way that we can. You can find out more about what happens if your trip is cancelled here. 

This is a dynamic operating environment and requirements continue to evolve globally. Intrepid will closely monitor relevant changes and make updates as required.

We’ve introduced new safety measures that apply on all of our trips, except for tours in Australia and New Zealand. 

Travellers are required* to produce either: 

• Proof of COVID-19 vaccination, or
• Proof of negative COVID-19 test conducted no more than 72 hours before day 1 of your trip, or
• Proof of recovery documentation

If you’re aged 70+ or have an existing health condition that puts you at a higher risk of serious COVID-19 disease, you are also required to provide proof of vaccination* before you can join a trip.

All travellers on Sailing, Adventure Cruising, and Galapagos sailing trips are required to produce proof of COVID-19 vaccination before joining a trip. See below for more details.

All children 6 and above must provide proof of vaccination, proof of recovery or a negative COVID-19 test (antigen or PCR).

• People aged 70+ and people with pre-existing health conditions^^ that are considered high risk. If you are in one or both of these categories, you must be vaccinated against COVID-19 at least 14 days prior to travel as a condition of carriage.
• See below for specific requirements for marine trips (Sailing, Adventure Cruising, Galapagos sailing), excluding polar cruises.
• All children 6 and above must provide proof of vaccination, proof of recovery or a negative COVID-19 test (antigen or PCR). 

   

• All children 6 and above must provide proof of vaccination, proof of recovery or a negative COVID-19 test (antigen or PCR).
• Children 5 and under are exempt from providing proof of vaccination, proof of recovery or a negative COVID-19 test.

We recognise any vaccine that has been authorised for use by the relevant national authority for COVID-19 in the country where the vaccine was administered.

A copy of your vaccination record (either paper or digital) is required. For example, an NHS card with batch number (UK travellers), CDC vaccination record (USA) or digital vaccination passports.

Yes. We will not accept travellers on trips who have received only a partial dose (for example, one part of a two-dose vaccination) of a vaccine.

No. We will only require travellers to have been vaccinated if they are 70 years old on day one of the trip.

All of our Galapagos sailing trips, Adventure Cruising trips, and Sailing trips in Europe and Asia require all customers to be fully vaccinated before joining the trip.

• Everyone who cannot provide proof of full vaccination is required to produce a negative COVID-19 test before joining an Intrepid trip. This excludes those travelling on Sailing, Adventure Cruising, and Galapagos Sailing trips. See the marine FAQs below.
• Children 5 and under are exempt from providing proof of vaccination, proof of recovery or a negative COVID-19 test. 

Children 5 and under are exempt from providing proof of vaccination, proof of recovery or a negative COVID-19 test. 

Australia and New Zealand have extremely low rates of COVID-19 and strict border controls, which means at the time of writing, vaccination and pre-trip testing is not required for trips in those two countries.

This varies depending on where you are located and what types of COVID-19 tests are available. Contact your local medical professional, which could include a pharmacist, or government health authority for more information.

Information for UK customers: 

Visit the UK government website to check whether you need a proof of a negative COVID-19 test to enter your destination. There are several testing requirements for entering the UK. What tests you need will depend on what country you’ve visited. Please see the FCDO website for more information.

We’ve teamed up with UK government approved testing providers to allow you to choose tests with a discount for Intrepid customers:

• Randox offer the largest Covid-19 testing network in the UK & Ireland. Single PCR home testing as well as Green and Amber packages are available. Returns are available via drop off points located throughout the UK. Please enter the code INTREPID for a discount across all products

• Qured is offering Intrepid Travel customers a discount for all their travel testing solutions. This includes PCR and LFD tests which can be used for Fit-to-Fly, Test to Release, Day 2 and Day 8, Return to UK - all your travel testing needs. PCR tests start at £79 and include return postage. Please enter the code INTREPIDTRAVEL10 for 10% OFF

• Express Test provide fast and accurate gold standard PCR screening available from just £60 at their drive-through sites located at Heathrow, Gatwick and Edinburgh airports, and at regional testing sites right across the UK. ExpressTest results are typically emailed with a Fit to Fly certificate by 10pm the day after the test. Please enter the code INTREPID21 for 4% OFF

Please ensure you read through the testing information thoroughly to ensure you select the relevant tests to suit your individual needs. This service is available for UK residents only.

In the event that this occurs, you must get another test. Your new COVID-19 test must be taken no more than 72 hours before day 1 of your trip. Our destination experts will do their best to assist you with getting a test locally in destination. 

Yes. Your COVID-19 test is at your own expense.

Costs vary, depending on where you’re located and which type of test you take. Contact your local medical professional, COVID-19 test provider, or government health department for more information.

You are advised to check with the relevant airlines, airports and government authorities to check their entry, exit and transit requirements.

Government regulations are constantly evolving – you are advised to check entry requirements with the relevant government agencies regarding entry, exit and transit requirements.

Yes, travel insurance is a requirement for all** Intrepid trips. Your travel insurance details must be provided at the mandatory pre-trip meeting and health screening.

• All travellers must be fully inoculated by receiving the full dosage of the COVID-19 vaccine and allowing enough time for immunity to take effect. Travellers will only be able to embark the boat once their vaccination record has been sighted.

• All travellers, leaders and crew must complete a self- declaration health screening questionnaire at embarkation.
• All travellers, leaders and crew must agree to any additional health screening measures on board (rapid antigen testing, temperature checking). These may vary on different boats in line with local regulations.

• Compared to other larger cruise ships, our group size on Adventure Cruising and Galapagos boats has always been small. This allows plenty of space for physical distancing. 
• Our sailing trips are on board a sailing yacht, so living spaces, bathrooms and cabins are shared with other travellers and sleeping quarters can be quite compact. This makes it difficult to maintain physical distancing.
• Single supplements are available for purchase on all trips if you prefer a cabin to yourself.

• All travellers and crew must wear masks/face coverings in line with local regulations.

• Travellers are encouraged to bring their own snorkelling gear, if possible.
• All snorkelling gear available for traveller use/hire must be thoroughly cleaned and disinfected. Travellers will be given one set of snorkelling equipment for use for the entire trip.

• All boats and yachts will have enhanced sanitation protocols in place in line with local regulations.
• All Adventure Cruising and Galapagos cabins will be cleaned daily and disinfected. Due to limited crew, cabins on our Sailing yachts will be cleaned and disinfected as required and cleaning products will be made available for use.  
• All high-use areas and touchpoints (such as staterooms, handles, doorknobs, and switches) will be regularly cleaned and disinfected.

• Customers with any COVID-19 symptoms should not travel and are supported with our flexible booking conditions.
• We understand this policy update might not suit your original travel plans. If you’d like to discuss other options, get in touch with our team, who can discuss flexible alternatives with you.

• No. Currently trips operated by our partner Variety Cruises only recommend their customers be vaccinated, however it is not a requirement to join their trips. If you are unsure if your trip is operated by Variety Cruises, please contact us.

HEALTH SCREENING  

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.  

In addition, before joining an Intrepid trip, you will be asked to complete a self-declaration form as part of health screening. 

If you are displaying any COVID-19 symptoms, we will assist you to seek medical advice and will follow all directions from local health authorities regarding COVID-19 testing or quarantine. You may not be permitted to join the trip if local advice is that you need to self-isolate. We ask that all travellers continue to monitor their health throughout their travels and report any relevant symptoms or concerns. 

VACCINATIONS AND TESTING  

We’ve introduced new safety measures that apply on all of our trips, except for tours in Australia and New Zealand. 

Travellers are required* to produce either: 

• Proof of COVID-19 vaccination, or
• Proof of negative COVID-19 test conducted no more than 72 hours before day 1 of your trip, or
• Proof of recovery documentation

If you’re aged 70+ or have an existing health condition that puts you at a higher risk of serious COVID-19 disease, you are also required to provide proof of vaccination* before you can join a trip.

All travellers on Sailing, Adventure Cruising, and Galapagos sailing trips are required to produce proof of COVID-19 vaccination before joining a trip. See below for more details.

All children 6 and above must provide proof of vaccination, proof of recovery or a negative COVID-19 test (antigen or PCR).

PHYSICAL DISTANCING 

At all times on trip we comply with local regulations on physical distancing and permitted group sizes. As a general rule, Intrepid will follow recommended guidelines of 1.5m/5ft apart from others. When necessary, we will make changes to itineraries to avoid crowds by visiting attractions or travelling outside of peak times. We understand that maintaining physical distancing at all times between group members when on a trip would be difficult and impractical. We have put pre-trip screening measures in place for travellers and leaders, as well as other COVID-19 protocols such as enhanced hygiene and sanitation to help reduce the risk of group travel. 

Our trips are run on a twin-share basis, which means if you are travelling by yourself you will be roomed with another single traveller. For those travellers who wish to have their own room, Single Supplements are available to purchase. We are working with our suppliers to audit where multi-share accommodation was planned for some nights in order to provide alternatives when needed. 

CLOSED, CROWDED OR CLOSE CONTACT SPACES  

Intrepid recognises that some settings have more risks associated with them. For that reason, we have revised many itineraries to avoid crowded markets, attractions at peak time, indoor markets or underground spaces. Itineraries have also been adjusted to limit time in busy areas and to avoid or limit our time in venues with poor ventilation.  

MASKS 

Masks must be worn by all travellers throughout the trip whenever required by local health authorities. You will need to bring your own supply of masks from home. Make sure you have familiarised yourself with how to safely wear, handle, wash or dispose of masks when wearing them while travelling. 

HYGIENE                                                      

We have put in place additional measures, in line with government health advice and with global health authorities, to ensure that we maintain the highest standards of hygiene on all our trips. Throughout the trip there will be regular opportunities for handwashing and wherever possible hand sanitiser will be provided at accommodation, restaurants and on transport.  

All leaders and crew have been thoroughly trained in COVID-19 Safe protocols, including hygiene, sanitation, health screening and crisis management.  

SANITATION 

We require all suppliers that we work with to detail their cleaning and sanitation protocols to ensure that these meet our minimum standards. Rooms will be thoroughly cleaned and disinfected between guests and all high touch public areas regularly sanitised. All private transport used will be regularly cleaned and disinfected. Restaurants used for group meals will also be audited for sanitation practices. 

CONTACTLESS/LOW TOUCH 

We are proactively moving towards contactless and low touch solutions for travel. This includes digital solutions for signing forms or providing traveller details in place of paperwork and using online ticketing and payments. 

All Intrepid leaders and crew must either have been vaccinated, or have tested negative to COVID-19 no more than 72 hours before they start a trip.

Intrepid follows all government and local authority requirements around the use of masks. This depends on your location, mode of transport and other factors. Travellers are required to travel with their own masks and to wear one when required.

The majority of our trips are based on small group adventures, with an average group size of 10 travellers, and as a result carry less inherent risk of COVID-19. Any trips that are designed for larger groups will be carefully risk assessed before operating. On all trips we will follow local government guidance on permitted group sizes. This may mean reduced group sizes for the entire trip, for certain activities, or in certain environments such as restaurants or transport.

At all times on trip we comply with local regulations on physical distancing and permitted group sizes. As a general rule, Intrepid will follow recommended guidelines of 1.5m/5ft apart from others. When necessary, we will make changes to itineraries to avoid crowds by visiting attractions or travelling outside of peak times. We understand that maintaining physical distancing at all times between group members when on a trip would be difficult and impractical. 

Our trips are based on twin share accommodation. Most of our trips have Single Supplements available for solo travellers who wish to have their own room. We are working with our accommodation providers to ensure that more rooms are available for those travellers who wish to room alone.

Travel insurance providers’ policies vary. Please check with your individual provider for more information.

We are working with our local partners to provide hand sanitiser at accommodation, on transport and at restaurants. We recommend also bringing your own personal supply for times when it is not available, such as when exploring a destination independently.

If you are unwell prior to travelling, please stay at home and contact us to make alternative arrangements. Please refer to our Booking Conditions for more details on our refund policy.

If you are unable to continue travelling with us due to a suspected or confirmed case of COVID-19 on your trip, we can offer you a credit for the unused days of your trip.