Given the impact that the spread of COVID-19 has had on travel in 2021, it is important that our customers stay informed on our tour status and any travel restrictions or entry requirements that may be in place in their home countries or tour destinations. We continue to adapt to the global situation as it evolves and will continue to communicate with our travellers to provide the information and support they need. Please take note of the below updates.
SUSPENDED OPERATIONS
Due to the closure of many international borders to destinations we travel to and government Covid-safe policy, all ULTIMATE group tour operations are currently suspended. As of 15 January 2022, tours and operations from 2022 are scheduled to resume and depart as below. Significant effort is made to advise customers as early as possible if further disruption will be experienced.
Australia – UltimateOz resumes from 10th January 2022 for Working Holiday Visa holders.
Australia – East Coast Explorer 5/6 Week – The 6 Week resumes on Monday 28th February 2022 and the 5 Week resumes 7th March 2022.
Australia – East Coast Highlights – Resumes on Wednesday 9th March 2022.
Thailand – Resumes 7th March 2022.
Bali – To Be Advised.
Vietnam – To Be Advised.
FUTURE TOUR DISRUPTIONS
If you are booked onto a tour from January 2022 and your tour is impacted by ongoing Covid-19 restrictions, we will notify you via email. We review our operation weekly and will make every effort to advise you of tour suspension as early as possible. It is important that you check your Spam folders. We also encourage you to check your flight status with your airline and where necessary, consult with your immigration department advice to reconfirm Visa, Entry and Exit requirements you may be subject to.
COVID BOOKING FAQS
If your tour has been suspended as a result of travel restrictions, bans or international border closures, the full value of your tour will be placed into 'open date' credit that can be applied to any future travel date. There are no validity restrictions on tour credits and you are not required to nominate a new travel date right away.Â
If you wish to cancel your tour, standard terms and conditions apply. You can find a copy of your bookings terms and conditions on this page.
If your ULTIMATE group tour or travel arrangements are not suspended and scheduled to operate, it is your responsibility to ensure your other travel arrangements permit you to travel to your destination. You should:
- Check your flight ticket and airline that your booked flight is still scheduled to depart.
- Check with the Government embassy or consulate of your tour destination about entering the destination and visa and/or entry requirements.
- Ensure you have a full travel insurance and ensure you have the appropriate level of coverage to travel to your destination.Â
- Ensure their are no 'travel bans' or restrictions to exiting and returning to your home country.
It is your responsibility to notify of Ultimate Adventure Travel of your inability to travel or join the tour prior to your scheduled arrival at the tour meeting point. A 'No-show' will result in full charges being applied and you will be unable to change your travel. ('No-show' = Customers failing to join the group without notifying us)
Should you be unable to travel as a result of travel ban or closed borders, we will provide you with a travel credit for 100% of the value of your purchase. Â You will be required to provide documentation as proof of your inability to travel.
If you are unable to travel to Australia or Southeast Asia for an ULTIMATE tour due to any form of 'travel ban' or 'closed borders'Â enforced by your home country, a transiting country or because of a country you have recently travelled to, you are permitted to change your tour date for free, at any time outside of 14 days of your departure.
If your tour is impacted and suspended, we will be in touch via email. We rely on Government health department's and policy in addition and work toward meeting the travel industries minimum standards to make decisions regarding resuming our operations.Â
Booking with ULTIMATE is easy. Our tour deposits are fully flexible and you can change your tour date up until 14 days prior to departure, for free. We are expecting international travel to resume throughout 2021 and we are collectively excited to resume our operations and start delivering ULTIMATE travel moments once again.
Most of our tour destinations have different border or entry requirements and we can expect that to continue when our operations resume. It is your responsibility to ensure you are familiar with the local requirements to depart and return to your country of origin as well as what is required to enter your tour destination with your issued passport. We recommend contacting your governments foreign travel advice websites.
If you cannot travel, you should change your tour date outside of 14 days or 'open-date' your travel arrangements.Â
Masks may be required while on tour. We endeavour to make every effort to communicate the destinations covid-safe policies prior to your tour commencing. If the destination requires the use of masks in public places (eg. Public Transport or Tourist attractions) you will be required to do so. Disposable masks will be made available if they are required on tour.Â
Group sizes will be capped at 16.
As Covid-safe policies are eased, we will return to our standard maximum group size of 22 guests.Â
If you are unwell prior to your tour commencing, our standard terms and conditions apply. We would encourage you to change your date outside of 14 days prior to the commencement of your tour at no cost, or at a fee within 14 days of travel. Check out our booking policy here.Â
As of November 2020, we have not implemented any significant itinerary changes or removed inclusions. If we are required to amend an itinerary or substitute an inclusion, every effort will be made to replace components with equal or higher value.Â
Our ground teams and tour leaders will familiar with health policies in their destinations. Should you or other participants be displaying symptoms of Covid-19, our guides will advise you to separate as quickly as possible and get tested. Our team will be available to help contact your tour contact if necessary and assist with the process.Â
In the instance of a positive Covid-19 case on tour, we will need to advise the relevant local health authorities and inform the group. The tour will be suspended and group members will need to refer to the health policies and requirements of the destination government. If you are required to self-isolate or quarantine following the tour suspension, you may be required to do so at your cost. Our team will be able to continue to support the process and will encourage you to refer to your insurance policy provider to help with return travel arrangements.
If a tour is suspended as a result of a suspected or positive case of Covid, you will receive a tour credit for the remainder of your arrangements. You can refer to our booking policy for our refund and Force Majeure policies.
Yes. Travel insurance has always been a requirement to join our group tour and it is your responsibility to ensure that you have an appropriate level of coverage for any and all events relating to your coverage. We strongly recommend that you research and compare policy providers to check if you have coverage for any Covid related claims.Â