COVID-19 UPDATE

As we all know, the world has been turned upside down since COVID-19. As of February 2022, we are happy to see the world warming up to opening its doors to international visitors. Asia seems to be one of the last out of the gate, but slowly but surely, we will get there. 

Below please find additional details about each country’s entry status, our cancellation policies and other useful resources to help you stay informed for your long-awaited trip abroad. 

Where does Explorient stand on all this?

No surprise to anyone, the travel industry has been devastated by COVID-19 and Explorient is certainly not immune. The good news is we have weathered the storm and look to emerge stronger then ever! During this “quiet period”, we have implemented a new state-of-the-art website, started to expand our products to cover Latin America, and worked with our partners to implement a set of safety protocols to ensure our trips are safe and worry-free. Such measures include: 

Personnel Health: Explorient and our partners have mandated regular temperature checks and COVID-19 tests to help ensure they are healthy. All drivers and guides wear masks and maintain appropriate social distancing during their time with you. Extra masks and hand sanitizers will be equipped in all vehicles. 

Sanitized Vehicles: your private vehicles will be fully sanitized after each use, and will be stocked with hand sanitizer and face masks.

Hotel Safety: Where you stay is an integral part of any vacation – something we well know and take very seriously. All hotels featured in our programs have been thoroughly vetted to ensure stringent safety protocols are implemented and followed. And because the vast majority of the hotels we use are of international chain properties, they have standardized procedures as well as the latest sanitizing equipment to ensure the safety and comfort of their guests.

Around the clock support: as always, 24/7 support is available both on the ground as well as at our U.S. office. And because of our deep relationship with our overseas partners, the local staff is empowered to do whatever is right to situate our esteemed travelers no matter the situation, swiftly and decisively.

Flexible Booking: we know these are uncertain times and things can change anytime without notice. If you’ve booked a trip with us and need to change or cancel, don’t worry. In most cases, your funds will be fully transferred (except where a given supplier such as airlines imposing cancellation fees in accordance to their policies) torward a future trip. Please have a look at our COVID-19 related cancellation policy below for details.

Notable Travel Restrictions / COVID-19 Measures Imposed by Country 

The below section summarizes current travel restrictions/guidelines/recommendations for each of the destinations we service. Please note that as the COVID-19 situation remains fluid, always check with the respective government sites (both here and abroad) for the latest up-to-date information.

Bhutan: 

• • Bhutan is closed for tourism until further notice.

          Cambodia:

• • Vaccinated travelers from U.S. and Canada can enter Cambodia without quarantine

Chile:

• • Vaccinated travelers from The U.S. and Canada may enter with negative PCR Test results before and upon arrival. 
  • Passengers are to wait for the negative test result at Santiago Airport upon arrival. 
  • All international passengers must show proof of a negative COVID-19 PCR test taken within 72 hours of arrival. If an arriving passenger does not show proof of a negative test result, or displays symptoms on arrival, they are subject to quarantine for 14 days.
  • Travel insurance is required to cover medical expenses of up to US$30,000. 

China:

• • Most foreign nationals are currently not permitted to enter China at this time. 

Colombia:

• • Fully vaccinated travelers can enter Colombia without quarantine. 

  • Travelers with incomplete vaccination, must present a negative PCR test taken within 72 hrs before arriving in Colombia

Ecuador:

• • Fully vaccinated travelers can enter Ecuador without restriction. 
  • A negative PCR test result (within 72 hours of arrival) is only required for who are NOT fully vaccinated.
  • Arrivals who test positive for the antigen test must self-isolate for a period of 10 days in a government-mandated shelter.

  • Entry is prohibited for travelers coming from or having made a stopover in South Africa, Botswana, Egypt, Mozambique, Lesotho, Zimbabwe, Eswatini (Swaziland), and Namibia. Travelers arriving from India: even if they have only transited the countries, must present a negative PCR test, taken up to 72 hours prior to boarding their flight, regardless of whether they are fully vaccinated or not. These passengers must self-isolate for 10 days either in a private home or in a hotel, at their own expense.

Hong Kong:

• • Most foreign nationals, including those of United States and Canada, are NOT permitted to enter Hong Kong.
  • Passengers transiting through Hong Kong International Airport (HKG) must transit on the same calendar day and on the same ticket. 

India:

• • Fully vaccinated travelers from the U.S. and Canada can enter India without restrictions. 

Indonesia:  

• • Fully Vaccinated travelers can enter Indonesia no restrictions, pre and post-arrival testing, or quarantine requirements.

Japan:

• • Most foreign nationals, including those of United States and Canada, are NOT permitted to enter Japan.
  • Passengers transiting through Tokyo Narita Airport (NRT) must transit on the same calendar day
  • For detailed travel restrictions and most up to date information, please visit the Japan National Tourism Office website.

          Laos:

• • Fully Vaccinated travelers can enter Indonesia no restrictions, pre and post-arrival testing, or quarantine requirements.

Macau:

• • Most foreign nationals are NOT permitted to enter Macau regardless of vaccination status. 

Malaysia:

• • Fully Vaccinated travelers can enter Indonesia no restrictions.
  • Pre arrival testing is required with negative test result within 48 hours of departing flight 

Myanmar:

• • Foreign nationals are NOT permitted to enter Myanmar until further notice.
  • All international flights to/from Myanmar are suspended until further notice.

Nepal:

• • Vaccinated travelers from the U.S. and Canada may enter Nepal without quarantine.

Peru:

• • Travelers from Botswana and South Africa are currently prohibited from entry. 
  • For all other nationals, fully vaccinated travelers can enter Peru without restriction. 
  • A negative PCR test result (within 72 hours of arrival) is only required for who are NOT fully vaccinated.
  • Arrivals who test positive for COVID must self-isolate.

South Korea:

• • Vaccinated travelers may enter South Korea
  • Pre and post-arrival PCR Testing are required. 

Singapore:

• • Vaccinated travelers from The U.S. and Canada may enter Singapore without restrictions. There are no pre and post-arrival testing requirements. 

Taiwan:

• Most foreign nationals, including those of United States and Canada, are NOT permitted to enter Taiwan.
• Passengers transiting through Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport (TPE) must do so on a (1) designated carrier; (2) all flights on the same ticket by the same carrier; and (3) with a layover of under 8 hours. 

Thailand:

• • Vaccinated travelers from The U.S. and Canada may enter Thailand without restrictions. There are no pre and post-arrival testing requirements. 
  • All international arrivals must obtain insurance coverage of at least US$ 10,000 for medical expenses. 

Vietnam:

• • Effective March 15, vaccinated travelers can enter Vietnam 
  • Travelers must obtain a negative PCR Test or Antigen result within 72 and 24 hours of their departure flight to Vietnam, respectively. 
  • Travel must be arranged via a travel package by an approved tour provider.

  • Medical/travel insurance coverage with a minimum of $10,000 for medical expenses.

 Our COVID-19 Cancellation Policy 

In light of these uncertain times and how the Coronavirus has affected all aspects of our lives, our number one priority is the safety of all of our customers. Below lists several types of trip payments and their respective policies should you decide to cancel or postpone your trip: 

• Trip Deposit: Your $400 per person trip deposit can be applied toward your next trip with us. Any trip and with no expiration. 

• Prepaid Items:
  • For hotels and land arrangements made by Explorient, cancellation fees/penalties will be waived in most cases under the circumstances.

• • However, depending on the trip you booked, prepaid items such as air tickets, cruise fares, or non-refundable hotel reservations (very rare and unless explicitly advised) are collected either at time of reservation, or at some point prior to your departure. Since these payments are made to outside vendors, such as airlines, we’re unfortunately at the mercy of their cancellation/refund policies. Our team will do everything possible to work with the respective vendors to minimize your out-of-pocket expenses. Provided below are links to the respective airlines’ cancellation waiver policies for carriers we frequently use on our trips.

• • • • Cathay Pacific Airways
      • Singapore Airlines 
      • UNITED
      • Delta Airlines
      • American Airlines 
      • Japan Airlines 
      • All Nippon Airways 

• Partial or Full Trip Payment: If you have already made partial or final payment for your trip, the refund/cancellation policy outlined in the above two sections apply. All remaining monies will be refunded in full. 

A Note About Travel Insurance Coverage

Helpful Travel Tips 

To minimize your exposure to the virus, everyone is advised to practice social distancing when possible. Please adhere to the following tips for your safety and the safety of others:

• Wear a face mask on planes, trains, and all public areas
• Maintain social and physical distances for those not in your party (including guides, drivers, hotel staff, etc.)
• We recommend checking the World Health Organization’s page for updates. Click here to visit their site

Useful Resources 

• World Health Organization (WHO)
• Center of Disease Control (CDC)
• Travel Advisories issued by U.S. Department of State
• TravelBan.org
• Worldwide COVID-19 by Cathay Pacific Airways

A Word from Explorient

These are unprecedented and uncertain times for all of us. We at Explorient will do everything we can to support our travelers. We recognize that for most of us, this means postponing a trip that was already booked or delaying plans to make reservations – please assured our team will always present information and suggestions in the interest of our passengers – no one else’s. And we will always be up-front about potential change/cancellation fees as well as negotiating with our partners to mitigate any that arise. If you have any questions or concerns, please do feel free to give us a call. We look forward to working with you now or in the future. Until then, be safe, be well and be healthy.