Let's Talk Fitness

Let's Talk Fitness

Are we the right fit for each other? Our itineraries can be physically challenging on some days and especially, for some parts of the world. And we want you to enjoy every minute of the tour, not struggle through it.

Our small group tours are crafted for independent travellers who live an active daily life. Our goal is for all our travellers to enjoy their tour, not struggle through it. While we don't put a specific age limit on our tours, we do impose a firm policy on the level of fitness and mobility required on our tours. We have a duty of care to all clients, ground staff and Tour Directors. It helps keep you safe, protects the wellbeing of the group and ensures everyone has a great experience. Plus, in some remote areas, medical facilities can be limited.
 
We request you to complete our online Mobility & Medical Disclosure form within seven days of booking your tour. Each traveller must fill out their own form separately.

If for some reason, you do not meet all the requirements in the form, you will be asked to provide an additional Fitness to Travel Declaration form signed off by a registered medical practitioner. Safety is non-negotiable and we do reserve the right to decline the booking if the physical demands of the tour can’t be met. Read our full list of Mobility & Medical Disclosure conditions below.

Typically, our tours would require you to:

  • Walk for 4–5 hours per day at a group pace, often in direct sunlight and on uneven surfaces, without using a walking aid;
  • Walk up multiple flights of stairs and short, steep hills without assistance;
  • Stand for extended periods, including in hot and/ or humid conditions, without needing to sit down;
  • Carry your own luggage (including to/ from hotels where porterage is not available);
  • Be comfortable using a combined shower/ bath (note: stand-alone showers cannot be guaranteed at all properties);
  • Get on and off various forms of transport, including small boats, multiple times each day without assistance;
  • Tolerate extended travel on rough, unsealed roads (particularly in destinations such as Africa);
  • Navigate archaeological sites, which are often uneven, unstable and slippery;
  • Manage time spent at high altitudes (up to 3,000–4,000 metres) in regions such as 5-Stans, Africa or South America;
  • Not have a medical or cognitive condition (whether diagnosed or undiagnosed) that may affect your ability to safely participate in all tour activities or independently manage your wellbeing, free time and respond independently to an emergency.

 

 

Disclosure of mobility or medical conditions

  • You must be able to declare that you are fit to travel independently and participate without requiring special assistance from our staff.

  • The declaration form needs to be filled for each passenger individually.

  • If you cannot make that declaration, or you disclose a medical or mobility condition, we may require a medical assessment from a qualified practitioner confirming your fitness to travel and participation.

  • If the assessment determines you are unable to travel safely, we reserve the right to cancel your booking and refund your payments.

  • Failure to provide a requested assessment within one month of booking will be treated as a cancellation by you, and our standard cancellation fees will apply.

 

Changes after booking

You must notify us immediately of any new or changed medical or mobility condition which could reasonably be expected to affect your fitness to travel or to participate safely without special assistance. The same provisions above apply - we may cancel your booking (treated as a cancellation by you) and standard cancellation fees will apply. For this reason, we strongly recommend you take out comprehensive travel insurance that covers changed medical conditions following your deposit payment.

 

Undisclosed or emerging conditions during the tour

If during the tour it becomes apparent that you have a medical or mobility condition (including cognitive or behavioural issues) which was not declared and that:

  • Materially affects your ability to safely participate; or
  • Places you, our staff, or others at risk; or
  • Requires special assistance we cannot reasonably provide; or
  • Unreasonably affects the tour’s usual operation;


Then:

  • We may terminate your participation in the tour;
  • No refund will be issued for any unused services; and
  • We may arrange your early return and/or additional support, and you agree to reimburse us for any reasonable costs incurred.

 

Travelling with a medical condition

Passengers must inform us and the service provider of any medical conditions which may affect your ability to participate in the tour.

We reserve the right to cancel your booking if any changed or non-disclosed medical conditions mean that you will require special assistance from our personnel which we cannot reasonably provide. We strongly suggest that your travel insurance policy includes comprehensive cancellation coverage.

We will not be liable for any damage, injury, death or loss of any kind arising from your failure to fully disclose relevant medical information or resulting from any pre-existing medical condition.

 

 

Let’s work together to ensure you can cope with the physical demands of our tours:

MOBILITY & MEDICAL DISCLOSURE FORM


If you do not feel that you can confidently manage all of the requirements set out above, please speak to your travel agent or our team of Travel Specialists on 1800 286 645