All travel and in-country Covid restrictions have now been lifted in the countries that we visit and travel for tourism is back to normal – so you no longer need masks, vaccination certificates or covid tests on any of our trips.
If the situation changes, we will post updates and let you know. For further updates, please sign up to our newsletter, or follow the Alpine Guides Facebook page!
For information about current Covid travel rules in the EU, visit Re-open EU
For information about the travel situation to other countries for UK citizens, visit the FCO website
Booking Information
The same as throughout the Covid pandemic, if we have to cancel your trip due to Covid-19 restrictions being imposed by the Uk FCO or within a destination country, then we will offer a full refund of all fees paid to Alpine Guides.*
Financial Security Through our membership of ABTOT, all of our package holidays are fully insured and fully compliant will all UK/EU Package Travel Regulations – please see our Financial Protection page for more information.
*Refunds include all package holiday/guiding fees paid to Alpine Guides. We cannot offer compensation for cancelled flights or other travel/logistical costs, but these may be covered by your own holiday in
Covid FAQs
Below you will find some common FAQ’s regarding Covid-19. If you have any other questions not answered below, please get in touch.
*Refunds include all package holiday/guiding fees paid to Alpine Guides. We cannot offer compensation for cancelled flights or other travel/logistical costs, but these may be covered by your own holiday insurance.
Q – Will I get a refund if Alpine Guides cancel my holiday due to Covid-19?
A – If we have to cancel a holiday due to Covid-19, then you will receive a full *refund within 14 days. Alternatively, if you prefer to transfer your booking to another available holiday on our program, then we will happily arrange this for you. There will be no amendment fee for this – if it’s a more expensive trip, you simply pay the difference and if it’s a cheaper trip, we’ll refund the difference.
Q – Will Alpine Guides cancel my holiday and refund me if the Uk Government are advising against travelling to the country I am due to be visiting?
A – Yes. If the Uk Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) are advising against all but essential travel to the country you are due to be visiting and there is no prospect of this advice being changed prior to the trip start date, then we will cancel the holiday and offer a *refund.
Q – Will Alpine Guides cancel my holiday and fully refund me if the area I am due to be visiting is placed in a local lockdown?
A – Yes. If the area/region you are due to be visiting on your trip is placed under local lockdown restrictions that prevent the trip from taking place and there is no prospect of these being lifted prior to the trip start date, then we will cancel your trip and offer a *refund.
Q – When will Alpine Guides make the decision to potentially cancel a holiday due to Covid-19?
We constantly monitor the latest Uk FCO, EU and in country advice regarding international travel. As the last 2 years have shown, the situation can change very quickly, but whenever possible we try and make decisions as far in advance as possible. We review travel advice at 4 – 5 weeks before departure and if it is looking certain that a trip will not be running due to Covid or other reasons, then we will make the decision to cancel at this time. If a destination is currently subject to restrictions, but there is a chance these may be lifted prior to departure date, we aim to make a decision at a minimum of 21 days before departure. Where a destination is ‘open’ for travel, but becomes subject to restrictions within 21 days of departure, we may have to cancel a trip at short notice.
Q - Can I cancel or change my holiday?
If you choose to cancel a holiday that is still going ahead, then you must notify us in writing as soon a possible and our standard cancellation terms will apply, namely: 56+ days (8 weeks) prior to departure = loss of deposit, 56-28 days = 50% of cost, 28-0 days = 100% of cost. If you would like to amend or change the date of your holiday, please notify us as soon as possible – we will do our best to make the change, but cannot guarantee to do so. Any additional costs due to difference in holiday price will also be payable. Alternatively, you may transfer your booking to another person who satisfies all conditions for the trip (including health, fitness and experience requirements). In order to do so, you must give us notice in writing of your intention at least 7 days before the trip is due to start. We will inform you of any additional costs relating to the transfer of your trip.
Q - Will Alpine Guides refund me if I have to cancel my holiday due to showing Covid-19 symptoms or being required to self isolate a week or two prior to the trip commencing?
A – If you have to cancel the holiday then we will not be able to offer you a full refund, as we will still be liable to costs from suppliers. If we are able to resell your place to someone else, then we will give you a full refund. If we are unable to resell your place, we will refund you any recoverable costs and you may be able to make a claim for the balance on your insurance; we know many insurers will cover Covid-19 on a personal illness basis. We would suggest that you check this with your insurer at the time of, or before booking your holiday with us.
Q - Will I need to self-isolate/quarantine during or after my holiday?
A – If the country you are due to be visiting is requiring quarantine upon entry for Uk arrivals, then we will cancel the holiday and offer a *refund. For quarantine restrictions on return into the Uk, the situation is more complicated. We are an English registered limited company governed by English Law, which means we must follow FCO travel advice (travel regulations for England correspond with FCO advice). Therefore, if the FCO are allowing travel to the country you are due to be visiting, then your trip will be going ahead and you won’t have to quarantine on return to the Uk, so long as your home nation travel regulations correspond with FCO advice. If you are resident in a Uk home nation that has announced stricter regulations than FCO advice however, then you may be required to self-isolate/quarantine upon your return to the Uk and a refund will not be available in this situation. There are separate exemption lists for England, Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales, so you need to check the regulations within your home nation.
Q - What happens if the trip location is 'open', but a transit country I am travelling through in order to join the trip is 'closed'?
A – The trip will still be going ahead, so you either need to fly into the same country as the trip meet up location, or be prepared to make alternative travel arrangements if a transit country becomes ‘closed’. We have modified trip itineraries to avoid transit countries/border crossings as far as possible, but for some destinations this is still a common travel plan. Eg Flying into Geneva for Chamonix – if Switzerland closes, you will need to fly into an alternative French airport, such as Chambery, Grenoble or Lyon and travel to Chamonix from there.
Q - What happens if one of the countries visited on my alpine training course is 'closed' - will the course still go ahead?
A – If France is closed but Switzerland is open, we will meet in Martigny and run the course from there (we did this successfully in summer 2020). If more than one country is ‘closed’, the trip will be cancelled and you will receive a full refund.
Q - Can I still share a twin room with another trip member from a different household?
A – Yes! If you prefer a single occupancy room, please select this option when you book.
Q – What if the Uk Government add the country I am in to a 'no travel' list whilst I am on holiday?
A – If the Uk government add the country you are in to a ‘no travel’ list whilst you are on your trip, then unless advised otherwise by the government, your holiday will carry on as normal. Upon your return to the Uk, you will then need to follow any relevant advice provide by the Uk government. For example, this may mean needing to quarantine upon return to the Uk.
Q - What happens if I am tested at the airport and I am unable to fly, or enter the country? Will Alpine Guides refund me?
A – If you are unable to fly and therefore have to cancel your holiday, we will not be able to fully refund you, but we will refund any recoverable costs. You may be able to make a claim on your insurance; we would suggest that you check this with your individual insurance provider to clarify if this is covered.
Q - What happens if I show Covid-19 symptoms whilst on my holiday?
A – You will have to follow local guidelines and contact your insurer about medical treatment or repatriation if appropriate. Please also ensure that you notify us and we will do our best to support you where necessary.
Q - I have been classed as vulnerable by the government; can I still book a holiday with you?
A – Yes, the risk is yours to take although we advise you to think carefully before doing so. Please also remember to contact your insurers to declare any pre-existing medical conditions and ensure that your medical record with us is up to date.
Please refer to our booking conditions for full terms and conditions.
Insurance
BMC mountain rescue insurance includes cancellation cover if you catch Covid-19 in the run up to your trip, and medical and repatriation cover if you catch Covid-19 whilst on your trip. See our insurance page for details on the BMC policy – this cover is only available to UK residents. Use this link to book your BMC insurance.
Snowcard offer similar Covid cover to BMC. This cover is only available to UK residents. Please see the Snowcard website for more info:
https://www.snowcard.co.uk/content/coronavirus-covid-19-information
Other insurers may also offer similar cover – please see our insurance page for more info.
