We look forward to welcoming you on a tour soon! Traveling during this pandemic requires additional preparation to foster a healthy and safe on-tour experience for our travelers. We want your tour to be something to look forward to—not worry about. That’s why we will do all we can to give you peace of mind, from the moment you enroll until the day you return home. We are taking precautions to help protect the health and well-being of participants, while still providing an enriching and enjoyable experience.

Please know that we are monitoring this situation very closely. These precautions are based on current situations and may be adjusted as the Covid situation evolves.

Here are some of the enhanced measures we are currently planning for your next South Mountain Expedition based on the current situation. 

• VACCINATIONS

For peace of mind and protection, we require all South Mountain Expedition participants and Group Leaders to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 at least 14 days prior to their program.  This includes boosters if those are recomended by CDC. 

• FACE MASKS

Face masks are a simple and effective way to prevent illness. Participants must bring their own face masks to the program to be worn when required by local regulations or by establishments visited during the tour.  To prevent possibly spreading it to others, participants are encouraged to wear a mask indoors in public, especially if you have a weakened immune system or an underlying medical condition.

• HEALTH SCREENING

Prior to every program, participants must review and acknowledge our pre-program health screening checklist, which ensures you’re healthy to travel. When you arrive, we will conduct a verbal health screening check for any symptoms of illness.

• SANITIZATION    

All modes of transportation and program equipment will be sanitized regularly, with all high-contact surfaces disinfected between each use. We’ll work closely with our coach, restaurant and hotel partners to ensure they are following local sanitation guidelines and our standards.

• HAND WASHING

Washing hands and frequent use of hand sanitizer can’t be stressed enough. We ask that you bring hand sanitizer with you, and we will have hand sanitizer available as you enter and exit vehicles.

• DISTANCING

Your group may be separated into smaller groups for activities and meals. South Mountain will follow local rules regarding capacity limits for restaurant, transportation and meeting spaces. 

• MEALS

We’re putting extra thought into improving your dining experience. We will follow all the local health guidelines for food service. Additionally, meals may be served in small groups and will be individually plated as much as possible.

• LISTENING DEVICES

You will have your own personal listening device, which will enable you to listen to your instructor at a comfortable distance.

EVENTS THAT MIGHT TRIGGER A TOUR CANCELLATION:

When the risk assessment is too high, we act quickly to cancel the program and refund all monies. If South Mountain Expeditions cancels the tour for any reason, all payments will be refunded in full.

Reasons South Mountain Expeditions might cancel a tour: 1) If enrollments do not meet the minimum number required to operate; 2) If another dangerous wave of a Covid-19 variant changed CDC recommendations; or 3) The closing of a significant number of public venues in the destination that would prevent us from operating the trip as planned.