Travel Advisory

Iran Update: 17 Apr 2013

An earthquake centered in southeast Iran close to the border with Pakistan has occured. This earthquake has not affected any areas World Expeditions trips visit and we expect all tours to continue as scheduled. We will continue to monitor the situation on the ground with our local partner. As always the safety of our travellers is our foremost priority. Further updates will be provided as necessary.  

Myanmar Update: 25 Mar 2013

In response to serious inter-communal violence in Meikhtila since 20 March, the Burmese government has imposed a state of emergency in four townships Meikhtila, Wundwin, Mahlaing and Thazi in the Mandalay region. Several National Travel Advisories are discouraging against all but essential travel to these four townships. All forthcoming World Expeditions trips are operational and contingency plans are in place to avoid these areas. As always the safety of our travellers is our foremost priority. Further updates will be provided as necessary.

Borneo Update: 15 Mar 2013

Due to recent clashes between Philippine armed intruders from the Sulu archipelago and Malaysian security forces in the eastern Sabah region, several National Travel Advisories are discouraging travel to the coastal regional of eastern Sabah, including Sandakan, as well as nearby islands and dive sites. Advice is also to exercise of a high degree of caution in other areas of Sabah. All forthcoming World Expeditions trips are operational and contingencies are in place to avoid spending time in eastern Sabah. As always the safety of our travellers is our foremost priority. Further updates will be provided as necessary.

Tibet update 18 Dec 2012

Tibet is currently open with permits being issued for 2 and more pax. If you are considering travelling as 1 person to Tibet permits will be granted on a case by case basis, please contact your World Expeditions office for more details if you are wishing to travel as a party of 1.

Tibet Update 3 Dec 2012

Tibet is currently open to foreign visitors under the below guidelines.

From 7 May 2012, the Chinese Authorities require that any groups travelling to Tibet must be a minimum of 5 persons, with each member being of the same nationality, to obtain permits to enter Tibet. World Expeditions will endeavor to match our groups accordingly. Please note that extension trips which we have offered at a minimum 1 person will now need to be a minimum of 5 people as per the above guidelines. In most cases this change is not going to affect the majority of our upcoming trips. If you  are travelling on any 2013 Tibet departures and you have any questions regarding departures please contact your World Expeditions reservations consultant or travel agent to find out if the changes will affect your travel plans. 

Egypt Update: 23 Oct 2012

Political rallies and demonstrations occur regularly across Egypt, particulalry on Fridays.  Recent demonstrations have degenerated on occasion into clashes between police and protesters. Demonstrations are mostly focused on Tahrir Square in Cairo, and some have ocurred outside foreign embassies. Demonstrations elsewhere in Egypt may include Alexandria. Travellers should avoid all protests and large public gatherings and pay close attention to personal security.  The security situation in most tourist centers, including Luxor, Aswan, and the Red Sea Resorts such as Sharm el Sheikh, continues to be calm. Travellers visiting these areas should pay particular attention to local conditions and follow the advice of local authorities, hotels and tour guides. Travel restrictions are in place for North Sinai (north of Suez-Taba road) but no World Expeditions itineraries visit this region. Travel restrictions are also in place for South Sinai with the exception of Red Sea resorts and road travel between these resorts and associated airports. All forthcoming World Expeditions trips are operational. Contingencies are in place to avoid spending time in Cairo, St Catherine and at Mt Sinai should the need arise. As always the safety of our travellers is our foremost priority. Further updates will be provided as necessary. 

Syria Update: 20 Oct 2012

Civil unrest continues to occur throughout Syria, affecting the entire country. Security along and entry / exit to/from any of Syria's borders cannot be guaranteed as those crossings that are open have been temproarily closed by the ongoing unrest at times. The Australian, UK, NZ & Canadian Government Travel Advices and the US State Department continue to warn against travel to all parts of Syria. In light of travel warnings that remain in place, World Expeditions’ scheduled departures to Syria have been cancelled until further notice.

Kenya Update: 28 Sep 2012

In 2012, there have been several  small explosions in Nairobi CBD. Reports suggest some of these explosions may have been a response by a Somali militant group to Kenya’s increased military involvement in Somalia as part of the African Union Forces but this has not been confirmed. No-one has claimed responsibility. No World Expeditions clients have been affected. The general feeling in Nairobi is business as usual. There is added security in shopping malls, parking lots, supermarkets, hotels and at airports. World Expeditions visit places and stay at hotels outside the Nairobi CBD. All clients visiting Nairobi are strongly advised to pay close attention to personal security at all times and heed the advice of local authorities, hotels and tour guides. You should avoid the central CBD area and low income areas of the city particularly Kibera, Mathare, Kasirani and Eastleigh. Govt Travel Advice warns not to travel to the border regions with Somalia, South Sudan, Ethiopia and the A2 highway north of Isiolo. None of these regions are visited on World Expeditions itineraries. Govt Travel Advice also warns not to visit Lamu district. World Expeditions trips to Lamu are not operational until further notice. Our local partners and other tour operators in Kenya continue to host many visitors from around the world. There are no travel restrictions in place for Kenya overall. All World Expeditions trips to Kenya are operational as normal, as are transits through Nairobi to other East African countries. Contingencies will be put in place to avoid spending time in Nairobi should the need arise. As always the safety of our travellers is our foremost priority. Further updates will be provided as necessary.

Lebanon Update: 15 Nov 2012

There has been some tension in Beirut in recent months, including random explosions and violent demonstrations, with sporadic closure of the main road leading to the international airport. Regions of the Bekaa Valley where World Expeditions scheduled itineraries visit have Govt Travel Advice restrictions due to proximity to the Syrian border. There is potential for violent protests in any part of the country, particularly Beirut, after the death of the country's security chief in October. All World Expeditions scheduled departures have been cancelled until further notice.