From time to time travel conditions in the countries we operate in can and do change. The safety and well being of our clients and staff is always of paramount importance to us and there are times when we are called upon to consider either cancelling trips or making changes to our itineraries to avoid problem areas.
• Gecko's makes these decisions based on information obtained from the Australian Government Department of Foreign Affairs & Trade (DFAT) travel advisory and our own Local Operators, who are able to provide us with up to the minute information on the mood and feel within Country. Other important sources of information we consider include travel advisories from other foreign government websites including:
- Britain
- Canada
- New Zealand
- United States
- World Health Organisation
• Gecko's will not operate tours when the Australian Government travel advisory reaches level 5 ‘Do Not Travel’.
• Where possible and safe to do so, Gecko's will reroute itineraries to avoid the areas concerned and additional costs may be incurred.
• Decisions to cancel or re-route upcoming tours are made on a rolling basis, as situations and DFAT advice can change at any time. Where the advice is temporarily at ‘Do Not Travel’, we will review the status of our tours approximately 2 weeks prior to departure.
Last updated 10:50am 24 January 2012
Nepal
We expect another day or two of bad weather and flight delays in Lukla. We have choppers on standby and are doing our best to get our trekkers to/from Lukla. It is highly unlikely that trips will be delayed or affected.
Status of Gecko's tours to Nepal:
No trips affected.
Last updated 3:50pm 14 November 2011
South East Asia
Flooding in Thailand
The flood waters in the Bangkok area are now receding to the north and roads and train lines are re-opening.
Status of Gecko’s tours to Thailand:
Beachcomber (GTBC) due to depart 20 November 2011 has been cancelled. All clients booked on this tour will be notified.
The following tours have changes to itineraries:
Siam Encounter (GTSE) due to depart 19 November 2011 has been changed. All clients booked on this tour will be notified.
Hill Tribes & Beaches (GTHB) due to depart 19 November 2011 has been changed. All clients booked on this tour will be notified.
Northern Thailand Encounter (GTEN) due to depart 20 November 2011 has been changed. All clients booked on this tour will be notified.
Totally Thailand (GTTO) due to depart 20 November 2011 has been changed. All clients booked on this tour will be notified.
Thailand in Depth (GTTD) due to depart 20 November 2011 has been changed. All clients booked on this tour will be notified.
Bangkok to Phnom Penh (GTBP) due to depart 23 November 2011 has been changed. All clients booked on this tour will be notified.
Laos & Cambodia (GTLC) due to depart 23 November 2011 has been changed. All clients booked on this tour will be notified.
Highlights of Laos (GTLS) due to depart 23 November 2011 has been changed. All clients on this tour will be notified.
Last updated at 10:32am 17 November 2011
Flooding in Vietnam
There has been flooding in central Vietnam which has caused the cancellation of the public train between Hue and Hanoi.
Status of Gecko’s tours in Vietnam:
No Gecko’s tours have been affected and all tours are running as scheduled.
Flooding in Cambodia
Heavy rain in Cambodia has caused flooding in many areas of the country especially around the Tonle Sap (lake) and Mekong River.
Status of Gecko’s tours in Cambodia:
All trips are running as scheduled. For the comfort and safety of guests some minor amendments have been made to itineraries. In Siem Reap the highlight temples of Angkor Wat, Angkor Thom and Ta Prohm are all accessible. However, some road works are underway to repair flood damaged areas. The Old Market and Pub Street area of Siem Reap has flooding but businesses are still operating as usual. We recommend clients bring rubber sandals or flip flops for walking around wet streets.
Last updated at 3:38pm 20 October 2011
South and Central America
Hurricane Rina
Hurricane Rina is due to hit Cancun and the east coast of Mexico on the afternoon of Thursday 27 October local time. The hurricane is currently category 2, however it is expected to be upgraded to category 3 by the time it hits the Mexican coast.
Status of Gecko’s tours in Mexico:
All Gecko’s tours currently in this area will have moved inland prior to the hurricane reaching land.
For information regarding hurricanes in this region the best website to visit the National Hurricane Website
Last updated 11:10am 26 October 2011
Flooding in Central America
Heavy seasonal rains in Central America have triggered flooding in Mexico, Guatemala and El Salvador.
Status of Gecko’s tours in Central America:
No Gecko’s tours have been affected.
Bariloche, Argentina
There are ongoing issues with Bariloche Airport, the airport has been closed regularly due to Ash from the Puyehue Volcano since it first erupted in early June 2011.
Status of Gecko’s tours in Argentina:
The airport is expected to be closed until 20 December 2011 and we are rerouting clients’ flights from the closest airports at Esquel and Neuquen. The airlines are providing a bus service between these airports and Bariloche.
Last updated at 11:35am 24 October 2011
Middle East and North Africa
Libya
The latest government Travel Advice for Libya is "DO NOT TRAVEL”.
Australians should familiarise themselves with the Australian Government travel advice. Other nationalities should familiarise themselves with their own government’s travel advisory website.
Status of Gecko’s tours to Libya:
Gecko’s has cancelled all tours to Libya. We will continue to monitor and review the situation and will update this information accordingly.
If you have any queries, please contact your travel agent or Gecko’s.
Last updated at 4:05pm 20 October 2011
Syria
The latest government Travel Advice for Syria is "DO NOT TRAVEL”.
Australians should familiarise themselves with the Australian Government travel advice. Other nationalities should familiarise themselves with their own government’s travel advisory website.
Status of Gecko’s's tours to Syria:
Gecko’s has cancelled all travel to Syria until 1 April 2012. We will continue to monitor and review the situation and will update this information accordingly.
Last updated at 4:05pm 20 October 2011
Turkey
An earthquake has struck the eastern Turkey province of Van. The town of Ercis, close to the Iranian border and the town of Van have been the worst affected by the disaster.
Status of Gecko’s’s tours in Turkey:
Our Gecko’s tours do not travel anywhere near this part of Turkey and none of our groups have been affected.
Last updated at 11:17am 24 October 2011
