Situation Updates

Travel is all about getting out of your comfort zone and trying new things. But we are committed to keeping you safe while you get out there and Run Wild. So there are times when we might have to cancel trips or change itineraries to avoid those pesky problem areas (you know who you are).

•  Geckos makes these kinds of decisions based on info from the Australian Government Department of Foreign Affairs & Trade (DFAT) travel advisory. We also check with our local operators, who are on the ground and can give us up-to-the-minute info on the mood and feel within country. We also consider info from other foreign government websites including Britain, Canada, New Zealand, United States and World Health Organisation.

•  Geckos tours will not operate if the Australian Government travel advisory reaches Level 5 - Do not travel

•  Where possible and safe to do so, Geckos will change itineraries to avoid trouble areas (we'll let you know if there's additional costs)

•  Decisions to cancel or change itineraries are made on a rolling basis, because 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 before to departure.

Middle East and North Africa

Egypt

The situation in most of Egypt is currently stable, and our groups are all having a wonderful time.  The runoff elections are set for 16-17 June. There has been some tension on the streets and demonstrations around Tahrir Square in Cairo, and while no animosity is directed towards tourists we continue to advise all groups to stay away from demonstrations. The tour leaders are locals who know what is going on and any places that may need to be avoided.

There has been a spate of security incidents in the St Catherine's Monastery area  and St Catherine's/Mount Sinai are to be avoided until further notice. We are monitoring the situation closely and will return groups to this area when it is safe to do so.

There is one road on the peninsula on which tourists are permitted to travel.  We will be using this road - from Suez, to the tip of the peninsula, to Sharm el Sheikh and then on to Dahab.  All tours will spend the night in Dahab instead of St Catherine's area.

While it is possible to visit St Catherine's from Dahab, our view is that it is not safe, even during daylight hours, and we strongly advise against doing this on your own volition during free time.

Last updated: 10:06am 7th June 2012

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 Geckos tours to Libya:
Geckos 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 Geckos tours to Syria:
Geckos has cancelled all travel to Syria. We will continue to monitor and review the situation and will update this information accordingly.
Last updated at 10:08am 7th June 2012