Travel Advice

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• Previous Experience: Due to the remote areas visited, you will need to have a good overall fitness level and be in good health to join one of our expeditions. Unless stated our expeditions are suitable for people with no experience of jungle trekking. However, to get the best from your expedition, we offer a  2-day preparation weekend in the UK More information will be provided with your booking confirmation.

• Lead Guide and local staff: Daniel will lead the expedition with local  indigenous guides, providing invaluable local knowledge. In addition to guides, we have our staff and local representatives to support the smooth running of the trip.

• Equipment: A detailed equipment list will be provided with your booking confirmation. We provide specialist equipment such as hammocks, water purification, machetes and other tools required for your expeditions. 

• Health: All our UK  Guides are expedition first aid qualified, and all our staff are first aid trained and carry a fully equipped first aid kit for medical emergencies. However, you should bring your own supplies of plasters, blister prevention, paracetamol etc. and any medication you are taking. Contact your GP around eight weeks before your trip to check whether you need vaccinations or other preventive measures. Further information can be found at  https://travelhealthpro.org.uk. Vaccinations commonly required / recommended are Hepatitis A, Tetanus, Typhoid and Rabies.  

• Mosquitos: Malaria and other diseases spread by mosquitos are prevalent across tropical environments. Seek medical advice prior to travel, especially if you are pregnant or have an underlying medical condition. Taking physical measures during your travel to reduce the risk of being bitten is by far the most effective form or prevention; wear suitable clothing, cover up whenever you can, use insect repellents and always use a mosquito net when sleeping even if in doors in an assumed screened room. If you become unwell on your return, make sure you tell your doctor about any trips abroad.

• Pre-existing medical conditions: The nature of many of the destinations we travel to means that they are unsuitable for those who have reduced mobility. However, please contact us to discuss the feasibility of creating a tailor-made itinerary that takes into consideration your level of mobility. It is essential that you advise us before booking if you do have any disability or pre-existing medical condition which may affect your ability to participate in the expedition, or if you have any special requirements as a result of any disability or medical condition so that we can assist you in considering the suitability of the expedition. Our expeditions are often in highly remote areas, many hours from the nearest medical facilities. Medical facilities are likely to be rudimentary with limited clinical support. 

• Special dietary needs and allergies: due to the remote destinations we visit, we can not accommodate special dietary needs or allergies and the risks involved with travelling in remote isolated terrain with limited infrastructure means we will be unable to cater for any serious illness as a result of an allergic reaction.

• ​Adults only: our expeditions are suitable for over 18s only, we can not accept bookings for anyone under 18 even if travelling with an adult.

• Insurance: To be adequately protected by travel insurance, you will need a specialist policy that caters for the activities and remote location of your trip with Merchant Traveller. It is a requirement of our booking conditions that you have such a policy. We will provide details of recommended insurance providers with your booking confirmation.

• Visas and Permission to travel: For UK guests, the latest travel advice can be found at https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice. We monitor British Government Foreign Office advice carefully and may be required to cancel trips, re-route itineraries or make other changes to trips based on the warnings given. Our priority at all time is your safety and security and the safety and security of our staff and our local partners. We will be communicated fully with you at all times.

• Flights: All our expeditions exclude international flights. PLEASE ENSURE YOU DO NOT PURCHASE YOUR TRAVEL (FLIGHTS OR OTHER) UNTIL WE HAVE GUARANTEED YOUR TRIP IS RUNNING.

• ​Security: Travelling through remote tropical environments inherently involves the risk of personal injury, illness, or death. Participants in these activities should fully understand and acknowledge these risks. Each participant is responsible for their actions and involvement. Opportunistic crime such as bag-snatching and pick-pocketing is unfortunately a fact of life anywhere. Use your common sense when walking around, leave all but essential valuables at home. We suggest carrying a photocopy of your passport separately from the original document, purely as a back-up.

• Additional Security measures: Expeditions to some high-risk areas will require additional personal protection. Although our aim when planning an expedition will be to remove and or minimise risk as far as possible, we may recommend training in advance of the expedition.

• Financial Security: We are bound by the UK Package Travel Regulations (PTR) obligations. Which means we must hold adequate insurance to cover our financial failure. This insurance means your money will be refunded or you will be returned to the starting point of your contracted arrangements if already abroad in the unlikely event of our being unable to provide your travel arrangements due to our insolvency. Please note: this insurance applies to our pre-arranged expeditions only. Expedition consulting is provided on an individual consulting service /supply contract basis and UK Package Travel Regulations (PTR) obligations may not apply.