Stone Expeditions

A lot of us are really eager to go outside, even if we’re still in the grip of a global pandemic. That is the nature of humankind. But, much as we would like to ignore the fact, we can not ignore the reality that we are still very much in a global pandemic. 

Our intent with this article is to not get into politics. It is to be more informative as to how to travel if you choose not to get a vaccine. The difficulty with this conversation is that our clientele are predominantly from the United States. In comparison with the general population of the world our quarantines and restrictions have been much less than in other parts of the world. Additionally as U.S. citizens we have better access to healthcare. So while traveling to developing nations one must be very cognisant of following protocols to help with local populations.

We strongly suggest getting vaccinated, however if you choose not to do so and you are still ready to travel here is some additional information for you.

How to travel if you cannot get vaccinated.

Most governments implement a strict “no-test no-travel policy”. The United States government, like most countries, allows its citizens to travel domestically and abroad without a vaccine provided they firmly stick to CDC guidelines.

You should get a viral test 1 to 3 days prior to traveling abroad. There are two types of viral tests: viral antigen tests and nucleic acid amplification tests or NAATs. You should also follow all guidelines that your airline has (if you’re traveling by plane) even if they are not the same as the US government requirements.

While traveling and when you arrive at your destination, make sure that you wear a mask when in public. You should also avoid being in a crowd and keep a 2-meter distance from the nearest person. Washing your hands regularly or using hand sanitizers is also a great way to avoid being infected. 

Traveling while unvaccinated.

Keep in mind that you are going to have to take an additional PCR or Antigen test within 72 hours of leaving the destination country so that you will be allowed to fly back to the United States.

Being an unvaccinated traveler, one of the more important things you should also think about is your mode of transportation to get to your destination. If you stop and think about it, it could be safer for you to travel by road than by plane or rail. You don’t have to worry about getting into crowded terminals along with a lot of people. Although many of them may have already gotten the vaccine, there’s no way to be sure that there are no traces of the virus in large and enclosed areas.

Best outdoor adventure activities for unvaccinated people.

There are a few countries that let unvaccinated travelers into their territory. Many of them even offer these five best adventures that you can do without being vaccinated. Let’s take a look at the top adventure choices for people who aren’t vaccinated yet.

Skiing. Although low temperatures alone is not a deterrent for the COVID-19 virus, skiing as an activity is perfect for those without the benefit of a vaccine. This also includes cross-country skiing, which you can do in some countries that accept unvaccinated Americans. The nature of the activity is so that you are not in close contact with other people. Sure, you and your skiing buddy may be within two meters of each other but that’s acceptable.

There is added protection when you bring your own skiing gear. The goggles and other items that cover parts of your face also add a layer of protection on top of distancing yourself from other skiers.

The best places to ski when you’re not vaccinated are in the United States, with almost everybody protecting themselves. These include the Aspen Mountains, the Squaw Valley near Lake Tahoe, the mountains in Vermont, and the ski resorts in Colorado. If you’re looking to go outside the country, you may want to check out the Les 3 Vallées region in France or Whistler Mountain in Canada.

Diving. As with skiing, diving is another activity that does not require you to be in close proximity with other divers. If you’re extra careful, you may even rent a boat that will carry only yourself and your companion. And while there is rental equipment available, the constant washing of seawater or lakewater virtually ensures the absence of the virus.

The tanks used are also relatively safe, thanks to the constant changing of the air inside them. Diving itself is, arguably, the safest adventure activity that you can do. You are surrounded by water and it’s like you are constantly washing your hands or bathing, which hinders the spread of the virus.

Great destinations include Thistlegorm and Shark & Yolanda Reef in the Egyptian Red Sea, the Great Blue Hole in Belize, and Blue Corner in Palau. For locations closer to home, you can go to Kailua Kona in Hawaii or the Channel Islands National Park in California.

Rock climbing. Nothing is more exhilarating than rock climbing, except possibly ice climbing but we’ll talk about that later. It is very exciting because the best climbs are done alone or with only one or two people. And not many climbers use the same route up. 

With these conditions, there is very little chance that you’re going to touch what other climbers have touched before, lowering the risk of transmission of the disease. This is a great activity for the adrenaline junkie since there are a lot of places with locations that are perfect for rock climbing.

Some of the best destinations include Chaltén Massif in Argentina, the Greek island of Kalymnos, and the Rocklands in South Africa. Great places within the United States are The Shawangunks in New York, and Wild Iris in Wyoming.

Ice climbing. This is the more difficult cousin of rock climbing since it involves ice; with a much more slippery surface and lower temperature, both of which hinder movement. However, this is a relatively safe activity for unvaccinated adventure buffs. Like skiing, the items that you use like masks, gloves, and goggles provide additional protection. And although you should ideally undertake this activity with a group, you have a reduced chance of spreading the virus since you will most likely handle most surfaces with a glove or implements like ice axes.

You may want to check out the Bugaboos in Canada if you feel like you’re up to a real climbing challenge. Other locations are the aforementioned Chaltén Massif, Rjukay in Norway, Kandersterg in Switzerland, and Ouray Ice Park in Colorado.

Kayaking and canoeing. Like many aquatic activities, those engaging in kayaking and canoeing benefit from being in the presence of a lot of water. The equipment used in these activities are almost constantly washed in water, whether you’re in a river, in a lake or on the ocean. If you love getting your heart racing by running through rapids or big waves, the water splashing over yourself and your oar means it’s like you’re taking a bath or washing your hands.

Some of the most awesome places to kayak are the Soca in Slovenia, the Seti in Nepal, and Green River in Utah.

Things to remember.

Keep in mind that although there are no restrictions on traveling without being vaccinated, you owe it to yourself and others to stop the spread of COVID-19. Although most governments encourage people to be inoculated, some still haven’t had a single dose for one reason or another.

That’s why you should follow safety and health protocols when going on an adventure trip and when traveling in general. This way, you not only protect yourself from being infected, you reduce the risk of others being infected as well.

Adventure is part of the human psyche. Feed your soul with the best adventure trips. Visit www.stoneexpeditions.com or call 925-336-6261.