Stone Expeditions

Like much of the rest of the world, we’ve been feeling the effects of all those months not being able to take a trip outside our countries for a vacation. The pandemic has put a damper on traveling for leisure as countries are clamping down on unnecessary risks. This puts some massive restrictions on non-essential travel, particularly due to health concerns and the paperwork that you need in order to prove that you are not a liability.

The sense of security is slowly recovering as vaccines for the COVID virus are being rolled out and general conditions in various countries are improving. Even then, some countries are still not open for people entering the country for tourism. But there are some places that are accepting tourists and, even though what you can do may be limited, these countries offer some of the best locations to visit right now. Here are the top 5 countries that you can visit and go on vacation to given the current Covid restriction.

Antigua and Barbuda

This small commonwealth country in the Caribbean has been one of the favorites for tourists. The pristine white beaches, the bright summer sun, and hospitable people attract visitors all year round to the two small islands that make up this tiny nation. 

The country was one of the first to lift their ban on leisure travel and started opening its borders to all kinds of travelers. They removed all nationality restrictions, no matter which country they travel from, in July 2020 and they’re still accepting tourists as long as they have a negative RT-PCR test result proving that they don’t carry the COVID virus, have a health declaration completed when they arrive, and submit to a mandatory health screening including a temperature check.

The country is famous for its water activities, such as sailing and diving, but that’s not all it can offer. It also has the largest colony of nesting frigate birds in the region. The weather is summery without being too hot. And its unique culinary delights will make you eat more than you thought you would, especially when accented by the islands’ signature hot sauce.

For the adventurous ones, ziplining from one island to another might appeal to you. For those into water activities, you can swim with stingrays and other fishes or dive into the reefs surrounding the islands. You can also find land-based adventures on this country’s primarily aquatic-based tourism like hiking and biking.

Egypt

Egypt was also one of the first countries, along with Antigua and Barbuda, to open its borders to tourism. Consistently one of the top tourist destinations in the world, the country found a way to continue letting tourists in at the height of the pandemic, and it continues to improve their health security measures to make sure that tourists continue to enjoy visiting all the attractions that it offers.

One of the things that they require from most tourists is a negative result from a PCR test taken within three days upon arrival. For certain circumstances, however, a traveler can provide a negative PCR test result taken within 96 hours before the trip. All tourists must have travel insurance and complete a health form when they arrive in the country.

Egypt is known around the world as one of the oldest civilizations in the world, with more than 3,000 years of history. That alone is a great reason to visit the country, starting with trips to the world-famous pyramids and onto lesser known but important ancient locations. You can also take a boat and sail on the Nile, the longest river in the world.

Egypt is not all about monuments and ancient history, however, as it offers a lot for people with an adventurous spirit. Travel through the upper Sahara Desert on camels, spend the night outdoors under the stars lit only by campfires, or go on a safari to the Hurghada, riding quad bikes. It’s safe to say that whatever you want, Egypt just has the thing for you.

Iceland

You’d think from the name that this country is a frozen land covered in ice but the dichotomy of this nation’s geology is what surprises tourists the most. Parts of Iceland are covered in glaciers and permafrost. More often than not, though, these places are also where you can find major volcanic activity. It is aptly named “The Land of Fire and Ice” because of this strange and rare phenomenon.

Unvaccinated travelers may find it tough to enter Iceland. They must provide a medical certificate stating that they have a negative result on a PCR test taken within 72 hours of their trip. They must also be tested two more times. The first is right upon their arrival and the second is five to six days after the first one. They should also be quarantined in between the two tests.

Vaccinated travelers are not required to have a test before departure but they need to have one when they arrive. If it comes up negative, then they are exempt from the quarantine.

Once you’re in, there’s a lot of adventure activities that you can do, including white water rafting on the country’s many rivers, whale watching, as well as hiking, climbing and camping on its huge glaciers.

Kenya

When you hear the word Kenya, you immediately think about lions, hyenas, zebras, and elephants. You won’t be wrong, but the country has a lot more going for it than its large cats, nomadic herbivores, and its ancient but threatened ecosystem.

Kenya immigration requires all travelers, vaccinated and unvaccinated, to show a negative PCR test result taken within 6 hours prior to departure to the country. This must be verified through the Trusted Travel Initiative by the Africa CDC. Visitors must also go online to the official Kenya website and complete a Traveler’s Health Surveillance Form.

Adventure safari trips are fairly common in Kenya and there are a lot of companies that offer such trips. Here you can see herbivores, carnivores, and scavengers, all supersized and in their natural habitats. If you’re lucky enough, you may even witness an eye-opening encounter between these large animals, of course within the safety of your group’s vehicles.

You can also go rock climbing, hiking and climbing in Kenya’s mountains. You can even engage in water activities such as kayaking, rafting, and diving in the country’s coast.

Peru

Peru opened its borders for tourists earlier than most other countries. Because of this, visitors have enjoyed its attractions, although in limited numbers in certain locations. Despite that, Peru is still one of the top destinations for tourists during the pandemic.

In order to enter the country, all travelers must provide proof that they have a negative result in a PCR test taken within 72 hours of their departure. Alternatively, they can show a medical certificate of epidemiological discharge. They should also complete a Sworn Statement of Health online not more than 72 hours prior to the time of travel. If you don’t want to go on a 14-day quarantine, you should take an antigen test upon arrival and get a negative result.

One of its perennial tourist draws is Machu Picchu, the most structurally intact of the remaining Incan cities. Zigzagging through the countryside are the Inca Trails, which are great for hiking and camping. Peru also has tall mountains and glaciers, which are great spots for rock and ice climbing.

Whether you are a first-time adventurer or a veteran traveler, it’s recommended that you learn about the country that you are going to and the requirements for entering that country. Let us help you. Call 925 336-6261or email info@stoneexpeditions.com if you have any questions. For more information, follow @stoneexpeditions on Instagram and visit www.stoneexpeditions.com.