How is COVID-19 impacting your trips?

Note: We will continue to update this section with new information as we have it.

The wellbeing of our travelers, staff, and the communities we visit is our top priority. To help travelers stay safe and avoid contributing to the spread of the coronavirus, and due to travel restrictions in place around the world, we’ve suspended all our trips through the end of June. A number of trips in July and beyond have also been postponed. Trips taking place later in the year are set to proceed as planned, and we’re continuing to monitor the situation closely.

We know that many of our travelers have been looking forward to their trips for months and even years. Further, our trips are designed to have a positive impact on the individuals, communities, and places they visit. As long as travel can happen safely and responsibly, we’re committed to helping make these special experiences and positive impacts possible for our travelers and collaborators around the world.

To determine whether we can safely and responsibly run a trip, we’re continuing to work closely with the security and medical experts at Global Rescue, as well as contacts on the ground. We’re also following advisories from the Centers for Disease Control and the U.S. State Department as they continue to be updated, working to ensure we follow evolving travel guidelines Based on the information we have, we will proceed with scheduled departures to destinations where we’re confident we can operate safe, successful trips. You can find more information on our approach and decision-making process here.

As the world adapts to COVID-19, how is Atlas Obscura adapting its trips?

We’re working closely with an experienced team of advisors at Global Rescue to rapidly adapt how we operate our trips in response to COVID-19.  Our updated operational guidelines include adjusting our on-trip health, hygiene, and emergency-response protocols; conducting expanded trip leader training; establishing new standards for vetting all accommodations, restaurants, and transportation providers; and providing travelers with more resources both before and during the trip, including 24/7 on-trip access to Global Rescue’s travel-medicine specialists. As always, trip staff and leaders are expected to follow all local and international health, safety, and travel guidelines, as well as the guidance of the team at Global Rescue.

 By nature, Atlas Obscura trips tend to avoid crowded places where over-tourism is an issue. We’re now focusing even more on travel experiences that are off the beaten path and away from the crowds. If you’re curious to learn more about how we’re adapting and what new trips are in the works, we invite you to get in touch.

What happens if you cancel my trip due to COVID-19? Will I get a refund?

If we cancel your trip due to COVID-19, or for any other reason, you’ll receive a full refund of all payments made to Atlas Obscura. You’ll also have the option of applying your payment as a credit towards a future trip with us.

Keep in mind that flights, hotel bookings, or other travel arrangements made through third parties are subject to the cancellation terms and conditions of those providers. We always recommend purchasing travel insurance for any trip to ensure you’re protected.

We’re available to answer questions about travel during this time. Our office hours are Monday through Friday from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Eastern Time (GMT+5). Please get in touch via email or call us at (646) 961-4857.

What if I get sick or need medical help during my trip?

We work with Global Rescue, a leading emergency-medical assistance and evacuation provider for travelers. While their top priority is assisting in the event of an emergency, their team is available to travelers 24/7 for minor issues, as well—from helping out if you lose your luggage or passport to getting you on the phone (free of charge) with a travel-medicine specialist to make sure a sore throat or headache isn’t something more serious. They can also help arrange a visit to an approved local medical facility if you need in-person care. A Global Rescue membership for the duration of your time on tour is included in the cost of the trip.

I’m not sure organized group trips are for me. Are yours different?

Yes! Atlas Obscura is all about exploration and discovery. We create the kinds of travel experiences we'd want for ourselves, based on our database of the world's most unique places and foods. We'll provide you unparalleled access, in-depth storytelling, and of course, some freedom and flexibility to explore on your own. No big tour buses or boring tour guides to be found. As a result, our trips attract what we think are the most open-minded, curious, and easy-going travelers in the world. And that's the real secret! The company you keep when traveling makes all the difference.

Do you get many solo travelers on your trips?

We do—in fact, solo travelers make up about half of our small groups. With curiosity at the center of our experiences, there's a natural camaraderie that develops over the course of a trip. If you’re looking for an opportunity to travel with people who share your sense of curiosity, you’ll come away from these adventures with new travel buddies and lasting connections.

How old are the people who take your trips?

The average age of our travelers depends on the particular trip. Our owl-tracking trip in Utah, for example, has an average age of about 35. Our trips to the Balkans and Chernobyl, on the other hand, have had participants ranging from 18 to 78, with an average of about 45. We love the age diversity of our groups, and the different perspective everyone brings to the experience. If there's a particular trip you're curious about, we encourage you to get in touch and we'll give you a better sense of what to expect.

Who can join an Atlas Obscura trip?

We believe travel has the capacity to make us better global citizens, and we recognize that diverse groups of travelers enrich our trips for everyone. With this in mind, we strive to support inclusive group travel experiences across race, ethnicity, national origins, gender and gender identity, sex, sexual orientation, age, religion, class, and experience.

Where are most of your travelers based?

While most of our travelers are based in the U.S., people join our trips from all over the world. You do not need to be a citizen of a particular country, or coming from a particular place, to take one of our trips, though visa requirements for the countries visited often vary depending on citizenship. Since people are flying from many different places before meeting at the trip’s starting point, airfare is not included. We’ll provide detailed instructions on when and where to meet the group at the beginning of the trip.

Are your trips accessible?

We encourage all travelers to review the itinerary and pace of any trips that interest them prior to booking to ensure they can fully participate in all activities. We are happy to look into ways in which we can accommodate traveler needs or offer alternate activities where possible. If you have questions about whether an Atlas Obscura trip is right for you, please email us at trips@atlasobscura.com or call (646) 961-4857.

What is an all-women trip?

All-women trips offer a space for participants to travel as part of a community of women. Our all-women groups include travelers and trip leaders whose current birth certificate lists sex as “female,” as well as those who self-identify as women, regardless of the gender assigned at birth. Participants can join solo or with co-travelers. Like all Atlas Obscura trips, all-women trips offer the opportunity to engage in responsible travel, explore incredible places with local experts, and make new friends along the way. To learn more about what to expect on these trips and to determine if they’re right for you, contact us at any time.

Note: Atlas Obscura doesn’t ask for documentation to verify sex or gender identity. We may request identification, such as a government-issued ID or travel document. For example, some hotels require a passport copy to confirm a reservation.

What is a solo-only trip?

While we design all of our trips for independent travelers, solo-only trips are made up entirely of solo travelers. These trips are ideal for solo travelers who want to meet and travel with other solo travelers. Solo-only and regular departures of a trip have identical itineraries and happen around the same time of year, so that you can select the option that matches your travel preference. To learn more about what to expect on these trips and to determine if they’re right for you, contact us at any time.