With a continually evolving situation it is impossible at this time to predict when tours might return to normal, but we are monitoring the situation closely and stand ready to resume tours as soon as it is safe to do so. We will deal with tours in turn making final decisions as late as two months before departure, so if your tour is still several months in the future don’t worry, we are monitoring events and will keep you informed at the appropriate time.
We would like to reaffirm that all bookings with Birdtour Asia Limited are fully protected, you can be assured that when booking with us your money is fully protected allowing you to plan ahead with peace of mind. Should the tour be cancelled you will be entitled to a full refund, or a change to a replacement tour should you prefer.
Below is a list of 'birding' countries in Asia, and what the current restrictions are*, to give you a feel for what is possible in the coming months, for those visiting for tourism. It should be noted that Asian countries are generally not giving long-term forecasts, so we will continually monitor and update the situation throughout of region, in addition to communicating updates by email to those with forthcoming bookings.
For countries not listed, please refer to https://apply.joinsherpa.com
*as of 20 June 2022
Now open for fully-vaccinated foreign tourists. Visitors must produce a negative PCR test within 48 hours of first flight departure, obtain a visa beforehand and complete the necessary health declaration forms.
Now open for fully-vaccinated foreign tourists. Visitors must produce a negative PCR test within 72 hours of first flight departure, complete the necessary health declaration forms, and take a rapid antigen test on arrival. E-visas are also available as before.
Not yet open for general tourism.
Tourist visas are available and fully vaccinated tourists allowed quarantine-free entry from over 90 countries, including US, Australia, UK and most European countries from 14th February. See latest updates on the official Indian government website: https://www.mohfw.gov.in
This is a dynamic situation, with frequent changes to the list of 'at-risk' countries, as there is plenty of confusion at present. E-visas are available for most nationalities with the exception of the UK, due their reciprocal protocol.
Open for fully vaccinated tourists from most countries. Tourists must be fully-vaccinated, and there is no PCR pre-flight testing required.
For domestic flights, a booster vaccination is a mandatory requirements - otherwise a pre-flight covid test will be a required.
Visa-on-arrival has been reinstated for several entry points, costing $30 for 30 days (which is extendable by another 30 days at any immigration office).
Open for general tourism, though obtaining a tourist visa is a long process, requiring at least two months depending on nationality. More details to follow soon.
Not yet open for general tourism.
Not yet open for general tourism.
Open for fully vaccinated tourists from most countries, though several nationalities (including US and most of EU) are required to take a negative PCR covid test within 72 hours of international departure.
Open for fully vaccinated tourists from most countries. Tourists must be fully-vaccinated.
Open for fully vaccinated tourists from most countries. Only a negative PCR covid test, within 72 hours of flight departure is required, see here for details. A PCR test might be requested on arrival.
Not yet open for general tourism.
Now open for fully-vaccinated foreign tourists, without a PCR test. Visitors must completed international travel form, and hotel booking. Information can be found here regarding the government press release.
Quarantine-free entry is now permitted for fully-vaccinated foreign tourists, a negative Covid test is not required for entry. Travel within the Philippines is now open and almost all the birding sites are already accessible again.
Though the country is open for general tourism, the current political situation makes entering the country difficult.
Open for general tourism. Note that a negative PCR covid test is required within 48 hours of international departure, and also within 72 hours of arrival.
Now open for fully vaccinated tourists, with minor protocols to adhere to. This includes a negative PCR test result within 72 hours of first flight departure. As a part of obtaining the tourist visa, a $12 mandatory insurance is required, that will cover most of the expenses for Covid-19 infected travelers at private care centres. Please see https://srilanka.travel/helloagain/ for full details.
Fully vaccinated foreigners from several countries, including UK and US and several European countries are able to arrive in Singapore without any quarantine measures in place.
Fully vaccinated tourists arriving from a large number of countries including UK, US, Australia and EU countries are allowed to enter via air without having to quarantine or take a PCR pre-flight test.
For full details on the process and obtaining a 'Thailand Pass', see the government announcement here: https://tp.consular.go.th/home
Open for fully vaccinated tourists from several countries, without the need for a PCR covid test.
Open for fully vaccinated tourists from most countries. Tourists must be fully-vaccinated and provide a pre-flight negative PCR covid test.