Covid-19 has had a deep impact on the way we lead our everyday lives. Staying safe is of utmost importance. And, even more so when we are traveling. We have tweaked our tour model to reduce interactions. We have also put together a few guidelines to help us stay safe during the tours.

Changes in Traveling withManish:

  • Smaller Group Sizes – While we were already operating with small groups compared to other operators, we have decided to bring down the group sizes further. On tours for 2021, we are looking at group sizes of only 4 to 6 participants.
  • Single Occupancy by default – All rooms and tents would be on a single occupancy basis by default. If you sign up for the tour with a companion, we will offer you double occupancy (at a discounted charge).
  • More Online Interactions – To improve the quality of interactions on the tours, we are moving the orientation sessions (pre-tour) and final group review sessions (post-tour) to the online medium. This will also help us reduce crowding during the actual tour and give us more time to spend in the field. The tour mentor will coordinate with the group to schedule these sessions. One to one review sessions will happen at the venue with the mentor, as always.

Preparation for the Tour:

  • Pre-trip briefing by a mentor about COVID-19 travel safety and hygiene precautions during the trip
  • We’ll also update you about any additional guidelines set by the hotel and the local/state governments.
  • Mandatory health check-up report for participants traveling to high altitude areas and remote areas
  • Make sure you have your hygiene kits with mask, sanitizer, and handwash for daily use throughout the course of the tour
  • Your luggage might be sanitized when you are checking into the resort/hotel/place of stay. It is recommended that you carry hand luggage, if possible.
  • Recommended to have travel insurance for the tour
  • Depending on the destination and the area that you’re traveling from, you may be required to carry a Covid-19 negative certificate (not more than 72 hours old). We’ll advise you on this a week before the tour.
  • Please maintain vigilance during the week preceding the tour. Please follow social distancing and hygiene protocols strictly to stay safe.
  • It is recommended to install the Aarogya Setu app on your phone.
  • You’ll need to fill up an online questionnaire the day before you leave for the tour. This questionnaire will have basic questions about your past travel if you’ve been infected with Covid-19, and contact with Covid-19 patients if any.

During Travel to your Destination:

  • Please follow social distancing and hygiene protocols during the travel (by air, train or road) to the tour starting point.
  • Travel, especially by air, has changed dramatically over the past few months (longer queues, online checkin, etc.) with a whole lot of procedures and protocols in place. Please ensure that you are up to date with your aircraft carrier’s latest policies.

During the Tour:

  • At the start of the tour, we’ll have a briefing about protocols to be followed during the tour.
  • Your luggage might be sanitized when you are checking into the resort/hotel/place of stay. It is recommended that you carry hard luggage, if possible.
  • Each participant must wear a breathable mask when in a group, without exception, and wash/sanitize hands frequently.
  • Daily touch-less temperature screening and SpO2 check-up for all participants, guides and photography mentor throughout the trip
  • If we are traveling in a closed vehicle between different locations on a trip, we’ll have only 3 passengers per vehicles throughout the trip. We will have the same vehicles and staff members on the trip.
  • On nature walks, please ensure that you maintain 6 feet distance from the next person.
  • Vehicles used for local travel will be sanitized every single day and the drivers follow the same safety standards as guests.
  • On our high-altitude tours, we will have Oxygen cylinder with the separate masks for medical emergencies, such as AMS.
  • Please maintain distance from the other participants and with the hotel/vehicle staff as much as possible.
  • If someone exhibits symptoms of COVID-19, that person will be immediately isolated from the group and plans will be made to get him/her medical attention, testing and quarantine. This could result in the termination of the workshop, solely at our discretion.

The new normal is here and it is important that we adhere to all of the above points to stay safe and enjoy the photography tour. If you have any questions about the above points or any suggestions on making our tours safer, please write to using the contact form. I look forward to travel with you soon.

Following all Government of India Covid-19 rules are mandatory.