Health and safety

The health and safety of everyone on our tours is of paramount importance. Find out more about the steps we take to ensure your wellbeing

Activity Level Designations

Tour destinations vary in weather, activities, type of terrain and in the number and lengths of walks. Each tour is assigned an Activity Level that describes the conditions normally encountered. It is important to be aware of the Activity Level before booking to ensure you can enjoy the tour to the fullest extent.

EASY Mainly short walks (less than 1.6km/1 mile) with little elevation change (up to 100m/325 ft) on well-graded terrain with no steep or difficult sections; altitude below 2000m/6000 ft; weather not excessively warm (< 32˚C/90˚F) or cool (> 5˚C/40˚F); no special skills required. Suitable for occasional walkers.

MODERATE Mainly short walks (less than 1.6km/1 mile) but including one or more longer walks (up to 4.8km/3 miles) with modest ascent/descent (200m/650 ft); paths are well marked but may be rocky or slippery with some steep sections; altitude below 2500m/8000 ft; weather may be hot (> 32˚C/90˚F) or cold (< 5˚C/40˚F). May include activities such as rafting, horseback riding or snorkelling. Suitable for participants of average fitness. The longer walks are optional and GeoCultura can suggest alternative activities for that part of a tour.

CHALLENGING As MODERATE, except walks may be up to 16km/10 miles; elevation changes may exceed 300m/1000 ft and some sections may be steep, exposed or precipitous. A good level of fitness is required. The longer walks are optional and GeoCultura can suggest alternative activities for that part of a tour.

Participants are encouraged to assess their suitability for tour activities. The Tour Manager can usually suggest alternatives if someone prefers to skip a particular activity. Please contact GeoCultura with any questions about the physical requirements.

Our People

All GeoCultura tours will have a tour manager present, whose role is to ensure the safe management of the tour, oversee all participants and the environment and be a part of the leadership team with the tour leader. They have the authority to modify or prohibit any tour activity as part of their dynamic safety management.
GeoCultura tour managers have appropriate experience and training in many different areas of field safety and will dynamically manage tours in accordance with our HSE guidelines and external standards (BS8848).
All GeoCultura tour managers have been trained and hold a current first aid certificate appropriate to working in a field environment. Emergency action/response training is undertaken in conjunction with the base office.
Where appropriate, GeoCultura tour managers will have completed specific training relating to any specific field tour activity.
Our GeoCultura tour managers are all selected for their abilities, competence and experience in the field, which ensure the tours are managed with the highest standards of health, safety and environmental considerations.

Safety Management Systems

All tours have been scheduled around ideal seasonal conditions to minimize environmental hazards. Where necessary, pre-tour field reconnaissance will have been carried out.
GeoCultura monitors political and social conditions in countries where tours take place and will respond appropriately to any potentially hazardous situations.
To assist participants in their choice of tour, each tour is graded according to the physical demands that are placed on the participant. Each tour will also be assigned a kit list, which is sent to the participant as part of the tour Joining Instructions, in order to guide participants as to what personal clothing/equipment they should carry with them.
Some locations require specific safety equipment to be worn or used. Where this is the case, equipment fit for purpose will be provided and, where required, explanations will be given on correct usage.
Post tour documentation and actions are reviewed and, where necessary, appropriate improvements are made to the tour for future runs and successive planning.
The processes employed are both internally and externally audited and are aligned to BS8848 safety management systems.

Accessibility and Inclusiveness

GeoCultura believes that all tours should be inclusive.

Participants who may require assistance to access locations due to differing abilities, are requested to contact the GeoCultura office and discuss a plan of action to allow them to take part. GeoCultura staff have experience in assisting participants with differing abilities and will endeavour to facilitate attendance on their chosen tour.

Insurance and Medical Details

Participants are recommended to have travel and medical insurance and carry the details with them at all times.

What to bring

For every tour we provide participants with a detailed required kit list. However, some common items that are generally expected to be needed on a tour include:

Walking/hiking boots
Backpack
Sun protection e.g. broad-brimmed hat, sunscreen, sunglasses
Cold protection e.g. hat, gloves, spare clothes, fleece
Waterproofs e.g. jacket/shell and trousers
Personal first aid kit
Water bottle
Insect repellent
Personal medications