United States

The United States offers extraordinary national park landscapes, vast wilderness areas and diverse ecosystems, with the best regions to explore including Alaska, the American Southwest, the Rocky Mountains, the Pacific Northwest and Yellowstone.

Alaska Wilderness: Alaska’s immense wilderness combines glaciers, fjords and rugged mountains explored through trekking and expedition travel in remote landscapes.

American Southwest & Canyon Country: The desert landscapes of Utah and Arizona reveal dramatic canyon systems and sandstone formations explored on walking and trekking routes.

Rocky Mountains: The Rocky Mountains stretch across the western United States offering outstanding trekking through alpine valleys and high mountain scenery.

Pacific Northwest: Washington and Oregon combine volcanic peaks, temperate rainforest and dramatic coastlines ideal for wilderness exploration.

Yellowstone & Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem: Yellowstone’s geothermal landscapes and vast wildlife habitats create one of North America’s most remarkable national park environments.

The best time to travel to United States for hiking, trekking and adventure touring is generally during spring and autumn when temperatures are mild and landscapes are vibrant.

United States has a varied temperate climate with warm summers and cooler winters. Temperatures typically range between 5°C and 30°C (41°F–86°F) depending on the region.

Summer often brings long daylight hours and green countryside, while winter can offer crisp air and quieter destinations for travellers exploring natural and cultural landscapes.

Throughout the US various time zones are adhered to:

Eastern Time is -5 hours behind UTC/GMT

Central Time is –6 hours behind UTC/GMT

Mountain Time is –7 hours behind UTC/GMT

Pacific Time is –8 hours behind UTC/GMT

Alaska Time Zone is –9 hours behind UTC/GMT

Hawaii-Aleutian Time is –10 hours behind UTC/GMT

English, Spanish, Indo-European languages, Asian and Pacific island languages

US Dollar

ATM's and credit cards are widely available/accepted.

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Electricity in The United States is 120 Volts, at 60 hertz. The most common pin type is A. (2 flat prong).

All travellers will require a valid passport to enter the United States and your passport should still be valid for 6 months after you return from your trip. If you are travelling on more than one passport, please use the same passport for the entire trip.

The following information also applies to visitors entering the USA under the Visa Waiver Program (including Australian, New Zealand, and British citizens):

As of April 1, 2016, all travellers must have an e-passport to use the VWP. An e-Passport is an enhanced secure passport with an embedded electronic chip. E-Passports are issued by the proper passport issuing authority and must meet international standards for securing and storing information corresponding to the passport and bearer.

More information can be found on CBP.gov

All travellers wishing to enter the US under the VWP will need to hold a passport possessing specified security features. Visa Waiver Program requirements are:

The passport must have a machine-readable zone on the biographic page.

The passport must be an electronic passport with a digital chip containing biometric information about the passport owner.

It is your responsibility to ensure you have the correct passport and that there are sufficient blank pages for any visas required and for entry/departure stamps.

Many travellers to the United States (including Australians, New Zealanders and British) entering the country require a prearranged, approved Electronic System for Travel Authorisation (ESTA). This is obtained electronically for passport holders from countries eligible for the Visa Waiver Program. Travellers must apply at least 72 hours before departure and it can be obtained at the following official website https://esta.cbp.dhs.gov for a fee of US$21 (correct at time of writing, subject to change), payable by credit or debit card. It is very important to make payments through the official website.

Most people who have travelled to Iran, Iraq, Sudan, Cuba or Syria or are dual nationals of these countries, do not qualify for entry under the Visa Waiver Program and existing ESTAs could be revoked. You will instead need to apply for a visa from the nearest US Embassy or Consulate. Certain exemptions apply on a case-by-case basis. Bottom line: If in doubt, please contact the nearest US Embassy or Consulate.

All other passport holders should check with the relevant consul.

Your safety is our number one concern. Our safety track record is exemplary thanks to careful management and thorough consultation with local partners. Our industry leading risk management procedures have become a skill that we continue to refine. Our leaders in the field are highly trained and have safety as their number one priority. Expert leaders, risk assessments, quality inclusions and your financial security all come standard when you travel with us.

Please refer to our Travel Advisory page for updates on recent events, travel warnings and advice.

We strongly recommend that all clients take out travel insurance at the time of booking to cover against sickness, accident, loss of baggage, unexpected alterations to travel arrangements and travel disruption, emergency evacuation, cancellations, etc. Insurance information is enclosed with your pre-departure information. Please contact us if you would like to obtain a quote for your trip duration.

We suggest that you consult your doctor, local government inoculation centre or a travel medical specialist in order to get the most current advice regarding vaccination requirements.

Money and valuables should always be stored safely when travelling. Keep your passport with you at all times and do not leave it in your main luggage. You will need it to change money and check into hotels. Where safety deposit boxes are available, we recommend that you use them. Keep jewellery and valuables to a minimum.