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Travel with Confidence

Eight fearless climbers perched upon a high mountain top with hundreds of blue houses in the valley below

Let's journey forward, where safety comes first

Explorica by WorldStrides has built a 55-year-old reputation for industry-leading commitment to health and safety. Expecting the unexpected is where we excel. Our experienced team is leading the way now in innovating and evolving to make sure your travel experience is safe, and full of fun, even in uncertain times. We’re committed to providing you peace of mind and ultimate flexibility.

More than 400,000 students and teachers have experienced educational travel programs with the WorldStrides family since January 2021. As we journey forward, we look forward to having you join us soon on your next educational travel adventure!

A team approach to safety and security

Explorica by WorldStrides’ in-house Health & Safety Team, led by our Chief Academic, Health & Safety Officer and Head of Health & Safety, leverages decades of experience to continually assess the safety of the destinations where we travel and the activities in which our students participate. Our 24/7 On-call Center serves as our emergency response command center, staffed by employees who are specially trained to handle any on program situation — no matter how big or how small.

Explorica by WorldStrides relies on a deep network of partnerships. Through our exclusive relationship with the George Washington Department of Emergency Medicine, Dr. Neal Sikka serves as WorldStrides’ Medical Director and manages our 24/7 Doctors on Call program. We work with outside partners, like the United States Tour Operators Association (USTOA), following their TOURCARE Guidelines, a set of health, safety, and sanitation guidelines specifically developed for their tour operator members. We are one of only several organizations to be a Certified Student Travel Organization CSTO) by the Student Youth Travel Association (SYTA), a designation awarded to companies meeting a rigorous set of safety standards. We maintain an ongoing relationship with ExLog, a global risk management company providing intelligence, insight, and in-depth assessments of our program destinations, up-to-date reporting on breaking situations and evolving threats worldwide, and emergency response services.

Travel with confidence

We’ve had more than 400,000 travelers explore the world with us since 2021 alone. Our worldclass policies support individuals and groups with added flexibility should the need arise.

WorldClass Flexibility Guarantee

At any time up to 45 days prior to departure for domestic tours and 60 days prior for international tours, the group’s Program Leader can work with Explorica by WorldStrides to change tour dates or destinations for any reason. The group will pay no change fees, just the difference (if applicable) in the price of the new trip. This flexibility protects groups that choose to postpone their tour due to COVID-19.

Frequently Asked Questions

Unless required by the destination, venue, or activity, vaccination is not required to participate in a Explorica by WorldStrides program.

Although not required, Explorica by WorldStrides strongly recommends that participants take a COVID-19 test before travel to reduce the risk of illness on program and having to isolate away from home.

Although not required, Explorica by WorldStrides recommends the use of face masks in crowded spaces and in areas of high transmission. Participants must follow country, local, or venue mask requirements.

Participants who test positive for COVID-19 within ten (10) days of the program departure must complete at least five (5) full days of isolation and receive a negative test result on Day 6 OR complete ten (10) full days of isolation to participate on the program. Day 0 is the date of the positive test if asymptomatic or the date of the onset of symptoms. Participants who end isolation before a full ten (10) days have passed must mask when around others through the end of Day 10.

To join the program, a minimum of five (5) days must have passed since the last COVID-19 exposure, the participant must be symptom free, and have a negative test before departure. Day 0 is the date of last exposure. The participant must monitor for symptoms and mask for a full ten (10) days after last exposure.

If a participant exhibits symptoms of COVID-19, Explorica by WorldStrides will help them get tested and safely separate from the rest of the group while awaiting the results. If the test result is positive, the participant will need to complete the required isolation period. We will be there to provide support every step of the way – securing the necessary care, arranging accommodations and meals, and making arrangements for a new itinerary to return home.

You can learn more about international travel and our policies in this faq page: https://www.explorica.com/faq-covid19.aspx/


I love the Tour Diary feature that the parents can use during the tour to see their kids.
- Crystal B., English Teacher, Macon GA

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