General Information
Note: The information presented here is an abbreviated version of our formal General Information for Tours to Estonia. Its purpose is solely to give readers a sense of what might be involved if they take this tour. Although we do our best to make sure what follows here is completely accurate, it should not be used as a replacement for the formal document which will be sent to all tour registrants, and whose contents supersedes any information contained here.
ENTERING ESTONIA: US citizens need a current passport valid for six months beyond your departure from Estonia. At the time of writing, holders of US passports do not require a visa for stays of up to 180 days. Citizens of other countries may need visas, and should consult the nearest Estonian embassy for entry requirements.
MAP AND COUNTRY INFORMATION: You can view maps of Estonia here. The State Department’s background note on Estonia is here.
HEALTH: The Centers for Disease Control note that international travelers should make certain that their routine vaccinations are up to date. Vaccines for hepatitis A, hepatitis B, and typhoid are also recommended. For more information, consult your physician and the website of the CDC.
Mosquitoes are not likely to be a major problem; if the weather is unusually warm, however, they may be more numerous, and some people may find them distracting. For recommendations on effective insect repellents, see the printed General Information for Tours to Estonia.
It may be impossible to obtain any special medications during the tour, so bring all you are likely to need with you.
Note that any health information provided here is gleaned from websites dedicated to traveler’s health. Please consult with your physician for individualized advice and recommendations.
CLIMATE: We can expect to encounter almost any weather on this trip. Because of the proximity of the Baltic Sea, it is often breezy and humid; temperatures may fluctuate by as much as 30ยบ F. Days in May are normally warm and the nights cool; rainshowers are unpredictable but expected in May. Previous tours have experienced everything from continuously overcast skies with lots of rain and low temperatures to bright sunny skies with very warm temperatures. If we do have sunny days, the warmth can be almost summerlike. A good waterproof jacket and a warm sweater are necessary, but it is advisable to bring a sunhat as well.
PACE OF THE TOUR: This tour is not a strenuous one, but we do have some early starts, most of them for optional pre-breakfast excursions. Leisurely walking, occasionally over moderately rough terrain, is the only physical requirement; there is some uphill walking, and some longer and more strenuous walks of up to two miles may be necessary to have a chance at Ural Owl and a few other species. The minibus is never far away if anyone chooses to sit out a particular walk. In some areas we’ll have a pre-breakfast walk, and on most days we stay out over midday, taking a packed lunch with us. On a few days we’ll have an early evening meal, then return to the field to look for owls or visit a lek.
ACCOMMODATION: Throughout most of the tour we’ll be staying in good-quality hotels, all with private bathrooms. Elevators are not common in Estonian hotels, and porters are rare, so bring only what you can comfortably carry.
FOOD AND DRINK: Food in Estonia is up to normal western standards. Fish or meat is frequently served as the main course, so please let us know in advance if you are a vegetarian; there are options for vegetarians or those with other dietary restrictions. Decaffeinated coffee can be hard to find, and teas are often herbal or fruit tea, so bring teabags or your own decaf if you prefer.
DRESS: Dress is informal throughout the tour.
TRANSPORTATION: Our transportation will be in minibuses, driven by the leaders for maximum flexibility. Please note that the leaders will operate a rotation system for seating in the vehicles.
SMOKING: Smoking is not allowed in the vehicles or when the group is gathered for meals, checklists, etc. If you are sharing a room with a non-smoker, please do not smoke in the room. If you smoke in the field, do so well away and downwind from the group. If any location where the group is gathered has a stricter policy than the WINGS policy, that stricter policy will prevail.
GENERAL INFORMATION AND CONDITIONS: Please take a moment to read the WINGS General Information and Conditions. This section contains important information about how we conduct tours, e.g., what is included in the tour price, refund and cancellation policies, pace of the tours, and other information that will help you prepare for the tour.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: A more complete General Information for Tours to Estonia will be sent to each registrant on receipt of their booking. Final information with instructions for meeting the group, hotel addresses, etc., will be mailed about three weeks before trip departure. Other news will be communicated as necessary.
Updated: September 2008