Young Pioneer Tours

05/09/2024

Is city life starting to lose its appeal? 🏙

Thankfully, if you need to get away from it all, we go to some of the most remote places on the planet – quite literally in the case of Tristan Da Cunha! This British Overseas Territory is home to barely 200 people and is the most remote inhabited island on earth. 🇸🇭

We got a shout-out from one of our favourite Pioneers (and Youtubers) Josh Cahill, who travelled over 4,000km by boat from Argentina to get there. Thankfully, we’re heading there on our Grand South Atlantic Tour in March. Check out his vlog below and, if you’re inspired, we hope you’ll join us on board! ⛴

Josh's Vlog: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d8MqEs9wuR4

The Grand South Atlantic Tour: South Georgia, Tristan da Cunha & Saint Helena (March 23rd to April 15th/25th, 2025), €7095/€8095
https://www.youngpioneertours.com/tour/grand-south-atlantic-tour/

05/09/2024

YPT's adventures in Eastern Europe have continued by exploring one of the few places in the area more obscure than Transnistria - the autonomous region of Gagauzia. 🍇

While largely unknown, this region is facinating and very unique. Located in the South of Moldova, it is home to the Gagauz ethnic group, who speak a Turkic language yet are Orthodox Christians. ⛪

They also broke away from Moldova in the 1990s, but unlike Transnistria made peace with the central government. However, they have maintained a deep affection for Russia, which makes Moldovan national politics interesting to say the least! 👩‍🏫

Want to impress your friends by telling them about Gagauzia? Read about the least-visited part of Europe's least-visited country here👇
https://www.youngpioneertours.com/travel-gagauzia-wait/

04/09/2024

Our Kazakhstan Polygon Tour stopped for photos by Balapan Lake.

While it may look as old as the hills, it was only formed in 1965 by a 140 kiliton nuclear bomb . This was one of many consequences of the Soviet Union's Nuclear Explosions for the National Economy program in Kazakhstan, which included atmospheric and underground nuclear tests 🇰🇿

04/09/2024

Our Jordan: The Business of War tour has travelled to the southern city of Aqaba and made our entrance at the SOFEX conference. 🇯🇴

After donning our finest outfits, we collected entry permits and breezed through security – before the world’s biggest arms fair was revealed.🕴👗

You can see four countries – Egypt, Israel, Jordan, and Saudi Arabia – from Aqaba, but most of the world was represented at SOFEX. We rubbed shoulders with the global elite, fired some of the smaller calibre, and saw exhibits of the most cutting-edge military equipment. 🔫

We’ll be back for day two tomorrow and may even be able to try out some more of the devices!

04/09/2024

Our group in Transnistria has been enjoying the Independence Day celebrations, which were a bit smaller than usual due to the Russian Invasion of Ukraine.

We were then hosted by our favourite babushka in her village!

03/09/2024

🌍 Embark on November's Ultimate Yugoslavia Tour with YPT! 🧳

Ready to explore the remnants of a nation that once united six republics? Then join our Ultimate Yugoslavia Tour! 🚎

This trip perfectly blends history, culture, and natural beauty to delve into the legacy of Yugoslavia. From Belgrade's lively streets to Montenegro's stunning Adriatic coast, and from post-conflict Sarajevo to Kosovo's divided cities, this tour offers incredible insight into one of the most fascinating and influential regions on the planet. ⛪🌄🕌

We'll explore 7 countries in 13 days—Slovenia, Croatia, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Montenegro, Serbia, North Macedonia, and Kosovo. You'll meet people who lived through the Yugoslav era and experience the diverse heritage of the former federation. 🇸🇮🇭🇷🇧🇦🇲🇪🇷🇸🇲🇰🇽🇰

While we hope you'll join us for the whole trip, it's divided into three parts for your convenience. Understanding the 20th century means understanding Yugoslavia — don’t miss the chance to do it with us this November! 🍾

Ultimate Yugoslavia Tour: Tito’s Winter (November 22nd to December 3rd, 2024), €795-€1695
https://www.youngpioneertours.com/tour/ultimate-yugoslavia-tour/

03/09/2024

Our Jordan: the Business of War Tour has stumbled across one of the Seven Wonders of the World - the ancient city of Petra 🇯🇴

Sadly, tourism has been one of the region’s biggest victims of instability, despite Jordan remaining safe and very much open. This has left many of the region’s impressive sites empty.

While not good for Jordan’s economy, it’s great for us, as we can explore Petra in all its glory. Tomorrow, the group will arrive at the SOFEX conference - we’ll keep you updated!

02/09/2024

Our Syria Autumn Tour has just arrived in Damascus. Our trio of travellers discovered the oldest capital in the World, and became especially familiar with its ancient souks and the incredible Syrian food! 🇸🇾

Starting to have FOMO? Thankfully, there's still a few days left to book if you want to join us on the Syria September Tour in just a couple of weeks! 🗓

Syria September Tour (September 13th to 20th, 2024), $1595
https://www.youngpioneertours.com/tour/syria-september-tour/

02/09/2024

⚠️ Applications Close Today for our October Rojava tour ⚠️

Join YPT on a very special excursion to the Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria ANNES/Rojava - an incredibly fascinating defacto region with incredibly unique governance system that is one of a kind.

October 23 - October 28th: $1295 🔴☀️🟢

Find out more here! https://www.youngpioneertours.com/rojava-tour/

Learn more about Rojava here: https://www.youngpioneertours.com/rojava/

For more information, email: [email protected]

02/09/2024

YPT’s Kazakhstan Polygon Tour has arrived in the city of Semey, in the far east of the country, and have began to explorations of Soviet nuclear test site.

Watch this space for more updates! 🇰🇿

02/09/2024

Our Transnistria National Day & Gagauzia Tour crossed the "border" into mysterious Transnistria, and jumped right in by exploring the town of Bender. 🇲🇩🛃⛪

The highlight was definitely taking the party boat with the friendly local residents! 🎉🥂

01/09/2024

Happy Independence Day Uzbekistan! 🇺🇿🎉

Central Asia’s most populous country is just a day younger than its neighbour, but that’s no less reason to celebrate! 🥂

Uzbekistan is one of the most culturally rich and historically significant countries in the world. Tashkent, the capital, was once the industrial heart of the USSR and still retains a fascinating mix of its Soviet, Uzbek, and Islamic influences. 🏭🎭

No country is more closely associated with the Silk Road than Uzbekistan. The cities of Samarkand, Bukhara, and Khiva epitomize its romance and grandeur like nowhere else on Earth. You can also explore bustling bazaars and immerse yourself in the legendary Uzbek culture. 🕌

We've been visiting Uzbekistan for years, and we’re in love. Intrigued to visit? Check out our landing page below.👇We recommend you visit soon – before Uzbekistan gets too popular!

https://www.youngpioneertours.com/uzbekistan-tours-and-travel/

01/09/2024

Our Transnistria National Day & Gagauzia tour has kicked off in the Moldovan capital, Chisinau.

They explored the city’s hidden gems and learnt about life during the Soviet Union 🇲🇩

31/08/2024

On their way out of Amman, our group in Jordan had a quick stop at the Royal Tank Museum. 🇯🇴

They walked along the famous Sherman M-4, the legendary T-34, the Centurion and Challenger tanks. It was a good opportunity to learn more about the region's conflicts, such as the Great Arab Revolt and the Battle of Karamah. The group also heard about the tactics of wars and battles, tank engines and modifications.

The next stop is the Dead Sea, before heading to SOFEX 2024.

31/08/2024

Happy Independence Day Kyrgyzstan! 🇰🇬🎉

This stunning republic turns 33 today – although we think she looks very good for her age! 🥂

As well as being one of the world's most mountainous (and beautiful) countries, it has the region's most liberal visa laws and offers a great cost of living. Bishkek, the capital, has retained much of its Soviet architecture and grand boulevards, making it a fascinating city to explore. 🏞

That’s not all. Kyrgyzstan has retained a strong nomadic heritage, so you can go horse-riding, sleep in yurts, and enjoy the legendary Kyrgyz hospitality. No wonder, then, that The Guardian listed the country as its top destination for this year. 🏇🏿

We've been coming to Kyrgyzstan for years... and some of us loved it so much that we moved here! As well as our Five Stans tours, we arrange private trips here, so there's no excuse not to visit. Check out our Kyrgyzstan landing page below👇

https://www.youngpioneertours.com/kyrgyzstan-tours-and-travel/

31/08/2024

We're doing one last push for our extraordinary Rojava research tour, as takes over a month to process the necessary paperwork. 🛂

The group size is being capped at eight, so it will be an intimate and exclusive experience.

Any questions? We're a friendly bunch, so drop us a message here (https://www.youngpioneertours.com/contact/) or check out our post below, which might give you some answers!

Rojava Tour (October 23rd to October 28th, 2024), $1295
https://www.youngpioneertours.com/rojava-tour/

Not 7 years ago the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria were running amok within the region, while simultaneously ferrying the world at large. It was in what is

31/08/2024

Our Jordan: The Business of War Tour has thrown itself right in by exploring the nation's dynamic capital, Amman. 🇯🇴

The first stop was the Royal Automobile Museum, which displays more than 70 classic cars and motorbikes from the personal collection of King Hussein. These range from pre-1950s glories to modern sports cars, as well as chrome-clad American cruisers and regal Rolls-Royces along the way. Of course, it wouldn't be a YPT visit without checking out the exibits from presidential visits, Hollywood stars, and defunct Middle Eastern monarchies. 🏎

If you're interested, check out our article about the museum below👇
https://www.youngpioneertours.com/car-museum-in-amman/

30/08/2024

Hyped about our first-ever Gulf Trek? 🥾

If you’re not already, we wanted to draw attention to the first country that we’re visiting on the tour – the Sultanate of Oman. 🇴🇲

With its diverse and stunning landscapes – including rigid mountains, gorgeous coastlines and vast canyons – it’s probably the country best at dispelling the myth of the Middle East being one huge desert. 🌄🏖🏜

Oman has also been at the trading crossroads of the world. As such, the country’s architecture has Arabic, African, British, Indian, and even Portuguese influences. The souqs here are some of the most vibrant in the world, and it’s the only country in the world with a majority Ibadi Muslim population. 🗺

In other words, it’s a very worthy place from which to start our adventure. Interested? Read more about Oman in the blog below👇
https://www.youngpioneertours.com/oman/

The Gulf Trek: Oman, UAE, Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait & Saudi Arabia (January 27th to February 15th, 2025), $695 - $5895
https://www.youngpioneertours.com/tour/the-gulf-trek-oman-uae-saudi-qatar-bahrain-kuwait/

Oman is a country located in the south-eastern coast of the Arabian Peninsula. It is bordered by the United Arab Emirates to the northwest, Saudi Arabia to

30/08/2024

🚨 Announcing Our First Ever Gulf Trek!🏜️

We have a very exciting announcement! YPT is thrilled to launch our Gulf Trek, a legendary journey that will take you to six countries across the Arabian Gulf! Expect an unparalleled chance to explore the heart of the Middle East like never before! 🇴🇲🇦🇪🇶🇦🇧🇭🇰🇼🇸🇦

We know the region has a reputation for being boring and lacking much beyond shopping malls and the desert. But we couldn’t disagree more, and wanted to organize a trip that shows this, which is how the Gulf Trek was born! 🐫

You’ll visit Oman, the UAE, Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait, and Saudi Arabia, discovering hidden gems amongst the ancient forts and glittering skylines. You’ll see how the region has trailblazed a combination of tradition and modernity, doing so by being immersed in the rich history, unique cultures, and legendary hospitality of the Gulf.

You can join us for just a stage or the whole trip. Don't miss your chance to be a Pioneer on our inaugural Gulf Trek!

The Gulf Trek: Oman, UAE, Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait & Saudi Arabia (January 27th to February 15th, 2025), $695 - $5895
https://www.youngpioneertours.com/tour/the-gulf-trek-oman-uae-saudi-qatar-bahrain-kuwait/

30/08/2024

Today is the 25th anniversary of East Timor's vote to separate from Indonesia 🇹🇱

The Secretary-General of the UN has arrived today in the capital, Dili, to commemorate this important occasion. However, it's not just him that is paying a visit to Asia's least visited country.

This October, we're running the most comprehensive tour offered by any company to this obscure but delightful country. Starting and ending in Bali, we'll take you to every corner of East Timor, including glorious beaches, Portugese architecture, and sites related to the War of Independence.

Explore East Timor (October 7th to October 14th, 2024), $1995.
https://www.youngpioneertours.com/tour/explore-east-timor/

29/08/2024

Thinking of visiting the Gulf as a woman? Here’s what to know:

In anticipation of a major announcement tomorrow, we're shining a light on the Arabian Peninsula — specifically, the 6 countries that make up the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) 🇧🇭🇰🇼🇴🇲🇶🇦🇸🇦🇦🇪

While the monarchies of Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates are often associated with deserts, oil, and glitzy shopping malls, each of these nations offers its own unique and enriching experiences. 🐫🛢👜

The region is also frequently highlighted in discussions about women’s rights, which naturally raises questions for female travellers. Can women travel safely in the Gulf? (absolutely!) Given this, what can they expect during their visit? 🗺

Thankfully, we have just the blog for you! We’ve written a comprehensive guide that addresses questions of safety in the area, with a particular focus on female travellers. Check it out below👇

https://www.youngpioneertours.com/are-gcc-countries-safe-for-female-travel/

29/08/2024

Explore the World’s Only Autonomous Left-Anarchist Community: Join our Rojava Tour! ⚖️

Following the success of our research trip, we're excited to invite you to visit the Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria (AANES), better known as Rojava.

Regardless of your own politics, this is a rare opportunity to witness a functioning left-anarchist society, rooted in a strong feminist movement and the dedicated liberation of minorities. This is especially notable given how much of Rojava was once controlled by Daesh/ISIS - including its former "capital" of Raqqa. Visiting this unique place will be a profound and eye-opening experience.

Our journey will begin and end in Erbil, with a small, carefully vetted group of no more than eight participants. Be a Pioneer and join us in discovering this trailblazing region.

Rojava Tour (October 23rd to October 28th, 2024), $1295
https://www.youngpioneertours.com/rojava-tour/

29/08/2024

We're about to upload photos from our recent trip up to Svalbard. First, though, we're teasing you by sharing the stunning map and mosaic we saw in the Soviet settlement of Barentsburg. 🇳🇴🇷🇺

We're not (yet) art snobs here at YPT, but we do have a particular love for these sort of things - especially as they become rarer across the former USSR. If you're interested, check out our blog on all things Soviet Mosaic-related in Transnistria, which probally has preserved these the best. 👨🏼‍🎨

https://www.youngpioneertours.com/transnistria-soviet-relics-mosaics/

28/08/2024

YPT’s Soviet Baltics group has finished up in style by exploring Estonia. 🇪🇪

We visited Narva, a majority-Russian city where NATO meets Russia. Then, we popped across to Sillame, a secret Soviet city where uranium was mined, as well as the ghost town of Viivkonna. We’ve finished off in the capital, Tallinn, one of Europe’s most cosmopolitan cities.

28/08/2024

Think you’ve “done” Southeast Asia? Not till you’ve been to Myanmar! 🇲🇲

We’re the first to admit that Southeast Asia is one of our favourite regions, which is why it’s such a shame that many people leave Myanmar off their itinerary.

The country hasn’t had good press recently, but we’ve been coming here for years and know the best and safest places. There’s also a simple eVisa procedure.

Thankfully, we’re not only heading there next month, but we’re going at the same time as the Lighting Festival! You’ll travel the length of the country while Myanmar celebrates welcoming Lord Buddha with abundant festivities.

You’ll start in the historic city of Yangon, before journeying to see Bagan and its 10,000 pagodas. Relax on the beautiful Inte Lake and finish up in Mandalay - having gone to the ghost city of Naypyidaw first, of course!

A festival, ancient ruins, stunning scenery, and some bizarre development… yet with no tourists. In other words, it’s the perfect YPT trip!

Myanmar Lighting Festival Tour (October 14th to October 25th, 2024), $1895
https://www.youngpioneertours.com/tour/myanmar-lighting-festival-tour/

28/08/2024

North Korea 🇰🇵 may reopen for tourism before December 2024. Click to read more: https://www.youngpioneertours.com/north-korea-open-for-tourism/

27/08/2024

Anyone for Eritrea or Somalia? 🇪🇷🇸🇴

We're doing two separate trips to Eritrea and Somalia in October. These are two countries with overlapping (yet very different) histories, and are both fascinating destinations in their own right.

You'll explore the Italian art-deco architecture of Eritrea's capital, Asmara. Then, we'll head to the country's gorgeous Red Sea coast and vacation as the locals do, while exploring the historic city of Massawa. 🏖🏛

We don't publish our Somalia itineraries for safety reasons, but our tour stays in Mogadishu. Please contact us directly for more information.

Best of Eritrea Tour (October 3rd to October 7th, 2024), $1545
Best of Somalia Tour (October 7th to October 9th, 2024), $1495
https://www.youngpioneertours.com/tour/best-of-eritrea-somalia-tour/

27/08/2024

Are you a female solo traveller? Have you been eyeing up the travel brochures for Kazakhstan? 🇰🇿

Then you'll probably be excited to here that we have ONE FINAL SPOT open for a woman to join our World Nomad Games Tour in Astana. You'll be one of the only tourists watching Central Asia's answers to Paris 2024, including Eagle Hunting and Kok Boru - where people on horseback fight for the co**se of a goat. 🐐

World Nomad Games 2024 - Kazakhstan (September 10th to September 15th, 2024), $1395
https://www.youngpioneertours.com/tour/world-nomad-games/

27/08/2024

Last call for our Pamir Highway Tour—an epic journey through the most remote and stunning mountains of Central Asia! 🌄

This trip starts in Osh, a Kyrgyz city that's over 3,000 years old. You'll head south along the historic M41 route and immediately start climbing before crossing into Tajikistan. Explore this incredible country and peak across the river to see life in Afghanistan. You'll end up in Dushanbe, the capital, having experienced one of the last untouched frontiers on the planet. 🇰🇬🇹🇯

Whether you're a history buff, nature lover, or just looking to push the boundaries of travel, the Pamir Highway will offer you something extraordinary - but be quick! We're setting off on September 13th and don't want to leave without you.

Pamir Highway Tour (September 13th to September 21st, 2024), €2195
https://www.youngpioneertours.com/tour/pamir-highway-tour/

26/08/2024

The YPT Soviet Baltics group has continued to explore Latvia's past in the USSR. 🇱🇻

They visited a secret underground bunker and nuclear missile base, as well as finding time to spot some giant Lenin statues!

Next stop, Estonia! 🛣🇪🇪