Confirmed Tour
Abkhazia, Afghanistan, Africa
4 days / 5 days / 8 days 5 Oct, 2026 – 9 / 12 Oct, 2026
US$ 595 / $1695 / $2290
About us
who we are
Young Pioneer Tours specialise in taking you to North Korea and other worldwide “destinations your mother would rather you stay away from” at budget prices. We combine the best guides in the industry with expert local knowledge and contacts to ensure your adventure is an unparalleled one. Don’t be a face in the crowd, be a Pioneer.
Arctic and Antarctica Tours
- Antarctica
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East Asia Tours
Americas Tours
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Soviet Europe
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Unrecognised Countries
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FEATURED TOURS
THIS SEASON'S
TOP ADVENTURES
Meticulously designed routes led by expert guides. Real terrain. Real challenges. Unforgettable journeys.
Confirmed Tour
Abkhazia, Afghanistan, Africa
6 nights, 7 days 10 Dec, 2026 – 16 Dec, 2026
- US$
- 2245
Bookings Closed
Abkhazia, Afghanistan, Africa
9 nights, 10 days 27 May, 2026 – 5 Jun, 2026
- €
- 2595
Confirmed Tour
Abkhazia, Afghanistan, Africa
5 nights, 6 days 26 Sep, 2026 – 01 Oct, 2026
- US$
- 1695
Confirmed Tour
Abkhazia, Afghanistan, Africa
9 nights, 10 days 25 May, 2027 – 01 Jun, 2027
- €
- 2700
who are we
Pioneering the Uncharted
Since 2008
Young Pioneer Tours (YPT) was born in 2008 from the passion of Gareth Johnson and a dedicated group of expats in China. We embraced the spirit of exploration, eager to venture off the beaten path, and decided to share our unique travel experiences with others.
Beginning with tours to North Korea, YPT quickly broadened its horizons to include the world’s most remote, rugged, and thought-provoking destinations. With years of expertise in crafting unforgettable journeys, we focus on what matters most to you, our fellow Pioneers: immersing yourself in diverse cultures, connecting with locals, forging new friendships, and pushing the limits of adventure travel.
Expert tour guides
Our guides are known for their infectious enthusiasm and ability to inspire a love of travel while ensuring your trip runs seamlessly.
Budget prices without compromising comfort or quality
Extraordinary destinations shouldn’t only be accessible to people with extraordinary bank balances. We keep our prices affordable without cutting corners on comfort or quality.
Small group always
10–18 travellers, depending on the destination. No cattle-class convoy, no microphone-wielding guides. Just a small crew of properly curious humans.
Latest news
dispatches from
everywhere they say no
Shooting at the Baliem Festival in West Papua injures two Tourists
Two tourists were shot during the Baliem Valley Festival in West Papua on August 8, bringing the region’s biggest cultural festival to an early end and prompting a security operation
Turkish Airlines to Resume Flights to Belarus After 4 years
Turkish Airlines will resume flights from Istanbul (IST) – Minsk (MSQ) after they were cancelled in 2022 following the start of the so called Russian special military operation in Ukraine.
The Young Pioneer Podcast: S4, Ep 5: The Art of Travel Storytelling with Drew Binsky
The Young Pioneer Podcast: S4, Ep 5: The Art of Travel Storytelling with Drew Binsky
Russia Blocks Foreign SIM Cards from Accessing Western Websites
Owners of foreign SIM cards have been blocked from accessing Western websites, meaning the last “loophole” for bypassing Russian internet restrictions has now been closed. This comes on the back
Latest blogs
stories from
the edge of the map
Nauru is one of the least visited countries in the world, but its presence is far greater than the proportion it occupies on the world map. In 2026, the Republic of Nauru officially changed its English name to the Republic of Naoero. This article will take you through the background
Goroka Airport is one of the best, least corrupt and most reliable in Papua New Guinea! This is though economies of scale and this does not mean it is perfect. In fact, there are a lot of idiosyncrasies related to flying in and out of Goroka, not least time of
From ancient alleyways to modern waterfront elegance, Jakarta’s two Chinatowns tell a remarkable story. Most great cities have a Chinatown. Jakarta has two. One is steeped in centuries of history, where incense drifts through ancient temples and narrow lanes overflow with traditional medicine shops, street food, and family-run businesses. The
Two tourists were shot during the Baliem Valley Festival in West Papua on August 8, bringing the region’s biggest cultural festival to an early end and prompting a security operation in the surrounding area. The shooting took place near the entrance to the festival in Walesi, Jayawijaya Regency, in Highland
While YPT have somewhat branched out from purely communist tours since our inception, we still offer some great trips for red tourists out there. The good news, though, is that you do not have to be a card-carrying member of the Bolshevik Party to join! Quite the contrary, in fact.
Turkish Airlines will resume flights from Istanbul (IST) – Minsk (MSQ) after they were cancelled in 2022 following the start of the so called Russian special military operation in Ukraine. The flights, which are due to resume on September 21st, 2026, will initially consist of 6 flights per week before
Ghazni is a major city less than 200km south of Kabul and is an excellent candidate for a day trip from the capital! Ghazni has a population of around 200,000 people and is the capital of the Ghazni province. It is also between Kabul and Kandahar, the capital and default
My name is Caitlin and I have been a tour leader at YPT for three years. One of the highlights of my career has been leading 3 of our Women’s Only Tour to Afghanistan. Afghanistan has been a country I have loved for many years, having a history of collaboration
Imagine planning a trip to one of the world’s least-visited countries only to discover it has a new name. The Pacific island nation once known as Nauru has officially reclaimed its traditional indigenous name – Naoero [pronounced “nah-oh-EH-roh” (or na-O-eh-ro)]. More than a simple change of spelling, it marks a
The Young Pioneer Podcast: S4, Ep 5: The Art of Travel Storytelling with Drew Binsky
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David Peii II, the self-proclaimed King of the Twin Kingdoms in Bougainville has died, leaving questions over the future of his unusual royal administration.YPT founder Gareth Johnson reflects on his encounters with one of Bougainville’s most controversial figures and what his death could mean for the region.🔗 Read more:
www.youngpioneertours.com
The self-proclaimed “King of the Twin Kingdoms of Papaala and Meekamui” in Bougainville, David Peii II, who passed away in Tannu City, Bougainville, on
Our Unseen Soviet Armenia Tour continued, with giant Jesus, Nazi-era telescopes and Soviet mosaics. What else does one need? 🇦🇲✝️ We started on the outskirts of Yerevan, where an enormous statue of Jesus Christ is currently being assembled. Once completed, the 33-metre-high statue will stand on a 77-metre pedestal atop Mount Hatis.Next, we explored Armenia’s Soviet scientific heritage at the Byurakan Observatory, once one of the USSR’s leading astronomical research centres. Here, we met Henrik Sargsyan, an engineer who has worked at the observatory since its opening in 1958! Among the instruments we saw was the famous Schmidt telescope, originally ordered as a gift from Adolf Hitler to Benito Mussolini.📡 We then explored the abandoned ROT54 radio-optical telescope near Orgov. Designed by Armenian scientist Paris Herouni.We then continued to Gyumri, Armenia’s second-largest city, to see the imposing Mother Armenia monument and the Black Fortress, a 19th-century Russian imperial stronghold near the Turkish border. We also walked around the city, stopping to buy Soviet memorabilia. “You only ask about the rarest pieces”, a seller pointed out. Well, yeah - it’s a YPT group, not your usual tourists. 😂#YoungPioneerTours #Armenia #YPT
🇮🇶 Christmas in Iraq? JUST TWO SPOTS LEFT ⚠️Our Southern Iraq Tour is currently on the road, but there’s another chance to explore Iraq with YPT this December! 🎄 Spend the festive season exploring Baghdad, walk among the ancient ruins of Babylon and Hatra, and discover Mosul’s remarkable history. From the legacy of Mesopotamia to Iraq’s modern-day stories, this is a Christmas trip with plenty to see and experience.Trade the usual Christmas plans for something a little different and spend the holidays exploring one of the world’s most historically significant destinations. 📩 Contact: tours@youngpioneertours.com🔗 Learn more and book through the link in the comment section below.#YoungPioneerTours #Iraq #Christmas #Holiday #YPT
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