Arctic and
Antartica Tours

Welcome to the international tours page from Young Pioneer Tours.
Our international group tours cover every continent on the planet, with our dual ethos of “destinations your mother would rather you stay away from” and “group tours for people who hate group tours” ringing True. Our international tours  are lead by one of our experts guides and most groups are capped at 10 – 20 people depending on the tour destination.

80+

Active tours

100+

destinations

€445

trips from

5.0

Trip Advisor

October 2026

Fully Booked

19 Oct, 2026 – 26 Oct, 2026

Confirmed Tour

28 Oct, 2026 – 2 Nov, 2026

November 2026

Confirmed Tour

3 Nov, 2026 – 23 Nov, 2026

December 2026

Confirmed Tour

26 Dec, 2026 – 2 / 4 Jan, 2027

Confirmed Tour

27 Dec, 2026 – 06 Jan, 2027

October 2026

19 Oct, 2026 – 26 Oct, 2026

7 nights, 8 days
Fully Booked

28 Oct, 2026 – 2 Nov, 2026

5 nights, 6 days
Confirmed Tour

November 2026

3 Nov, 2026 – 23 Nov, 2026

20 nights, 21 days
Confirmed Tour

December 2026

26 Dec, 2026 – 2 / 4 Jan, 2027

8 days / 10 days
Confirmed Tour

27 Dec, 2026 – 06 Jan, 2027

10 nights, 11 days
Confirmed Tour

Confirmed Tour

€
2195
€
2195

Confirmed Tour

Confirmed Tour

US$
995 - 3290
US$
995 - 3290

Confirmed Tour

Confirmed Tour

US$
2345 / $2445 / $2945
US$
2345 / $2445 / $2945

Confirmed Tour

Confirmed Tour

€
1995
€
1995

Confirmed Tour

Confirmed Tour

€
2345 - 4995
€
2345 - 4995

Confirmed Tour

Confirmed Tour

US$
1395 / 1495
US$
1395 / 1495

Confirmed Tour

Confirmed Tour

US$
2595
US$
2595

Confirmed Tour

Latest blogs

stories from
the edge of the map

Nauru Officially Changed its Name to Naoero in 2026

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

The Goroka Airport Guide

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

Discover Glodok, and Pantjoran PIK, Two Chinatowns in Jakarta 

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

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 in the surrounding area. The shooting took place near the entrance to the festival in Walesi, Jayawijaya Regency, in Highland

Best Communist Tours from YPT

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 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 flights, which are due to resume on September 21st, 2026, will initially consist of 6 flights per week before

Why young pioneer tours?

We go where others won't

Young Pioneer Tours specialise in taking you to North Korea and other world “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 unparralleled one. Don’t be a face in the coward, be a Pioneer.

expert local guides

Our guides are known for their infectious enthusiasm and ability to inspire for travel while ensuring your trip runs seamlessly.

budget prices. real palce

Extraordenary destinations shouldn't only exist for people with extraodinary bank balances. Tours from 445 - North Korea included.

small group always

Maximum 14 travelers. No cattle-class convoy, no microphone-wielding guides. just a small crew of properly curious humans.

real safety record

Our guides are known for their infectious enthusiasm and ability to inspire for travel while ensuring your trip runs seamlessly.

rated #1 in north korea

Extraordenary destinations shouldn't only exist for people with extraodinary bank balances. Tours from 445 - North Korea included.

genuine access

Maximum 14 travelers. No cattle-class convoy, no microphone-wielding guides. just a small crew of properly curious humans.

faq’s

things people ask us first

Get early access to new tours, last-minutes spots, and destination briefing most operators won’t touch. Join 12,000+ pioneers already on the list. 

Get early access to new tours, last-minutes spots, and destination briefing most operators won’t touch. Join 12,000+ pioneers already on the list. 

is it really safe to travel to North Korea, Chernobyl or Iraq?

Yes – with the right operator. YPT has been running tours to these destinations since 2008 with an unblemished safety record. Safety is our single non-negotiable. Our guides are local experts who know the political landscape, the logistics, and the contingencies.

Yes – with the right operator. YPT has been running tours to these destinations since 2008 with an unblemished safety record. Safety is our single non-negotiable. Our guides are local experts who know the political landscape, the logistics, and the contingencies.

Yes – with the right operator. YPT has been running tours to these destinations since 2008 with an unblemished safety record. Safety is our single non-negotiable. Our guides are local experts who know the political landscape, the logistics, and the contingencies.

Yes – with the right operator. YPT has been running tours to these destinations since 2008 with an unblemished safety record. Safety is our single non-negotiable. Our guides are local experts who know the political landscape, the logistics, and the contingencies.

Yes – with the right operator. YPT has been running tours to these destinations since 2008 with an unblemished safety record. Safety is our single non-negotiable. Our guides are local experts who know the political landscape, the logistics, and the contingencies.

Yes – with the right operator. YPT has been running tours to these destinations since 2008 with an unblemished safety record. Safety is our single non-negotiable. Our guides are local experts who know the political landscape, the logistics, and the contingencies.

ready to break the map?

your next trip is
somewhere your travel
agent won't go.

Get early access to new tours, last-minute spots, and destination briefings most operators won’t touch.

Tripadvisor

Travelers' Choice since 2014

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Odyssey51853265557 profile picture
Odyssey51853265557
Tripadvisor star 1Tripadvisor star 2Tripadvisor star 3Tripadvisor star 4Tripadvisor star 5Verified
5 star trips Trip with YTP is a true experience! Just joined them again for South Sudan trip, truli fascinating and authentic experience. YPT is not only great for group travel but also when u need a solo trip!! 5 star responsiveness, organization and treatment
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Ruadhán M profile picture
Ruadhán M
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Two weeks in Ethiopia Just did almost two weeks in Ethiopia with YPT (Addis, Bahir Dar, Gondar, Lalibela, and the Danakil Depression). Very well organised trip, and the YPT guide in particular - Yvonne - was easily one of the best I've ever travelled with. If you've ever been interested in checking out that part of the world, I would highly recommend their tour there.
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Max Adrian S
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Ethiopia & Danakil Depression Just finished Ethiopia with the Danakil depression extension with YPT. This was my second tour with YPT as a solo traveler and the group could not have been better. Everyone was very interesting and fun to hang out with and the YPT tour guide Yvonne organized it very well with the local guides. The tour itself contained a good mix of nature, history and religion. Despite having multiple domestic flights it was all handled very well and without a problem. Even the Danakil extension went very well for such a harsh area.
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Nick I profile picture
Nick I
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West Africa with YPT: Brutal, Beautiful, and Absolutely Worth It This was, without question, the hardest trip I've ever done — and I mean that as a compliment. Every single day brought something: catastrophic roads, mechanical breakdowns, hotels that had sold our reservations out from under us (in towns with exactly one hotel), border crossings that swallowed hours, 300km drives that took 16 hours, and a truly creative array of "fees" along the way. The food was a challenge. The heat was a challenge. Everything was a challenge. But here's the thing — that's West Africa. This is one of the least-touristed regions on earth, and anyone booking this trip should know what they're signing up for. I was probably the least-travelled person in our group, and even the seasoned veterans agreed this ranked among the most gruelling trips they'd done. What made it work was YPT's team. Our guide Morgan was exceptional — calm, unflappable, and genuinely good-humoured in the face of every setback. Local fixer Sarnor worked incredibly hard behind the scenes to keep things moving on a logistically nightmarish route. YPT pulled off something genuinely complicated. If you want easy, book a beach resort. If you want a real adventure in a part of the world most people will never see, this delivers. I look forward to see what tweaks/changes they make to future iterations of this trip- with some wrinkles ironed out, it's going to be an epic and popular adventure.
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Peter B profile picture
Peter B
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West Africa Overland Tour This tour arranged by YPT was a transforming tour. Coming from a western country it really makes you appreciate what you have. Putting together this tour was a masterpiece and YPT did an excellent job with the logistics when arranging this tour. The tour guide, Morgan, was absolutely amazing; calm, professional, caring and never lost his temper even though many things didn’t go as planned. I highly recommend this tour to everyone with a deeper interest in exploring West Africa.
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Martin Lacey Photo
Tripadvisor star 1Tripadvisor star 2Tripadvisor star 3Tripadvisor star 4Tripadvisor star 5Verified
YPT Gulf Trek, Lebanon, Syria tours review - an unforgettable experience I did the Gulf Trek (including Kuwait & Saudi Arabia), Lebanon, and Syria tours with YPT in January and February 2026. My first tour with YPT was this time last year when I did their Least Visited Countries (LVC) tour of island countries in the southern and western Pacific. The Gulf, Lebanon, and Syria tours were outstanding. I’ve done many group tours and I’ve found that in addition to the destination and activities, the quality of the experience comes down to two things: (a) the tour leader, and (b) how well the group gels. Our tour leader, Caitlin, was outstanding. In addition to being an excellent problem-solver and organizer, she has a genuine passion for this region and people, which comes through in her personal interactions and ways of working. She also kept the group ticking over nicely, always accounting for different traveling styles and personalities to maintain group harmony. The sights and sounds of the Gulf and Levant were incredible - from the edge of the world in Saudi Arabia, the sublime food in Lebanon, the mildly chaotic souks of Bahrain and Kuwait, and the grace of the Syrian people in the face of profound hardships. With the current situation, it feels even more fortuitous that we got to see these amazing places. If I were to pick one thing to improve, it would be to add free time to the itinerary to wander around and absorb the local sights and atmosphere. That said, I understand that one of the goals of the tour is to have many experiences in a limited period of time. Perhaps a compromise would be to remove one or two items from the itinerary and replace them with free time at some of the more interesting and popular places of interest. Overall - an unforgettable experience, enhanced by a highly capable tour leader and a top-notch travel group.
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Melinda D profile picture
Melinda D
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Angola carnival and waterfall tour with Sara Really enjoyed this 5 day tour to Angola with YPT. Hotels were a good standard - especially the one opposite the waterfall which had stunning views. The itinerary was varied and kept us all interested despite a few long car journeys. The vehicles were comfortable and the local guide and drivers were friendly and helpful. Visits to the river Kwanza and local villages were great. The falls were obviously a highlight - especially at sunset! Biggest thanks are reserved for the YPT tour leader, Sara, who was amazing. A massive plus that she spoke fluent Portuguese - friendly, super flexible and organised. Would highly recommend
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White Wayne B
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Freezing My Gonads Off in Mongolia I’m 77 & my wife Amy 60. We had concerns that YP would Not be a Good Travel Fit. We traveled the last 8 days of our 75 day sojourn with YP to the Blue Ice Festival in Upper Mongolia. Contrary to our concerns, YP hit a Grand Slam Homer! Guides were informative & caring; 22 yo Chinese Punk Tour Leader was Magnetic, gracious & informative. He spoke English like it was his First Language. YP goes were other tour agencies Don’t and we are planning more with YP.❤️❤️ FIVE STAR experience 4 us!
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Guide112189 profile picture
Guide112189
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Libya Tour An excellent exciting very nice and safe trip with excellent service.
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Georgios C profile picture
Georgios C
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Great memorable tour in Mainland Yemen I had a great experience in Mainland Yemen with an organised group tour by YPT at the end of February 2026. I was in the Yemeni island of Socotra for 8 days, 5 years ago... However , for a more complete Yemen picture, please get the chance to visit Hadramaut region of Mainland Yemen because then you get a better idea about the country. YPT did a great job in the selection of tour guides, tour leader and hotels. I felt all the time safe together with fellow travellers during this epic adventure. No words can describe the travel emotions experienced through unique landscapes, architecture and local hospitality! Thank you guys for the memorable trip!
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Young Pioneer Tours
🇮🇶By the rivers of Babylon, our Southern Iraq tour group spent an afternoon exploring the vast ruins of Babylon, one of the most important ancient cities of Mesopotamia! 📜From the reign of Hammurabi to Nebuchadnezzar II 👑, Babylon witnessed major developments in law, culture and architecture.The site has undergone several periods of restoration, including under Saddam Hussein, who rebuilt parts of the ancient city and constructed his own palace overlooking the ruins. The palace now stands abandoned, offering a remarkable view of one of history’s most legendary cities! 🌅#YoungPioneerTours #Iraq #Babylon #YPT ...
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5 hours ago

Young Pioneer Tours
🇰🇬 YPT started our day in Kyrgyzstan with a hike up Fairy Tale Canyon, named after the multi-coloured rock formations that make up the landscape.After this, we had another nature stop at Seven Red Bulls Gorge, where we enjoyed a picnic surrounded by red sandstone cliffs and mountains further afield. The nature in this country is unparalleled!In the late afternoon, we arrived in the modest city of Karakol. We toured a unique mosque built by the local Dungan people, descendants of Chinese settlers from the 19th century, and a stunning Russian Orthodox Church before grabbing some local souvenirs. 🕌⛪We ended the day with dinner at a local restaurant that served Dungan options and were entertained by traditional musicians. 🎶#youngpioneertours #Kyrgyzstan #5Stans #ypt ...
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