young pioneer tours iraq

Suggested companies

Lupine travel, penguin travel, koryo tours.

Young Pioneer Tours   Reviews

In the Travel & Vacation category

Visit this website

Company activity See all

Write a review

Reviews 2.8.

Most relevant

Very disappointing

I contacted them because I wanted to book a birthday trip to Socotra. I was messaging back and forth with their agent Caitlin for around 1.5 weeks, when she told me I had to send them a form and my passport copy until day x to secure the spot, otherwise it would be too late. I sent everything in time. She asked how I wanted to pay and I had a question about the payment options. It was never answered. She didn't reply for a day, then told me that the time was up and it was too late to book the tour - because I hadn't paid "in time" (I was never sent any concrete payment info). That was not communicated before at all! Why wouldn't you warn me? Why would you only tell me all I needed so send right now was the form + passport copy? Why wouldn't you give me the payment info in time? I don't even understand this from the business perspective. My planned birthday trip is now ruined, which upsets me a lot. I was honestly so thrilled to do this. I won't consider this company for any tour again, that's for sure. This is honestly just sad.

Date of experience : March 27, 2024

Safe, Professional & Fun

Just got back from an amazing 5 day trip in the DPRK celebrating the 70th anniversary with mass games. My experience with YPT has been positive from the start, due to the nature of the country I expected a few bumps along the way, but what ever hurdles the team came across they found a way to handle. They do not compromise on safety, clear instructions are given to you before you meet in China and the pre tour meeting is really handy. They employ very competent staff, our YPT guide (Matt) and Korean guide (Un Gyong) were extremely professional, knowledgeable and fun. Can honestly say that my visit would not have been the same without them, they went above and beyond what was expected and delivered some amazing experiences (Highlights include access to the military parade and Mass Games), would highly recommend booking with them!

Date of experience : September 11, 2018

YPT - pre-tour experience

Our trip is planned for 30.12. 2018 - 1.1. 2019. I must say that people for YPT are very professional and helpful even before the trip itself. I want to point out that Mr. Rowan and Mr. Lee, which we have experience with are very polite and helpful. I and my two friends are now perfectly ready for the trip. Actually, I read all the bad reviews (and there is not many), I must say that all the troubles mentioned there are caused by the tourist themselves, NOT YPT agency. Thank you YPT, Mark

Date of experience : October 24, 2018

Extraordinary Iraq tour

This tour was my second choice due to planned Syria tour didn’t materialize due to a visa problem . But I am so glad we chose to proceed to Iraq as Paris think that this is a good choice in between my Lebanon and Iran tour . This is a private tour that Paris at Young pioneer tour suggested and she was absolutely correct . The Iraq tour with a local guide Raad ( Saddam look alike ) made this tour extraordinary. Eating the fish at the market where they fire grilled for us. Due to Raads connection we were able to eat to places that normally man only can access . Did I mention there was 3 ladies that did this tour ? 🤣. We went to some places that normally it is closed but he managed to make us go in for a private viewing . Went to bazaar and drink street food and local tea. Went to a 7,000 year old religion church that welcomed us so well like we have family in Iraq. The old palace , mural and old sculpture site of Saddam Hussein was interesting. The Babylon. The boat ride in the marshes ( yes there is body of water in Iraq) . The herds of camel moving to green pastures. The people who are welcoming ( people we met wave at us and say “ welcome to Iraq “ ) , the traditional food ( I have learned to eat lamb which I never like before but started to crave for it during my stay there) . The camomile plants on the road . The birthday of Immam celebration in the mosque was very interesting . People gives us candy as a blessing . The wearing of the full gown at the beautiful mosque. Another boat ride watching the sunset . The multiple check points when we travel in other cities. One of the soldier at the check point walk to our bus and offered bottle of water for us. Isn’t he adorable? The package store ( yes beer , wine and alcohol is available for the public) . I never thought that my second choice of my Middle East journey is my favorite one . Iraq. Come visit and you will be amaze of the people, the culture, the food and the history . Yes Iraq tour is safe and Young pioneer made that happen for me , for us 3 ladies in the group .

Date of experience : February 24, 2023

Horrible Tour Company If You Are American

I signed up for their SCUBA divng trip to the DPRK and Russia almost a year in advance after being told that North Korea is safe, even for Americans. I jumped through hoops getting a PADI C-card (I've been NAUI certified for 14 years, but they didn't care) and a Russian Visa. Thirteen days before I was scheduled to leave on the trip of a lifetime, they emailed me stating that they were not cancelling the trip, but they were no longer taking Americans - that is, American tourists. If you worked for them and were American, you could still go to the DPRK (up until the US travel ban took effect). Even though they sent me my money back, I was stuck with a Russian visa that I no longer needed, a PADI C-card that I no longer needed and airline and hotel cancellation fees - everything totalled over $700. So, I spent $700 and countless hours of my time to NOT go on their tour. Their reasoning for booting me from their trip was because of the Otto Warmbier incident, which was on going when I originally signed up, but it wasn't an issue during the time they were stringing me along. However, I had never met Mr. Warmbier and have absolutely nothing to do with him, but somehow just being an American was enough to warrant a last minute ban from their trip. I would assume that the same thing could happen to other nationalities under the same circumstances. Somehow, 800-1000 American tourists a year had visited the DPRK before the US travel ban and made it back out without any problems. North Korea is NOT Disneyland, that should have been made clear to any visitor, regardless of nationality. I was able to make it to the DPRK in mid-August with another tour group (Koryo Tours) and had the time of my life. I never felt threatened or unsafe and the North Koreans were very friendly towards me. Young Pioneers banning Americans from their tours had to be politically motivated as it was in no way a safety issue. Unfortunately, it cost me a lot of time and money. Beware!

Date of experience : September 20, 2017

• Things to Do
• Restaurants
• Vacation Rentals
• Travel Stories
• Rental Cars
• Add a Place
• Travel Forum
• Travelers' Choice
• Help Center

Memorable Private Tour - Iraq - Young Pioneer Tours

• Asia    
• China    
• Beijing    
• Beijing - Things to Do    
• Young Pioneer Tours

Did three tours with YPT almost back to back in the spring of 2024, and can highly recommend all of... read more

I went to Antarctica with YPT last year and wow, it was a once-in-a-lifetime experience. The cruise... read more

Memorable Private Tour - Iraq

Just finished up an incredible trip through Southern Iraq. YPT went above and beyond to provide a memorable experience. After reaching out for quotes with several groups, Rowan at YPT not only created a custom itinerary that made the most efficient use of my time but also walked me through each step in great detail. On the tour, I felt incredibly secure at all times; Sabah, my local guide, was incredibly accommodating and knowledgeable. If you are on the fence, no need to hesitate, you will not be disappointed.

YPT you are simply magic. Thank you for such an amazing trip to Syria. By far thebest trip I have ever done. Nerves were crazy high before the tour kicked off but a pre tour dinner and bar crawl quickly eased the nerves and we instantly became like a family. Best 8 days. Rowan (part owner) and guide was epic. Thank you legend. If you can go on a tour that Rowan is leading then I highly recommend you book up quick, the man is a wizard. Thank you to our local guide Bashar. What a man. Do yourself a favor, turn the news off, don’t believe the garb and head to Syria & experience it’s brilliance with YPT

The trip to Syria was an exceptional experience this was my fourth trip with YPT and as usual a great trip, I highly recommend any trip but this one to Syria up there as the best , the sightseeing and food and the hotels was outstanding the guides Bishra and Rowan looked after all our needs.

Had an amazing trip to Lebanon. YPT truly goes above and beyond to give you an experience like no other. I myself despise group tours, as they limit your freedom to explore areas and subjects off the beaten path. YPT grants you the ability to explore these untouched areas. The tour in Lebanon truly is a must for anyone who has any interest in culinary, history, political, or natural atmospheres. Lebanon IS the cradle of western civilisation, predating and subsequently influencing Greek-Roman societies, and thus is a must for anyone interested in the history of mankind. YPT truly makes the trip to Lebanon worthwhile. 9.5/10 would recommend.

Professional team with strong communication. As a local tour operator in Lebanon, their groups are well organized with clear interests and on a quest for knowledge.

Had an amazing trip through Moldova/Transnistria. Rowan was an amazing guide and more than up for a laugh. The tour was lighthearted yet packed a lot of activites in which struck a really nice balance. The fixers were all amazing also, and I can't really fault the experience.

• Things to Do
• Restaurants
• Holiday Rentals
• Travel Stories
• Add a Place
• Travel Forum
• Travellers' Choice
• Help Centre

Southern Iraq - Young Pioneer Tours

• Asia    
• China    
• Beijing    
• Beijing - Things to Do    
• Young Pioneer Tours

Did three tours with YPT almost back to back in the spring of 2024, and can highly recommend all of... read more

I went to Antarctica with YPT last year and wow, it was a once-in-a-lifetime experience. The cruise... read more

Southern Iraq

I have travelled previously with YPT to Iran, Kurdistan, and Syria. After visiting Kurdistan (northern Iraq in April 2019) felt that I haven't really seen Iraq as I haven't been to Baghdad. I had credit for a Timor-Leste trip (May 2020 - deferred due to the Pandemic) which Rowan from YPT was gracious to transfer to the Southern Iraq trip (October 2022). What could I say about this trip - the historical sites, ruins, the camaraderie, food options, adventure, fun, etc. made this a profoundly memorable trip. Having a local tour guide who look like Saddam Hussein made the trip even more thrilling. YPT's effervescent and gorgeous tour guide Paris touches our hearts, someone you could share your thoughts, cry with, laugh with, and have fun with, who doesn't judge and accept us as we are. Paris is a resourceful person, being able to get us to places which are restricted to tourists. Meeting Paris was not a coincidence, it is part of our Karma; a stranger meant to come into our lives to bring us wonderful, priceless and funny memories.

I chose my first YPT trip because I did not want to go on a tour where we were just checking off items on an unwavering daily itinerary. I went to Iraq not knowing exactly what to expect. I left with an amazing once-in-a-lifetime experience in the company of some great fellow-travelers, and the good fortune in having met one of the best tour leaders in the business. I was a bit wary because YPT was sending us a newly-hired tour leader. It turned out that, in giving us Paris Hailwood, YPT had sent us its best. Paris made sure that everyone felt a part of the group. Those with semi-professional photography equipment got the opportunities to take great pictures. Having her own influencer-level Instagram page, Paris also made sure that the rest of us with more modest cameras and little photography experience still got great photos that would later earn us bragging rights with our families and friends. With her background working for Gucci as well as selling Rolex watches and other high-end goods, Paris was a master at dealing with all sorts of powerful personalities, including Iraqis in uniform with big guns. For example, when we could not get in to see the ancient Arch of Ctesiphon from the closed north entrance, she cajoled and negotiated with the local police to give us close-up access from the east side—which we got. Paris is a well-traveled independent adventurer with double Master’s degrees in Terrorism and Counterterrorism Operations, and International Relations and Media. If anything, she is overqualified. Things don’t always go as planned in Iraq but you would not be able to tell because Paris was always cheerful and, somehow, always made things work out. If Paris Hailwood leads your Young Pioneer Tours trip, you will be guaranteed an amazing trip. It will be memorable, educational, and of course, loads of fun.

I've just completed the whole of Iraq combo and the hidden Iran tours, I couldn't ask for a better experience.The YPT guides were particularly amazing , from their organisation to their communication with the customers and local guides

This, my 4th YPT trip was the best. For all of its conflicted past this country has a plethora of fascinating tourist sites. The people are friendly and welcoming. Due to security issues, multiple check points etc it's a place where you need a local guide and you couldn't find better than YPT. Special thanks to Paris the YPT guide. We were her first tour group and she was on a steep learning curve. She handled it with style. She has personality and a sense of humour that made the whole experience. She is a great ambassador for her company and I would be delighted to travel with her again.

This was my second trip with YPT and I again had a great time and great experiences. We were a nice small tour group of 12 people and we had lots of fun and barely any drama :-) We had a great local tour guide who did a great job getting us through every checkpoint and our YPT guide Paris Hailwood perfectly managed everything from lunch bill splitting to hotel room assignments. And her cheerful and energetic personality made this trip an especially fun experience.

Where do I even begin  ? Having been to 55 countries so far, and plenty of off the beaten path trips amongst them, and also having visited Northern Iraq prior - I had high expectations for this tour. The bar had been well and truly set. To say YPT delivered... is an understatement. The bar has been raised. The trip was a unique combination of adventure, history, great food, jaw dropping sites... and of course loads of fun. None of this would have been possible without our guide Paris. We've all been there before on a trip, when your guide will make or break the trip. Period ! A bad guide will dull your trip, disengage you to the moments at hand, and personally make you want to slit your wrists, take a pill of cyanide and jump off a cliff at the same time... all while praying for sweet merciful death to come. A great guide on the other hand, will create life changing magical moments, that you will never forget. Paris was a natural at this. From the moment we met Paris on day 1 in the lobby in Baghdad, she was an energizer bunny full of beaming positivity, infectious enthusiasm, and constant laughs. In summary she went above and beyond her duties for our group, even after long days and stressful moments. A great guide isn't one who knows all the facts. A great guide is one who can take the group, and connect them in an engaging manner, to the chosen trip at hand. Paris does this effortlessly. There was never a dull moment with her, even on longer transit bus days. She made us feel safe, accommodating and always ensured people took plenty of photos to remember, even if they were reluctant to. Paris is a diamond in the rough, and YPT is lucky to have her as a guide. She is not only an asset to them as a company, but to the entire travel industry as a whole. She's much more than just a pretty face. If you're even thinking about booking this trip, stop what you are doing and take the plunge !!! You won't be disappointed. Just do it. YPT you hit this one out of the park ! 10/10 ! In the words of our local Iraqi guide Saddam: "I'll be back m..." And I'll be sure to make Paris my guide.  We have a saying in the automotive sales world at work: "sell the sizzle... not the sausage." Paris did this effortlessly without even knowing shes doing it.  Much love and peace. Benjamin Sandler Business Manager Gold Coast, Australia Over and out, signing off.

How I Started A Not Normal Tour Company [North Korea, Iraq, Antarctica]

My name is Gareth Johnson and I am the Managing Director and founder of the adventure travel company Young Pioneer Tours .

We originally formed as a company 14 years ago specializing in North Korean tours, and before the pandemic, we were the leading company. We have since branched out to off-the-wall places like Iran, Iraq, Antarctica, and unrecognized countries. We are not your normal travel agency.

What's your backstory and how did you get into entrepreneurship?

I was born in the UK and left school without going to university. I did several sales jobs before running a small business involved in after-school childcare. Overall though I wasn't doing much in the UK, so moved to the layman Islands as a bartender, and ended up working on cruise ships before ending up teaching English in China.

Go out and do it yourself. If you need to live off of nothing do it, you will not get rich quickly and even if you do the work only begins there.

I found that teaching was not my calling and since starting my first business a 20-year-old had always wanted to get back into the business. It was in China that I decided I wanted to visit North Korea. I noticed all the companies, of which there were few, were extremely expensive. I found a cheaper route and went on my first tour with the idea of starting the company.

In North Korea I managed to score meetings with the right people and an idea was born, on my next trip, I took paying customers for my new company Young Pioneer Tours.

Take us through your entrepreneurial journey. How did you go from day 1 to today?

I left school without any education and mostly did menial jobs before I left the UK. Honestly felt like an ant or a cog in the system and that my life was not going anywhere. I started a business that was relatively successful but felt I wanted more and to see the world.

It was then that I started my nomadic stage where I was essentially paid to see the world, but being paid by other people rather than paying myself, or running a business.

Part of what drew me to China was stores from other people about the potential there, even if you just started as a teacher. It was here that I had the idea to run tours to North Korea. Initially, I just persuaded a bunch of friends to come with me but turned this into a North Korea-centric business.

After proving proof of concept and getting a loyal following we have since branched out to every continent on the planet and I have become involved in several other projects, such as crowdfunding the purchase of a tropical island in the Caribbean.

Overall in my life, if I wanted to do something I have just done it. So, when I decided I wanted to be paid to travel the world I took a risk and went for it. It helps that I am passionate about my product. I design tours I want to do and this somehow resonates with people.

How are you doing today and what does the future look like?

I am a travel agent during Covid-19, so we are operating at a fraction of everything we were before, from staff to locations and salaries, but as the world slowly opens up, so we slowly start to grow.

In short, we aim to continue providing services and travel where possible until it is time for the world to get back to normal and us to be able to offer all the places we were before.

In the future, we will continue to innovate and I hope to dominate the adventure travel sector by adding more destinations and staying ahead of our competition with these innovations. We go to places many would not touch, but we are kings of a niche that is big enough to support us.

Through starting the business, have you learned anything particularly helpful or advantageous?

We started the business over 14 years ago, so there is so much I wish I could go back and teach myself, not just 14 years ago, but even two years ago!

The main thing I wish I had done is embraced Search Engine Optimization (SEO) much earlier, but it should be remembered that the internet was very much a different place back then.

I also wish that at times I had been more cutthroat, you need a killer instinct to do well in business as everyone knows, but also compassion. I am not sure I always got this balance right.

I am extremely pleased that we have managed to create a strong brand with good recognition in our sector. We have also had excellent customer retention, which has been directly caused by the policies we have implemented.

What platform/tools do you use for your business?

Whether you love or hate Facebook and I probably fall into the latter it is essential for business as are other platforms like Instagram and Twitter. It is important to use them all the correct way. FB directly gets sales, Twitter is a way to communicate with media and IG is like a big calling card.

From a logistics point of view, I like Moz for SEO and Google for business when it comes to emails and management of the company. But that also is the great thing about tech, what is good today might not be tomorrow, so we always move with the times.

What have been the most influential books, podcasts, or other resources?

There is only one book that has influenced me Buyology which was written by a leading marketer on why we buy what we buy. It has heavily influenced how I created the brand I have and even the photos that I use on my websites.

Advice for other entrepreneurs who want to get started or are just starting out?

When I first tried to start on business I kept thinking people would help me and would pitch ideas to “rich” people. No one will help you unless you've designed something of epic proportions.

Go out and do it yourself. If you need to live off of nothing do it, you will not get rich quickly and even if you do the work only begins there. To be an entrepreneur means to work hard all of the time. It is a 7 day a week job that you can't leave. Make sure you want this, otherwise stick to just being salaried - it is much less stressful.

Where can we go to learn more?

• Young Pioneer Tours
• Let’s Buy An Island
• Instagram - YoungPioneer
• Twitter @YPioneerTours

• 4,818 founder case studies
• Access to our founder directory
• Live events, courses and recordings
• 8,628 business ideas
• $1M in software savings

Want to start a tour company? Learn more ➜

Join our free newsletter to get unlimited access to all startup data. We just need your email:

Check your email

If there's a Starter Story account associated with that email you'll get an email with a link to automatically log in. The link will expire in 15 minutes.

Your existing password still works, should you want to log in with it later.

With Starter Story, you can see exactly how online businesses get to millions in revenue.

Dive into our database of 4,418 case studies & join our community of thousands of successful founders.

Join our free newsletter to get access now. We just need your email:

Young Pioneer Tours

• See all photos

Similar Experiences

Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.

Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

Young Pioneer Tours - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2024) - Tripadvisor