Young Pioneer Tours has been on the forefront of international off the beaten track travel since the beginning. While there are 193 UN Recognized countries in the world We have been the first tour company to offer you tours to the world’s unrecognized countries across Eurasia and Africa. Our expert guides research the destinations in depth to bring you to the forefront of pioneering travel in countries that have almost no infrastructure for tourists. These places can be extremely difficult to get to; however, our team can plan your adventure.
Our offices in Kiev organize tours to the unrecognized countries of Nagorno-Karabakh, Abkhazia, South Ossetia, Transnistria, and Gagauzia which are led by bilingual western guides from the YPT team. In Africa, we cover Somaliland with optional extras to Eritrea, coordinated by our team in Senegal, with tours being led by local and western guides.
All our international tours are run in accordance with YPT’s branding and ethos: a super price, expert guides, and most importantly an adventure that will stick with you for life. We run tours for people who hate group tours, and we do not run groups larger than 25 people (at 26 we split into two. Average size 10 people). All groups are led by expert guides that know the destinations and are passionate about what they do. We also strongly believe in value, and generally, our prices are unbeatable.
We offer independent tours to unrecognized countries at all times of the year, with our Kiev office organizing our Eurasian destinations and our Dakar office in Senegal organizing tailor-made tours to the unrecognized locations of Africa.
Years of research in destinations such as the bizarre soviet time capsule of Transnistria and the surprisingly colourful and welcoming Somaliland mean that any package we make is done with thorough research to ensure you can easily join us in being a pioneer. If you would like to organize a tailor-made tour to any of these locations, contact us today and we can make your pioneer adventure a reality.
Transnistria
What makes it an unrecognized country?
Transnistria is not recognized by any UN member states; however, it is recognized as an independent country by the partially recognized states of Abkhazia, Nagorno Karabakh and South Ossetia. It maintains its own currency and government and even has its own military force, however is officially considered to be a part of Moldova.
Is it safe to travel?
While in the past it has been embroiled with minor conflicts, it is very safe to travel, with a Russian military presence helping to maintain the peace.
Do I need a visa?
There is no visa for Transnistria, however travellers are subject to the visa requirements of Moldova.
South Ossetia
what makes it an unrecognized country?
South Ossetia declared independence from Georgia, however has only gained recognition from Russia and the partially recognized states of Abkhazia, Nagorno Karabakh and the self-declared state of Transnistria.
Is it safe to travel?
After a recent conflict in 2008, tensions in the region have settled and South Ossetia is now safe to travel.
Do I need a visa?
Visitors to South Ossetia do need a visa, which YPT helps arrange. If you cross from the Georgian side you will be subject to Georgian visa requirements (however this is very difficult so we go from Russia). If you enter from Russia you will need a double-entry Russian visa to go back into Russia.
Abkhazia
What makes it an unrecognized country?
Abkhazia is only recognized by five UN member states, including Nicaragua, Nauru, Venezuela, Vanuatu and Russia. It is also recognized by the other unrecognized states of Transnistria, South Ossetia and Nagorno Karabakh. It is still officially considered to be a part of Georgia under international law.
Is it safe to travel?
Yes, it is perfectly safe to travel to Abkhazia.
Do I need a visa?
Yes, citizens of all nations except those that officially recognize Abkhazia require a visa to travel, which is easy to organize.
Nagorno Karabakh
What makes it an unrecognised country?
Nagorno Karabakh is not recognized by any UN member nation, however it is recognized by the other unrecognized territories of South Ossetia, Abkhazia and Transnistria. Officially, it’s a part of Azerbaijan, but we enter from Armenia.
Is it safe to travel?
Yes, despite recent conflicts it is indeed safe to travel to.
Do I need a visa?
You will need a visa, but these are easy to obtain on arrival. Some countries do not need visas to travel. If you travel to Nagorno Karabakh you will be banned from future visits to Azerbaijan, so be sure to ask for stamps and visas on a separate piece of paper.
- €1540
Caucasus Unrecognised Countries Tour
Visit the hardest to get to Unrecognised Countries in the Frozen Conflict Zones of Post-Soviet Europe
- Start Date : April 30th 2019
End Date : May 12th 2019 - Duration: 11 nights, 12 days
- €3685
Horn of Africa: Ethiopia, Somaliland and Eritrea Combo Tour
Join us for our epic African adventure!
- Start Date : May 6th 2019
End Date : May 30, 2019 - Duration: 24 nights, 25 days
- €2390
Somaliland and Eritrea – Horn of Africa Independence Tour
Make the most out of the Horn of Africa with our Independence Day Combo
- Start Date : May 15th 2019
End Date : 30th May 2019 - Duration: 14 nights, 15 days
- €1195
Somaliland Independence Day Tour
Celebrate Independence Day with Somalilanders!
- Start Date : May 15th 2019
End Date : 21 May 2019 - Duration: 6 nights, 7 days
- €790
Transnistria and Chernobyl (Summer) Tour
Our favourite Unrecognised Country of Transnistria and Explore post-nuclear disaster Pripyat.
- Start Date : July 19th 2019
End Date : July 28, 2019 - Duration: 9 nights, 10 days
- €790-€7375
Summer Soviet Adventure Combo
Head back to the USSR with YPT this summer!
- Start Date : July 19th 2019
End Date : September 2nd, 2019 - Duration: 43 nights, 44 days
- €2785
South Ossetia & Chechnya Combo Tour
Travel through the history wo of the most tense zones after the collapse of the Soviet Union in one tour!
- Start Date : August 12th 2019
End Date : August 26th, 2019 - Duration: 13 nights, 14 days
- €1495
South Ossetia Tour
Venture in the world's youngest unrecognized country
- Start Date : August 21st 2019
End Date : August 26th 2019 - Duration: 4 nights, 5 days
- €3390
Whole Iraq Autumn Combo
The ultimate Iraqi adventure
- Start Date : October 15th 2019
End Date : October 27, 2019 - Duration: 12 nights, 13 days
- €1095
Iraqi Kurdistan Autumn Adventure
Hang out with the Peshmerga and see the last influences of Saddam’s rule in Kurdistan
- Start Date : October 21st 2019
End Date : October 27, 2019 - Duration: 6 nights, 7 days
- €2995
Eurasian Adventure Tour
7 weeks, 21 post-Soviet countries or Unrecognised Countries. Taking in the whole iron curtain: The true Young Pioneer Tour
- Start Date : October 29th 2019
End Date : December 20th 2019 - Duration: 52 nights, 53 days
- €845
Terra Nullius: Bir Tawil Incursion
The world's only unclaimed inhabitable piece of land - we go there!
- Start Date : November 1st 2019
End Date : November 8th, 2019 - Duration: 6 nights, 7 days
- €790
Chernobyl and Transnistria Winter Tour
Explore post-nuclear disaster Pripyat and our favourite Unrecognised Country of Transnistria
- Start Date : November 7th 2019
End Date : November 15th 2019 - Duration: 8 nights, 9 days
- €4,395
Iran & Whole Iraq Spring Combo
The ultimate adventure through Iran, Iraq and Iraqi Kurdistan!
- Start Date : April 7th 2020
End Date : April 26th, 2020 - Duration: 19 nights, 20 days
- €1845 - €2495
Iran & Caucasus Unrecognised Countries Combo
From Iran through Armenia, Nagorno-Karabakh, Abkhazia and Georgia
- Start Date : April 7th 2020
End Date : April 28th, 2020 - Duration: 20 nights, 21 days
- €790
Chernobyl and Transnistria (Easter) Tour
Explore post-nuclear disaster Pripyat and our favourite Unrecognised Country of Transnistria
- Start Date : April 10th 2020
End Date : April 19th 2020 - Duration: 9 nights, 10 days
- €795-€1540
Caucasus Unrecognised Countries Tour
Visit the hardest to get to Unrecognised Countries in the Frozen Conflict Zones of Post-Soviet Europe
- Start Date : April 15th 2020
End Date : April 28th 2020 - Duration: 14 nights, 15 days
- €1095
Iraqi Kurdistan Spring Adventure
Hang out with the Peshmerga and see the last influences of Saddam’s rule in Kurdistan
- Start Date : April 20th 2020
End Date : April 26th, 2020 - Duration: 6 nights, 7 days
- €2390
Somaliland and Eritrea – Horn of Africa Independence Combo
Make the most out of the Horn of Africa with our Independence Day Combo
- Start Date : May 15th 2020
End Date : May 30th 2020 - Duration: 15 nights, 16 days
- €1195
Somaliland Independence Day Tour
Celebrate Independence Day with Somalilanders!
- Start Date : May 15th 2020
End Date : May 21st 2020 - Duration: 6 nights, 7 days
- €790
Transnistria and Chernobyl (Summer) Tour
Visit our favourite Unrecognised Country : Transnistria and explore the post-nuclear disaster of Pripyat.
- Start Date : July 17th 2020
End Date : 26th July 2020 - Duration: 9 nights, 10 days
