Young Pioneer Tours has been on the forefront of international off the beaten track travel since the beginning. While there are 193 UN recognised countries in the world, we have been the first tour company to offer you tours to the world’s unrecognised 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 and Varna organise tours to the unrecognised 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 and Western Sahara with our team of specialists.
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) but the average size is 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.
- €695
Northern Cyprus Tour
Explore Turkish controlled Northern Cyprus with war-torn ghost towns, arms dealers mansions, stunning beaches and Roman relics!
- Start Date : November 23rd 2020
End Date : November 28th, 2020 - Duration: 5 nights, 6 days
- €1095
Iraqi Kurdistan New Year’s Tour
Hang out with the Peshmerga and see the last influences of Saddam’s rule in Kurdistan
- Start Date : December 27th 2020
End Date : January 2nd, 2021 - Duration: 6 nights, 7 days
- €495
Chernobyl and Transnistria Ultra Budget New Year Tour
Ring in the New Year exploring Chernobyl and Transnistria with this ultra cheap package!
- Start Date : December 28th 2020
End Date : January 3rd, 2021 - Duration: 6 nights, 7 days
- €795
Azerbaijan Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic Tour
Visit the secretive and self reliant autonomous republic of Nakhchivan, isolated from its motherland of Azerbaijan and still technically at war with Armenia.
- Start Date : April 1st 2021
End Date : April 6th, 2021 - Duration: 5 nights, 6 days
- €1795
Azerbaijan Nakhchivan and Iran Combo Tour
Spend a wonderful spring in two rarely visited countries - Azerbaijan & Iran!
- Start Date : April 1st 2021
End Date : April 13th, 2021 - Duration: 13 nights, 14 days
- €3295
Complete Caucasus: Azerbaijan, Armenia, Georgia & Iran Combo
The ultimate coverage of the Caucasus and its giant neighbour, Iran.
- Start Date : April 1st 2021
End Date : April 26th, 2021 - Duration: 25 nights, 26 days
- €1845 - €2495
Iran & Caucasus Unrecognised Countries Combo
From Iran through Armenia, Nagorno-Karabakh, Abkhazia and Georgia
- Start Date : April 6th 2021
End Date : April 26th, 2021 - Duration: 20 nights, 21 days
- €795-€1495
Caucasus Unrecognised Countries Tour
Visit the hardest to get to Unrecognised Countries in the Frozen Conflict Zones of Post-Soviet Europe
- Start Date : April 13th 2021
End Date : April 26th 2021 - Duration: 14 nights, 15 days
- $1895-$3395
Djibouti, Somaliland and Eritrea – Horn of Africa Independence Combo
Join us for our epic African adventure!
- Start Date : May 14th 2021
End Date : May 31, 2021 - Duration: 9 days to 18 days
- $1395
Somaliland Independence Day Tour
Celebrate Independence Day with Somalilanders!
- Start Date : May 17th 2021
End Date : May 23rd, 2021 - 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 16th 2021
End Date : July 25th, 2021 - Duration: 9 nights, 10 days
- €1490-€2790
Transnistria, South Ossetia, Chechnya and Russia Combo
Visit two post-Soviet breakaway states and explore the length and breadth of Russia from Siberia to the Caucasus!
- Start Date : August 29th 2021
End Date : September 18th-27th, 2021 - Duration: 22 days to 29 days
- €395-€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 26th 2021
End Date : December 5th 2021 - Duration: 2 days to 39 days
