It began as a simple idea back in 2012. I decided to offer a tour to India.
Without much planning, actually, no planning at all, I randomly announced that first tour right here on the blog. It sold out in less than 48 hours.
I said, “Oh my”.
Then I spent the next couple of months running around, organizing and planning every aspect of that tour right up until the last minute. November arrived, the tour began in Delhi and just like that, Wandering Earl Tours was in action.
Things seem to have gone well since then as requests for more tours starting coming in. Now I’ve run three trips to India already. Not to mention trips to Romania, Istanbul, Mexico and Southeast Asia as well.
And now the plan is to offer even more tours next year, some to the same destinations, and some to a few new ones too.
Keep in mind…these are not normal group tours. They are laid-back, small group excursions that give you an in-depth experience you simply can’t have on any other organized trip. I also focus on offering the absolute best value I possibly can at all times.
The feedback so far has been extremely positive and I’ve even already had several repeat travelers who have joined more than one tour!
It’s time for 2015…
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WANDERING EARL TOURS – 2015 SCHEDULE
February:
– Wander Across INDIA
(my 4th tour to this country, it shall be another incredibly rewarding adventure)
March:
– Wander Across SE ASIA (Thailand/Cambodia)
(my first SE Asia tour was such a success, I immediately organized a second one)
April:
– Wander Around ISTANBUL
(one full week in one of the most fascinating cities on the planet)
June:
– Wander Across KYRGYZSTAN
(few people visit but those that do fall in love with this stunning, friendly country)
– Wander Across VIETNAM
(with so many requests for a Vietnam tour, it was time I put one together)
– Wander Across ROMANIA
(medieval towns, castles, mountains, traditional culture & more – it has it all)
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Some of these trips I will lead myself. Others, I actually won’t. I still create all of the itineraries and work out all of the details for every tour, all based on my own travels. But for some, I happen to know people that would do a much better job leading a particular trip than me.
An example is my recent SE Asia Tour two months ago. I got dengue fever while in Bali and couldn’t lead the trip so I handed it over to my friend Sakai. Sakai is an expert on Thailand and Cambodia, he speaks the languages and has lived there for many years.
And while I was hoping the feedback from that tour would be good, it actually ended up being better than good. Way, way better.
“I use the word amazing a lot to describe this trip. It is the best trip I have ever taken. I believe the itinerary you put together is most of the reason for this. It was a great balance of organization and optional activities. For me, an awesome first trip to Asia!” – Jen. W
“Awe. Some. Enough said. Sakai knows his stuff (local languages; best places away from the super frequented ones). He entertains. He’s helpful. And just overall a good guy. I consider myself lucky to have met him. Does not happen often.” – Paul H.
“Sakai is awesome! Speaks the languages and has a lot of connections, knows big time about history and culture of the area. Also super fun and flexible, but makes sure everything is done, I didn’t worry at all during the whole trip.” – Vanessa R.
You get the idea. Sakai knows Thailand and Cambodia. The tour was awesome. Now, I want him to lead my Southeast Asia trips.
So, here we go. The above tours are what I’ve put together for the first half of 2015. And it goes without saying that I look forward to having you join one of these tours if you happen to be interested.
Have a read of the tour documents (by clicking on the links above) and just follow the instructions inside if you do want to join!
Also, if you have any questions at all, just send me an email. I’ll always reply as quickly as I can.
Enjoy your week wherever you may be and here’s to all of your future travels!
**More feedback from previous Wandering Earl tours…
“What a trip of a lifetime for all…truly outstanding…everything just flowed. I am definitely going on another journey if you’ll have me!” – Albert R.
“I took Earl’s trip to India. It was awesome! If you’re on the fence, go for it.” – Matt D.
“My trip with Wandering Earl was fantastic! We hit the sights I had wanted to see…along with a ton of places and experiences I never would’ve come up with on my own. I am hoping to get on another Wandering Earl tour in the near future!” – Leah F.
“Traveling with Earl was everything I thought it would be and more! His genuine enthusiasm was contagious, and he went above and beyond to submerse the whole group in as much culture as he could. He quickly became not only my tour guide but my friend, and I’m already planning on traveling again with him in the near future!” – Michelle M.
Hi Earl, I’ve been following your tours with envy from my office cubicle in London. I surf tons of travel sites but I feel an affinity with WanderingEarl.com because my first backpacker experience was in 1999 too. Can’t believe you’ve been on the road ever since.
Anyway, I hope to be on one of your Asia tours in 2017. Would love to trade tales of 99. Perhaps we shared a bus and didn’t know it.
Hey Pete – I shall look forward to having you join a tour whenever you can! And of course to talk travel as well…I wouldn’t be surprised if we did share a bus or were in the same guesthouse somewhere. Such situations seem to be more common than one would believe!
[…] be hosting the tour with my friend Derek Baron (Wandering Earl) who’s been running successful tours around the world for the past three years. […]
Wow, what a fantastic idea! I’d love to take one of your tours one day!
Wish I could join that Istanbul trip. Seeing all those photos of Turkey sure makes me feel green with envy! 😀
Hi Earl, your tours are such a great idea! Do you mind if I spread the word on my sitehttps://tatenanje.com ? I wish I can join you in 2015 in at least one! Cheers, Tate Nanje
Hey Tate – That’s no problem at all, thanks for that! Hope you can join one too!
Hi Earl,
How cool is that? Enterprising, and just plain smart move dude! We forget the info we have as travelers. Why not inspire others to live a similar experience by offering tours, right? We landed in Bali 3 days ago. After meeting with the homeowner a few days back they realized we had Ubud down pretty much. We’ve been here 3 times and in Bali 6 times, for months at a time. We know the island pretty darn well, especially the Ubud area, and when you know what to do, and things to see, especially way off of the beaten tourist path, you can offer a truly memorable experience.
That’s the key; offering something which maybe some mainstream elements, if it vibes with your clients, then doing the off the beaten path stuff to really offer an authentic experience. We’re living in a Balinese compound/neighborhood north of Ubud now, by about 15 minutes on the motorbike. We’re by the rice fields and a farm with ducks, pigs and chickens. Yesterday I saw a dude showering in a pigsty and an old lady strolled by a minute later topless. It was quite funny, but fascinating more than anything because it’s Bali, aka, the REAL Bali. Ain’t gonna see this at the hotels or villas around the island, so this would be a must see site outside of the Ubud area.
Thanks Earl! Looking forward to your next blog post, and tweeting from Ubud.
Ryan
Hey Ryan – Thanks for that comment and seems like you’ve found an ideal set-up for yourselves over there in Bali! Enjoy the experience (as I’m sure you will) and definitely use your knowledge of that island to help others have the kind of travel experience that would be difficult to discover on their own. I’m sure you know a ton of great places to visit by now over there, the kind of places few travelers would ever know about.
I would love to join you on Thailand trip, but can’t do it in March!
@Geeky Explorer – I’ll be announcing tours for the second half of 2015 at some point as well!
Sometimes all we need is just do now and plan later, exactly what you did prior to the first tour. Sometimes people don’t get what they want because they think too much (this is also a reminder to me). Good luck with the trip (I wish I could join) and thanks for the insight on how it all began!
Hey Bama – Thanks for that and yes, sometimes, that method of just throwing yourself into something works out much better than thinking too much and holding yourself back as a result.
Your tour prices are extremely reasonable. I would love to visit Kyrgyzstan (and bring those wondrous Kyrgy shoes you sent me!). I’ll have to wait til 2016 to go on a tour though. 🙁 Happy trails!
Hey Alana – Looking forward to having you join in 2016 and glad to hear you still have those Kyrgyz slippers!
I would love to go on one of your tours! Unfortunately, the dates do not match my schedule. I am a teacher, so my options during the school year are limited.
Hey Nicoleta – There are several tours over the summer, which is ideal for teachers 🙂
Looks like a great line up of places to travel too. I’ll look into a trip and see if I can come along. Also you have amazing pics too.
Looks amazing! I can’t wait to see more pics of your tours. Everyone seems to have so much fun and enjoy it so much! I would love to go on the Romanian tour even though I’ve already been there 🙂