The time has come to announce the next set of tours that I’ll be offering through my Wandering Earl Tours project.
For those who may not be aware of what this project is all about, at the end of 2012, I started offering small group tours to some of my favorite countries/regions around the world, tours that I organize and lead myself. And so far, things are going quite well!
The goal is to offer you something unique, the kind of laid-back, local trip that a major tour company can’t offer. I like to think of it as “independent travel with the support of a small group”, where we experience the destinations, not from behind a tour bus window, but by actually wandering through the streets and lanes, by eating local food from local eateries, by using local transportation and of course, by meeting as many people along the way as possible.
So far, I’ve run two tours to India and one each to Mexico, Romania & Moldova and Istanbul. My third tour to India is coming up in March (which has sold out).
And now, announcement time….here is the next set of trips for 2014 that I’ll be offering:
——-
Wander Across IRAQI KURDISTAN
Dates: May 4th – 13th
Overview: I mentioned this tour to the semi-autonomous, and safe, region of northern Iraq, a few months ago and it quickly sold out, but two people just had to cancel, leaving 2 spots available. So, if you’re interested in visiting a very off-the-beaten-path destination that will absolutely surprise you every step of the way, this might be the trip for you!
Wander Across MEXICO (YUCATAN)
Dates: June 4th – 10th
Overview: This trip is short and sweet…a one week adventure around the culturally fascinating Yucatan Peninsula, with a couple of days on Mexico’s beautiful Caribbean coast as well. History, check. Culture, check. Excellent food, check. Adventure, check. Good times? Absolutely!
Wander Across SOUTHEAST ASIA
Dates: August 15th – 29th
Overview: Many people have asked me to organize a tour to Southeast Asia, so here it is… This trip will take us through Thailand and Cambodia, two destinations loved by travelers from all over the world, visiting everything from vibrant cities to national parks to quiet villages to historical sights, mountains, markets, temples and more!
You can read more about the Wandering Earl Tours concept, as well as feedback from those who have already participated in one my tours, right over here: Wandering Earl Tours
If you have any questions at all, or if you wish to confirm a spot on one of the above trips, just send me a message and I’ll reply right away.
And I shall look forward to meeting and traveling with even more of you in the near future!
Join 21,000+ people and get your weekly travel inspiration.
New blog posts, honest updates from my 21 years of constant travel, personal recommendations and the best of travel from around the world.
Hi Earl, how about West-Africa? I am always puzzled that very few travelling blogs venture in West Africa, when it’s a very vibrant, colourful, and exciting place to travel to ! I am just wondering why you seem to avoid it?
Wandering Earl
February 28, 2014 at 11:42 am - Reply
Hey Olivier – I’m definitely not avoiding it at all. It just so happens that I haven’t made it there, that’s all. I’d love to go, I plan to go as soon as I can…my schedule just hasn’t allowed me to dedicate a proper amount of time to explore that region.
I just found your site and i cannot wait to read your adventure trips. I’m originally from the Philippines and moved to US when i was 17. My love for travel started when my aunt took me to Vancouver. My goal is to travel 3 times a year. I’m always lucky to find a travel partner, but i always wonder what it was like to travel alone. I just went to Peru last year and prior to that i went to visit Thailand. This year, i will be visiting Fiji and New Zealand. And hoping to go to Europe again at the end of the year. If i didn’t have any trip this year, i will def. join your tour. I will start following you now. Maybe, next year, i will join your tour.
~Felinda
Wandering Earl
February 17, 2014 at 11:56 am - Reply
Hey Felinda – And I shall look forward to having you join a tour at some point! Until then, enjoy the travels that you have planned!
I am SOOOO very excited with the idea of joining the yucatan tour. You see I’m actually FROM mexico and I’ve never been! (its practically sinful I know) and I figured going with a group of travellers like you do on your tours would be just perfect.
I am a little worried that it’ll fill out way to soon though! do you have any spots left? I’d like to confirm mine early next week.
Please please please let me know =D I promise I’ll make the most kickass translator in the history of ever
Wandering Earl
February 13, 2014 at 6:40 am - Reply
Hi Earl, all the trips sound so exciting. It’s a pity that we’re already going to Asia in the summer.
I’d be interested in Romania or Istanbul for 2015 as I’ve organised all our travel for this year except for the Easter break. I’m looking for inspiration but for peanuts as our yearly budget has been put aside for Asia!
How soon would you know plans for 2015 ‘cos as a teacher and a parent, future planning is my goal!
Wandering Earl
February 5, 2014 at 5:53 am - Reply
Hey Victoria – I probably won’t know the 2015 tour schedule until July or so. It would be great to have you join one of them so hopefully it happens!
Was wondering if people who sign up for your tours are mainly from the US, or is it global?
🙂
Wandering Earl
February 2, 2014 at 3:56 am - Reply
Hey Oscar – Thanks for that, I really appreciate it. And for my tours, they are global, with participants from the UK, France, Australia, New Zealand, Germany and more joining the trips…everyone is welcome!
You have picked some really offbeat destinations. Southeast Asia is gaining a lot of popularity day by day. Looking forward to lots of interesting anecdotes of your travels.
This blog started out to be something interesting a couple of years back. But now you finally lost me, Earl. What is this blog about? Selling tours, advertising stuff for Christmas, hotel recommendations? I got excited once (again) seeing that you have been in Yemen – but than I realized you were on a guided tour. How come I don’t find anything here anymore that promotes the really independent kind of travel? Yemen on your own – THIS could have been something. But like this it’s just a matter of how much money you have in your bank account (or a matter of who sponsors your trip). It’s disappointing. And now your tours – again. Fair enough, make some money, but I just wonder what kind of experience people look for when they join a tour like this (the one to Iraqi Kurdistan especially). Or why people keep on coming back to this blog. You made it clear in a previous post. It’s dead easy to go to Kurdistan on your own. The world really is your oyster: you can go pretty much anywhere you like. On your own. And so, I’m just a disappointed reader. Disappointed enough to even leave a message. Good luck. Thomas
Wandering Earl
January 31, 2014 at 2:44 am - Reply
Hey Thomas – I’m really sorry you feel that way but I think you’ve missed something. I’ve started the tours because readers have asked me to organize such trips and the reason I am offering more and more tours each year is because more and more people want to go. And yes, many parts of the world can be explored on your own, however, as I mention often on this site, every traveler is different and not everyone wants to travel on their own. So, my tours are a way for those who not travel by themselves to a particular destination to still experience that destination in a way that they could not experience on a large group tour. And if you talk to those who have been on my tours so far, I’m quite sure they have been happy with the result.
As for Yemen, yes, it was a guided tour (my friend, I and a guide – not a group) because, without a guide, you cannot get the permits necessary to travel outside the capital city. There is no independent travel for foreigners in Yemen right now and while it certainly would have been interesting, it’s just not possible. And I think it’s better to still visit the country, meet its people and experience as much as possible, even if I need a local guide to accompany me (which is actually a benefit to get that kind of local information), than to avoid the country completely.
So, again, I’m sorry you feel the way you do and I think it’s just important to understand that there are different kinds of travelers out there and this site is about helping all of them, regardless of how they prefer to travel, realize that they can achieve their travel goals.
While you’re in the Yucatan you’ve got to visit Mahahual. It is a small town, just a couple hrs south of Playa del Carmen, that is deffinitaly worth seeing!!
Wandering Earl
January 30, 2014 at 1:51 pm - Reply
Thanks Brenda! I’ve actually been to Mahaual many times…great place indeed!
Hi Earl.
are you coming to Kurdistan agian on May 4th – 13th?
Hi Earl, how about West-Africa? I am always puzzled that very few travelling blogs venture in West Africa, when it’s a very vibrant, colourful, and exciting place to travel to ! I am just wondering why you seem to avoid it?
Hey Olivier – I’m definitely not avoiding it at all. It just so happens that I haven’t made it there, that’s all. I’d love to go, I plan to go as soon as I can…my schedule just hasn’t allowed me to dedicate a proper amount of time to explore that region.
I just found your site and i cannot wait to read your adventure trips. I’m originally from the Philippines and moved to US when i was 17. My love for travel started when my aunt took me to Vancouver. My goal is to travel 3 times a year. I’m always lucky to find a travel partner, but i always wonder what it was like to travel alone. I just went to Peru last year and prior to that i went to visit Thailand. This year, i will be visiting Fiji and New Zealand. And hoping to go to Europe again at the end of the year. If i didn’t have any trip this year, i will def. join your tour. I will start following you now. Maybe, next year, i will join your tour.
~Felinda
Hey Felinda – And I shall look forward to having you join a tour at some point! Until then, enjoy the travels that you have planned!
Hey Earl!
I am SOOOO very excited with the idea of joining the yucatan tour. You see I’m actually FROM mexico and I’ve never been! (its practically sinful I know) and I figured going with a group of travellers like you do on your tours would be just perfect.
I am a little worried that it’ll fill out way to soon though! do you have any spots left? I’d like to confirm mine early next week.
Please please please let me know =D I promise I’ll make the most kickass translator in the history of ever
Hey Valeria – Your spot has been saved!
Great idea! The Yucatan was my first trip out of the country and spurred my inner travel desire. The other two prions sound awesome! Cheers
I don’t think i’ll make a 2014 tour sadly! Have to get to the States this year if I can… Really sad!
Hopefully when I finally get my backside to Romania it’ll pair up nicely with you to catch a beer.
Where in Romania are you? We are in the south-east in this moment
I’m in Bucharest for the next two weeks.
I look forward to it 🙂
Hi Earl, all the trips sound so exciting. It’s a pity that we’re already going to Asia in the summer.
I’d be interested in Romania or Istanbul for 2015 as I’ve organised all our travel for this year except for the Easter break. I’m looking for inspiration but for peanuts as our yearly budget has been put aside for Asia!
How soon would you know plans for 2015 ‘cos as a teacher and a parent, future planning is my goal!
Hey Victoria – I probably won’t know the 2015 tour schedule until July or so. It would be great to have you join one of them so hopefully it happens!
The Kurdistan tour looks awesome! great idea!
Would so love to join your Mexico your SE Asia tour, Angkor is on my bucket list!
What a great set of trips… I’d love to do the Asia one!
Looks like a great set of trips where people can explore with the great Wandering Earl.
I think it’s great whatEVER you decide to do or not to do 🙂
Hi Earl,
Guten tag!
Was wondering if people who sign up for your tours are mainly from the US, or is it global?
🙂
Hey Oscar – Thanks for that, I really appreciate it. And for my tours, they are global, with participants from the UK, France, Australia, New Zealand, Germany and more joining the trips…everyone is welcome!
You have picked some really offbeat destinations. Southeast Asia is gaining a lot of popularity day by day. Looking forward to lots of interesting anecdotes of your travels.
If you are still in Romania and you are willing to meet other two nomads, just drop us a line and we see if we can arrange a drink together 🙂
Hey Davide – I am still in Romania and can meet up later this week or next week!
Sounds awesome as usual, good luck with ’em!
This blog started out to be something interesting a couple of years back. But now you finally lost me, Earl. What is this blog about? Selling tours, advertising stuff for Christmas, hotel recommendations? I got excited once (again) seeing that you have been in Yemen – but than I realized you were on a guided tour. How come I don’t find anything here anymore that promotes the really independent kind of travel? Yemen on your own – THIS could have been something. But like this it’s just a matter of how much money you have in your bank account (or a matter of who sponsors your trip). It’s disappointing. And now your tours – again. Fair enough, make some money, but I just wonder what kind of experience people look for when they join a tour like this (the one to Iraqi Kurdistan especially). Or why people keep on coming back to this blog. You made it clear in a previous post. It’s dead easy to go to Kurdistan on your own. The world really is your oyster: you can go pretty much anywhere you like. On your own. And so, I’m just a disappointed reader. Disappointed enough to even leave a message. Good luck. Thomas
Hey Thomas – I’m really sorry you feel that way but I think you’ve missed something. I’ve started the tours because readers have asked me to organize such trips and the reason I am offering more and more tours each year is because more and more people want to go. And yes, many parts of the world can be explored on your own, however, as I mention often on this site, every traveler is different and not everyone wants to travel on their own. So, my tours are a way for those who not travel by themselves to a particular destination to still experience that destination in a way that they could not experience on a large group tour. And if you talk to those who have been on my tours so far, I’m quite sure they have been happy with the result.
As for Yemen, yes, it was a guided tour (my friend, I and a guide – not a group) because, without a guide, you cannot get the permits necessary to travel outside the capital city. There is no independent travel for foreigners in Yemen right now and while it certainly would have been interesting, it’s just not possible. And I think it’s better to still visit the country, meet its people and experience as much as possible, even if I need a local guide to accompany me (which is actually a benefit to get that kind of local information), than to avoid the country completely.
So, again, I’m sorry you feel the way you do and I think it’s just important to understand that there are different kinds of travelers out there and this site is about helping all of them, regardless of how they prefer to travel, realize that they can achieve their travel goals.
Quite a valid response! There are so many different types of travel, I’m glad Earl tries his best to cover them all to be honest!
Looks like the tours won’t align this year for me, but I hope I can go on one in 2015. Enjoy, Earl! 🙂
Oh man, that’s great. You are ever the adventurous one (my initial reaction to Iraq). Posting ’em up now. ¡Buen viaje!
Hope you continue to offer these, the itineraries look great and would be a different experience than what I am used to. 2015!
Awesome! I definitely want to do one of these. Tentatively Thailand August 15-29! And then I’ll go check out Bali while I’m there.
Best, Sam
Hey Sam – That would be excellent, just let me know! There are now only 4 spots left 🙂
While you’re in the Yucatan you’ve got to visit Mahahual. It is a small town, just a couple hrs south of Playa del Carmen, that is deffinitaly worth seeing!!
Thanks Brenda! I’ve actually been to Mahaual many times…great place indeed!
I wish I was old enough to go :<