We are humbled by the trust that clients extend to Uncommon Journeys. When they return to travel with us again and recommend our tours to their friends, we know that we have done our job well. Here’s a glance at Uncommon Journeys by the numbers. 97% of our clients recommend our tours to their friends. 92% of our clients have taken 2 or more tours. 87% of our clients have taken 3 or more tours. 75% of our clients fall in love with a destination and return multiple times. We th

If you’re looking for a definitive answer as to whether Burma or Myanmar is the correct name for the southeast Asian country, you’re not likely to get a straightforward one. The best we can do is shed some light. The original name was Myanmar. The linguistic origin and meaning are disputed, but most historians agree that it was derived from Sanskrit. During British occupation (1824 – 1948) it was changed to Burma, an ethnonym for the majority ethnic group. In 1989 the name

If you’re confounded by the requirements and process to obtain a Bolivian tourist visa, your confusion is justified. We travel to Bolivia frequently, and our experience entering the country doesn’t even come close to resembling the supposed prerequisites. Most of the misinformation comes from Bolivian consular websites, and should be taken with a grain of salt. Application requirements, process, forms and fees change frequently without notice, but this information, current a

Recent images of a ravaged Burma have been seared into our consciousness. As distressing and gut-wrenching as they are, Burma is so much more than just a war-torn country marred by the coups d’état and military atrocities. It is one of the most stunning and serene places we’ve ever been. Please have a glimpse through our lens, to images that exemplify that magical country.

On February 1, 2021, the Burmese (Myanmar) military staged a coup, leaving death, destruction and poverty in its wake. The crisis has laid bare the very soul of the Burmese people. They have banded together with courage and fortitude, regardless of age, religion or ethnicity, to fight for their hard-won democracy. They have not given up. They have chosen hope for a better future. Many of you who have visited Burma with Uncommon Journeys and fallen in love with that magical co

A single candle illuminates the shrouded figures of four small children, bronzing their faces and imbuing them with an angelic quality. They are huddled together in a solemn observance of Timkat, the Ethiopian Orthodox Epiphany, or commemoration of the baptism of Christ. I reflect back on the chaos of yesterday’s Timkat Eve Ketra procession. How different and serene it is this pre-dawn morning of Timkat in Lalibela. Twelfth century splendor Ketra marks the beginning of Timk

From quaint grammatical infelicities to expressions lost in translation, unintentionally hilarious signs are a universal source of amusement when traveling in foreign countries. Here are a few of our favorites. It is not allowed to wear short pants, shameless dresses and not good looking dresses. We are sorry, but these toilets are out of action. Please use floor. Monuments Conservation Center shall not permit to sell entrance tickets to visitors in shorts and underclothes.

The recent boom in tour companies offering international “voluntourism” opportunities has fueled the desire to volunteer. As a result, increasing numbers of voluntourists are paying to participate in projects that do not offer constructive help. They've been described as “new colonialists,” engaging in projects that are designed only with the enjoyment of volunteers in mind. Richard Stupart describes it as “morally ambiguous catnip for traveling narcissists.” So what could po

We're often asked what distinguishes Uncommon Journeys from other small group tour companies. While we appreciate the question and welcome the opportunity to sing our own praises, we reject the premise of “What.” We’re reminded of the beloved baseball poem “Casey at the Bat,” popularly recognized as “Who’s on First.” At Uncommon Journeys, it’s first & foremost the “Who” that distinguishes us. Our local guides make the experience. They’re the difference between a good trip and

Think about great explorers, and legendary men readily spring to mind. But as a tour leader in Burma, Bolivia, Ethiopia and the Adriatic, I’m mindful that I humbly follow in the footsteps of four intrepid women. These trailblazers did the unthinkable, fearlessly venturing around the world ahead of their time and against all odds. Their spirit of adventure was matched only by their eloquence. Their beautifully written, inspirational travelogues captured the imagination a cent

We’ve said it before and we’ll say it again. Bolivia is South America’s best kept secret. But the world is catching on. Paul Richardson, travel writer for The Financial Times, touts it, saying, “Once an off-the-radar redoubt of outdoor adventurers and shaman seekers, Bolivia is coming into its own. It may not yet be a front-ranked global destination, but I can’t help feeling that moment may well be just around the corner.” Did you know that Bolivia… is the birthplace of Rach

Much of the world has been taught to beg for money, candy, pens, toys, lipstick and trinkets, by well-intentioned but misguided tourists bearing “gifts.” These handouts belittle the people, erode the culture, perpetuate a negative stereotype of patronizing foreigners, and create reliance on begging. They also encourage parents to exploit their children by sending them out to beg from tourists instead of to school. In order to preserve the culture and dignity of your host coun

As a world traveler, you recognize the importance of multicultural awareness among young people. As a teacher, parent, grandparent or member of a community, you also know the value of developing creative potential among pre-teens and teenagers. Here's a resource that addresses both of those objectives. Skipping Stones is an award-winning magazine that celebrates cultural diversity; advocates for ecological and environmental sustainability; and provides a forum for a meanin

When traveling abroad, be aware of seemingly innocent hand gestures that could be misconstrued or unintentionally offensive. Throughout...

Statistics show that 85% of travelers go someplace they've already been. Ready for a break from the familiar? Eager to try something...

There are almost as many reasons to travel as there are travelers. Intrigued by the myriad motivations, we sought insights through the...

Some travel quotes are so compelling that they inspire us to pack a bag, spread our wings and set off on an excellent adventure. Here...

As a world traveler, you’ve undoubtedly experienced the challenges of communicating through an interpreter. Here are some guidelines to...

When I photograph indigenous people, I approach with one simple principle: finding a common denominator – something that unites us as...

If you wonder whether you should travel to Myanmar, please read on. First of all, we cannot express vigorously enough our condemnation of...