I work as a Chief Mate on U.S.-flagged oceanographic research ships. The voyages and expeditions I have worked brought me from the Yangtze River of China, to the icebergs off Cape Horn South America, Antarctica, and many other points around the world.

My passion is world travel and I have spent the last 13 years working and independently traveling through over 90 countries. I have no home and live out of a backpack I also love to read literature, study history, and make trouble where and when I can.

Traveling to North Korea has been a life changing experience but it's far from being my only one. I have hiked at Mt. Everest, worked as a white water rafting guide, hung out with rebels and liberation armies in various war zones, been killed off in a Chinese kung-fu film, studied Vietnamese at a university in Hanoi, and most recently I received the US Coast Guard's highest license, Master Unlimited.

In 2013 I became a partner and guide with Young Pioneer Tours. I spend my 5 months of vacation a year working the cutting edge of experimental travel, not only in North Korea, but in Iran, Eastern Europe, and remote parts of Asia - places your parents wished you stayed away from!

I am always available to offer DPRK travel advice, and if my professional work schedule allows I may be available to custom design and lead your private tour to the DPRK.

Upcoming 2013 DPRK Trips:

Spring season is over, more info to come about my October trips.

I also expect to be helping out Young Pioneer Tours with their big November 2013 Eurasian Tour: Trans Siberian Express Beijing to Moscow, Minsk, Kiev, Chernobyl, Odessa, Transnistria, Moldova, and Romania.

For all regular scheduled trips by Young Pioneer Tours a referral by me can get you 5% off! Tell me a little about yourself and let me hook you up with this great deal!

For more info email me:
joseph@youngpioneertours.com
josephferris76@yahoo.com

When I decided to visit North Korea, my friends thought I had finally lost it, but they weren’t surprised. I travel a lot, and looked to completely change the paradigm of trips to something unique. The DPRK was that for me. It was a life experience that brought a bond with foreigners who decided to travel on this crazy journey. The photos I took circulated several large websites and serve as treasured memories. And my stories at get togethers are the stuff of legend.

- Andrew Lombardi
Orange County, CA

North Korea redefines your perspective as a traveler, and is more than just a destination but an adventure designed for true explorers.

- Cyrus Kirkpatrick
Tucson, Arizona

Check out the first podcast ever recorded inside North Korea. Then hear our reflections upon returning to the States.

Check out my newly released 2012 Kim Il-sung 100th birthday podcast.