Joseph Daleiden is a USA tax consultant embarking on a round-the-world journey.
The Snapshot
- **Departure:** 2003
- **Duration:** 1-2 years
- **Age:** 29
- **Budget:** Custom budget (2026 equivalent)
- **Nationality:** USA
- **Occupation:** Tax Consultant
The Route
you plan to visit?
First we are traveling through eastern Canada, then flying to Alaska for
a month. Then we are flying down to South America, starting in Bolivia
and moving up through Peru and Ecuador then through Central America.
Then it is on to Africa, starting in Morocco then flying to South Africa,
Namibia, and Madagascar. From there we will head over to Sri Lanka and
the Indian sub-continent and work through Southeast Asia up into China,
and from there who knows.
Regions: Asia, South America, Africa, Central America
2026 Note: Travel conditions, visa requirements, and costs have evolved significantly since this profile was originally recorded.
In Their Words
Why did you decide to take this trip? What got you into this type of travel, and/or influenced you to go?
Travel has always been my wife and I’s greatest passion. Ever since we
got married 4 years ago we have saved for one trip after the other,
traveling for 3-4 weeks a year to places like Africa and South Pacific.
We just finally came to the conclusion that 3-4 weeks in an organized
tour was not enough time to experience the cultures and the things we
want to experience. We have been planning this trip for about a year.
How do you think your round-the-world trip will change your life? How do you think it will affect and change you as
a person?
I think this trip will change our life more than anything we have ever
done except having kids (which we are in no hurry to do right now). I
think our whole perspective might change, along with our life goals.
What is your biggest fear about this trip?
We have travelled quite a bit already so not much really bothers us, but
I am actually the most worried about coming home or more appropiately not
wanting too.
Have you traveled around the world before?
No
Why do you like to travel? Meeting new and interesting people with different perspectives and
outlooks, and seeing new places and trying new things.
What is your advice for people planning their own RTW trip?
Stop thinking and worrying about it and just do it. If you think about
it too much you will never do it.
2026 Context
- This profile was recorded before departure. Many travelers never return home quite the same.
- This journey is now 23 years in the past. The world has changed significantly.
- Exchange rates and travel costs have shifted considerably since the original planning date.