Joseph Daleiden – Around-the-World Traveler

Joseph Daleiden is a 29-year-old tax consultant from the USA who set off on a round-the-world trip in 2003 with his wife.

The Snapshot

• Departure: 2003
• Age at departure: 29
• Nationality: USA
• Duration: 1-2 years
• Occupation: Tax Consultant
• Budget: Not specified
• Regions: North America, South America, Central America, Africa, Asia, South Asia, Southeast Asia

The Route

First traveling through eastern Canada, then flying to Alaska for a month. Then flying down to South America, starting in Bolivia and moving up through Peru and Ecuador, then through Central America. On to Africa, starting in Morocco then flying to South Africa, Namibia, and Madagascar. From there over to Sri Lanka and the Indian sub-continent, working through Southeast Asia up into China, and from there who knows.

In Their Words

Here's what Joseph Daleiden shared about their RTW journey:

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 appropriately 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

• Budget inflation: This traveler did not specify a budget; early-2000s round-the-world costs are substantially higher in 2026, reflecting roughly 79% cumulative inflation since the 2003 departure.