Aaron Herbert – Round-the-World Traveler

Aaron Herbert is a 23-year-old web developer from Australia who set off on a round-the-world trip in 2005.

The Snapshot

• Departure: 2005
• Age at departure: 23
• Nationality: Australia
• Location: Australia
• Occupation: Web developer
• Original budget: USD 15,000 (approximately USD 25,300 in 2026 dollars)
• Regions: Southeast Asia, North America, South America

The Route

Flew to Bali and stayed until his visa expired, then Singapore, overland through Malaysia and Thailand to Bangkok, a loop through Laos and Cambodia and back to Bangkok, on to Lima via a week in New York, through southern Peru into Bolivia, Argentina, and across to Chile, then Chile to Melbourne to catch up with friends before flying home to Perth.

In Their Words

Here's what Aaron Herbert 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?

I was working in a travel agent as there IT support guy, saw a broture for peru and decided i wanted to go. then figured if i was going to, i should do it properly.

What was the best moment of your trip?

machu picchu

What was the worst moment?

getting my wallet stolen on ko phi phi

What was your favorite piece of gear?

llama beanie

How did your round-the-world trip change your life? How did it affect and change you as a person?

the travel bug has laid eggs in my brain. I think i am more generous now and more open minded.

If you had to sum up your round-the-world trip in one sentence, what would it be?

life changing event, that has proberbly made me a better person.

2026 Context

• Budget inflation: This traveler's original budget of USD 15,000 would equate to approximately USD 25,300 in 2026 purchasing power, reflecting roughly 69% inflation over the intervening years.