Ten years ago, the founders of DeWonder* noticed that society's expectations of travel had become entirely different from before. We are no longer satisfied with itineraries that merely skim the surface, nor content with journeys that leave no lasting impression. We hope to be inspired along the way, to earnestly learn about local cultures, to meet like-minded friends, and to rediscover our curiosity.
At the same time, though the internet is highly developed and travel information is readily available, it remains quite difficult to ensure that an experience truly suits you. Convenient and quick, yet personalised and rich in knowledge — the travel experience we envision is anything but simple.
Many people assume these changes are limited to the younger generation, but that is not the case. Regardless of age, more and more travellers have a curious, inquisitive spirit and seek a balance between convenient and personalised journeys.
Over the past 10 years, the DeWonder* team has specialised in providing in-depth travel experiences to this curious community. We have led tens of thousands of travellers to more than 50 countries. Departing in small groups, led by experts, fostering a sense of community, sharing knowledge, and creating exclusive experiences have always been the core ideals of DeWonder*.
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DeWonder's* two founders, Rubio and Jamie, are graduates of the University of Hong Kong, and were already frequent travellers during their university years. In Rubio's case, a trip to North Korea led to his later work teaching English there, where he organised numerous international language exchanges with the local foreign languages university—and discovered that North Koreans have a remarkably sharp head for business. Jamie, meanwhile, visited the "Home for the Dying" in India, doing volunteer work to help patients pass away with less suffering. Yet what left the deepest impression on him were the volunteers who came from all over the world to help—people who asked nothing in return and simply wanted to do their part for the world.These experiences inspired them to bring international knowledge and in-depth exchange to the public through travel, for this is the true meaning of travel.
They later gave up their careers as a civil servant and a lawyer to found DeWonder Travel*. Over the years they have led tens of thousands of people to fifty countries, earning an excellent reputation and being interviewed by over 100 media outlets both at home and abroad. Though neither came from the travel industry, their company pioneered the concept of the "in-depth tour."
At the same time, they teamed up with a TV station to become the first crew to film in the remote northeastern regions of North Korea, producing the widely acclaimed in-depth travel programme "Down to Earth: North Korea." They also host dozens of TV and radio programmes, are the authors of the bestselling book "Been to North Korea Fifty Times: Ask Me Anything," and serve as part-time university lecturers.
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DeWonder Travel specialises in in-depth cultural tours. Guided by the philosophy of Go Local, we offer travellers an intellectual, unforgettable and delightful in-depth travel experience.
We found that mass-market tours fail to lead travellers into a deep understanding of local cultures, while independent travel doesn't always allow the time or the means to find the most authentic experiences and uncover hidden, fascinating places. The following are the aims of DeWonder Travel's in-depth tours:
Intellectual: We explore special themes and invite scholars, cultural figures or experts to join the tour, telling stories you won't hear elsewhere
Unforgettable: We open routes to off-the-beaten-path countries, connecting local stories, visiting local homes and focusing on cultural exchange
Delightful: We insist on small groups, putting experience first, so it feels like travelling with friends
In-depth: We research destinations thoroughly, arrange itineraries closely tied to the theme, carefully select quality partners, and seek out distinctive accommodation, dining and guided tours
At the same time, we break with industry conventions—our itineraries contain absolutely no commission-based shopping stops. Our participants' satisfying experiences and growth in knowledge are our greatest reward. Beyond running in-depth tours, DeWonder Travel also offers private group tours / independent travel, tailor-made itineraries and study-tour experiences, so everyone can enjoy DeWonder Travel's in-depth travel services in a variety of forms.
DeWonder Travel was founded by renowned scholars and travellers. Our team of experts and DeWonder Travel's in-depth tour leaders combine rich local knowledge with the operational experience to ensure a smooth and comfortable journey. Over the past few years, the reviews DeWonder Travel has received from clients have been outstanding, proving that our team's efforts are truly recognised.
In addition, the founders of DeWonder Travel have given more than 30 local and international media interviews, sharing the philosophy and process of running intellectual, in-depth tours, and serving as a rare window through which people in Hong Kong and Taiwan can come to know off-the-beaten-path countries such as North Korea, Iran, Bhutan, Myanmar and the countries of Central Asia.
From time to time we host cultural events together with scholars. Besides studying Japanese architecture, Myanmar's ancient monuments, North Korean politics, Middle Eastern religions and Central Asian history, we also share travel philosophy and the concept of sustainable travel, in the hope of creating a new travel culture in Hong Kong.