In an era of escalating global tensions, a British adventure travel company specialising in the world's most volatile destinations is facing its most severe test to date. Lupine Travel, founded by Dylan Harris and based in Wigan, has built an 18-year reputation offering trips to countries on the UK Foreign Office's no-go list, from Iran to Venezuela. However, the extraordinary geopolitical shifts of early 2026 have created a landscape of uncertainty the firm calls "unprecedented".
An Unprecedented Wave of Instability
"In the past, we might only have had one destination a year where things were uncertain, but we’ve never had anything like this," admits Dylan Harris. The company's model is built on navigating complex destinations, but the current climate presents a unique confluence of risks. The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) warnings against travel to these locations invalidate standard holiday insurance, yet Lupine has consistently found clients willing to accept the risk for unique experiences.
The situation in Iran is a prime example. While the company has no clients currently in the country, it maintains local operators. "We’ve spoken to everybody we work with in Iran, and everyone is safe. But it’s still extremely worrying," Harris says, describing the feeling as "terrifying, really." A scheduled trip for April 2026 hangs in the balance, with visas approved just days before recent events. "Three or four months is a long time — a lot can change," he adds, highlighting the planning nightmare.
Venezuela and the Spectre of Unpredictability
Another major concern is Venezuela, where a completely sold-out tour for June 2026 now faces severe doubts following a US operation on 3 January 2026, which resulted in more than 100 fatalities. "It was a bit of a shock a couple of weeks ago, what happened," Harris states. While the current ground situation is reportedly stable, the forward outlook is the problem.
"It’s the uncertainty going forward that’s the biggest worry," he explains. "Unfortunately, Donald Trump is so unpredictable that we just don’t know what’s going to happen from one day to the next." Unlike other firms that might simply refund customers, Lupine is taking a hands-on approach. A tour manager is due to travel to Venezuela in the coming weeks to assess the lay of the land before any final decision about the June departure is made.
Shifting Frontiers and Absolute No-Gos
The map of viable destinations is rapidly shrinking. In Africa, Sudan and the DR Congo are described as "completely off-limits" even by Lupine's adventurous standards—a significant statement from a company known for pushing boundaries. Meanwhile, Greenland is mentioned as a potential summer alternative, albeit one that could itself become a geopolitical flashpoint.
So where does hope remain? "Central Asia at the moment, Algeria maybe – those are very popular right now and currently there are no issues whatsoever," Harris suggests. However, he cautions, "with the way the world is, I can’t really make any predictions." Even former bestsellers like Chernobyl are off the agenda for now, as what Harris terms "the industry of human happiness turns increasingly sour."
Undeterred, Harris is personally scouting new frontiers. He plans a trip to Latin America, starting with a couple of days in Haiti, before travelling to Medellín in Colombia. His most daring plan is to traverse the infamous Darien Gap into Panama, a region the FCDO explicitly warns against due to armed groups, illegal migration, and drug trafficking. "I think I’ve found a safe way through it. We’ll have to wait and see," he says, embodying the relentless spirit of extreme tourism even as the world becomes a more complicated place to explore.
