Who Is Davud Akhundzada? The Travel Vlogger Turning Adventures Into Impact

I’ve been curious about people who quit stable jobs to travel full-time. I’m not there yet myself, but I keep wondering what it would take. While searching for inspiration, I found Davud Akhundzada’s story. He’s a traveler who went from working in corporate offices to exploring the world. I wanted to know how he did it, what makes him different, and what I could learn from his journey.

Who Is Davud Akhundzada and How Did He Become a Travel Vlogger?

Davud was born in Azerbaijan and moved to Prague at 18 to study Business Administration. He studied at the University of New York in Prague and later did coursework at the State University of New York, Empire State College.

Before vlogging, he built a solid career. He started small as a hotel receptionist and social media specialist. Later he moved into corporate roles at ExxonMobil and Edwards Lifesciences, where he worked his way up to Procurement Category Manager. On paper, it looked like success.

A Bold Leap Into the Unknown

But Davud himself didn’t feel fulfilled. On LinkedIn he shared openly:

“I did not want to disappear in 9 to 5 circles. I did not want to live and die in the same place even though I love Prague with my whole heart and loved my job. And most importantly I did not want to experience the world in 2 weeks vacations a year by the seaside.”

So in September 2021, he quit. By November, after his notice period, he was ready to travel full-time.

“There is never a right moment. It is just when you feel the most scared that is when you do the jump.”

His early vlogs were from South Asia, especially India and Sri Lanka. He admits it was scary, both financially and emotionally, but he kept going. His “MY STORY – I Quit My Job To Travel” video quickly hit 300,000 views. By the end of 2022, he had already passed 100,000 subscribers.

From 100K to Viral Fame

Things picked up even more in 2023. His series from Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Bangladesh went viral. One video, “Arriving in Kabul”, reached over a million views. Around the same time, he launched a 45-episode Sri Lanka series that introduced his first large-scale charity project.

By 2025, he wasn’t just in Asia anymore. He had filmed in Africa and Central Asia too, places like Burundi, Ethiopia, and Kyrgyzstan. His subscriber count neared 800,000, showing how far he had come in just a few years.

Which Countries Has He Traveled to and What Are His Expeditions?

Davud has been to over 40 countries. Most of his videos are from Asia, Sri Lanka, India, Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Bangladesh, but he also spends time in Central Asia, the Middle East, and Africa.

His content isn’t about sightseeing. He films everyday life: a $200 head massage in Sri Lanka, street food in Pakistan, or even a risky walk through a gun market. That mix of curiosity and courage keeps people watching.

He also runs “Expeditions with Davud.” These are group tours where fans can join him on cultural immersion trips. They include homestays, local food, and hiking. For example, his 2026 Kyrgyzstan expedition is priced at $3,600. Reviews suggest they feel authentic and more personal than typical package tours.

What Philanthropy and Charity Work Has He Done?

What really stood out to me is that Davud uses his platform to give back. In August 2025, he launched a project called “Free Education for 600 Village Students in Sri Lanka.” It supports children in 40 villages with English, IT, and STEM education.

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A post shared by Davud Akhundzada (@davud)

This isn’t his first effort. In 2023, he helped fund a $25,000 Village Education Center that now supports over 2,000 kids every year. In 2024, he raised $10,000 for toilets for special-needs children. Before that, he organized food drives and helped single mothers.

He works with NGOs like the Foundation of Goodness and the Doing Good Rewards Foundation to keep things transparent. His audience often responds with donations, and his posts show the joy on students’ faces.

How Does He Make Money to Travel Full-Time?

This is something I always wonder about. For Davud, the answer is a mix of income sources:

• YouTube ads: Sites like StarStat estimate his ad revenue at $12,000–$37,000 per month.
• Expeditions: Paid tours such as Bhutan and Kyrgyzstan add to his income.
• Sponsorships: Partnerships with travel and gear brands.
• Patreon: More than 200 fans subscribe for extra content.
• Merchandise and affiliate links: Smaller but steady.

He admits it wasn’t easy at first.

“Quitting a job sounds so cliché and cool – but lots of long-term planning and effort come with it. This was the end goal of my 2-year plan.”

What Makes His Travel Vlogs Unique?

There are many travel vloggers out there, Kurt Caz, Drew Binsky, Bald and Bankrupt, but Davud’s approach feels different. He slows things down, greets people in their language, and focuses on real interactions instead of just landmarks.

Viewers notice. Comments often say his content feels “more real.” On Reddit, people call him “the authentic option.” His Instagram has 84,000 followers and a strong engagement rate, showing that people trust his style.

Interestingly, his corporate background helps too. Years of procurement and management gave him skills in organization and planning. That structure now shapes his expeditions, making them professional yet personal.

What About Davud Akhundzada’s Personal Life?

In March 2025, Davud shared one of the most important moments of his life on Instagram, his engagement. On 3.3.25, he proposed to his partner, describing her as his “female version,” and she said yes. He credits her as a huge source of support behind his travels and content creation.

The proposal took place in Istanbul, a city Davud calls their “dream city,” full of history, art, and memories from their visits together. He chose a historical building by the sea to ask what he called the “most important question of my life.”

In his post, Davud expressed gratitude for her love, beauty, and energy, writing: “All the traveling and content you see is not possible without a supportive, loving, and understanding partner.” The heartfelt announcement shows that while his videos often highlight adventure, his personal life is also filled with love and stability.

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A post shared by Davud Akhundzada (@davud)

What Don’t We Know Yet?

Even with all this, some things remain unclear. He hasn’t shared many details about his corporate career beyond what’s on LinkedIn. He doesn’t seem to have a permanent home base, he lives nomadically. And while some expedition prices are listed, not all of his future trips are confirmed.

What’s Next for Davud Akhundzada?

Davud’s path has been bold, from Azerbaijan to Prague, from office life to a nomadic lifestyle. He’s built a channel, a community, and a way to give back.

He has plans for new expeditions in Bhutan, Kyrgyzstan, and Uganda. His Sri Lanka education projects will keep expanding. With nearly 800,000 YouTube subscribers, 900,000 TikTok followers, and close to a million Facebook fans, his journey is only growing.

And honestly, reading about him makes me reflect. He didn’t wait for the “perfect moment.” He jumped, even though it was scary. I’m not ready to do that yet, but learning his story reminds me that it could be possible one day.

If you’re also dreaming about this kind of life, I’d love to hear what you think. Would you take the leap like Davud?

FAQs About Davud Akhundzada