Road to London

Our group gathers in Gorakhpur, Uttar Pradesh, in North India. You’ll meet the organising team and your fellow road trippers, who will be your companions for the next two months. From here, we will cross the border into Nepal at Lumbini. Our next stop is Bharatpur Kathmandu, the capital of Nepal and one of the oldest continuously inhabited places in the world, known for its many temples and palaces. We will spend the rest of the week exploring and relaxing while completing visa formalities.

The second week of our amazing adventure starts in China after an exciting border crossing from Rasuwagadhi. Enjoy the fresh mountain air as we travel through the charming towns of Gyirong and Tingri. From there we embark on a memorable journey to Everest Base Camp (EBC), the gateway to the world’s highest peak, Mount Qomolangma (Mount Everest) by boarding a tour bus which is the highlight of this week.

After passing through Shigatse, where we get our driving licenses and vehicle number plates, we head to Lhasa. High in the mountains, Lhasa is the heart of Tibetan Buddhism. Marvel at the Potala Palace, a World Heritage Site, towering over 380 feet above Red Hill. Experience the spiritual atmosphere of Jokhang Temple, another World Heritage Site, surrounded by the lively Barkhor Street. This week is all about soaking in the serenity of the Himalayas.

The third week begins with our excited drivers ready to tackle the rugged mountain terrain as we head to Damxung in Tibet. On the way, we will stop at the beautiful Namtso Lake, the largest saltwater lake in Tibet and one of the highest lakes in the world nestled at an elevation of over 15,400 feet.

Explore the vast and diverse Qiangtang Grasslands, home to the famous Wild Yak, as we continue to Amdo. Next, we travel to Golmud, passing through high mountain passes, feeling like on top of the world.

In the second half of the week, we arrive in Dunhuang in Gansu, Western China. In Dunhuang, be amazed by the stunning Gobi Desert, followed by an entertaining evening. The next day, we will visit the Mogao Caves, a World Heritage Site with 500 temples featuring beautiful Buddhist art.

We end the week by heading to Turpan in Xinjiang, a region of China that borders eight countries: Mongolia, Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Afghanistan, Pakistan, and India.

In the fourth week of our journey, we leave Turpan and head to Kuerle, the second largest city in Xinjiang. After a restful night, our group drives to Aksu on the edge of the Tarim Basin. Enjoy the lush Populus Forest Park, a famous tourist spot, and test your driving skills on the impressive Tarim Desert Expressway through the Taklamakan Desert. Next, we visit Kashgar, known as “Pearl of the Silk Road” and one of the oldest continuously inhabited places in the world. Walk through the Old Town’s winding alleyways, admire vintage houses and gates, and savor local flavors.

After experiencing Chinese culture, we move on to the ‘Stan’ countries. We drive along the historic Pamir Glacier Highway, surrounded by the towering Pamir Mountains, also known as the ‘Roof of the World.’ This challenging route has been in use for over 2000 years. Crossing the border, we continue to the Silk Road-era city of Osh in Kyrgyzstan. Osh is a long-established trade center with a large bazaar along the Ak-Bura River. Visit Sulaiman Too, the only World Heritage Site in the country.

We end the week by leaving Kyrgyzstan and heading to the garden city of Fergana in Uzbekistan.

This leg of the journey begins as we drive out of Osh in Kyrgyzstan, taking a scenic mountain route towards Uzbekistan. Crossing the border, we enter the Fergana Valley and arrive in Fergana, before continuing onwards to the capital city of Tashkent, where we spend time before heading further west.

Leaving Uzbekistan behind, we cross into Kazakhstan via the Zhibek Zholy border and arrive in Shymkent. From here, the journey continues deeper into the vast Kazakh steppe as we drive to Baikonur, followed by a long overland stretch to Aktobe.

We then continue westward towards Atyrau, the unique transcontinental city located on the banks of the Ural River, marking the meeting point of Europe and Asia

This leg of the journey begins as we leave Kazakhstan behind and cross into Russia, arriving in Astrakhan, a historic city set along the banks of the mighty Volga River. It’s a shift in landscape, culture, and pace—marking the beginning of our drive through southern Russia.

From Astrakhan, we continue towards Elista, the heart of Russia’s Buddhist region, where we spend time before pushing further west. The drive here unfolds across vast open plains, with long stretches of road cutting through quiet, expansive landscapes that define this part of the world.

As we move closer to the Caucasus, the terrain begins to change, and the journey builds up to one of its most iconic moments—approaching Mount Elbrus, the highest peak in Europe. Towering above the horizon, it signals our arrival into a completely different setting.

From here, we continue onwards to Verkhniy Fiagdon in North Ossetia-Alania, a serene mountain village surrounded by dramatic landscapes, where we pause and take in the shift from endless plains to towering mountains before continuing ahead on the expedition.

We start the seventh week by crossing the border into Georgia, leaving Russia behind and entering the capital city of Tbilisi. This cosmopolitan city is set in a beautiful valley and has an Old Town with many historic attractions.

Next, we visit the Georgian port city of Batumi, known for its unique architecture and sculptural beauty, earning it the nickname “Las Vegas of the Black Sea.” We end this part of our incredible road trip by leaving Georgia and entering the fascinating country of Türkiye.

We start exploring Türkiye starting with Trabzon, a city on the Black Sea coast of northeastern Türkiye. From there, we head to Cappadocia, an ancient region in East-Central Anatolia, known for its stunning landscape. The next day, enjoy a sunrise Hot Air Balloon Ride, the best way to see Cappadocia’s incredible scenery. Later, visit Devrent Valley, also known as Imagination Valley, with its fairy chimneys and beautiful views.

After Cappadocia, we travel to Istanbul, Türkiye vibrant capital. Istanbul combines modern and historic charm, and a luxurious cruise on the Bosphorus Strait will be a great way to end our time in Türkiye. Mid-week, we head to Sofia, Bulgaria’s capital. Spend a day exploring this relaxed and diverse city.

Next, we travel to Belgrade, Serbia, one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world. With so much to see and do, this incredible journey is sure to leave you feeling exhilarated and full of life!

The ninth week of our journey begins as we leave Belgrade and cross into Budapest via Croatia. Budapest is a cosmopolitan city known for its culture, architecture, and natural hot springs. A big part of the city has been granted UNESCO World Heritage site status and it is also considered as the most beautiful city in Europe.

We will enjoy a cruise on the Danube River, the second longest river in Europe, in Budapest. Next, we travel to Prague, the capital of Czechia (formerly Czech Republic). This city is known for its beautiful mix of Romanesque, Gothic, Renaissance, and Baroque architecture, making it a memorable destination.

Prague to Frankfurt offers a scenic journey through picturesque landscapes and charming towns of Germany. Afterwards, we head to Brussels, via the Netherlands. Brussels, the capital of Belgium is famous for its delicious food, World Heritage Sites, and vibrant art scene. As we enter the final stretch of our journey, we’ll be heading toward the last country on our route before arriving in the UK.

We start the final leg of our journey with a ferry ride from Calais in France to Dover in the UK. Driving into London with the Indian flag proudly waving on your vehicle is an exhilarating experience that’s hard to describe. Enjoy a delicious farewell dinner with the group who shared this amazing adventure with you over the past two months. Our vehicles will be shipped back to India as we reminisce about the incredible moments from this unique trip. Get ready to be amazed and deeply moved, because this is ‘Road to London’—an epic journey that will remain unmatched in your memories for a long time.