Sounds like a crazy, life-changing experience!
The longest bus tour in the world, from Delhi to London, is about to start in May 2021 (provided the health situation allows it). This one-way journey would work as an organized tour. Passengers buy a package that includes bus transport, admin fees, accommodation, meals, and tour guides at the most famous sites along the road.
The super-adventurous cross-continent trip would cover 20,000 kilometers through 18 countries (Myanmar, Thailand, Laos, China, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Russia, Lithuania, Latvia, Poland, Czech Republic, Germany, Netherlands, Belgium, France and the UK) in 70 days! Definitely a life-changing experience!
Other interesting facts about India
London to Kolkata in the 1950s along the Hippie Trail
This is not the first time that such a distance is covered by road. The first “Indiaman service” departed on 15 April 1957 with 20 passengers from London and reached Kolkata in India on 5th June. The same bus returned to London on 2nd August. Out of the 20 passengers, 7 actually did return. This round trip cost 65 pounds that time.
Between the mid-1950s and late 1970s, many young men and women undertook the adventure to leave their life behind. They left for Asia through the Balkan, the Middle-East, Iran, Afghanistan, Pakistan, India and Nepal. These were mainly the hippies in quest of finding a sense of life and enlightenment at a remote place.
Goa, Varanasi, Kabul, and especially Kathmandu were popular destinations on the “Hippie Trail”. They idealized the capital of Nepal as an exotic mystical place, where the curious traveler can find answers and peace. In between, they mingled with locals, exchanged views, and indulged in the oriental culture. That time Kathmandu faced the crowds of Westerners unprepared. The Magic Bus Company, seated in Amsterdam, grabbed the opportunity to take the unkempt low-budget travelers to the mystified East. Some of them continued to Australia or New Zealand to get back to the Western lifestyle.
Some stayed until they ran out of money or became mentally disturbed by not finding what they came for.
The hippie traveling came to an end due to the Iranian revolution and the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan. The road got more and more dangerous, and the locals were also disturbed by the tourists coming mainly in quest of cannabis and heroin and left a mess behind.
The world’s longest bus route from London to Delhi as of 2021
Inspired by the Hippie Trail, the two enthusiastic travelers, Tushar Agarwal and Sanjay Madan, founders of Adventures Overland, are the ones who came up with this mind-blowing bus tour. But this is not for low-budget backpackers. Participants pay approx. 20,000 USD for the total length. However, they can opt for only one leg of the four sections. It is up to them if they start in Delhi or London. One month after the bus reaches London as the final destination, it will re-depart with another 20 passengers back to India. The bus will be equipped with business class seats, wi-fi, and an entertainment system.
Although current travel uncertainties do not enable bookings yet, there already seems to be a big interest.
The two Indians have plenty of experience and an impressive biography. Sanjay is a photographer-videographer and travel show host. He crossed over 80 countries creating several national and international driving records. Tushar was the first Indian to drive from London to India. He drove around half of the world and has been featured in the Guinness Book.
Other interesting facts about India
They specialize in adventurous road trips on every continent, navigating their guests through deserts, rainforests, high altitude mountains, and other impossible places. They already offered the India – London tour before, but so far only for guests who brought their own vehicles and drove in convoy.
Besides offering an adventurous tour under the safest conditions, they try to push the people out of their comfort zone and provide a truly transformational experience.
They quote the American author, James A.Michener in their brochure:
“If you reject the food, ignore the customs, fear the religion, and avoid the people, you might better stay at home.”
by Agnes Simigh
I’m a passionate tour guide and travel writer, who is curious to discover places that seldom catch the attention of the media or that are misrepresented. My goal is to inspire you to choose off-the-beaten-track destinations by sharing objective and detailed information. I believe that it is mainly the lack of “intel” that keeps us away from incredible places. And that just shouldn’t be the case.
Pingback: 30 interesting facts and stories about India | Voice of Guides