London to Beijing and Beijing to London
AN IN-DEPTH OVERLAND ADVENTURE EXPLORING THE HIGHLIGHTS AND NATURAL WONDERS OF ASIA!
18 WEEKS = £2245 + £745 Local Payment (LP)
London to Beijing expedition start and end dates
(All expeditions departing London in April include Anzac Day at Gallipoli)
Depart LONDON 06 Apr 2009 - Arrive BEIJING 10Aug 2009
Depart LONDON 02 Aug 2009 - Arrive BEIJING 06 Dec 2009
Depart LONDON 06 Apr 2010 - Arrive BEIJING 10 Aug2010
Depart LONDON 01 Aug 2010 - Arrive BEIJING 05 Dec 2010
Beijing to London expedition start and end dates
Depart BEIJING 24 Jan 2010 - Arrive LONDON 30 May 2010
Depart BEIJING 23 May 2010 - Arrive LONDON 26 Sept 2010
Depart BEIJING 23 Jan 2011 - Arrive LONDON 29 May 2011
Overview
GERMANY - CZECH REPUBLIC - AUSTRIA - HUNGARY - ROMANIA
- BULGARIA - TURKEY - IRAN - PAKISTAN - INDIA - NEPAL - TIBET - CHINA
Join us on an epic Asian journey and travel overland from London to
Beijing or Beijing to London in our purpose built expedition vehicle!
All you need do is look at the world map to realise the diversity this
trip offers. From the azure waters of the Turkish coastline to the
windswept plateaus of Tibet, from the hustle and hassle of the New
Delhi markets to the tranquility of the Iranian deserts, and from tiger
spotting in Nepal to the Great Wall of China, this trip will let you
experience the best of Asia!
Click here to see a detailed route map with highlights
You can also download this map as a PDF
Highlights
- Prague
- Transylvania
- Istanbul
- Gallipoli
- Ephesus
- Turquoise Coast
- Cappadocia
- Esfehan
- Persepolis
- Karakoram Highway
- Golden Temple
- Taj Mahal
- Kathmandu
- Mt. Everest
- Lhasa
- Terracotta Warriors
- Beijing And The Great Wall
What's Included (and What's Not)
We of course realise that not everyone is going to visit every ruin, raft every river and hike every trail along the way so we have left most of these activities as optional and therefore kept the payment to a minimum.
Included
- Services of your leader/driver
- Use of our own expedition vehicle and equipment
- Diesel, mechanics, shipping and any other costs relating to our truck
- Ferry tickets (when travelling as a group)
- An average of 2 meals a day while camping (usually breakfast and
the evening meal)
- All camping and hotel costs
- National Park entry fees when we enter as a group with our vehicle
Not Included
- Personal travel insurance
- Personal spending money
- Visas
- Border taxes
- Lunch
- Meals while staying in hotels
- Entrance fees to optional sites and parks
- Any optional activities
- Any unforeseen contingency route expenses
- Any flights
- Tents
Proposed Itinerary
Our proposed itinerary is here to give you a rough idea of where we will be going and what we will be doing during our expedition. This itinerary is the ideal route we would like to take providing all political and environmental situations are acceptable during the time of our travels. Obviously things can change so we have provided you with an alternative route which we would follow in the event of any problems. Either way it is gonna be fun!
For those of you travelling from Beijing to London the following itinerary will be the same but in reverse.
Week 1 & 2 - Germany, Czech Republic, Austria, Hungary, Romania & Bulgaria
Usually
everyone heading east just transits through Europe in a mad rush to reach
Istanbul and enter Asia. We however think there are quite a few worthwhile
stops along the way and in order to really soak up the changes each new
country offers us we stop off in a few of the more interesting European
locations.
Germany offers us a chance to familiarize ourselves with our truck before
we reach Prague in the Czech Republic and lose ourselves amongst the
stone palaces and cobbled streets.
Austria's capital Vienna is a great day out before we reach Hungary and
start to notice a change as Western Europe begins to fade.
A goulash in Budapest is a tasty treat before following the Danube River
through to Romania where we visit Dracula's Castle, perched high in the
Transylvanian mountains.
Brasov and Bucharest are also worthwhile stops before we enter Bulgaria
and visit the stunning town of Veliko Turnovo and camp with the monks
at Bacho Kiro caves. Crossing over the rolling green foothills of the
Balkans we now head for Turkey.
Week 3, 4 & 5 - Turkey
Istanbul,
the city that separates europe from asia has it all, and you will revel
in the history and culture it offers. Turkish baths and turkish delights
are the order of the day!
The battlefields of Gallipoli are our next stop where we pay tribute
to the thousands of Aussie's, kiwis, Brit's and turks who lost their
lives here in 1915. A truly moving experience (our april departure expedition
includes dawn service on Anzac day).
Historic troy, the great ruins of Ephesus and the roman baths at Pammukale
are real highlights on the journey down to the magnificent turquoise
coast. Here we camp on the beautiful lagoon of Oludeniz where greek ghost
towns and overgrown roman amphitheaters hide in the surrounding forests
which are best explored on foot. Saklikent gorge is only a moped ride
away and skydiving and mountain biking are popular activities here for
those who enjoy adrenalin!
Further down the coast we find Olympos with it's eternal flames glowing
amidst the pine-clad mountainsides that sweep down to its fine beaches.
Inland on the plateau we reach the fairy-tale wonderland of Cappadocia
with spectacular canyons, ancient caves and underground cities carved
into the geologically diverse land. Belly dancing is a big affair up
here and so is the local drink 'Raki', be warned!
Further south we visit roman bridges and desolate castles where you have
the option of climbing up mount Nemrut Dagi to marvel at the huge stone
heads that have lay there motionless for thousands of years!
Skirting lake van we head for the border town of Dogubeyazit (more affectionately
known as 'doggy biscuit'). Here in the shadow of mt ararat we camp beneath
the fabulous Ishak pasha palace. We have a good excuse to have a party
as alcohol is prohibited for the next two weeks once we enter iran.
Please note. Due to lack of western infrastructure from eastern turkey and throughout iran and pakistan, the expedition becomes more challenging - at times it will be hot, humid and our living conditions very basic - this is actually one of the highlights to most as it takes a bit of an effort to get through and the sense of 'real travelling' as opposed to 'being on holiday' is at it's peak! With the right attitude these countries, along with being the most challenging, are always ultimately the most interesting and often will make up the majority of your travelling tales when the expedition is completed. They truly are a unique and fascinating experience but not for the faint hearted!
Week 6 & 7 - Iran
It is unlikely we will encounter a friendlier, more welcoming race of
people on our entire journey so enjoy the iranian hospitality!
Our first taste of iran is the fantastic pizza parlours in the lively
town of tabriz. Also famous for it's famous blue mosque this town is
rich in history too.
We continue on into the countryside where and reach babak castle where
it is possible to hike up to the impressive ancient fortress.
Our journey now takes us on to one of the world's largest bodies of fresh-water,
the caspian sea, famous for it's sought-after caviar and (unbelievably)
it's long grain rice growing in the surrounding paddy fields.
Further south we climb into verdant green mountains and spend a couple
of days in the quaint town of masuleh, from where it is possible to explore
the areas natural beauty on foot.
Back on the iranian plateau we head for esfahan, iran's masterpiece.
The impressive city square is full of intricately decorated mosaic mosques,
leisurely tea-shops and lavish carpet emporiums. Plenty of bargains can
be found in the myriad of bazaars that lead off from the square and the
city's gorgeous bridges deserve all the time you can spare.
The zagros mountains provide a stunning backdrop on our trip to the intriguing
ruins of persepolis. Once the summer capital of the persian empire, this
is the site where alexander the great famously conquered the persian
armies stronghold.
We continue on to the small town of yazd with its famous wind-towers
before heading east and desert camping our way towards the pakistan border.
Week 8, 9 & 10 - Pakistan
Well
worth exploring and richly rewarding we enter the fabulous land of pakistan!
This is a country of huge contrasts and our first two days will be enjoyed
passing through the balochistan desert and its barren magnificence. Two
lane highways are a thing of the past and the main roads are now ever
deteriorating single-track corrugations.
The first town we reach is quetta, a splendid melting pot of different
cultures, a frontier town with vibrant markets and fantastic restaurants!
A good place to re-charge as cold beer is again available.
A
couple of days north we find the 'wild-west' town of peshawar where
the unique public markets offer a vast selection of guns and hash!
This is also the place (circumstances permitting) we undertake a journey
up to the afghan border via the khyber pass.
From here we now undertake a journey that few travellers ever manage.
We head north to the karakoram highway and the beginning of an epic journey
you will never forget!
This road is truly a great feat of engineering and as we drive up we
have a chance to marvel at the villages clinging to the sheer mountainsides
as the indus river snakes it's way along the valley floor.
In
the famed hunza valley we base ourselves in the small town of karimabad.
Famous for it's succulent apricots and stunning hiking trails we are
now amongst some of the highest peaks in the world.
From here you have the option of taking an interesting excursion up to
the chinese border before continuing back down the kkh.
The return route offers us an amazing view of snow-capped nanga parbat
(8125m) and the villages of besham and chilas are welcome stops as we
descend.
The
bustling metropolis' of islamabad and lahore offer us a peek into pakistani
big city life and you have a chance to explore the museums, mosques,
restaurants and nightclubs before leaving this amazing country.
Week 11 & 12 - India
Every day at the close of the india pakistan border the guards from both sides put on an amazing show as they parade up and down kicking their legs unbelievably high into the air and face off against each other in a mark of independence and honour. This will be our first taste of india!
Close
by is amritsar, home of the sikh religion with their spectacular golden
temple as the centrepiece.
A days drive away we reach dharamsala, exile home of the dalai lama.
Amongst the cobbled streets filled with the chants of buddhist monks
are wonderful art galleries and a sobering museum dedicated to the plight
of the tibetans after the invasion by china.
Delhi is a city that you have to see for yourself in order to believe
that such a place can exist. The streets are a slow moving mass of every
conceivable mode of transport, with the sacred cows having right of way
over everyone! Delhi is the ultimate in hustle and bustle and facing
the unrelenting throng of people is an experience you won't forget in
a hurry! Braving this city does have it's rewards with great textile
markets, wonderful monuments and amazing temples.
Moving south we reach the 'pink city', jaipur. With a magnificent red
castle as it's focal point this beautiful town exudes an energy all it's
own. Camels and rickshaws weave their way through the narrow streets
of the old city and an array of spicy smells attack your senses as you
wander the back streets in search of that perfect curry.
Our
next stop is a definate highlight, agra and the taj mahal. This monument
to love is spectacular and will keep your camera clicking all day.
Heading east we reach varanasi on the banks of the ganges river where
you have the option of an early morning boat trip that will definately
open your eyes. Dead bodies float by as the multitudes flock down to
this holy river to wash away their sins each morning. On shore the funeral
pyres known as 'ghats' burn away as stray dogs fight over any piece of
meat that comes their way. An unbelievable sight!
Week 13 & 14 - Nepal
Nepal
is a breath of fresh air with a lot less people and a lot more open spaces.
You have the option of exploring royal chitwan national park on elephant
back allowing you to get up close to the rhinos, sloth bears and tigers
that inhabit the park.
Heading north we reach pokhara at the foothills of the himalayas. This
mellow little town is situated around a beautiful sheltered lake and
surrounded by snow capped mountains. A great place to relax and/or gear
up for a trek into the stunning annapurna range.
The tourist mecca of kathmandu is our next stop. Travellers swap stories
in the lively bars and the everest steak house serves up delicious fillets
of beef which are a welcome change from the buffalo steaks we have endured
throughout india!
The
old town is steeped in history and the smell of incense wafts through
the air as you marvel at the pagodas and temples adorning the squares.
Our last stop in nepal is the aptly named 'last resort' where you have
a chance to brave a bungy jump from a suspension bridge far above a raging
river!
A rough road now leads us to tibet.
Week 15,16, 17, & 18 - Tibet And China
After
a laborious permit war with Chinese customs & immigration we now
enter the fabulous land of Tibet. Our first stop is definitely our 'biggest'
reason to stop, Mt Everest! A snaking rough track makes it possible for
us to drive up to base camp and the Tibetan side offers us a stunning
view of the north face. You can also send a letter from the world's highest
post box and visit the world's highest Buddhist monastery, Rongphu.
Joining back up with the Friendship Highway we continue on to Shigatse where you have the chance to visit the marvelous Tashilhunpo Monastery.
From Shigatse we travel along one of the world's most spectacular roads visiting the distinctly Tibetan town of Gyantse where the Pelkhor Chode monastery houses Tibet’s largest stupa, Kumbum Chorten, with 9 tiers, 108 chapels and excellent murals. The beautiful Yamdrok-Tso Lake is a fantastic sight en-route to Lhasa.
As we enter the spiritual home of Tibet, Lhasa, we are filled with a sense of awe as this Holy city rises out of a barren wilderness of stone and sand to be crowned by the Potala Palace, home of the Dalai Lamas. Tibet’s holiest shrine, the golden roofed Jokhang Temple, is also a spectacular sight in the town. Norbulingka, the former summer palace of the Dalai Lama and Drepung Monastery are also great places to visit.
We now head north and spend a night camping near the Tashi Dor Monastery on the edge of the breathtaking Nam-Tso Lake, a sacred turquoise-blue lake bordered by snow-capped mountain ranges.
Crossing over the Tanggu-la Pass (5231m) we now enter China’s Qinghai Province and the barren Tibetan Plateau affords us some great bush camping. Passing by remote outposts we drop down into the Qaidam Depression and skirt China’s largest salt lake, Qinghai Hu. This area is also home to the headwaters of 3 of the Asia’s greatest rivers – the Yellow, Yangzi and Mekong.
In Gansu Province we visit the leading Tibetan monastery town of Xiahe, where you can walk the labyrinth of Labrang Monastery amongst prostrating pilgrims and robe-clad monks. Close by the distinctly Muslim town of Linxia is also worth a visit for their bustling markets and numerous Mosques.
Lanzhou is the regions capital with plenty of museums, temples and Yellow River beer to keep you occupied for a day or two but perhaps the best excursion to undertake from here is a boat trip on the Yellow River to the Bingling Si Buddhist grottoes where 183 niches and sculptures have been carved into a sheer cliff face over the past 1600 years.
Our next stop is Xian. Surrounded by ancient city walls this historic town is most famous for the life-size Terracotta Warriors discovered here in 1974 after being buried for over 2000 years. In fact, the whole area is steeped in history and other attractions include the numerous temples, mosques, tombs, towers, pagodas and markets that can be visited on day tours. From Xian we now take an overnight train to Beijing.
Bustling Beijing is alive with culture and cuisine, history and hi-tech!
A few days here gives you the opportunity to visit Tiananmen Square,
the Forbidden City, the Temple of Heaven and of course the only man-made
structure visible from space - the Great Wall of China. Shoppers and
gastronomes will revel in the city’s markets, a fantastic end to
an Asian adventure!
Alternative Route
If there are any political problems during our expedition they are most
likely to occur in the iran/pakistan area. If problems do arise we will
take a more northerly route through georgia, azerbaijan, turkmenistan,
uzbekistan and kyrgyzstan to reach china. We will then continue with
our expedition as normal.
There are always alternatives along the route we travel and we will make
it one way or another!
