Read the entire blog to know about the journey from India to London via Bus!
Roadtrips are super fun and if you are someone who agrees with the said statement just like us, this piece is for you! In case you want to quench your thirst for a long, really long road trip, well here is your chance to do it. The world’s longest journey is set to begin in April 2023 via Bus and the journey will start from New Delhi, India, and will conclude in London, UK.
History of India to London bus service
Before it, all began, and India gained the attention of the Western tourist seeking a slice of ‘oriental mysticism’, there were two kinds of overland travellers on these routes – those who took organised bus tours like Indiaman, Albert, Silver Express etc. and then there was the Hippie Trail. Hordes of young men and women packed themselves in “magic buses” and travelled overland from Europe to Asia, in search of ‘enlightenment’. Rory MacLean, acclaimed Canadian author and travel writer, claims that it was in the year 1956 that the first known bus tour brought a group of these enthused travellers in from Paris to Mumbai [Bombay back then].
The mid-1950s to the late 1970s was the period during which this trend of journeying overland peaked, and saw thousands undertake the almost impossible in vehicles. The most popular and the first amongst them is a 1957 trip organized by Oswald-Joseph Garrow-Fisher, in a bus named The Indiaman that he owned and drove. The bus began its journey with 20 passengers on board among whom seven passengers (two women and five men) returned to London, thus completing the round trip. The bus departed from London on April 15, 1957, and reached Kolkata (formerly called Calcutta ) on June 5. The same bus returned to London on August 2, 1957. Reportedly, a single fare cost was 85 pounds and 65 pounds for the return journey. The bus traveled through France, Italy, Yugoslavia (as it was known then), Bulgaria, Turkey, Iran, and Pakistan before finally reaching India.
It’s all about Journey
Now, the time has come to roll that dice the other way! Adventures Overland is all set to launch its very own dream bus which will recreate that vibrant era gone by, but with utmost comfort and luxury at your behest. How would you feel about becoming part of the longest bus journey in the world spanning two continents, 18 countries, and covering a distance of 20,000 kilometers? Bus To London is the biggest, the grandest, and the most epic bus journey in the world, and you have a chance to experience it first-hand.
As part of this unprecedented, historic, and life-transforming journey, you will experience exhilaration, independence, adventure, and create lasting bonds. You will explore thousands of pagodas in Myanmar, meet rare species of Giant Pandas in Chengdu, hike the Great Wall of China and travel through the Silk Route in China & Central Asia. Also, visit the historic city of Bukhara, Tashkent & Samarkand in Uzbekistan, and cruise on the Caspian Sea in Kazakhstan. Unwind in historic European cities such as Moscow, Vilnius, Prague, Brussels, and Frankfurt before finally concluding the biggest journey of your lives in London.
If you have ever thought of doing something larger than life, if you have ever dreamed of exploring the world by road and soaking in the countryside, if you have always wanted to meet the people of our world living far away from any tourist places, then embark on this extraordinary journey and become part of the first-ever road trip from India to London on a bus.
Leg 1: India, Myanmar, Thailand
Cost of Leg 1: Imphal, India – Bangkok, Thailand (11 Nights / 12 Days) – INR 4,00,000 Per Person
The wheels are greased and all set to roll, as we converge in Imphal and prepare to embark upon this incomparable quest. The beautiful country of Myanmar welcomes you into its fold, with the ancient gorgeousness of Bagan and the vibrant buzz of Yangon. Hold that breath of wonderment still, as next up on the list of fantastic attractions to behold is the Golden Rock Pagoda. A vision in shimmering gold, the pagoda sits pretty upon a boulder which itself seems to be defying gravity as it balances atop a rock near the edge of Mount Kyaikto. The journey continues as you find yourself crossing the border from Myanmar into Thailand. The enigmatic Bangkok opens its doors to you, as you take in the overwhelming zeal of the Thai capital. From here, we head towards the small, gateway town of Chiang Khong, which constitutes the last bit of Thailand on our plate. You will cross the Mekong River into Laos and subsequently China, as we complete the first leg of this life-altering experience.
Leg 2: China
Cost of Leg 2: Chengdu, China – Kashgar, China (15 Nights / 16 Days) – INR 5,00,000 Per Person
Our Chinese memoir opens in Chengdu, the capital of southwestern China’s Sichuan Province. For the next 16 days prepare to be awed by the vastness and sheer diversity of landscape in China. Get ready to succumb to some seriously adorable Panda love in Chengdu; or if wilderness and unspoiled nature are what your heart desires, the Ruoergai Grassland in Sichuan Province is sure to impress. You also get to rest in and explore the historical relics of the Great Wall, the Silk Road, and the renowned Mogao Caves in the cities of Jiayuguan and Dunhuang in Gansu Province. The final phase of the China tour takes us through its largest province, Xinjiang. Home to the Uyghurs, the distinctive topography of this region brings together the arid Gobi Desert, snow-capped mountains, and glaciers. A melting pot of Chinese and Central Asian cultures, Xinjiang is where the modern and the ancient blend and co-exist in surprising ways. Take a step back and relish in the beauty of fascinating towns like Turpan and Kashgar amidst others, as you reach the end of the second leg of our journey to London.
Leg 3: Central Asia (Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Russia)
Cost of Leg 3: Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan – Moscow, Russia (21 Nights / 22 Days) – INR 6,00,000 Per Person
Having enjoyed the generous helping of Chinese culture, we cross into the realm of the ‘Stan’ countries. Beginning with the Silk Road era city of Bishkek in Kyrgyzstan where lively bazaars and scrumptious samsas [pastry pockets stuffed with meat, onions, and spices] await you, we move on to Central Asia’s crown jewel, the country of Uzbekistan. With seven days in hand, let the stunning capital city of Tashkent and the historical wonders of Samarkand, Bukhara, and Khiva enamor you with its heady mix of Mughal, contemporary, and Soviet-era architectural marvels. Post Uzbekistan, we pass through Kazakhstan on our way to crossing the border into the 8th country on our route, monumental Russia. Arrive in Astrakhan and witness the confluence of the mighty Volga with the Caspian Sea as you go on a day cruise to admire the pale pink lotus flowers, migratory birds, swans, pelicans, and Siberian cranes. From here, get ready to feast your eyes upon the kaleidoscopic wonder that is Moscow. Artistic, historically invaluable, and a picture of grandeur, Moscow is home to many World Heritage Sites and a delight to behold for architecture buffs. With the Russian capital checked off your bucket list, the third leg of our epic journey is now complete.
Leg 4: Europe (Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Czech Republic, Germany, Netherlands, Belgium, France, United Kingdom)
Cost of Leg 4: Moscow, Russia – London, UK (15 Nights / 16 Days) – INR 5,00,000 Per Person
It’s now time to experience the frigid beauty of the Baltic countries of Latvia and Lithuania, where Vilnius quietly charms its way into your heart with its serene elegance and attractions like the UNESCO-certified, baroque Old Town. Allow yourself to be enticed by the lure of Europe, which has been tempting tourists since time immemorial, as you step foot into the Polish capital of Warsaw. The largest city in Poland is marked by its unique vibrance, historical significance, and its resilience. Next up is the breathtaking Czech capital of Prague, which lies in wait for you with its hundred spires and unmatched beer. From here it’s a gallop through the German metropolis of Frankfurt to the heart of the European Union in Brussels, Belgium; with delectable chocolates and exclusive brews making for a great company. Day 68 has us crossing into our final destination, the city that is a portrait of extraordinary antique beauty. London welcomes you in all its glory as you look back upon your journey of 70 days with nothing but fondness, and an overwhelming sense of having experienced something way beyond the ordinary.
If you are dreaming of being a part of this historic bus journey covering 20,000 km and traveling through 18 countries in 70 days, please register your interest at the earliest. Only 20 seats are available and priority will be given to participants who register for the full journey. The Cost of a Full Trip is INR 18,00,000 Per Person. For more information related to the journey of India to London via bus, must visit the official website of Bus To London that is bustolondon.in
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