We must have come across the epic movie of Jackie Chan, “Around the World in 80 days” based on the novel with the same name by the French writer, Jules Verne. Leaving aside the book and movie, what if you get the opportunity to experience the adventure and thrill in real life, through a bus journey, from India to London. Oh yes, you heard it right!
The travel involving 20 passengers on board is poised to tour across 18 countries in 70 days, a maiden journey divided into many legs to understand the itinerary in a better manner. A Gurgaon-based travel agency, named Adventures Overland Pvt Ltd has officially declared this historic and life-changing journey from India to London by bus. They have assured to make your experience exhilarating and memorable and forge lasting ties with co-passengers by mingling and befriending them during the journey.
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Segment-wise details regarding this once-in-a-lifetime bus service –
Leg 1 – India, Myanmar – Thailand
Starting from Imphal, the journey is undertaken to cross the Indian territory to step into the majestic country of Pagodas in Myanmar and take you to hear the vibrant buzz of Yangon. The Golden Rock pagoda shimmering like gold and the spot of defying gravity near the edge of Mount Kyaikto are sure to leave you with surprise and shock in equal measures. The doors to magnificent Thailand opens with the happening city of Bangkok to relax and chill for a few days before entering Laos and subsequently China.
Leg 2 – China
Leg 2 starts from Kunming, “City of Eternal Spring” in Yunnan province and travelers will be given 18 days to explore the landscape of China. Planned with some spectacular spots on its way, including the indomitable Great Wall of China in Hebei province, Giant Panda in Chengdu, Ruoergai Grassland in Sichuan, the confluence of Chinese and Central Asian Cultures in the largest province, Xinjiang. The remaining days will be in the towns and cities of Turpan and Kashgar as the second leg comes to an end.
Leg 3 – Central Asia
The journey through countries like Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan and Russia kick-starts its central Asia expedition as it takes you through lively bazaars in Bishkek city of Kyrgyzstan. Uzbekistan, also known as Central Asia’s crown jewel, has places with historical wonders at Samarkand, Bukhara and Khiva where you can witness Mughal, contemporary and Soviet-era architecture. The bus will reach Russia by arriving at Astrakhan, witnessing the confluence of the Volga river with the Caspian Sea and finally heading towards Moscow, the Russian capital bestowed with all the World Heritage sites and architectural marvels.
Leg 4 – Europe
The bus would be ready for its fourth and final leg to experience the jaw-dropping beauty of Baltic countries including Latvia and Lithuania. Traversing through Europe, the bus will opt for a halt at Warsaw – the capital of Poland, at Czech – the capital of Prague, and then proceed for Frankfurt, Germany, and towards the centre of European Union, Brussels.
Finally, the bus approaches the English land through the river Thames and reaches London to mark the end of a glorifying bus journey. This sojourn was supposed to begin this year in May but postponed to April 2022 till further notice.
There were other buses in the past making such maiden journeys from Indian mainland to London belonging to various international tour operators, the famous one “Indiaman” in 1957 was from London to Calcutta. The bus was a 1948 AEC Regal III model, modified enough to have a capacity to take in 33 passengers and their luggage, and in totality, it made 4 return journeys.
