London to Sydney Group Overland Tour

Proposed Itinerary:

Our proposed itinerary is here to give you an idea of where we will be going and what we will be doing during this expedition. This itinerary is the ideal route we would like to take providing all political and natural situations are acceptable during the time of our travels. Situations sometimes change during an expedition so please be prepared to take an alternative route in the event we encounter any problems. It’s all part of the adventure!

Our expedition begins in Hammersmith, London, and after a short ferry crossing over the English Channel we are in France and on the European continent. Our first 2 days are spent driving through France, Belgium and Luxembourg before arriving in Germany where we visit the sobering WWII concentration camp of Dachau.

We continue on to Salzburg in Austria, birthplace of Mozart, where you have a day to explore this beautiful city or take a cable-car up a nearby mountain affording stunning views over the Austrian Alps.

In Hungary we start to notice a change as Western Europe begins to fade. A goulash in Budapest is a tasty treat on a day out exploring the city’s wonderful architecture and a boat trip on the Danube River is a great way to take it all in.

In Romania we visit Dracula’s Castle, perched high in the Transylvanian mountains before heading down to the capital Bucharest where you can visit the world’s second largest building – the Romanian Parliament House.

In Bulgaria we camp near the stunning town of Veliko Tarnovo where you can visit the impressive Tsaravets Fortress before we cross over the rolling green foothills of the Balkans heading for Turkey.

Istanbul, the city that separates Europe from Asia has it all, and you will revel in the history and culture it offers. Take a boat trip up the Bosphorus, marvel at the Aya Sofya and explore the opulent Topkapi Palace. At the end of the day soak your aches away in the Turkish baths and tantalise your taste buds with Turkish delights!

The battlefields of Gallipoli are our next destination where we pay tribute to the thousands of Aussies, Kiwis, Brits and Turks who lost their lives here in 1915. A truly moving experience.

Historic Troy is an interesting stop on our way down the Turquoise coast to the great Roman ruins of Ephesus. Here we camp on the beach and have a day to explore the ruins and enjoy the sunshine.

Pamukkale presents us with a dazzling white mountainside of natural terrace pools where we get to spend the afternoon soaking ourselves or exploring the ancient Byzantine city of Hierapolis.

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. Start your day with an amazing hot-air balloon ride and finish it off at a raucous night of belly dancing!

Close to the Black Sea we visit the awe-inspiring Sumela Monastery and marvel at the Byzantine frescoes in an amazing cliff-face setting before continuing along the coast towards Georgia.

Our first stop in Georgia is at the almost completely intact Roman fortress of Gonio with its 18 magnificent towers and ancient bath-house.

Kutaisi is Georgia’s second city and one of the world’s most ancient. Here you can explore the Bagrati Cathedral, the History Museum and the Old Jewish district.

Close by and well worth a few hours is Sataplia Nature Reserve, home to magnificent caves and the world’s largest collection of dinosaur tracks.

Vardzia is a beautiful cliff-side cave monastery site that we visit for a step back in time and a delicious trout lunch next to the river.

We now head for Armenia and their capital city Yerevan where you have a couple of days to explore the museums, churches, markets and restaurants that make Armenia such a delight.

On our journey towards the mountains dotted with ancient caravanserais we visit the monastery of Khor Virap with it’s wonderful location beneath Mt. Ararat before heading to the turquoise waters of Lake Sevan where we wild-camp on the lakeshore.

Winding our way north through the breathtaking Debed Gorge our last stop in Armenia is at the fabulously located Haghpat Monastery.

Back in Georgia we arrive at Tbilisi, the beating heart of the country where we have a day or two to wander the cobbled streets of the old town, visit the numerous historical churches, museums and fortresses and of course indulge in fine Georgian cuisine.

A trip to Georgia would not be complete without a trip up the Military Highway to the beautifully located town of Kazbegi situated within a stunning mountain range close to the Russian border. Hiking is the most popular activity here and the hour long trek up to the spectacular monastery is well worth the effort as too is the overnight trek to the glacier.

Our first stop is at Sheki, a lovely town nestled into a beautifully forested valley. The town was an important stop on the ancient Silk Route and is also home to the beautiful Khan Palace and a wonderful old caravanserai.

On the shores of the Caspian Sea, one of the world’s largest bodies of fresh-water, we visit bizarre mud volcanoes and the ancient Gobustan petroglyphs.

The cosmopolitan capital of Baku is an oil rich city and exploring the city’s old town filled with mosques, museums, galleries and palaces is a great day out.

From Baku we now take a ferry across the Caspian Sea to Turkmenistan. Please note that this ferry has no schedule so we can not fix dates for this journey, the ferry arrives when it arrives, usually every 3 or 4 days, so we may end up departing Baku earlier or later than originally planned.

From the port of Turkmenbashi we head east and spend our first night at Kow Ata where you can bathe in the warm waters of an underground lake.

Close by and worth a visit is Geok-Depe, site of the Turkmen’s last stand against the Russians, and today home to the futuristic Saparmurat Hajji Mosque which also contains the mausoleum of the eccentric ex-president Niyazov.

We continue to the capital city Ashgabat where it seems the current president is using the country’s wealth to build an entire city out of white marble – you have to see it to believe it! Bring your sunglasses as exploring the city’s monuments and palaces is a brilliant experience.

Heading north into the blistering heat of the Karakum (black sand) desert we camp in the dunes and have the opportunity to take a 2 hour walk to the unusual Darvaza Gas Craters. More commonly referred to as the ‘Gates of Hell’ this burning crater makes for a surreal desert experience and is best viewed at night.

Leaving the harsh desert behind our last stop is at Konye-Urgench, beautiful ancient ruins that were once the centre of the Islamic world.

The perfectly preserved world heritage town of Khiva is our first stop here where we have time to explore the blue-tiled Mosques, ancient mausoleums, glorious palaces, sky-high minarets and thriving bazaars that make this town a firm favourite.

We continue to Bukhara, Central Asia’s holiest city where it is possible to get a glimpse into the past by viewing the architectural preserve of the royal fortress and vast market complex.

Our journey now takes us through the Kyzylkum (red sand) desert where we have a chance of spotting the Uzbek nomads before arriving at the Silk Route city of Samarkand. This city of domes and minarets has some fantastic attractions including the beautiful Registan, Guri Amir Mausoleum and Bibi-Khanym Mosque.

Our first couple of days in this mountainous country are spent at the beautiful lake Iskandar Kul where you have the chance to enjoy some of Central Asia’s most beautiful scenery.

With a cool backdrop of mountains, lazy tree-lined avenues and pastel-hued neoclassical buildings, we move on to Dushanbe, Central Asia’s best-looking capital.

Our journey east now takes us to an area that has been off-limits to travellers until recently – the Pamir Highway. Regarded as one of the world’s most scenic drives we now wind our way along this extremely remote high-altitude road and take in the mountain scenery of a region populated by yurts and yaks and studded with deep-blue lakes.

A winding dirt track takes us up to the alpine lake Song-Kol where we get our first experience of staying in a yurt with a nomadic tribe who set up camp here every summer on the green pastures surrounding the lake. Horse riding, hiking and fishing are popular activities in this remote area.

We now head for the beautiful lake Issyk-Kol, the world’s second largest alpine lake. Working our way around the lake we spend a couple of days at Jeti Oguz where you have the option of trekking into the lush surrounding mountains to explore the area’s natural beauty.

Bizarre Bishkek is the capital where you can sing Karaoke at a street stall, beat yourself with a birch branch at the local baths and do vodka shots at the expats bar.

Our first day here is spent visiting bronze-age petroglyphs in a lushly vegetated canyon at Tamgaly.

Our next stop is the economic hub of the country – Almaty, a modern city with great museums and wonderful restaurants, but should you wish to escape the rat-race then take the popular cable-car up to the top of a nearby hill for a fantastic view over the region.

The desert terrain of eastern Kazakhstan opens up into the beautiful fairy-tale rock formations of the Charyn Canyon National Park and it is here we spend our last day enjoying nature and taking advantage of the canyon hiking and rafting options on offer.

We enter China via a remote western border and spend our first few days camping on the fringes of the Taklamakan and Gobi Deserts studded with the odd emerald lake.

Officially the hottest place in China, the oasis town of Turpan is a welcome break where you have the chance to visit a traditional Uyghur Village as well as the crumbling remains of the ancient city Jiaohe.

In Dunhuang we find the amazing Buddhist caves of Mogao where a few hours can be enjoyed marveling at hundreds of giant statues of Buddha, vibrant murals and multi-tiered temples.

We continue into the Gobi Desert where you will have the option to visit the western end of the Great Wall in Jiayuguan as well as a few other natural sites such as the fabulous Rainbow Mountains.

At Bingling Si we discover a series of Buddhist sculptures carved into caves within a canyon along the Yellow River where a precarious wooden walkway allows you to get close to some of the hidden cliff-face caves and the giant Maitreya Buddha.

In Tianshui we visit the Maiji caves where thousands of statues and frescoes remain within the grotto.

Xian gives you have the opportunity to visit the famous Terracotta Warriors and see the archaeologists at work uncovering new finds.

We continue to the well-preserved ancient walled city of Pingyao where we spend a day exploring the atmospheric cobbled streets of this typically Chinese town.

On our way to Beijing we visit the iconic Great Wall of China before spending a couple of days in the capital exploring Tiananmen Square, the Forbidden City and the amazing museums.

Please note: from Beijing we say goodbye to our Madventure expedition vehicle and we will be continuing to Sydney via local trains, buses, boats and ferries.

The high speed bullet train now takes us on an 300 KPH journey south to the modern city of Shanghai where we spend a couple of days marvelling at this high-rise metropolis.

We continue to Chengdu where you have the opportunity to visit the Giant Panda Bear Breeding Research Center and get up close and personal with these adorable creatures.

In Kunming you have time to kick back and soak up the Chinese culture or visit nearby attractions such as the Petrified Stone Forest.

Crossing into Laos we visit the extremely relaxed town of Luang Namtha for our first taste of this beautiful country.

From Nong Khiaw you then have the option to take boat trip through spectacular mountain scenery down to Luang Prabang, an architectural wonder full of temples and tradition as well as wonderful markets.

Vang Vieng is our next stop and is a vibey little town set amongst awesome natural beauty. Outdoor activities abound with caving, climbing, kayaking and tubing being popular outings.

The capital of Vientiane is a pleasant destination where we have a couple of days to visit the country’s more modern side.

From the town of Savannahket we now take a bumpy bus ride through limestone mountains to reach Vietnam.

Our first stop in Vietnam is the old capital, Hue, home to the splendid tombs of the Nguyen Emporers as well as beautiful pagodas and the remains of the old citadel.

The picturesque river town of Hoi An is well worth exploring with it’s amazing Vietnamese architecture and nearby villages specialising in pottery and wood-carvings. The cuisine here is excellent.

Further south we encounter the emerald waters and unspoiled beaches around Nha Trang and Mui Ne, perfect for spending the days sunbathing and the evenings out partying!

Ho Chi Minh City (formerly Saigon) has many highlights but the War Remnants Museum is surely the most sobering. Get a guide and learn all about the atrocities committed during the futile Vietnam war. The Reunification Palace and Notre-Dame Cathedral are also worth a visit and the Mekong Delta day tour is highly recommended.

From HCMC it is also possible to take a trip to the Cu Chi Tunnels, an area with an elaborate underground network that housed thousands during the war.

Phnom Penh is a compact little town spectacularly located on the confluence of three rivers. The Royal Palaces and Silver Pagoda are great day outings, and the sobering ‘Killing Fields’ and Tuol Sleng Museum are a stark reminder of this country’s recent history under the brutal regime of Pol Pot.

Next stop is one of the most inspiring sites in the world – Angkor Wat. These temples are monumental constructions, the largest religious buildings in the world. The intricacy of the carvings is incredible and the site is well worth 2 days exploration.

Bangkok has its fair share of Palaces and Pagodas but it is surely most infamous for its sex shows and lady-boys, so expect the unexpected! From Bangkok you also have the opportunity to visit the ‘Bridge on the River Kwai’ on a day tour and get a good insight into what really happened here during the war.

Further south we catch a ferry over to the tropical island of Ko Samui. Here you can either put your feet up for a few days or you have the option of easily visiting the smaller islands of Ko Pha-Ngan and Ko Tao. The islands have some of the world’s finest beaches and the numerous great dive spots will take you into a vibrant underwater paradise filled with exotic fish and coral gardens.

Georgetown has a rich history and is a great introduction to this wonderfully diverse country. Visit the Fatt Tze Mansion and Kapitan Keling Mosque, and then sample some of the unique Malaysian street food on offer.

Next we visit the futuristic city of Kuala Lumpur with the Islamic-style Petronas Towers dominating the city’s skyline. Chinatown market is a remnant of the past and contrasts the initial feel of the place. You will even find a British colonial atmosphere lingering amongst some of the architecture and some interesting museums hold the city’s history within their doors.

Further south we visit the port town of Melaka where we have the time to visit the maritime museums and discover what the place was like 400 years ago when it was an important stop on the spice route.

Singapore is our last stop on the Asian continent and is a distinctly clean and modern island. With an abundance of fine dining options and shopping malls this is the place to treat yourself before flying to Indonesia.

From Singapore you now fly to Yogyakarta. Flights are not included in the expedition price so budget approximately £60 for this flight.

We fly into Yogyakarta on the island of Java, an artistic town where you can explore the monument of Borobudur, a gem in this area.

An overnight bus and a short ferry ride sees us arrive in Bali, a small island famous for its beautiful beaches and bountiful nightlife, a wonderful last taste of Asia before we head to Australia.

From Bali you now fly to Darwin. Flights are not included in the expedition price so budget approximately £100 for this flight.

Darwin in the Northern Territory is a small town with some great pubs and is a good introduction to Australia before we head off to the outback.

Kakadu National Park is close by and is a marvel of wildlife and aboriginal rock art. The park is great for walking with a variety of landscapes and it is probably here that we get to see our first kangaroo. The jumping crocodile tour will get you up close and personal with some of Australia’s most feared residents – saltwater crocs!

Katherine gorge is also a beautiful sight where 13 gorges are separated by rapids offering great boat trips through fantastic scenery.

On our route south we have a chance to wet our whistles at NT’s oldest bar, the Daly Waters Pub. This is a real Aussie outback hangout where you are bound to bump into a character or two.

Our desert journey south is broken up by the Devils Marbles, huge boulders naturally formed and piled up in the middle of nowhere.

Basing ourselves in Alice Springs you now have the option to visit Australia’s icon – Uluru (Ayers Rock). As the world’s biggest monolith, Uluru is an awesome spectacle, as are the nearby smaller collection of red rocks known as the Olgas.

Further south we visit the small opal mining town of Coober Pedy where a day’s outing will take you underground and show you the old prospectors way of life and a visit to the Kangaroo Rescue Sanctuary will ensure you get a feel for these amazing marsupials.

We continue into the Blue Mountains and camp near the quaint town of Katoomba where you get to explore the areas fantastic scenery by means of the world’s steepest railway, gondolas over gorges and bush-walks.

Arriving in Sydney the Opera House, Harbor Bridge and Bondi Beach make this a great end to an unforgettable expedition – LONDON TO SYDNEY OVERLAND!

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These are only indications, so please visit your doctor before you travel to be 100% sure.
Typhoid – Recommended for Armenia, Azerbaijan, China, Georgia, Indonesia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Tajikistan, Thailand, Turkey, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Vietnam and Romania. Ideally 2 weeks before travel.
Hepatitis A – Recommended for Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bulgaria, China, Georgia, Hungary, Indonesia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Singapore, Tajikistan, Thailand, Turkey, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Vietnam and Romania. Ideally 2 weeks before travel.
Tuberculosis – Recommended for Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bulgaria, China, Georgia, Indonesia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Tajikistan, Thailand, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Vietnam and Romania. Ideally 3 months before travel.
Hepatitis B – Recommended for Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bulgaria, China, Georgia, Hungary, Indonesia, Indonesia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Singapore, Tajikistan, Thailand, Turkey, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Vietnam and Romania. Ideally 2 months before travel.
Rabies – Recommended for Armenia, Azerbaijan, China, Georgia, Indonesia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan and Vietnam. Ideally 1 month before travel.
Yellow fever – Certificate of vaccination required if arriving from an infected area for Australia. Yellow fever – Certificate of vaccination required if arriving from an area with a risk of yellow fever transmission for China, Indonesia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam. Ideally 10 days before travel.
Japanese B encephalitis – Recommended for Australia, China, Indonesia, Laos, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam. Ideally 1 month before travel.
Tick-borne encephalitis – Recommended for Austria, China, Germany, Hungary, Kazakhstan and Tajikistan. Ideally 3 months before travel.
Cholera – Recommended for China, Indonesia, Laos, Tajikistan, Thailand and Vietnam. Ideally 2 weeks before travel.

Unfortunately we cannot offer you a visa application service. Whether you need a visa or not depends on your nationality and where you wish to travel. Assuming your home country does not have a visa agreement with the country you’re planning to visit, you will need to apply for a visa in advance of your scheduled departure.
Here is an indication for which countries you might need a visa. Please contact the local embassy for help applying for visas to these places.
US Citizens
Please check with your embassy for entry restrictions: China, Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan and Vietnam.
UK Citizens
Please check with your embassy for entry restrictions: China, Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan and Vietnam.
Australian Citizens
Please check with your embassy for entry restrictions: China, Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan and Vietnam.
New Zealand Citizens
Please check with your embassy for entry restrictions: China, Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan and Vietnam.
South Africa Citizens and Others
Please check with your embassy for entry restrictions: Australia, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, China, Germany, Hungary, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Romania, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan and Vietnam.

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