Delhi to London in 70 days: World’s longest bus journey to begin next year
A private tourist company based in Gurugram has announced a bus service from Delhi to London where the travellers will cover 18 countries and 20,000 km in 70 days.
For all travel enthusiasts who were forced to remain indoors for most parts of 2020 due to Covid-19 pandemic, the next year promises to offer an opportunity that seeks to make up for the time lost. And then some more. In what would be the world’s largest bus journey, a Gurugram-based company is offering the opportunity to board a bus that would take them 20,000 kilometres across as many as 18 countries in 70 days between Delhi and London.
A special 20-seater bus, equipped with business class seats, is being built for this trip. Apart from the 20 passengers, there will be a driver, an assistant driver, a guide and a helper. The guide will change at regular intervals during the trip.
The company will also take care of the visa arrangements of the passengers.
In what is a throwback to the past when a London-Calcutta bus service that first made its trip back in April of 1957, the bus service to be introduced by Adventures Overland seeks to put 20 authentic travel aficionados – on a first-come-first-serve basis – in the seat of a bus that would traverse across Asia and into Europe over the course of little over 70 days in what is being touted as an experience of a lifetime.
Touring 18 countries in 70 days
The bus ride is scheduled to begin in May next year in what could indeed be the perfect summer getaway. Staring in Delhi, it would travel east towards Imphal before crossing border into Myanmar. Making its way from here and into Thailand and Laos, the bus would then enter Chinese territory before moving into Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan. It would then enter into the European part of Russia before entering Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Czech Republic, Germany, Belgium and crossing the English Channel into the United Kingdom where the journey culminates – in London.
The idea materialised after two travel enthusiasts, Tushar Agarwal and Sanjay Madan, took a road trip to London in 2017, 2018 and 2019.
The bookings for this trip have started, but not more than 20 passengers will be allowed on board by the organisers. As per their policy, preference will be given to the passengers who pay for the full journey.
Other details
Mode of travel: customised luxury bus for exceptional comfort
Trip cost: INR 15 lakhs per person
Duration: Leg 1 (11N/12D), Leg 2 (15N/16D), Leg 3 (21N/22D), Leg 4 (15N/16D)
Vegetarian food: Available (locally available limited options and ready-to-eat)
Inclusions: Hotel stay on twin-sharing basis, visas and standard tourist visa fee, border crossing assistance, experienced English-speaking guide etc.
Exclusions: International/Domestic flight ticket, urgent tourist visa, meals and drinks not mentioned in the inclusions, medical expenses incurred during the trip etc.