So you are planning an overland adventure, being away from home for months or years and possibly even a round-the-world trip. But where to go? Here are the well travelled trails of the world.

These are the classics

1. LONDON - SYDNEY
2. TRANS-SIBERIAN HIGHWAY
3. TRANSAMERICAN HIGHWAY
4. CAPE2CAPE EAST
5. CAPE2CAPE WEST

Let’s state up front that nobody is telling you where to go, but safety issues, visa difficulties and other challenges seem to guide people to follow the same trails. You can make as many detours and side trips as you want if you have the time and the money to do so. Another advantage of following the trails is that there will be plenty information out there on border crossings, places to stay and how to handle issues. So let’s discuss each so you have a head start in planning your adventure.

Issues you need to know off

• China & Myanmar require a guide to travel through with your motorised vehicle, expect to pay $100 - $150 per person per day depending on the group size. Especially China can vary by the route (e.g. riding to Tibet can be really expensive).
• For USA, CAN & UK citizens they also require a guide in Iran, a popular detour is to take the boat from Azerbaijan to Kazakhstan and go through the Stans and China to reach the East.
• Getting from Malaysia to Indonesia is not as straight forward as it might seem but not impossible.
• Getting from Indonesia to Australia requires you to ship your vehicle in a container
• Getting into Australia requires you to thoroughly clean your vehicle due to very strict contamination laws. I’m talking cleaner then when it came out of the factory. Calculate at least a week into your schedule to take a part, scrub and box before putting it in the container.

Countries to visit along the route
The standard countries that you will go through include United Kingdom, France, Switzerland, Austria, Hungary, Romania, Bulgaria, Turkey, Iran, Pakistan, India, Myanmar, Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, Timor Leste, Australia.

Detours you can make
There are plenty of detours to take on this route such as a trip through the
Balkans: Slovenia, Croatia, Bosnia Herzegovina, Montenegro, Albania, Greece Caucasus: Armenia, Georgia, Azerbijan
Central Asia: Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan
Himalayas: Nepal
South East Asia: Laos, Vietnam, Cambodia

Why you should go here

Don’t let Pakistan scare you, but read up on stories of people who have been there recently and then decide. Don’t judge only on the advice your government gives you. Alternatively you can travel through China but do start organising this 3-6 months in advance which will give you a deadline when to be where.

Starting in Europe or Australia you will have a nice start, before diving into the cultural shock of India, Pakistan and Iran. Anyways alongside during this trip you will experience a lot of hospitality, rich cultures and good food.

The weather will push you to move on although I do know people who have been on the ‘wrong’ places in the ‘wrong’ timeframe and still had a blast.

Issues you need to know of

• Do apply for a visa for Russia before you leave, they are not easy to get on the road. A multiple entry visa is hard to get so most people apply for a business visa.
• You cannot go from Kazakhstan straight into Mongolia and will have to go back via Russia.
• If you want to extend your trip to Japan you will need a carnet.
• There might be a problem with German registered vehicles due to a convention not signed by them, but there do seem ways around it. Do your research before you jump on the ferry. http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hubb/northern-asia/inspection-temporary-import-bike-japan-74702
• Magadan is a dead end so you will either have to track back or ship out via Vladivostok.

Countries to visit along the route
The standard countries that you will go through include Netherlands, Germany, Poland, Lituania, Latvia, Estonia, Russia, Kazakhstan, Mongolia.

Detours you can make
There are some interesting of detours to take on this route such as a trip through
Central Asia: Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan
Japan: Ferry to South Korea and then a ferry to Japan

Why you should go here

Issues you need to know of

• There are big differences between North, Central and South America in terms of costs, safety and stability.
• You will have to find a way to cross the Darien Gap but don’t worry, it’s a well travelled trail so there are option out there.
• It is of course possible to travel through Alaska in winter but don’t be mistaken, come prepared and inform yourself by getting advice from locals.
  

Countries to visit along the route
The standard countries that you will go through include United States, Canada, Mexico, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Panama, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia, Chili, Argentina

Detours you can make
There are some interesting of detours to take on this route such as a trip through
Canada: Instead of going to Deadhorse you could decide to reach the Arctic Ocean at Tuktoyatuk
Brazil: Uruguay, Brazil and Paraguay

Why you should go here

Issues you need to know of

• There are places in Africa you should avoid as they are really dangerous, keep an eye out on the forums and facebook groups to know where you can and cannot go.
• Getting to Egypt is not possible overland at the moment so you will have to ship/fly in.
  

Countries to visit along the route
The standard countries that you will go through include Germany, Sweden, Norway, Finland, Estonia, Latvia, Lituania, Poland, Hungary, Croatia, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Montenegro, Albania, Greece, Egypt, Sudan, Ethiopia, Kenia, Tanzania, Malawi, Zambia, Zimbabwe, South Africa

Detours you can make
There are some interesting of detours to take on this route such as a trip through
East Europe: Belarus, Ukraine, Moldova, Romania, Bulgaria Middle East: Israel, Jordan
Big tour middle east: Russia, Georgia, Armenia, Iran, UAE, Saudi Arabia, Jordan
Central Africa: Uganda, Rwanda
Southern Africa: Botswana, Namibia

Why you should go here

So if you want to explore Africa, but do not want to pay the deposit for a Carnet then consider going down the West coast. Getting there is easy and soon you will follow the trails of the original Dakar rally. Africa is growing up but the West coast if the rougher side of the continent. It will challenge you, keep you on your toes and requires you to pull out all the stops to solve the problems you face along the way. Are you up for it?

Issues you need to know of

• This trail changes from time to time depending on the security in the countries on the route, but since there are so many there is always way forward. Stay safe by doing the facebook groups and WhatsApp groups.
• Alongside this route you will face a lot of bureaucracy, which requires some flexibility and also a relaxed mindset.

Countries to visit along the route
The standard countries that you will go through include Germany, Sweden, Norway, Finland, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Austria, Switzerland, France, Spain, Morocco, Mauritania, Mali, Burkina Faso, Ghana, Togo, Benin, Nigeria, Cameroon, Gabon, Congo Brazaville, DRC, Angola, Namibia, South Africa.

Detours you can make
There are some interesting of detours to take on this route such as a trip through the
Golden Coast: Senegal, Gambia, Guinee-Bissau, Guinnee, Ivory Coast

Why you should go here

Conclusion

Where you go is up to you, do your research on what you want to see. Stay safe, go out and explore. Each route is unique for and there are no better options, choose whichever your heart tells you to and combine freely. Then there is only one more step to take, so get up and get out, smell adventure in the air.