SYDNEY TO LONDON ITINERARY

AUSTRALIA - EAST TIMOR - INDONESIA - MALAYSIA -THAILAND - MYANMAR - NEPAL - INDIA - PAKISTAN - IRAN - TURKEY - BULGARIA - ROMANIA - HUNGARY - AUSTRIA - CZECH REPUBLIC - GERMANY - FRANCE – BELGIUM – ENGLAND

Sydney to London is the ultimate overland adventure. In 13 weeks we cross from one side of the world to the other. Our route spans 20 countries and every type of landscape imaginable. From deserted beaches to rainforests, waterfalls to deserts, and medieval villages to futuristic cities.

Highlights

Sydney
Ayers Rock
Kakadu National park
East Timor
Sumatra
Kuala Lumpur
Ko Samui
Bangkok
Mount Everest
Kathmandu
Corbett Tiger Reserve
Taj Mahal
Bam
Esfahan
Istanbul
Gallipoli
Transylvania
Budapest
Vienna
Prague

Below is our proposed itinerary giving you a rough idea of the route we will be taking. Due to the unpredictability of political and environmental conditions, the route can be subject to change. Either way we will get there!

Days 1 - 12

Australia

Kicking off in Sydney, we head west out of the city towards the New South Wales interior. Hugging the Murray river we pass through farming communities and goldfields as we visit traditional Australian country towns such as Cowra and Mildura as we venture in to Australia’s rural heartland.

Reaching Adelaide, with it’s stunning beaches and the world famous Barossa Valley wine making region nearby, we enjoy a glass or two and refresh ourselves before heading north across the magnificent Flinders Range, an area steeped in aboriginal dreamtime. Its here we start to leave the genteel South Australian landscape behind us as we enter a more harsh desert environment.

 

Further north and we arrive at one of the state’s most unusual places, Coober Pedy. This small opal mining town is known for its unique style of underground living where residents escaping the hot outback sun reside in underground cave houses.

Travelling along the Stuart Highway we head towards Australia’s heart, the forbidding outback. The sheer vastness of the Outback makes for an incredible experience. At night we camp under clear starry skies, by day we enjoy endless sunbaked horizons.

After a slight detour to visit the geological wonders that are the Devils Marbles we eventually arrive at Australia’s centre, Alice Springs. From here we detour again, this time west to explore the truly awesome Uluru (Ayers Rock) and the Olga’s.

Next to visit is the 180,000 hectare Katherine Gorge National park. The park features 13 interwoven river gorges and can be explored by boat or on foot. (Please remember this is crocodile country!)

 

Darwin in Australia’s Northern Territory, is our last taste of western culture for some time. A modern, relaxed yet cosmopolitan town with a tropical atmosphere, Darwin serves as a great base to visit the nearby Kakadu National Park, known for its aboriginal rock art and incredible wildlife which includes the huge saltwater crocodile.

Whilst our bus boards ship for Timor we are just a short flight away from our next continent to conquer!

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Days 13 -23

East Timor & Indonesia

The first island we visit is the newly formed country of East Timor.

This recovering war zone has had mixed fortunes since independence, and remains a country in transition. However there is plenty to see in this former Portuguese colony including rugged mountains and a lush interior.

Indonesia is a fascinating country, comprising over 13000 islands, we start to the west of Timor where lie the volcanic islands of Flores, Komodo, Sumbawa and Lombok.

 

Using local ferries we explore all these fascinating islands. The west coast of Sumbawa is said to have some of the best surf in the world. Komodo’s main attractions are the 3 meter long Komodo dragons! Whilst Flores is famed for its untamed natural beauty including Gunung Keli Mutu, with three crater lakes that constantly change colour.

The name Bali evokes mystical images. With exquisite arts, stunning landscape, beautiful beaches and literally thousands of temples, Bali is a living cultural museum.

Kuta is the island’s party town, with an array of pubs, clubs and restaurants catering to the pleasure seeker. Further north the arty town of Ubud surrounded by lush rolling paddy fields offers welcome respite from Kuta’s excesses.

Across the short stretch of water the island of Java offers us a diverse experience. From ancient temples and bubbling mud pools to volcanoes and paddy fields, Java is truly an island of contrasts. In central Java we visit the world famous Borobudur temple. The Buddhist monument built around 788AD was “discovered” in 1814 buried in volcanic silt. Its restoration now complete it now holds world heritage status.

Striking east we hit the sprawling metropolis Jakarta, before crossing the short stretch of water to Sumatra.

One of the world’s last frontiers, Sumatra is an island of lush tropical rainforests, extraordinary flora and fauna, and active volcanoes.

Home to the Sumatran tiger, the island is a haven for nature lovers.

Boarding the ferry for the short ride across the Selat Melaka. We sail across the border into the Malaysia and the historic port of Melaka.

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Days 24 - 39

Malaysia & Thailand & Myanmar (Burma)

Malaysia is a vibrant and ethnically complex nation. Our first stop is at the futuristic city of Kuala Lumpur. From colonial mansions and the bustle of Chinatown to the modern magnificence of the Twin Towers, Kuala Lumpur is one of the most lively and vibrant cities in Southeast Asia.

Heading north we cross tropical rain forest until reaching the cooler climates of the Cameron highlands. Refreshed we traverse the west coast passing yet more stunning coastal scenery and visiting the island of Penang, the first British settlement in Malaysia, before continuing north and crossing the border in to Thailand.

We follow the coastal road around the Gulf of Thailand. This is a simply stunning part of the country, palm fringed beaches and crystal clear lagoons abound. We make sure to spend time here relaxing and if we can time it correctly, take in a full moon beach party!

Bangkok is the country’s capital city. Thailand’s sprawling metropolis is often referred to as sin city! It may be hot, crowded and polluted but it’s still not to be missed.

Whilst in Bangkok we make a couple of excursions visiting the ‘Bridge over the River Kwai’ and also the famous floating markets where the locals still conduct their daily business afloat!

Next we travel to the mystical land of Myanmar (formerly Burma) where the impressive modern city of Yangon is contrasted by the country’s Buddhist temples and pagodas. Isolation has been paramount in it’s history, and it was once described as unlike any other country you can visit.

The world renowned Bagan is one of the true highlights of the trip, once the capital of the powerful Burmese empire, it boasts over 13,000 temples and is a photographers dream. OzBus is proud to be associated with a small local operator in Myanmar which ensures much needed income reaching local hands.

Leaving Myanmar we enter India.

Due to the unpredictability of the Indian / Myanmar border crossing there may be a short flight involved in this section.

Skirting Bangladesh we leave behind the tropical savannah and enter the subtropical foothills of the Himalayas where we reach Darjeeling.

Once home to the British Raj where the region's temperate climate led to its development as a hill station for British residents to escape the heat of the plains during the summers.

Darjeeling is also close to the 3rd highest mountain in the world Mt Kangchenjunga, and the famous view point at Tiger Hill.

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Days 40 - 61

Nepal, India & Pakistan

Nepal, a medieval mini kingdom, is a mountainous wilderness offering tremendous diversity for such a small country. Its vast forests, rich in wildlife include the Bengal tiger, leopards and even a few Asiatic rhinoceroses! Kathmandu is a backpackers’ haven and the gateway to the Himalayas.

We travel to Nagarkot, view point for Mt Everest and hike down the valley in front of the awesome Annapurna range. There is also a chance to take a light plane flight around Everest and Mt Lhotse, or go White Water Rafting

 

Chill out with a Sherpa or try some Yak stew! You’re now at the roof of the world!

Leaving Kathmandu, we head south through the Himalayan foothills until we reach the stunning mid western town of Pokhara. The natural beauty of Pokhara with its mountain backdrop is simply bewitching.

Lumbini to the south west, is the birthplace of Lord Buddha and a World Heritage Site. An inscription on the Ashoka Pillar identifies the Sacred Garden as the place where the Buddha was born.

Re-entering India we arrive at the holy city of Varanasi on the banks of the river Ganges and one of the oldest living cities in the world. For over 2500 years it has attracted pilgrims eager to wash away their sins in the holy water. Keep your eyes open for floating bodies as the dead are often cast out downstream!

Delhi, India’s capital is like nowhere else on earth. Home to over 10 million, this chaotic city offers a glimpse of the entire country’s diversity.

A short drive south and we visit one of the wonders of the world, and certainly a highlight of any journey, the Taj Mahal.

Next stop is the Corbett Tiger Reserve.

Nestled in the foothills of the Central Himalayas this diverse park is home to among other things, panthers, leopards, elephants and crocodiles. This tranquil park is the perfect tonic after the hustle and bustle of Delhi.

In the North West of the country we arrive at Amristar, with its spectacular golden temple and home of the Sikh religion.

 

Pakistan is the site of some of the earliest human settlements, home to ancient civilizations rivaling those of Egypt and Mesopotamia, and the crucible of two of the world’s major religions, Hinduism and Buddhism.

Our first taste of Pakistan is the country’s second city, the bustling Lahore. From here it’s a along the Old Silk Route to the Indus Valley and over the Bolan pass until we reach the vibrant border town of Quetta. After traversing the lonely Baluchistan Desert we arrive in Iran where almost immediately a distinct change takes effect as we leave the Indian sub continent and enter the Middle East.

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Days 62 -79

Iran & Turkey

Our first stop is Bam. The city claimed the world’s largest mud brick ruins. Strolling among its mud towers is a great way to spend a day and a spectacular start to our time in Iran.

The next city of note is the Esfahan, the former capital of Persia. A city known for its abundance of historical buildings and life giving river the Zayandeh-Rood. Replenished from bargain hunting in the city’s lavish bazaars we continue south passing through the stunning Zagros mountains before entering the ancient city of Shiraz.

An archaeologist’s dream, Shiraz is literally teeming with ruins, some of which date back from when Darius the Great first built the city some 2500 years ago.

Journeying north the country becomes a mixture of mountains and salt desert as we head for the town of Tabriz with its stunning blue mosque and lively bazaars.

Crossing in to Turkey at the border town of Doğubeyazıt (also affectionately known as Doggy Biscuit!) is a good excuse for a party as alcohol is no longer prohibited.

We head west into Turkey’s mountainous heart. This is wild country, off the tourist trail, and after skirting Lake Van we visit the wonderful Lunar landscape of Cappadocia, before finally reaching the Mediterranean.

Istanbul, the gateway between Europe and Asia is a city that has everything. We spend a couple of days in this fascinating city exploring its markets and tasting the local cuisine.

 

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Days 80 - 91

Bulgaria, Romania, Hungary, Austria, Czech Republic, Germany, France, Belgium & England

Entering Europe we cross Bulgaria and the Balken mountains before passing through the dense forests of the Transylvanian mountains in Romania, Home to Europe’s largest population of bear, wolf and lynx.

From capital city Bucharest we move on to the medieval city of Brasov where horse-drawn carts jostle for space against fast cars. A night camping close to Dracula’s castle (once the residence of Vlad the Impaler!) and we’re more than ready to be on the move again!

A goulash in Budapest (actually two cities, Buda & Pest separated by the river Danube) and we’re back on the road, passing through ush vineyards and medieval villages, we arrive in Hungary, where Eastern Europe starts to take on a more familiar western feel.

We continue east to Austria and the sophisticated city of Vienna before arriving at the beautiful city of Prague in the Czech Republic. After a day or two exploring its ancient castles and stunning palaces (not to mention tasting its famous beers) we head for Germany, visiting the medieval town of Heidelberg, then the stunning town of Bruges in Belgium and finally northern France before boarding ship for Dover.

 

A short drive through the south east of England and we at last reach our final destination, London.

Along with the Houses of Parliament, St Paul’s Cathedral and Buckingham Palace, London is truly one of the world’s greatest cities. This is a great way to end an unforgettable experience. You can count yourselves as one of the few people ever to cross the entire world overland, you did it. Sydney to London!!

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