WEEK 1 & 2: GERMANY, CZECH REPUBLIC, AUSTRIA, HUNGARY, ROMANIA & BULGARIA

Usually everyone heading east just transits through Europe in a mad rush to reach Istanbul and enter Asia. We however think there are quite a few worthwhile stops along the way and in order to really soak up the changes each new country offers us we take it easy and stop off in a few of the more interesting European locations.

Germany offers us a chance to familiarise ourselves with our truck before we reach Prague in the Czech Republic and lose ourselves amongst the stone palaces and cobbled streets.

Austria's capital Vienna is a great day out before we reach Hungary and start to notice a change as Western Europe begins to fade.

A goulash in Budapest is a tasty treat before following the Danube River through to Romania where we visit Dracula's Castle, perched high in the Transylvanian mountains. Brasov and Bucharest are also worthwhile stops before we enter Bulgaria and visit the stunning town of Veliko Turnovo and camp with the monks at Bacho Kiro caves. Crossing over the rolling green foothills of the Balkans we now head for Turkey.

WEEK 3, 4 & 5: TURKEY

Istanbul, the city that separates Europe from Asia has it all, and you will revel in the history and culture it offers. Turkish baths and Turkish delights are the order of the day!

The battlefields of Gallipoli are the setting for Dawn Service on ANZAC Day and along with thousands of other Aussies, Kiwis, Brits and Turks, we pay our respects to those who died here in 1915. A truly moving experience.

Historic Troy, the great ruins of Ephesus and the Roman Baths at Pammukale are real highlights on the journey down to the magnificent Turquoise coast. Here we camp on the beautiful lagoon of Oludeniz where Greek ghost towns and overgrown Roman amphitheatres hide in the surrounding forests which are best explored on foot. Saklikent gorge is only a moped ride away and skydiving and mountain biking are popular activities here for those who enjoy adrenalin!

Further down the coast we find Olympos with its eternal flames glowing amidst the pine clad mountainsides that sweep down to its fine beaches. 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. Belly dancing is a big affair up here and so is the local drink 'Raki', be warned!

Further South we visit Roman bridges and climb up mount Nemrut Dagi to marvel at the huge stone heads that have lain there motionless for thousands of years.

Skirting Lake Van we head for the border town of Dogubeyazit (more affectionately known as 'Doggy Biscuit'). Here in the shadow of Mt Ararat we camp beneath the fabulous Ishak Pasha Palace. We have a good excuse to have a party as alcohol is prohibited for the next two weeks.

WEEK 6 & 7: IRAN

It is unlikely we will encounter a friendlier, more welcoming race of people on our entire journey so enjoy the Iranian hospitality!

Skirting the Azerbaijan border we drive through the wonderful Aras River valley and pop out at Babak Castle where it is possible to hike up to the impressive ancient fortress.

Our journey now takes us on to the largest body of fresh water in the world, the Caspian Sea, famous for its sought after caviar and (unbelievably) its long grain rice growing in the surrounding paddy fields. Further south we climb into verdant green mountains and spend a couple of days in the quaint town of Masuleh, from where it is possible to explore the areas natural beauty on foot.

Back on the Iranian plateau we head for Esfahan, Iran's masterpiece. The impressive city square is full of intricately decorated mosaic Mosques, leisurely tea shops and lavish carpet emporiums. Plenty of bargains can be found in the myriad of bazaars that lead off from the square and the city's gorgeous bridges deserve all the time you can spare.

The Zagros mountains provide a stunning backdrop on our trip to the intriguing ruins of Persepolis. Once the summer capital of the Persian Empire, this is the site where Alexander the Great famously conquered the Persian army's stronghold.

We continue on to the small town of Yazd with its famous wind towers before heading east and desert camping our way towards the Pakistan border.

WEEK 8, 9 & 10: PAKISTAN

Well worth exploring and richly rewarding we enter the fabulous land of Pakistan! This is a country of huge contrasts and our first two days will be enjoyed passing through the Balochistan desert and its barren magnificence. Two lane highways are a thing of the past and the main roads are now ever deteriorating single track corrugations.

The first town we reach is Quetta, a splendid melting pot of different cultures, a frontier town with vibrant markets and fantastic restaurants! A good place to re-charge as cold beer is again available.

A couple of days north we find the 'wild west' town of Peshawar where the unique public markets offer a vast selection of guns and hash! This is also the place we undertake a journey up to the Afghan border via the Khyber Pass.

From here we now undertake a journey that few travellers ever manage. We head north to the Karakoram Highway and the beginning of an epic journey you will never forget!

This road is truly a great feat of engineering and as we drive up we have a chance to marvel at the villages clinging to the sheer mountain sides as the Indus river snakes its way along the valley floor.

In the famed Hunza Valley we base ourselves in the small town of Karimabad. Famous for its succulent apricots and stunning hiking trails we are now amongst some of the highest peaks in the world.

A trip up to the Chinese border is an interesting excursion before continuing back down the KKH. The return route offers us an amazing view of snow-capped Nanga Parbat (8125m) and the villages of Besham and Chilas are welcome stops as we descend. The bustling metropoles of Islamabad and Lahore offer us a peek into Pakistani big city life and you have a chance to explore the museums, mosques, restaurants and nightclubs before leaving this amazing country.

WEEK 11 & 12: INDIA & NEPAL

Every day at the close of the India Pakistan border the guards from both sides put on an amazing show as they parade up and down kicking their legs unbelievably high into the air and face off against each other in a mark of independence and honour. This will be our first taste of India!

Close by is Amritsar, home of the Sikh religion with their spectacular Golden Temple as the centerpiece.

A day's drive away we reach Dharamsala, exile home of the Dalai Lama. Amongst the cobbled streets filled with the chants of Buddhist monks are wonderful art galleries and a sobering museum dedicated to the plight of the Tibetans after the invasion by China.

Delhi is a city that you have to see for yourself in order to believe that such a place can exist. The streets are a slow moving mass of every conceivable mode of transport, with the sacred cows having right of way over everyone! Delhi is the ultimate in hustle and bustle and facing the unrelenting throng of people is an experience you wont forget in a hurry! Braving this city does have its rewards with great textile markets, wonderful monuments and amazing temples.

Moving south we reach the 'Pink City', Jaipur. With a magnificent red castle as its focal point this beautiful town exudes an energy all its own. Camels and rickshaws weave their way through the narrow streets of the old city and an array of spicy smells attack your senses as you wander the back streets in search of that perfect curry.

Our next stop is a definite highlight, Agra and the Taj Mahal. This monument to love is spectacular and will keep your camera clicking all day.

Heading east we reach Varanasi on the banks of the Ganges River where an early morning boat trip will definitely open your eyes. Dead bodies float by as the multitudes flock down to this Holy river to wash away their sins each morning. On shore the funeral pyres known as 'Ghats' burn away as stray dogs fight over the charred body parts that fall out of the fire. An unbelievable sight!

Nepal is a breath of fresh air with a lot less people and a lot more open spaces. Royal Chitwan National Park is best explored on elephant back allowing you to get up close to the rhinos, sloth bears and tigers that inhabit the park.

Heading north we reach Pokhara at the foothills of the Himalayas. This mellow little town is situated around a beautiful sheltered lake and surrounded by snow capped mountains. A great place to relax and/or gear up for a trek into the stunning Annapurna range.

The tourist mecca of Kathmandu is our next stop. Travellers swap stories in the lively bars and the Everest Steak House serves up delicious fillets of beef which are a welcome change from the buffalo steaks we have endured throughout India! The old town is steeped in history and the smell of incense wafts through the air as you marvel at the Pagodas and Temples adorning the squares. this the end to an unforgettable expedition,

LONDON TO KATHMANDU!

Alternative Route

There are always alternatives along the route we travel and we will make it one way or another!