Nagpur: In an extraordinary feat, a couple from Nagpur, along with 11 companions, embarked on a 16,000 km road trip from Nagpur to London. Over 65 days, they navigated numerous challenges and crossed the borders of 21 countries to achieve this remarkable journey.
Dinesh Rathi from Nagpur, accompanied by his wife and nine others, fulfilled their dream of traveling the world by road. Expressing his joy, Dinesh shared that they started their journey on April 17. Along the way, they experienced the heights of Mount Everest in Tibet, the Pamir Mountains in Central Asia, and the Alps in Europe.
Traveling through roads at altitudes as high as 5,500 meters, Dinesh recounted the various challenges they faced crossing each country’s border. Traveling through China presented significant difficulties as direct entry from India is not permitted without special permissions, which posed a unique challenge. The journey allowed them to witness the cultural richness of many countries, significantly broadening their global perspective. They realized that the world is vastly different from what they had imagined. Despite being perceived as strict, security personnel in every country were immensely helpful, and the locals warmly welcomed them, despite language barriers.
Originally, 23 people started the journey together, but only 11 successfully reached London.
500 km Daily Travel
Speaking to a national daily, Dinesh explained that their journey involved traversing numerous mountain ranges and difficult roads, yet they were determined to travel 500 kilometers daily, covering up to 700 kilometers in normal conditions. They encountered freezing temperatures and oxygen-deprived mountain passes. Careful planning was crucial for food and accommodation throughout the trip. The cost per person was approximately 2.5 million INR. Dinesh emphasized that this journey was not just about reaching London; it was an effort to live beyond physical and cultural boundaries.