Why You Shouldn’t Fear An Overland Expedition

There are trips, and then there are expeditions, and while it’s becoming more accessible to head off on a tour of the world for six months, it can still be a daunting experience. But fear not, for we’re here to put your mind at rest and ensure you that this type of travel isn’t your standard group holiday or something to be scared of. To give you a proper insight into an overland expedition, we spoke to Jordan Rapley about his six-month trip with Odyssey Overland from Istanbul to Singapore, and what this overground travel has in store.

Why did you decide to go on an Odyssey Overland expedition?
I had always wanted to do a big trip across the world to Australia but I didn’t like the idea of sitting on a plane for 23 hours. Six months of unforgettable adventure across Asia sounded far more appealing to me and Odyssey’s itinerary seemed to fit the bill perfectly.

Had you ever been on such a trip before?
I had never done anything remotely like this trip before, nor did I know anyone who had, but that just added to the excitement.

How did you prepare for the six-month journey? What are the most important things to remember/pack?
Preparation was pretty painless and straightforward as Odyssey Overland sent me a very detailed information package when I signed up for the trip, which gave me a very good idea of what to pack and what to expect whilst on the trip. Being a modern day traveller also means carrying a vast array of gizmos and gadgets along for the ride, but for me the most important item (other than my passport, of cause) was my iPad – it’s simply the perfect travelling companion.

Did you feel well informed about the trip before heading to Istanbul? Were there any concerns?
My only major concern was acquiring the visas I had to get for some of the countries prior to departure because in many Asian countries bureaucracy is still alive and well and at times I was left scratching my head wondering if it is worth all the hassle of running around like a headless chicken filling in paperwork and paying outrageous fees to enter these places. However, as before, Odyssey Overland were flawless in giving me the information and help I needed to prepare.

Did the tour start as soon as you landed in Istanbul?
I arrived in Istanbul from London a day before our pre-departure meeting. We then stayed in Istanbul for two nights as part of the trip before we left the city and headed for the Gallipoli Peninsula.

How many were on the tour?
There were 16 passengers and three crew members.

Was there an effort made for the group to gel?
The crew members did a good job helping the group gel in every way they could, however given the nature of the trip and the people we had on board, there was never an issue as we were all like minded people on an adventure of a lifetime.

Covering such a huge area, what was the range of transport you used?
There were so many different modes of transport that we used throughout the journey. From tuk-tuks, rickshaws and taxis through the bustling inner city suburbs to 4x4s and overland trucks through snow capped mountain passes, a cargo ship across the Caspian Sea, long boats along tropical rivers and just about everything else in between.

What included activities were you able to do in certain countries? Which were your favourites?
Most if not all of the included activities were group based sightseeing tours of various historical sites and museums along the way. All of which were worthwhile, but the ones that stood out for me were Angkor Wat in Cambodia, Mt Everest base camp and Jakhong Temple in Tibet.

Did you do any optional extras? Were they worth the money?
I did a lot of the optional activities because I thought I’d never get another opportunity to do a lot of them again. The Potala Palace in Tibet and a bungee jump and canyon swing in Nepal were worth every penny however the PADI open water diver course I did on Koh Tao was by far the best money I spent on the entire trip.

Was money ever an issue, especially as you were away from home for such a long time?
I was always vigilant with my budget as I wanted to make sure I got to Australia with a minimum amount to continue my travels with, however it never became a major issue or problem for me because I did plenty of research and preparation prior to departure.

Were you guided the whole way on the tour? Did the guides change as you moved on?
The three Odyssey crew members were present for the entire six-month journey, but we did have local guides come aboard in some of the countries we visited who guided us throughout our journey through their country. They were all very welcoming, informative and professional.

Was the length of time and area covered harder or easier than you anticipated?
Sometimes I found myself feeling frustrated and tired of travelling on long days across some arid regions with nothing to see out of the window, but I think that the togetherness and camaraderie we had developed as a group made those days bearable and I just thought of it as part of the adventure.

What were the biggest challenges?
I found the effects of being at high altitude very challenging and also some of the weather extremes along the way such as the heat of the Karakum Desert and humidity of the Indian subcontinent.

What was your favourite country or city and why?
This is a tough one as each place was great in its own unique way, however if I had to choose one it’ll have to be Nepal as it’s a real traveller’s mecca and the people are nothing short of fantastic.

Is there anything you would have done differently or changed about your trip?
I would have taken some different equipment with me as some of my personal belongings were not fit for purpose, but the trip itself was faultless and was everything I wanted it to be and more – I’d do it all again in a heartbeat!

Finally, what advice would you give to future travellers on an Odyssey Overland expedition?
I’d simply say take an open mind, a sense of humour and a bucket load of patience.

Take the first step and visit Odyssey Overland to find out more about the journeys they offer, and start planning your future overland expedition!