Part 1 begins in Calcutta, at the Howrah Bridge, and heads into Bangladesh and the Khasi Hills of Meghalaya before crossing into Bhutan, where the road runs from dzong to dzong over mountain passes, with the Tiger’s Nest as a highlight on the rest day in Paro. Via the hills of eastern Nepal the route reaches Kathmandu.
Then comes the great climb: across the Friendship Bridge onto the Tibetan Plateau, past the monasteries of Shigatse to Lhasa and on through eastern Tibet, over the Sejila Pass and along the upper reaches of the Salween, Mekong and Yangtze. The convoy will drive through Tiger Leaping Gorge to the finish in the old town of Lijiang.
Hotels will be inspected and chosen for location and calm. Navigation will run offline, with permits and borders prepared in advance. The route is indicative until our inspection trip.
A capable 4×4 is required. Think Toyota Land Cruiser, Land Rover Discovery, Toyota Hilux, or similar. Essential items include adequate ground clearance, underbody protection, quality all-terrain tires, two spare wheels, a compressor, and a VHF radio; helpful extras include a dual-battery system, a fridge, tablet mount, and additional USB power. All modifications are documented so any mechanic knows what sits where. Technical support will be on the road, border assistance is arranged, and the goal is simple: everyone reaches the finish.
We select and personally inspect hotels for location and calm before departure; dinners and breakfasts are included on driving days, and in larger stops you can dine independently with recommendations provided and costs reimbursed to keep the experience simple. Where the route enters very remote areas, expect a few simpler nights that trade luxury for access and atmosphere.
Part 2 starts in Lijiang and leads through Yunnan, Guizhou and Guangxi into Vietnam: from Ha Long Bay and Hanoi past Hue and the Hai Van Pass to Ho Chi Minh City and the Mekong Delta, with the finish in Siem Reap, next to Angkor Wat.