Our top 10 overland tour routes

An overland vacation is an exciting, sociable and often cost effective way to see a large part of a continent over an extended length of time. There is potential for a phenomenal variation of landscapes, but also an enthralling mix of cultures and experiences. You could be wine tasting in the vineyards of Cape Town on Monday, and by Wednesday hiking and canoeing the stark Fish River Canyon over the border in Namibia. This kind of trip is all about recognising that a continent is no greater than the sum of its parts, and letting loose your adventurous spirit. Be that in trekking to the top of an Andean mountain peak, whitewater rafting at Victoria Falls, or accepting a first glass of vodka on the Trans Siberian. Here are our top 10 overland tours.

Because Estonia, Lithuania and Latvia are so compact, it's easy to see a great deal of each within a couple of weeks on a fast moving itinerary. A typical route might take in the historic capitals Riga, Tallinn and Vilnius, stretches of wild Baltic coastline, and picturesque scenery such as that of the UNESCO-rated Curonian Spit National Park. More active travelers can see the Baltics from the saddle with a small group cycling trip.

When to depart: April to September
Our top selling trip: Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania vacation
See all our trips: Baltics overland vacations
Read more: Baltics travel guide

This trip blends truly jaw dropping scenery, ancient and recent history, four countries (South Africa, Namibia, Zimbabwe and Botswana) and the immense Okavango Delta – as well as some of the continent's best wildlife watching opportunities. It's definitely a route suited to the hardy traveler; you cover around 5,000km over around three weeks. A hugely satisfying African odyssey.

When to depart: All year-round
Our top selling trip: Cape Town to Victoria Falls vacation
See all our trips: Cape Town to Victoria Falls
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The great joy of overlanding isn’t simply being able to see several countries in one go, but the eclectic mix of culture, nature and history that you’ll discover as you go. In Central America you can expect spectacular Mayan archaeological sites, swathes of paradise coast, and colourful wildlife. You can potentially travel all the way from Mexico to Panama, but there are many trips that cover shorter segments of this route.

When to depart: August to April
Our top selling trip: Central America small group tour
See all our trips: Central America overland tours
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Given how mind blowingly massive India is, and how richly diverse its different states, from the mountainous north to the tropical south, a longer overland tour is the best way to really appreciate the contrasts. A typical route might involve a round trip from Delhi to Jodphur, Jaipur and Varanasi, then a flight south to explore the Kerala coast, Mysore and Goa. Another fab aspect is the way cuisine varies from state to state.

When to depart: All year round
Our top selling trip: India adventure tour
See all our trips: India overland tours
Read more: India travel guide

Chaotic and crumbling, modern and ancient – an overland tour in Indochina fulfils childhood fantasies of what travel should be. Thailand is an exceptionally hospitable land of hidden beaches, sacred temples and hill tribes; its neighbour Laos is enchanting and unspoiled. Vietnam’s cities are mesmerising sprawls; and then there’s Cambodia, home to the vast complex of Angkor Wat and the welcoming Khmer people.

When to depart: All year-round
Our top selling trip: Indochina tailor made vacation
See all our trips: Indochina (Southeast Asia) vacations
Read more: Indochina travel guide

The Silk Road’s spidering tributaries, for centuries used by traders to peddle their wares between East and West, can lead intrepid travelers to some of the most fascinating sites across Asia. This route can easily be broken down into manageable chunks, such as traversing the ‘Stans. Ancient archaeological sites, dazzling floodlit cities, heavily-scented bustling bazaars, and evocative swathes of desert – tempting, no?

When to depart: August to December
Our top selling trip: Silk Road vacations, Central Asia
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It’s easy to think of South America as one immense, Spanish-and-Portuguese-speaking mass, but an overland tour will quickly dispel that illusion. Chile’s modern, European-style cities contrast with its inhospitable Atacama Desert. Bolivia’s harsh highlands are the realm of the Aymara – but heat and wildlife await in the Amazon. Argentina and Brazil share the mighty Iguazu Falls, and then there’s Machu Picchu, and Patagonia…

When to depart: August to December
Our top selling trip: South America tour, coast to coast
See all our trips: South America overland vacations
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The Orient Express famously connected Paris and Istanbul, allowing its passengers to travel in style all the way across the continent. For something a little more rough, ready and exciting, start in London, and travel between two of Europe’s largest cities to reach the edge of Asia over two weeks. By taking multiple trains, you can spend plenty of time in some of the most interesting destinations en route: Plovdiv, Sofia and Belgrade, and the Serbian countryside.

When to depart: April to October
Our top selling trip: London to Istanbul by rail vacation
See all our trips: European railway vacations
Read more: European railway vacations guide