Overland tours guide
The quintessential form of ‘road trip’, an overland tour offers you a chance to explore multiple countries across a continent or region in one epic itinerary. Overlanding can use rail, bike or public transport, but in many cases it involves traveling in a durable but very comfortable and well kitted out truck, one that has been purpose built to deal with all manner of road conditions and cover very long distances.
Routes, duration and modes of transport may differ but one thing all overland tours have in common is that adventure comes as standard.![]()
With this guide to overland tours we’ll take a closer look at some of the iconic routes such as the Silk Road and Cairo to Cape Town, as well as several others across Asia, Europe, South America and Africa that are growing in popularity among travelers with adventurous spirits.
Vietnam, Cambodia & Thailand overland tour
The very best of Indochina -Thailand, Cambodia & Vietnam
From
US $2900 to US $3285
23 days
ex flights
Moorish Spain to Marrakech by rail
Visit villages and Moroccon cities
From
US $2410 to US $2550
13 days
ex flights
Cape Town to Vic Falls small group tour
Adventure packed vacation from Cape Town to Victoria Falls.
From
US $2750 to US $3400
22 days
ex flights
Johannesburg to Victoria Falls tours in Southern Africa
Experience the best of southern Africa
From
US $1964 to US $2590
8 days
ex flights
Trans Africa overland expedition, 23 weeks
All the way from Gibraltar through West Africa to Cape Town
From
£6995 to £7495
164 days
ex flights
West Africa explorer tour, Marrakech to Cotonou
An epic journey from Morocco to the voodoo coast of Benin
From
£15999 to £16999
8 weeks
ex flights
What does an overland vacation entail?
Overland tours are popular for many reasons, not least they are the perfect way to explore very different, but equally remarkable countries that can be quite simple to combine. Organised travel by road or railway is a chance to cross borders and boundaries, and really get a thorough immersion in the landscapes and civilisations that most independent trips miss.
An overland tour will usually take in at least two countries, over at least two weeks and in some cases several months. Naturally the very long trips can be quite arduous, especially in regions where the terrain is challenging. With some you have the option to upgrade to more luxurious accommodations, or fly between destinations, which lets you cover more ground.
Some overland tours follow classic journeys, such as the Trans Siberian or Cape Town to Victoria Falls.There are also routes through continents such as Indochina or Central America that are not so established but can yield an even greater sense of discovery. Trip packages can feature a full roster of activities, or be stripped to the bone, with optional activities at each stop available for a supplement.
An overland tour will usually take in at least two countries, over at least two weeks and in some cases several months. Naturally the very long trips can be quite arduous, especially in regions where the terrain is challenging. With some you have the option to upgrade to more luxurious accommodations, or fly between destinations, which lets you cover more ground.
Some overland tours follow classic journeys, such as the Trans Siberian or Cape Town to Victoria Falls.There are also routes through continents such as Indochina or Central America that are not so established but can yield an even greater sense of discovery. Trip packages can feature a full roster of activities, or be stripped to the bone, with optional activities at each stop available for a supplement.
Group sizes
Group Sizes
While there are tailor made options, the great majority of overland tours are made up of small groups. Typical group sizes range from four to 20 people. Anyone that has taken this kind of vacation will know that people of all ages and backgrounds tend to form strong bonds very quickly, which greatly adds to your enjoyment. It’s worth noting that some longer overland tours can be broken up into stages, so the make-up of the group often fluctuates as people join and depart along the way.
Family trips
Family trips
The barriers to taking an overland trip are very low. Pretty much anyone with a case of wanderlust and prepared to cope with life on the road for a while can find a tour right for them. Some operators offer trips that are specifically designed for families (Africa is very good for this) with a minimum age of seven – daily driving times are reduced, with regular stops and activities. It’s a great opportunity not only for quality family time, but for kids to make new friends and learn in a unique environment.
Transport
Transport
Most overland tours use a spacious, self sufficient expedition truck, purpose built to carry everything you need and be really comfortable, too. Typical on board equipment will include water tanks, cooking equipment and fridge-freezers, with space to stow luggage. Reclining seats are set high to allow for great views, with plenty of leg room.
You won’t be on the move all day every day, but on travel days you will usually be in the vehicle for between four and ten hours. Other trips use public transport, including local buses or ferries, and even the odd flight to cut down on some of the longer driving stints. And of course there are some superb rail routes too which don’t use overland vehicles at all.
Our top trip
4 week Central America tour
Fast-paced adventure through the best of Central America
From
US $2938 to US $3690
28 days
ex flights
Small group travel:
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2025: 6 Jan, 9 Jan, 13 Jan, 20 Jan, 27 Jan, 3 Feb, 6 Feb, 10 Feb, 17 Feb, 24 Feb, 27 Feb, 3 Mar, 10 Mar, 17 Mar, 24 Mar, 7 Apr, 14 Apr, 21 Apr, 5 May, 12 May, 19 May, 2 Jun, 9 Jun, 16 Jun, 23 Jun, 30 Jun, 7 Jul ...
2024: 29 Feb, 11 Mar, 18 Mar, 22 Apr, 6 May, 20 May, 10 Jun, 20 Jun, 1 Jul, 15 Jul, 19 Aug, 9 Sep, 16 Sep, 7 Oct, 14 Oct, 21 Oct, 28 Oct, 4 Nov, 11 Nov, 18 Nov, 21 Nov, 25 Nov, 28 Nov, 2 Dec, 5 Dec, 19 Dec, 26 Dec
2025: 6 Jan, 9 Jan, 13 Jan, 20 Jan, 27 Jan, 3 Feb, 6 Feb, 10 Feb, 17 Feb, 24 Feb, 27 Feb, 3 Mar, 10 Mar, 17 Mar, 24 Mar, 7 Apr, 14 Apr, 21 Apr, 5 May, 12 May, 19 May, 2 Jun, 9 Jun, 16 Jun, 23 Jun, 30 Jun, 7 Jul ...
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Accommodation
Accommodations
Overland tours are all about getting into the thick of the action, so you may find yourself camping out in the wild across Africa or South America, or staying in a combination of locally owned hotels, wilderness lodges and dormitories. The Trans Siberian route usually involves disembarking from the train at various locations and staying with local people, sometimes in traditional yurts, as well as nights in your sleeper carriage.
Some trips are more participatory – with travelers taking it in turns to cook and shop for provisions – while others let you flop while the crew takes care of your meals and the washing up. A huge emphasis on any overland vacation is to do as the locals do, so the ingredients used and the dishes will vary from country to country, something which is particularly noticeable on trips which border-hop frequently.
Tour leaders & guides
Tour leaders & guides
Most trips are run by a minimum of two professional and passionate tour leaders, who ensure every aspect of the trip runs as smoothly as possible. In addition, local guides will join you at sites of interest en route. When you’re traveling Cape Town to Cairo, for instance, your itinerary is going to feature major highlights – national parks, the Great Pyramids and so on. But very often travelers find that the real magic is found in the gaps between these places, and that’s where local guides add so much value. By working with them, vacation companies also inject money directly into the economy, and help deter educated people from leaving rural communities.
Patience
Patience
On trips of three weeks and upwards, covering a lot of distance over varying terrain, the first thing on your packing list should be patience. Schedules can be unpredictable – the truck might need maintenance, or the train wheels may need to be adjusted at a border crossing – of course, it’s just as likely that nothing will happen and your itinerary will run like clockwork. But the nature of overland travel dictates that not everything can be planned and mapped out by the minute.
More Overland articles
Cairo to Cape Town, Indochina, the Silk Road - try these inspirational itineraries.
It's important to remember that one aspect of overland travel is that it can involve spending weeks on end in a truck.
The Silk Road is responsible for some of Asia’s most beautiful and well-preserved cities.
A trip that takes you the length of a vast continent, encompassing over 12,000km.
In Southern Africa you can explore several very different, remarkable countries.
All aboard for a guide to the world’s longest train journey, the Trans Siberian Railway.
At first glance, it might seem hard to differentiate between the 12 nations of South America.
Mountains, coasts, cloud forests and idyllic islands – explore the beautiful landscapes of Central America.
Thailand, Laos, Cambodia and Vietnam are the key countries to visit on an overland tour in this area.
Will my kids enjoy it? What if I can only take a few weeks off work? Where are the best places to go? We answer.
Find all our rail, truck and self-drive vacations and see our regional overland trips all in one place.
