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7 Epic Cross-Border Road Trips That Are Bound To Captivate Your Imagination

With the opening of the India-Thailand highway, the subcontinent has now been connected to South East Asia, making it possible to drive all the way from New Delhi to Bangkok, and further down to Singapore.

7 Epic Cross-Border Road Trips That Are Bound To Captivate Your Imagination

Tourism Thailand

However there are other cross border routes that are absolutely scenic, enough to give you an adventure of a lifetime.

1. Kolkata to Thimphu

Distance: approximately 900 km

Time taken: 20 hours

It is definitely a task to get your documents in order if you plan to visit the Bhutanese capital by vehicle. The gateway to Bhutan is a checkpoint at Phuentsholing, the last stop being Siliguri near Darjeeling.

7 Epic Cross-Border Road Trips That Are Bound To Captivate Your Imagination


Be warned, the road can be severely bumpy at places both in West Bengal and the happiest country in Asia.

2. Delhi to Shangri-La (in China, not the hotel)

Distance: 4000 km

Time taken: 60-70 hours

This trip takes you from the plains of Northern India to the foothills of the Himalayas, through Nepal and into China. Passing Agra and on towards Chitwan National Park, this tedious drive will take you through Kathmandu, the Everest Base camp and into Lhasa, the capital of Tibet. From Lhasa is another long leg that might just get you to seventh heaven.

7 Epic Cross-Border Road Trips That Are Bound To Captivate Your Imagination

Sadly it can take 4-5 months for travellers to obtain a permit to drive in China.

3. Mumbai to Colombo

Distance: 2000 km

Time taken: 25 hours

Thanks to the drive-in ferry connecting Tuticorin in Tamil Nadu to Colombo, it is possible to drive to Sri Lanka now! Begin your journey in the capital and drive your way around the tear shaped island exploring from Kandy to the Jaffna peninsula.

7 Epic Cross-Border Road Trips That Are Bound To Captivate Your Imagination

4. Denver to Alaska

Distance: 5000 km

Time taken: 54 hours

There’s nothing more epic than driving from one part of the USA to another while crossing an international border. The route takes you through the dry mid west from Denver to Montana, across the border into Canada. As you drive through the plush greenery of British Columbia towards the Alaskan border, the scenic images are just hard to get out of your mind.

7 Epic Cross-Border Road Trips That Are Bound To Captivate Your Imagination

5. Paris to Florence

Distance: 1200 km

Time taken: 13 hours

This journey embodies the Renaissance in itself, as you feel the romance of a classic European holiday. Pass the mustard fields of Dijon, the foothills of the Alps in Chamonix and drive into the rustic countryside of Tuscany. From the fashion capital of Milan, head further down towards the city where legends like Da Vinci once lived, Florence. If you’re lucky, then you might just see the Duomo by sunset.

7 Epic Cross-Border Road Trips That Are Bound To Captivate Your Imagination

6. Lima (Peru) to Rio De Janeiro

Distance: 4500 km

Time taken: 59 hours

On the Transoceanic highway, experience the best roads in south America as you drive along the country side of three countries – Peru, Bolivia and Brazil. The highway was built to better trade between the coasts of the continent and indeed it has. Be ready to have a blast once you arrive in Rio and remember to brush up on your Spanish and Portuguese.

7 Epic Cross-Border Road Trips That Are Bound To Captivate Your Imagination

7. Beijing to Astana (Kazakhstan)

Distance: 5300 km

Time taken: 80 hours

This route will take you from the northern regions of China, to the Gobi dessert of Mongolia, through the Tundra forests of the Russian border and finally to Astana.

7 Epic Cross-Border Road Trips That Are Bound To Captivate Your Imagination

It sounds scary, but you might be this close to having your Silk Route experience.

7 Epic Cross-Border Road Trips That Are Bound To Captivate Your Imagination

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