PARIS TO SYDNEY 2024
OVERLANDING FROM PARIS TO SYDNEY BY MOTORCYCLE
FRANCE GERMANY AUSTRIA SLOVENIA CROATIA SERBIA BULGARIA TURKEY IRAN TURKMENISTAN UZBEKISTAN KAZAKHSTAN KYRGYZSTAN TAJIKISTAN MONGOLIA CHINA PAKISTAN NEPAL INDIA MYANMAR THAILAND LAOS CAMBODIA VIETNAM MALAYSIA INDONESIA TIMOR-LESTE AUSTRALIATHE PROJECT
2024, Maya and I are preparing to embark on an exceptional journey: we will ride from Paris to Sydney on our motorcycles.
This over-a-year-long journey promises to be the adventure of a lifetime, spanning 50,000 kilometres marked by challenges and discoveries across several continents. Our itinerary will take us through a multitude of countries:
Starting from France, through Germany, Austria, Slovenia, Croatia, Serbia, Bulgaria, Turkey, Iran, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Mongolia, China, Pakistan, Nepal, India, Myanmar, Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam, Malaysia, Indonesia, Timor-Leste, and finally Australia.
Throughout this journey, we will be immersed in a myriad of cultures, breathtaking landscapes, and make unforgettable encounters. It will be a test of resilience, endurance, and exploration as we traverse thousands of kilometers through varied terrain, from deserts to snow-capped mountains, lush jungles to bustling metropolises. We are eager to share our journey with you and take you along with us on this transcontinental adventure.
Meet the Riders
WE'RE RICK & MAYA.
Late one night, after a few too many Gin and Tonics, as we were planning Maya’s 125cc Vietnamese road trip, Rick let slip the idea of an ambitious project he had sitting in the back of his mind: motorcycling from Paris all the way to Sydney. 50000 km through Europe, Asia and Australia.
Four months later, after the completion of the project we were both working on, we decided to pack our bags, strap them to our motorcycles, sell as much as we possibly could of our belongings and prepare for the journey.
Rick is an adventurer at heart, passionate about travel, he is a mastermind in organisation. He has a knack for discovering great new places. He loves photography and off-road motorcycling.
Maya is eclectic and a daredevil. She loves extreme sports, trying new culinary flavours (even the strangest ones), photography, and now, motorcycling.
Traveling is what makes us both feel most alive. We like to travel slow, we like to travel far, we like to travel better and create our own adventures.
Thank you for joining us; we are eager to share this adventure with you.
If you enjoy this project and wish to support us traveling even further, you can offer us a tank of fuel here.
The Itinerary
Our itinerary is rather simple: to leave Europe as quickly as possible, taking the long way along the Silk Road to India, and then continue southeast until reaching Australia.
Turkey will be our first opportunity to slow down and explore as we cross the country along the Trans-Euro-Trail and camp along the way.
THE SILK ROAD
Iran, a country steeped in history and tradition, will mark the true beginning of our journey, where we will immerse ourselves amidst caravanserais lost in the desert and ancient cities.
Then, under a transit-only visa, we’ll swiftly cross the enigmatic and isolated Turkmenistan to reach Central Asia, the "Stan countries". We will spend the summer between the Kyrgyz peaks and the Mongolian plains. In September, we will traverse part of Uyghur China, Pakistan, and Kashmir to enter India.
NEPAL & INDIA
We will enter through Northern India and Nepal, the rooftop of the world, to explore them before the arrival of the Himalayan winter. Heading South, from the majestic palaces of Rajasthan to the sacred temples of Tamil Nadu, we will discover the astonishing diversity of this country where we will spend a few months. A winter in Kerala, before riding eastward to reach Myanmar.
MYANMAR
The great uncertainty of this journey. Borders are impassable, and the internal situation is unstable. With luck, by our estimated arrival in December 2024, the situation will have improved; otherwise, we have several options: Flying the motorcycles to Thailand from Nepal or a costly self-drive tour through China to Laos.
PHOTO CREDIT: © RICK ELMOS 2018
SOUTHEAST ASIA
Upon reaching Southeast Asia, we will cross Thailand and we will loop around the region, Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia.
From the traditional villages and the ancient temples of Cambodia, to pristine white sandy beaches in Southern Thailand via the terraced rice fields in Northern Vietnam. South East Asia will be our playground for a few months as we will celebrate the passage into 2025, probably in some night markets brimming with life — and spicy noodles.
Finally, we will explore the hidden treasures of Malaysia, Indonesia, and Timor-Leste, before preparing for the last leg of our journey: Australia.
AUSTRALIA
The wild land, will be a breathtaking destination. From the red deserts of the Outback to the golden beaches of the east coast, we will set out in search of the unique natural wonders of this continent. We will spend several weeks traversing the country, from end to end.
After 50,000km on roads and tracks, the Sydney Harbour Bridge, our final destination, will welcome us and mark the end of an unforgettable first leg for our round the world journey.
Our Philosophy
Travel Slow, Travel Far, Travel Local.
At the heart of our travel philosophy is the belief in traveling slow, far, and local.
We cherish the journey over the destination, savoring each moment, engaging with cultures, and forming genuine connections. We prioritize venturing beyond the familiar, whether it's to distant lands or local communities, to broaden our perspectives. Embracing local experiences, from cuisine to customs, allows us to truly understand and appreciate the essence of a place.
We immerse ourselves by riding in the middle of it all, feeling the pulse of the city, guided by our senses. We favour guesthouses over hotels, seeking authentic accommodation that immerses us in the local way of life.
Through this approach, we aim not only to explore but to connect meaningfully with the world around us, leaving us with a lasting impact wherever we go.
ALREADY A BIG THANK YOU TO
MATTHIEU RUBIN from SAZIA FILMS for the support.
STEPHANE VALKE from ADS2P for the off-road training.
HEDI, JIM & GREG from MOTOTHERAPY for your help and tips.
RAPHAEL BAS from OUTBACK MOTORTEK for protecting the CB500X.
PHILIPPE from the CLOS DES MARONNIERS for your hospitality.
MATHIEU from SERVICE VISA for your assistance with administrative procedures.
ERIC MASSIET DU BIEST from T3 for your contacts in China.