The prize draw will be taking place soon for the free trip but there is still time to complete the questionnaire and enter if you haven't already done so.
So far 2008 has caused us some logistical headaches in Kenya and Tibet. However, we have used all of our knowledge and expertise to come up with some great alternatives. Checking the FCO advice is part of our daily routine and we know that running trips to remote areas can have it's problems. But for us, that's the beauty and excitement of these fantastic destinations. For everyone on these trips, thanks for your perserverance.
Not to be defeated, we have worked out an amazing contingency that travels through the Himalayan region of Nepal and India and takes passengers into Pakistan and up the Karakoram Highway.
There have been problems with this as you can imagine and we have had to overcome Foreign Office advice, visa problems and booking internal flights but the resulting trip looks truly fantastic.
We are very excited about the route and if the contingency goes well we may develop this as a new route for next year - watch this space!.
Full details can be found on our website
I have always had a passion for travel so after 3 years working as a holiday rep - yes one of those irritating people that meets you at the airport with a clipboard - I decided to take a more adventurous role and started working for Dragoman Overland in 2002 as one of their overland crew. This was probably the best decision I've ever made as during my 4 years on the road I travelled to India and Nepal, East and Southern Africa, Central and South America and Central Asia.
Of all the places I visited with Dragoman, India will always remain my favourite - mainly because I love the beaches of South India and fish curry!! Since trading in the seat of a Mercedes Benz truck for an office chair - incredibly less active - I now spend my time dealing with the day to day running of our trips and crew out in Africa and Asia - sometimes it feels as bumpy as sitting in the driving seat of a Mercedes Benz truck!
CJ and Dragoman Overland have been asked to co-ordinate and lead the expedition because of the extensive knowledge of the route gained running trips through Central Asia and China over the last five years. CJ and the Ops team at Dragoman are currently rushing around the UK arranging visas, trying to resolve logistics issues and getting the expedition team 'match fit' for the departure.
As the departure date draws closer the PR noise will no doubt build to a crescendo! But just remember where you heard it first - from the original overlanding outfit based in darkest Suffolk! To keep up with all the exploits there will be a trip specific website, www.bustobeijing.co.uk and CJ's travel blog will be updated regularly so you can all find out just what's involved in being a Overland expedition leader
As they say ..'We are a community of independent-minded, adventurous and passionate travellers. Share your experiences, upload photos and videos, plan routes and itineraries and pick up advice and tips from other travellers' .. and we tend to agree.
Also, a very big thank you to Tara as she raised an amazing £705 for the Quechua Inca Trail Project. This is really fantastic and will make a real difference to the villages that we support.
For details of Tara's trip please go to the following link