Member Since Feb 2024
This ultimate off-road adventure with tour operator OVERCROSS takes you in your own off-road vehicle from Tübingen via Munich, Salzburg, Sofia and Istanbul to Turkey and Asia. The entire tour covers an impressive 10,000 kilometres and offers an unforgettable holiday adventure with historical and cultural highlights such as the Rila Monastery, Persepolis in Iran, the Darvaza gas crater in Turkmenistan and the Silk Road cities of Khiva, Bukhara and Samarkand in Uzbekistan. If you are interested in travelling by motorbike instead of 4X4, then please take a look at our Transcontinental Motorcycle Tour.
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All adventure-seekers who are enthusiastic about challenging off-road driving, remote countries, fascinating people and foreign cultures should read on. Important: This tour officially ends in Osh, Kyrgyzstan, on the 34th day of the tour.If you are interested in travelling by motorbike instead of 4X4, then please take a look at our Transcontinental Motorcycle Tour.
On Saturday morning, we meet early at the OVERCROSS office in Tübingen to start our off-road journey. After a short stop in Munich, we enjoy the Bavarian hospitality, surrounded by historic buildings and the famous beer gardens. We continue south-east through the picturesque landscapes of Austria until we arrive in Salzburg. There we are enchanted by the imperial charm of Schönbrunn Palace, which reflects the splendid lifestyle of the Habsburg dynasty.
We meet the rest of the expedition group in Salzburg and start our 4x4 tour through Eastern Europe. Our journey first takes us to Serbia, where the capital Belgrade welcomes us with a fascinating mix of old fortresses, such as the Kalemegdan, and vibrant life along the Danube and Sava rivers. Further south-east, we reach Sofia, Bulgaria's capital. Here we come across impressive relics from antiquity, such as the Serdica fortress, which is a reminder of Roman rule. The Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, an important symbol of Bulgarian identity, dominates the cityscape.
On our journey through Bulgaria, we discover the rich Thracian heritage, with the Rila Monastery in the mountains of the same name being a particular highlight. This UNESCO World Heritage Site impresses with its Orthodox architecture and centuries of history. Finally, we cross the border into Turkey and reach Istanbul, a city that has served as a bridge between Europe and Asia for centuries. The monumental Hagia Sophia and the magnificent Blue Mosque symbolise Byzantine and Ottoman architecture. The lively Grand Bazaar offers us a deep insight into the city's ancient trading history, and a boat tour on the Bosphorus illustrates Istanbul's strategic location at the crossroads of two continents.
The next morning, we cross the southern Sea of Marmara at Canakkale and step onto Asian soil - the start of our Turkish adventure. Canakkale, known for its proximity to the ruins of ancient Troy, serves as our gateway to Asia.From there, the journey continues to Sultanhani, where we visit the imposing caravanserai. This historic caravanserai, one of the largest and best preserved in Turkey, once provided shelter and rest for travellers and their animals on the Silk Road.
Our next destination is Cappadocia, one of the most fascinating natural wonders of the world. The unique tufa landscapes, formed by thousands of years of erosion, are famous for their cave dwellings and underground cities. Here we can take an optional balloon ride and experience the surreal panorama of this region from a bird's eye view.
We continue to Konya, the city of the famous Sufi mystic Rumi. Here we visit the Mevlana Museum, which is dedicated to Rumi and his legacy. The spiritual atmosphere of Konya provides a deep insight into the Sufi traditions and the mystical aspect of Islam. After an eventful week in Turkey, we approach the Iranian border.
After crossing the border into Turkey, we arrive in Tabriz, one of the oldest cities in Iran. Tabriz was once an important trading centre on the Silk Road and is known for its historic bazaar, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. From Tabriz, we continue our journey to Tehran, the country's vibrant capital. Here, modern skyscrapers meet historic palaces. We visit the Golestan Palace, an impressive example of Kajar architecture, as well as the National Museum, which presents a fascinating collection of ancient artefacts.
In Yazd, one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world, we discover traditional Persian architecture and Zoroastrian culture. Our journey continues to Shiraz, the city of poets and garden culture, where we visit the tomb of the famous poet Hafiz and the beautiful Eram Garden.
Another highlight on our route is Persepolis, the ancient capital of the Persian Empire. This impressive site bears witness to the former power and splendour of the Persian Empire.Our Iranian stage comes to an end in Kerman, where we explore the historic mud city of Bam. This city, which was severely damaged by a devastating earthquake, is now being rebuilt piece by piece and offers a fascinating insight into the history and culture of the region.
In Turkmenistan, our route takes us to Ashgabat, a city known for its gleaming white marble buildings and opulent monuments. The architecture here is impressive and testifies to the country's ambition and vision. From Aşgabat, we continue our journey to the Darvaza gas crater, also known as the ‘gateway to hell’. We spend the night near the crater to experience the fascinating natural spectacle at night, when the fire in the crater flickers in the darkness and creates a magical atmosphere.
After this impressive experience, we reach the historic oasis city of Khiva, which was once an important trading centre on the ancient Silk Road. Here we can explore the well-preserved old town, which with its impressive minarets and traditional mud houses reflects the flair of times gone by..
Our journey takes us through Uzbekistan, where we visit the enchanting cities of Khiva, Bukhara and Samarkand, the jewels of the Silk Road. In Bukhara, we take part in a guided tour to explore the impressive buildings and minarets of this historic city.
In Samarkand, some of the country's most famous sights await us, including the famous Registan Square, which is surrounded by magnificent madrasas, and the Gur-e Amir Mausoleum, which is the final resting place of the great conqueror Timur. Each of these cities offers us a deep insight into the rich history, culture and architectural splendour of the region and allows us to experience the fascinating stories of the Silk Road at first hand.
Our last stage takes us over a well-developed pass into the Fergana Valley and just after the Kyrgyz border into the city of Osh. The day before our flight home, we take the opportunity to visit the lively bazaar in Osh and explore the city.
On the evening before our departure, we come together once again, enjoy a delicious dinner with a refreshing beer and review the exciting experiences of our trip. This time together is a wonderful opportunity to share the stories and impressions we have gathered during this unforgettable expedition - memories that will stay with us for a lifetime!
This off-road expedition is more than just a 4X4 trip; it's an adventure where we explore new routes and drive exciting tracks every year! IMPORTANT for those seeking adventure: This expedition is aimed at drivers who are prepared to face new challenges every day, to think and act independently and, above all, to tackle long distances on and off-road.
This trip is NOT for those expecting an organised package tour with a guide to warn them of potential potholes, whether on tarmac or gravel. This is about freedom, discovery and the courage to explore the unknown. Get ready for the adventure of a lifetime!
Der Reiseveranstalter OVERCROSS® ist seit über zwei Jahrzehnten mit der Insolvenzabsicherung nach §651r und §651w für den Reisenden abgesichert!
Der Reiseveranstalter OVERCROSS® ist seit über zwei Jahrzehnten mit der Insolvenzabsicherung nach §651r und §651w für den Reisenden abgesichert!