Guwahati: A journey that started off from Turkey by 35 people in 18 cars, traversed across seven different countries, reached Kaziranga National Park in Assam, a UNESCO Heritage Site, on Sunday.
The rally of caravans has successfully travelled through Turkey, Georgia, Armenia, Iran, Pakistan and B,hutan.
The group now plans to visit Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia and different parts of Southeast Asia before reaching Australia.
Thirty-five travellers reached the capital of Assam, Guwahati from Kaziranga on Monday. They have been on the road for over six months in eighteen caravans. The entire team started from Turkey and plans to stop their journey in Australia, but not before covering 50,000 kilometres in 365 days.
The team comprises mostly retired couples, who are from Switzerland and Germany. After travelling to significant historical and tourism hot spots in India. Lastly, the caravans took a turn from the Kaziranga National Park of Assam.
“It was a great highlight to go to Kaziranga and see the one-horned rhinos there. It was a pleasure for us to see nature.” said tour guide Yanslak.
“We have visited many sites in Delhi, Agra, Goa, Rajasthan, Kerala, Hyderabad, and Kolkata. Finally, we will be off on a three week trip to Nepal,” he added.
“I can't say what will be my favorite place, I like all of them. It's all about the moment. It's not about hills or plains, It's Nature,” Elizabeth, 69, told ABP Live.
The campers are traveling in Fiat Ducato, Iveco, Mercedes, and many other European cars. The team will be back in India after visiting Nepal. The campers will be shipped from Mumbai to Thailand in their final leg of India.
“Today we are with elderly couples traveling from all over the world. They are parking their caravans in our resort. We always encourage this type of travel and help them out, said Arnab Ganguly, Manager, of Green Wood Resort, where the travelers had spent the night while in Guwahati.
The author is a senior journnalist covering the Northeast.