Race Across the World has quickly become a favourite in households across the UK. The challenge of crossing continents through extraordinary countries, navigating unfamiliar landscapes and embracing the unexpected has inspired countless travel enthusiasts to dream about creating their own great adventure.

So, we thought, why not build your own? We’ve brought together nine unforgettable guiding you from sun-kissed Mediterranean coastlines and ancient Silk Road cities to remote mountain ranges and vast frozen lakes at the edge of the world.

Along the way, you’ll trek through dramatic landscapes, cycle quiet coastal roads, sleep in traditional yurts and experience cultures that feel a world away from home. Thankfully, unlike the contestants, we’ll let you keep your phone, your credit card, you’re allowed to catch a flight if you wish and we might even throw in an experienced guide here and there. Let the race begin...

What better way to kick off the adventure than along the sun-kissed coastlines of Europe, settling into a relaxed but purposeful rhythm as winding trails ease you into the journey ahead.

Your first stop is Italy, where our Walking Sicily & The Aeolian Islands adventure showcases the very best of the region’s history, geology, warm hospitality and exquisite walking. With its wonderful blend of medieval charm, colourful streets and vibrant atmosphere, this is far more than your average walking holiday. Spend evenings sipping delicious vino rosso in local wineries before watching dramatic volcanic eruptions light up the night sky from the magnificent Stromboli - a truly unforgettable start to the race.

From here, the route carries you east to Greece, where walking boots are swapped for wheels on Cycling on Kefalonia. Scattered with idyllic fishing villages, olive groves and dramatic coastal roads, the island offers a slower pace of adventure, balanced perfectly with pristine beaches and crystal-clear waters ready to soothe tired legs. As the setting of Captain Corelli’s Mandolin, Kefalonia, this picturesque destination really makes this stage of the race special.

Your final instalment of this Mediterranean chapter takes you to Turkey and the eastern section of The Lycian Way. Steeped in history, with ancient ruins, hilltop castles and trails that trace the turquoise coastline, this is where the race begins to feel more adventurous. Fragrant pine forests give way to bustling harbours and deserted beaches, creating a walking experience that feels both timeless and thrilling.

Beyond the Mediterranean, the route ahead begins to change. The coastlines fade, the mountains rise and the journey starts to venture far beyond the familiar…

The second stage of the race takes you into the first true wild card country. The familiar Mediterranean coastlines give way to something far more rugged and dramatic - the mighty Caucasus Mountains of Georgia.

On our Trekking in Georgia and the High Caucasus, the journey begins to feel wilder. You’ll cross open ridgelines with far-reaching views, including unforgettable glimpses of Mount Kazbek, Georgia’s highest peak. Trails lead through flower-filled pastures, steep-sided forest valleys and remote medieval villages that feel untouched by time. This is where the race shifts from relaxed exploration to true mountain adventure - a landscape that feels raw, remote and wonderfully unpredictable.

Stage three is where the map opens out completely. The journey moves into vast landscapes with fewer travellers, greater distances and bigger logistics - a true remote wilderness where the race begins to feel like a genuine expedition.

Step fully off the beaten track in Kazakhstan on our Celestial Mountains Snow Leopard Trek, venturing deep into the remote Tien Shan range in search of the elusive snow leopard. Crossing six high passes along ancient caravan routes beneath snow-capped peaks, you’ll trek through some of Central Asia’s wildest scenery before camping beside crystal-clear alpine lakes far from the modern world.

Kazakhstan has far more to reveal on our Mountains and Deserts of Kazakhstan adventure, the landscapes shift dramatically from the icy beauty of the Tien Shan to the fiery red rock of Charyn Canyon, the vibrant streets of Almaty and the vast open grasslands of the Assy Plateau, where nomadic communities still live in traditional yurts beneath huge open skies. Further east, the striking multi-coloured Aktau Mountains feel almost otherworldly - the kind of place that makes you stop and wonder just how far the race has carried you.

From here, the route continues into Kyrgyzstan and the spectacular Mountains and Lakes of Kyrgyzstan - often known as the “Mountains of Heaven.” This is adventure stripped back to its purest form. Stay in traditional yurts, learn about nomadic ways of life from local communities and sleep beneath star-filled skies beside remote mountain lakes. After long days on the trail, there’s even time to soak tired legs in natural hot springs before the journey presses on once more.

Stage four brings a change of pace; a shift away from remote wilderness and high mountain crossings into a different kind of navigation altogether: one shaped by history, culture and archaeological wonder.

In Uzbekistan, our Samarkand and the Silk Road adventure reveals the heart of Central Asia’s most legendary trade route. This is a journey through some of the most richly decorated cities in the world, where turquoise domes, intricate mosaic tilework and grand Silk Road monuments tell stories shaped over centuries.

Between the cities, the pace softens. Gentle mountain walks and time spent with local shepherd communities offer a quieter perspective on this remarkable region, including the chance to experience traditional nomadic life with evenings in yurts beneath vast open skies.

It’s a rare balance of exploration and reflection; combining iconic cultural sites with easy-paced walking that allows you to truly absorb the depth of the Silk Road’s history.

The time has come for the final stage and this is the biggest challenge of the race. Your journey now takes you to Mongolia, where you embark on one of our exclusive Pioneer trips: the Lake Khuvsgul Dog Sled Adventure.

Here, you circumnavigate the frozen expanse of Lake Khuvsgul, known as the “Blue Pearl of Mongolia” travelling across its vast ice fields with your own husky team. In winter, this remote region is transformed completely. By March, Lake Khuvsgul, Mongolia’s largest and deepest lake, is locked beneath a thick layer of ice; shifting in colour from deep blue to translucent green and almost jet black in its deepest sections. It’s a landscape that feels both fragile and immense at the same time. Under expert guidance, you’ll learn to drive your own sled, gain insight into traditional ice fishing techniques and move across the frozen wilderness at the pace of the dogs leading the way. Each night, you’ll sleep in traditional yurts, experiencing the warmth and hospitality of Mongolian nomadic life.

Throughout the expedition, the journey is shaped entirely by nature. The condition of the ice, the strength of the winds and the rhythm of the dogs determine each day’s progress, meaning no two circuits of the lake are ever the same. This is not just the final stage of the race - it is its ultimate test: remote, unpredictable and completely unforgettable.