Like many of Life’s Big Things, it started with one simple question: can it be done? Could I travel from the UK to southern Asia without flying?

Inspired by the challenge of an adventure and driven by a deep interest in sustainable travel and the geopolitical global landscape, I set off from Brighton Station on 12 October 2024, arriving at Agra Cantt Station and the Taj Mahal exactly two months later.

At first, moving at a fast clip along the eastern flank of Europe, there was only time to make just a single stop in a handful of countries.  From Istanbul onwards, things slowed down and I was able to give each subsequent country greater time and focus. Two weeks crossing Iran and similar in Pakistan and India, making many stops in each. Throughout the journey, my focus was meeting the people on the ground and hearing their stories. I passed through deserts, under snow-capped mountains and travelled along centuries-old, historic train and trade routes. There were as many metaphorical peaks and troughs - from being held at the Iran-Pakistan border for a week, to receiving a blessing from the Dalai Lama.

Nick is the founder and CEO of specialist tour operator Selective Asia.