6 months in Asia
A 6-month adventure through 11 countries, crossing the continent from Oman to China using a lot of train and busses (some planes as well though). This journey challenged us, inspired us, and left unforgettable memories. Here's how we did it—from planning to crossing borders, with videos, photos, and tips along the way. We traveled from January 2025 to July 2025.
Photo Highlights
Here's a sneak peek, but for the full experience, check out our Instagram (@lisaandpol).
Watch the Journey
We published many videos during our trip, focusing on individual countries or regions.
Here's a short selection of our favorites. For the full collection, check out our YouTube playlist.
![Video thumbnail for: The perfect Oman itinerary | Best places to visit on a roadtrip [2025]](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/9rsdy1lie2k/mqdefault.jpg?w=640&q=75)
Itinerary
We started with the Middle East with a couple of roadtrips in Oman and Saudi. We then flew to India and from there the real backpacking began. The last stretch involved crossing 8000km overland by train from Vietnam to the Caspian Sea. We tracked and shared our itinerary using Polarsteps (here).
📍 Oman → UAE → Saudi → India → Nepal → Thailand → China → Hong Kong → Vietnam → (China) → Kyrgyzstan → Kazakhstan
Quick summary
In January 2024, we kicked off a new chapter, landing in Oman for a short road trip with Lisa's family. From exploring remote wadis to driving off-road in the Sugar Dunes, it was the perfect warm-up before our backpacking adventure.
We crossed into the United Arab Emirates, spending a few days between modern skyscrapers and desert landscapes, before heading to Saudi Arabia. Renting a car, we explored ancient Nabatean tombs, futuristic cities, and remote desert regions — amazed by the kindness and hospitality everywhere.
Our journey continued in India, where we traveled from chaotic Mumbai to the majestic forts of Rajasthan and spiritual Varanasi. After a tough bout of typhoid for Pol, we took it slower in Nepal, trekking through the Himalayas and soaking in the peace of remote mountain villages.
A quick break with friends in Thailand, then one of the biggest surprises of the trip: 6-weeks exploring China. Between buzzing megacities, quiet temples, and vast countryside, we were invited to discover the country beyond the stereotypes — even getting shown around by locals as part of a project.
After a few intense days in Hong Kong, we squeezed in a rushed but memorable 12 days through Vietnam, self-driving the Ha Giang Loop and soaking in the green landscapes.
The final stretch took us overland through Kyrgyzstan, riding horses across alpine plains and sleeping in yurts, before crossing into Kazakhstan. The trip ended with an epic 55-hour train ride across the steppe, and on June 30th, exactly six months after we left, we flew back to Europe — tired, happy, and ready to plan the next adventure.
Budget Insights
We traveled on an average budget of 35€ per day per person, including transport, food, accommodation, activities and insurance.
Here's a breakdown of our spendings. We tracked this data using the TravelSpend app.
| Country | Total | Days | T/D/P |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oman | €403 | 10 | €40 |
| United Arab Emirates | €279 | 6 | €47 |
| Saudi Arabia | €805 | 16 | €50 |
| India | €609 | 27 | €23 |
| Nepal | €614 | 30 | €20 |
| Thailand | €218 | 9 | €24 |
| China | €1,294 | 48 | €27 |
| Hong Kong | €234 | 5 | €47 |
| Vietnam | €365 | 12 | €30 |
| Kyrgyzstan | €245 | 8 | €31 |
| Kazakhstan | €345 | 10 | €35 |
*T/D/P = Total per Day per Person
| Category | Percentage |
|---|---|
| Transportation | 22% |
| Accommodation | 17% |
| Restaurants | 14% |
| Activities | 13% |
| Flights | 10% |
| Fees & Charges | 9% |
| Coffee | 5% |
| Groceries | 5% |
| Shopping | 4% |
| Drinks | 1% |
| Laundry | 0% |
Plan Your Own Adventure
This page is a quick overview of our journey—but if you’re thinking about exploring the Middle East or Asia overland or on a budget, we’ve documented a ton across all our channels to help you prepare.
- Instagram: Each country has at least one dedicated highlight with daily stories, local tips, real prices, and snapshots of our experience.
- YouTube: Travel vlogs that capture the vibe of each country—landscapes, local interactions, memorable moments, and the occasional struggle.
- Blog: Browse by category to find guides on how to do activities on a budget, plus insights we didn’t share elsewhere.
If you’re looking for personalized advice, we can offer 1-on-1 video consultations to help you plan your backpacking trip through the Middle East or Asia —whether you’re on a tight budget, unsure where to start, or just want a reality check from people who’ve done it.
And if you’re not ready to go solo but still want the adventure—we’re considering organizing a group trip. If that sounds like something you’d be into, join our mailing list to show your interest and stay in the loop when we launch.
Connect With Us
Do you have more questions for us or want to follow our current adventures? Join us on social media: