Right,
The Central Asia Rally:
www.centralasiarally.com/
You enter a vehicle with a team of 1 to 4 people.
The rally starts at Budapest on the 1st of June, 2013 and finishes in Dunshanbe, Tajikistan on the 18th of June, 2013.
Most participants find their own vehicle in Budapest before the rally - the more dilapidated and wacky the better. The idea is that you sell the vehicle or give it away to someone deserving at the end of the rally.
It is a pretty gruelling trip - 5000 miles and it takes in Hungary, The Ukraine, Russia, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, and Tajikistan.
The organisers travel with the group but there is minimal support. Participants have to rely on their endurance, ingenuity, instinct, and probably a little luck. It might be a good idea to learn a few Russian phrases!
It is inevitable that a few corrupt officials, armed soldiers, police are met along the way. These are typically paid off in bribes.
The team has to arrange its own accommodation at each stop whether that is a tent, or a fancy 5 star hotel.
The organisers throw a party at the beginning and end of the rally.
There is a charitable aspect to this that the organisers encourage people to get involved in. I haven't looked at this yet but I would hope to do something in this respect.
The cost per person is 480 euros before October 15th and rises to 680 euro after November 30th. The website estimates that an additional 1000 euros per person is required for Visas, food, accommodation, car repairs bribes etc.
I have no doubt that the rally would be tough and perhaps a little dangerous. But I wouldn't want it any other way
I also believe that it is a brilliant opportunity to see parts of the world that few other people would even conceive of.
Thus far I haven't been able to convince anyone that this is a good way to spend June of next year but I know there will be someone out there that finds it appealing
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