BBC’s Race Across the World Route: Europe to Mongolia (and How to Experience It)
BBC’s Race Across the World route for Series 6 is confirmed to run from Europe to northern Mongolia, finishing on the shores of Lake Khövsgöl. En‑route countries include Italy, Greece, Türkiye (Turkey), Georgia, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan – a 12,000km overland route that brings some of the world’s most rewarding landscapes into prime‑time UK viewing.
The BBC trailer has already teased recognisable scenes (from the snowcapped mountains of Kyrgyzstan to the iconic monasteries of Georgia) and describes a “journey of extremes… from the familiarities of Europe to the uncharted edges of Mongolia,” with the series coming soon. For UK travellers inspired by the show, this route threads cultures we know well and operate in every day.
Who we are: Pure Nomad runs small‑group and tailor‑made trips across the regions featured in the show – notably Georgia, Kyrgyzstan and Mongolia. Below, we outline what viewers might see within those countries (locations still to be revealed) and how you can experience similar routes in a way that’s realistic, safe and deeply rewarding. The full Race Across the World route has not been announced but expect dramatic scenery, untouched landscapes and authentic culture.
Dramatic alpine landscapes of Kyrgyzstan.
Georgia: A gateway from the Mediterranean to the Caucasus
Why it fits the race: Georgia bridges Europe and Asia in a single day’s drive – mountain passes, monastery towns and a capital (Tbilisi) that’s as welcoming as it is walkable. Trailer clues show the race across the world route already points to settings in Greece and Türkiye earlier in the show; a Georgian leg is a natural continuation east into the Caucasus.
What the episode(s) could include:
Tbilisi → Mtskheta → Kazbegi: classic step‑up into the Greater Caucasus with Gergeti Trinity Church viewpoints when the weather opens.
Kakheti wine country: village markets, qvevri wine cellars and rural guesthouses at harvest time.
Canyons & cave towns: Martvili or Vardzia for a pure “this is nothing like western Europe” note.
Travel with us in Georgia
Best of Georgia (9‑Day Tour) – Tbilisi, Kakheti and the Kazbegi region, blending culture, short walks and food/wine experiences.
Prefer privacy or a specific focus (mountain hiking, wine, photography)? We design tailor‑made Georgia trips to your dates, pace and interests.
Monastery of St.Nino (Bodbe Monastery) in Georgia
Kyrgyzstan: High‑pasture routes, yurt life and red‑rock canyons
Why it fits the race: Kyrgyzstan gives Race Across the World route its overland feel: alpine lakes, jailoo (summer pastures), simple yurt stays and long valley drives that look spectacular on camera. The confirmed route lists Kazakhstan → Uzbekistan → Kyrgyzstan on the eastward push toward Mongolia.
What the episode(s) could include:
Bishkek & Ala‑Archa: quick access to glacier‑cut valleys and day hikes.
Issyk‑Kul: warmer summer days, lakeside towns and nearby red‑rock canyons.
Song‑Kul (≈3,000 m): yurt camps on wide pastures — the picture many UK viewers will remember.
Kel‑Suu (seasonal): a deeper cut near the border zones; turquoise water set in a narrow mountain gorge (usually July–September).
Travel with us in Kyrgyzstan
Discover Kyrgyzstan (10‑Day Tour) – Issyk‑Kul, Song‑Kul, Kel-Suu & canyons with sensible altitude pacing and simple, well‑run yurts.
Looking for flexibility? We arrange tailor‑made Kyrgyzstan itineraries (private vehicle, extra days at Song‑Kul, photography dawn shoots, etc.).
Traditional Kyrgz Eagle Hunter.
Mongolia: Desert drama, steppe horizons and a finale at Lake Khövsgöl
Confirmed finish: the race across the world route ends at Lake Khövsgöl in northern Mongolia – a deep, glacier‑fed lake ringed by taiga and long, quiet shorelines. Expect the show route to build from dust‑road endurance to big payoff vistas at the finish line.
What the episode(s) could include:
Gobi Desert: Khongoryn Els dune ridges, camel routes and the Flaming Cliffs (Bayanzag) at sunset.
Orkhon Valley: green river curves and waterfall walks; a calmer, heritage‑rich counterpoint to the Gobi.
Terelj National Park: granite towers and short hikes close to Ulaanbaatar – often a final pause before the push north.
The North: road days that end in blue‑hour stillness on Khövsgöl’s shoreline.
Or ask us for tailor‑made Mongolia(more dunes, more green valleys, time for sunrise ridge lines -your call).
The Gobi Desert in Mongolia – the final country on the Race Across the World route.
Small‑group vs tailor‑made – which suits a TV‑inspired journey?
Small‑group tours mirror the race’s spirit: new friendships and an efficient route – just without the stress of making every connection yourself.
Tailor‑made trips put you in control of pace, photography windows and exact regions (e.g., two nights under the dunes, extra time at Song‑Kul, more walking days in Kazbegi).
Either way, we operate with local guides, realistic drive times, clean & simple accommodation (yurts/ger camps where appropriate), and clear pre‑trip guidance so expectations and logistics match the reality on the ground.
When to visit
Georgia: April–October; May/June and September/October are standouts for mountain views and wine country.
Kyrgyzstan: June–September for high pastures; July–August for warm Issyk‑Kul days.
Mongolia: June–September for the classic look; add Naadam if travelling in early July.
Plan a trip inspired by Race Across the WorldRoute – with Pure Nomad
Tell us which scenes you’re excited to experience – Caucasus viewpoints, yurt life at Song‑Kul, Gobi dune sunsets, or that Khövsgöl blue‑hour waterline – and we’ll recommend the right small‑group departure or shape a private, tailor‑made itinerary across Georgia, Kyrgyzstan and Mongolia.
Editorial note & fair use: Pure Nomad Adventures is not affiliated with or endorsed by the BBC or Race Across the World. Mentions are for independent editorial/context purposes. Official details currently available confirm a Europe‑to‑Mongolia race, with the finish at Lake Khövsgöl, and countries including Italy, Greece, Türkiye, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan on the route.
