Day 92 – 27 November 2016
The Final Chapter – Team Kontiki Signs Out
At around 5:00 am, after driving through the night from Mumbai, we finally arrived at Mahesh’s home in Navsari, Gujarat.
The journey was over.
After 92 incredible days on the road, crossing continents, deserts, mountains, rivers, and borders, Team Kontiki had finally reached home.
There was just enough time for a couple of hours of sleep before preparing for the final event of our adventure.
At 10:00 am, we arrived at Gandhi Smruti Mandir in Karadi, where an extraordinary welcome awaited us.
As our motorhome entered the grounds, Team Kontiki was greeted with a traditional Band Baja procession, flowers, applause, and cheering from a crowd of nearly 400 people.
It was a reception beyond anything we had imagined.
The event had been jointly organised by Gandhi Smruti Mandir, Bharat Vidyalaya Karadi, Mahila Mandal Karadi, and Gulchaman Vyayam Mandal Karadi.
Waiting to welcome us was our fellow traveller Dayal Patel, who had left the journey in Kolkata due to homesickness but had travelled to Karadi specially to join us for this final celebration.
It was wonderful to have the original Team Kontiki reunited one last time.
The venue itself held great historical significance.
The campus is shared by Bharat Vidyalaya and Gandhi Smruti, the very place where Mahatma Gandhi stayed for 22 days during the historic Dandi March before being arrested by the British authorities.
Standing there, reflecting on our own journey, we felt honoured to be part of a gathering in such an important place.
Following the traditional welcome and garlanding ceremony, representatives from all four organisations delivered speeches congratulating Team Kontiki on completing its remarkable journey.
I was invited to speak about our experiences on the road and share some of the highlights and challenges of travelling from London to Mumbai.
Mahesh, as Chairman of Bharat Vidyalaya, also addressed the gathering and spoke about the inspiration that travel, determination, and perseverance can provide.
Dayal, Ramesh, and I then thanked everyone for their support, encouragement, and warm welcome.
As a small gesture of gratitude, each member of the original Team Kontiki donated ₹22,000 to Bharat Vidyalaya—one rupee for every kilometre travelled.
Together, we donated a total of ₹66,000 to the school.
Refreshments and snacks were served, and for several hours we shared stories, photographs, and memories from the adventure.
It was the perfect ending to an unforgettable journey.
Team Kontiki – The Journey
The original Team Kontiki departed from Leicester, United Kingdom, on 28 August 2016.
Original Team Kontiki
- Dayal Patel – Age 74
- Ramesh Chauhan – Age 62
- Rajendra Karadia – Age 65
After Dayal returned home from Kolkata, the team evolved.
Team Kontiki 2
- Ramesh Chauhan – Age 62
- Raj Karadia – Age 65
- Mahesh Karadia – Age 63 (joined in Visakhapatnam)
- Anil Karadia – Age 59 (joined in Trivandrum)
Our Vehicle
Swift Kontiki 640 Motorhome
- Peugeot chassis
- 6 berth
- 22 years old at the time of travel
- Length: 6.97 metres
- Width: 2.22 metres
- Height: 2.87 metres
- Weight: 3,200 kg
Despite its age, Kontiki performed magnificently and became much more than a vehicle.
It was our home, kitchen, bedroom, dining room, workshop, and faithful travelling companion.
Frequently Asked Questions
Countries Travelled
- United Kingdom (Start)
- France
- Belgium
- Germany
- Poland
- Lithuania
- Latvia
- Russia
- Kazakhstan
- China
- Myanmar
- India (Finish)
Distance Travelled
22,000 kilometres
(Approximately 13,670 miles)
Duration
90 days on the road
plus sightseeing and rest days
Sea Crossing
English Channel
(Approximately 22 miles)
Visas Required
As British citizens we required visas for:
- Russia
- China
- India
Tour Guides
Compulsory when travelling in your own vehicle through:
- China
- Myanmar
Carnet de Passage
A carnet acts like a passport for your vehicle and avoids paying import duties in many countries.
- Cost: Approximately £2,000
- Validity: 6 months
Punctures
Zero
Not a single puncture during the entire journey.
Total Cost
Approximately £48,000
This included:
- Purchase of the motorhome
- Fuel
- Ferries
- Visas
- Carnet
- Hotels
- Food
- Tour guides
- Insurance
- Shipping the motorhome back from Mumbai to Southampton
Final Reflections
Today marks the end of our updates and the conclusion of our London to Mumbai by Road 2016 adventure.
When we left Leicester, many people admired our dream. Some thought it was ambitious. Others thought it might be impossible.
Ninety-two days later, we proved that dreams are achievable.
We proved that age is not a barrier.
We proved that determination, courage, friendship, and faith can carry you further than you ever imagine.
Throughout this journey we met extraordinary people from every corner of the world. Many became friends. Some helped us when we were stranded. Others welcomed us into their homes and shared meals with us despite never having met us before.
The world, we discovered, is full of kindness.
Most importantly, we learned a lesson taught to us many years ago by our teachers:
“Where there is a will, there is a way.”
On behalf of Team Kontiki, I would like to thank every person who followed our journey, sent messages of encouragement, offered prayers, shared our updates, and travelled alongside us in spirit.
Your support helped make this adventure even more special.
This may be the final post of our London-to-Mumbai journey, but it is certainly not the end of our travels.
There are still roads waiting to be explored, horizons waiting to be reached, and adventures waiting to begin.
Until then, thank you.
God bless.
Stay safe.
And keep travelling.
Team Kontiki – Signing Out
London to Mumbai by Road 2016
28 August 2016 – 25 November 2016
22,000 Kilometres | 12 Countries | 90 Days | One Incredible Adventure
