Drive The Rickshaw Run Across India

The adventure

The vehicle is a rickshaw: three wheels, a canvas roof, a tiny engine and a top speed that makes overtaking a lorry a team-building exercise. The challenge is to drive it across India, roughly 3,000 kilometres, in about two weeks, with no support vehicle and no set route.

You'll break down, probably often. You'll get lost, be waved into villages for tea, crawl through traffic in cities where cows have right of way and drive mountain roads that would challenge a proper car. Every mechanic along the way becomes a friend. It's chaotic, exhausting and very funny, and it raises money for charity. If the Mongol Rally is on the list, this is its smaller, hotter cousin.

Why it’s epic

• Around 3,000 kilometres in a 7-horsepower auto-rickshaw.
• No support vehicle and no fixed route.
• Organised by The Adventurists, who also run the Mongol Rally.

What it is

An unsupported race in a three-wheeled auto-rickshaw across India, organised by The Adventurists, the people behind the Mongol Rally. There's a start, a finish and no set route.

How to do it

Enter a team with The Adventurists, raise money for charity, then fly to the start line where you're given your rickshaw.

Top tip

Learn the basics of fixing a two-stroke engine before you go. You will need them.

Need to know

• You need an international driving permit and a motorbike or car licence.
• Teams are expected to raise money for charity.
• Make sure your insurance covers driving in India; the organisers have advice.

Plan this trip

Rough cost

£2,000 to £5,000 per person, including flights from the UK

Time needed

About 2 weeks

Best time to go

January, April or August, depending on the edition

Fly into

COK airport

Entry fee, rickshaw, flights and charity fundraising make up the cost.

Make it happen

• FlightsSkyscanner

Why it’s on my list

Not done yet. If you’ve done it and have tips, tell me about it.