Race Across the World is back, baby! This time, five new teams are embarking on a mahoosive 14,000-kilometre journey across three countries and we’re following them each week through tears, tasty food, and totally-shouldn’t-have-spent-that-much-money-on-that-taxi.
On a shoe-string budget of just over £1000 (!) they’ll be making their way to the finishing line to claim a £20,000 jackpot. As they head from A to B, C, and D, we’ll be catching up with each week’s check point, giving you some tips on what you could get up to there and how to get around in prep for your own Race Across the World adventure…
Where is Race Across the World this year?
The last checkpoint
Sasan Gir, India
Last week we left this year’s Race Across the World contestants in Sasan Gir, gateway to Gir National Park and the last stronghold of the Asiatic lion.
The next checkpoint
Panaji, Goa, India: 1,171km from Sasan Gir
Panaji is the charming little capital of Goa, India’s smallest state. If you’re expecting a chaotic metropolis with honking rickshaws and neon chaos, think again. Panaji (also known as Panjim) is more like a laid-back siesta in the middle of your Indian adventure. Perched on the banks of the Mandovi River and gazing out lazily across the water, Panaji is tiny – a pocket-sized city with a Portuguese past.
Once a sleepy fishing village, Panaji got a serious glow-up in the 18th century when Old Goa – the original Portuguese capital – became struck by disease. So they moved the party (and government) downstream to Panaji, which they developed in classic Portuguese style: narrow winding streets, terracotta-tiled houses, ornate balconies, and lots of baroque churches. In 1961, Goa was liberated from Portuguese rule, and Panaji, along with the rest of Goa, became part of India. But the European influence didn’t vanish – it lingered in the architecture, cuisine, and that unmistakable susegad vibe (Goa’s own version of “no worries, take it easy”).
Find cheap flights to Goa
Wander through Fontainhas, Panaji’s Latin Quarter, and you’ll feel like you’ve stumbled into Lisbon’s mischievous little cousin. The houses are painted in cheerful pastels – turquoise, sunflower yellow, coral pink – with arched windows and wrought-iron balconies. Azulejos (ceramic tiles) label the street corners, and shrines to the Virgin Mary hide in quiet alcoves. It’s calm, colourful, and probably smells like freshly baked poee (Goan bread) and fish curry if you hit it at the right time.
And located just about 2 miles from the city center, Miramar Beach a broad stretch of golden sand where the Mandovi River finally lets go and flows into the Arabian Sea. From the beach, you can gaze out at the palm-fringed Aguada headland across the water, especially dreamy at sunset when everything turns to molten gold and fishermen silhouette themselves against the horizon like they’re posing for a book cover.
Panaji must-do’s
Church of Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception
White as sugar and twice as sweet, this 16th-century church is the postcard shot of Panaji. Stairs that zigzag like a telenovela plotline and bells that ring out over the city.
Bonus points for: Visiting in December when the church is lit up like a Christmas dream, decked out in fairy lights, flowers, and flickering candles.
Altinho Hill
Climb up (or take a scooter, because let’s be honest, it’s hot) for panoramic views of the city, the Mandovi River, and the occasional sea eagle swooping by like it owns the place.
Bonus points for: Popping your head into the Chapel of St. Sebastian, painted in bright white, simple and quiet, a gem at the southern end of Altinho.
Kala Academy
Designed by Charles Correa, this is Goa’s cultural epicenter — hosting everything from Konkani plays to Indian classical concerts to experimental art exhibitions.
Bonus points for: For catching some Tiatr, Goa’s beloved Konkani musical drama form, filled with wit, satire, and the occasional soap-opera-style twist.
How to get there
Train hop down the coast
On the next stretch, this year’s Race Across the World contestants are heading along the coast from Sasan Gir south to India’s smallest state Goa and its capital, Panaji. If they stick to the coast (like our itinerary below does), then they could take in one of India’s most iconic cities. But if they decide to veer inland a bit, they could take in cities like Pune too.
This is how you do it
Sasan Gir to Rajkot (via Junagadh)
From the station in Sasan Gir, take a 3-hour train to Junagadh Junction, get off and have a stroll if you have time, and then hop on a 3-hour bus from there to Rajkot. If you set off from Sasan Gir in the early afternoon, you should reach Rajkot by late evening. Stay the night here, or if you’re keen to crack on (and get some sleep), then catch an overnight train to your next stop – it’s a whopper.
Rajkot to Mumbai
You can catch a direct overnight train that’ll get you from Rajkot to mega Mumbai in around 10 hours, arriving just in time for a morning pav bhaji.
Once upon a time, Mumbai was a collection of seven sleepy islands inhabited by the Koli fishing community. Fast forward through a Portuguese pitstop and a British colonial makeover, and voilà—you have a bustling metropolis. The financial heartbeat of India, it’s home to the Bombay Stock Exchange, Reserve Bank of India, and numerous multinational corporations, and is where deals are made over both spreadsheets and samosas. Mumbai is also the epicenter of India’s Hindi-language film industry, producing more movies annually than any other city in the world. From the grandeur of Film City to the historic Maratha Mandir theatre, cinema is woven into the city’s fabric.
With a skyline that’s a blend of Gothic, Victorian, Art Deco, and contemporary architecture, Mumbai’s must-sees include the Gateway of India, the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus, a UNESCO World Heritage site, and the Rajabai Clock Tower – basically like Big Ben, with some Venetian and Gothic styles thrown in for good measure.
Oh, and did we mention it’s on the coast? Marine Drive, also known as the “Queen’s Necklace,” is a popular promenade for evening wanders, whilst Juhu Beach is famous for its street food stalls offering local delights like pav bhaji and bhel puri. Bandra Bandstand, meanwhile is a scenic spot offering views of the Arabian Sea and the Bandra-Worli Sea Link.
Find cheap flights to Mumbai
Mumbai to Panaji
You’ll want to spend at least a day or two in Mumbai. After that, you can take another overnight train (or go by day if you want to watch the scenery), from Mumbai bound for Madgoan in South Goa. It takes about 10 hours, so settle in. From Magdoan, it’s an easy bus or taxi from the station to Panaji itself. The best part? You’ll be driving through scenic countryside and coastal plains. Lovely.
