British adventurer nears end of epic 26-year walk around the world

British adventurer Karl Bushby, who began walking from the southern tip of Chile in 1998, has entered the final year of his record-breaking expedition to walk around the world without the use of any motorized transportation. Now 55 years old, Bushby has covered over 47,000 kilometers (29204.4 miles) on foot or by swimming, crossing some of the most dangerous and remote terrains on Earth.

Currently in Kocaeli, Türkiye, the adventurer is just a few days away from Istanbul. His next challenge is securing permission to cross the Bosphorus—either by swimming or on foot—the final major hurdle before reaching Europe and eventually home.

From Chile to Bosphorus: A 26-year Odyssey

Speaking about his journey, Bushby said, “I started walking from the southern tip of South America in 1998, aiming to reach my home in the U.K. It’s been a journey defined by walking—no planes, no boats, no cars. Just my own two feet and, swimming across bodies of water.”

He added that about 13 years of the past 26 were spent actively walking, with the remaining time consumed by bureaucratic challenges, pandemics, visa restrictions, and financial difficulties. “Planning the more complex legs, like crossing the Bering Strait or the Darien Gap between Central and South America, also took time. We even had to swim across the Caspian Sea at one point.”

Dangerous terrain, brutal conditions, and history-making feats

Bushby has successfully crossed the Darien Gap, a treacherous 200-mile stretch of jungle between Colombia and Panama once described as a warzone. He also made history in 2006, when he became the first person to walk from Alaska to Russia across the Bering Strait, alongside Franco-American adventurer Dimitri Kieffer. “It was the first verified crossing of its kind. It got us into Asia, and the journey continued from there,” he explained.

When entry into both Iran and Russia became impossible at one point, the team took on the seemingly impossible: swimming across the Caspian Sea, a distance of over 300 kilometers.

“I’m not a swimmer by profession, but with the help of the Azerbaijani coast guard and a small team, we reached Baku by water,” said Bushby.

‘Türkiye welcomed us with open arms’

Reflecting on his experience in Türkiye, Bushby shared glowing praise, “Other travelers told me Türkiye would be one of the most beautiful and welcoming places. And they were absolutely right. People constantly invited me into their homes, offered food, and were incredibly kind. The hospitality has been amazing.”

He added that this warmth was a constant theme throughout his entire 26-year journey:
“Everywhere I’ve been, people have wanted to help—they wanted to see me succeed and reach my destination.”

One last push: Crossing the Bosphorus to Europe

To keep his mission intact—no vehicles at any point—Bushby is now seeking permission to cross the Bosphorus without breaking his rules.

“It’s only 1.5 kilometers, but it’s symbolic. Crossing it would bring me from Asia into Europe, the final phase of the journey. From there, I’ll walk across Europe and reach the Channel Tunnel in France, eventually walking back home to the U.K.”

He hopes that local contacts in Istanbul can help secure the necessary approvals to allow either a swim or a pedestrian crossing of the Bosphorus. “After this, just one year remains. I’ve come 26 years, and now I’m so close I can almost see the finish line.”

‘When I get home, I may not recognize it’

Bushby, who has spent more than a quarter-century away from home, said his family visited him occasionally throughout the journey. “It’s been hard being away. And the U.K. has changed so much—I left when Tony Blair was Prime Minister. Since then, we’ve had five or more PMs. I might not even recognize home when I get there.”