20th East-West Friendship and Silk Road Rally (2026)

The East-West Friendship and Silk Road Rally is an international motorsport and adventure event organized to enhance intercultural interaction, friendship, and solidarity across a vast geographical area stretching from Europe to Asia. Described as one of the longest overland journeys and adventure rallies in the world, the event aims to have participants follow the historic Silk Road route in their own vehicles to reach designated destination points.

The East-West Friendship and Silk Road Rally has been organized since 2005 by the Germany-based association "Silkroad Rally e.V." The overall organization and leadership of the rally have been carried out by Nadir Serin, who previously co-organized the Europa Orient Rally. This organization, based on Serin’s 18 years of rally experience, was launched under its current name and concept in 2022.

The event is supported at the international level by various civil and official authorities. The Directorate General for European Union Affairs of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Türkiye has provided support to the rally since 2010 within the framework of the European Union Communication Strategy (EUCS). Additionally, the event is organized with contributions from the Türkiye Tourism Promotion and Development Agency under the Ministry of Culture and Tourism and TÜVTÜRK.

The organization is designed as an independent driving experience based on spontaneity and adventure rather than a guided group tour format.

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There is no specific vehicle restriction for participation; however, vintage vehicles, small cars, and off-road vehicles (SUVs) are commonly preferred. The organization’s philosophy holds that older vehicles are more likely to encounter mechanical challenges, thereby creating greater adventure. No technical support teams are permitted to accompany vehicles during the rally; participants are expected to resolve any mechanical issues independently. At the end of the rally, participants may donate their vehicles to a local civil society organization at the destination or arrange for their return transport.

Participation costs vary according to participants’ preparation level and comfort preferences. Standard entry fees are set at 999 Euros for a two-person vehicle (team), 699 Euros for a single-driver vehicle, and 399 Euros for each additional driver. Participation fees include a product package and vehicle decals. When all expenses are included, the average cost for a two-person vehicle is estimated at approximately 3,500 Euros.

Participants are generally free to choose their own accommodation, including open-air sites; however, advance hotel reservations are mandatory along the routes in Iran and Turkmenistan. Visas are required for Russia, Iran, and Turkmenistan, which are part of the rally route. Visas are obtained through group appointment systems at the embassies of the host countries, and participants bear all visa-related expenses.

The route may occasionally pass through areas subject to travel advisories or containing risks. Prudent conduct in such regions is a guiding principle, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Türkiye actively supports the rally through diplomatic coordination and security warnings. It has also been noted that the governments and automobile clubs of host countries contribute to the event’s security.

The East-West Friendship and Silk Road Rally covers a vast route encompassing between 13 and 19 countries and 64 cities. The total distance traveled by participants ranges from 15,000 to 19,000 kilometers depending on the edition, with the journey lasting approximately 31 days (four weeks) to one and a half months. The route is divided into stages designed to offer experiences of diverse cultures and geographical features:

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The rally begins in Brussels, Belgium, widely recognized as the center of the European Union, or alternatively in Germany. After crossing the Alps, the route proceeds through Vienna, Austria, and Budapest, Hungary, before reaching Türkiye via the Balkans.

This stage begins at Sultanahmet Square in Istanbul and passes through Ankara, Aksaray (Helvadere, Cam Teras, Güzelyurt), Cappadocia (Ihlara Valley), Adıyaman (Nemrut Dağı), Bitlis (Ahlat), Erzurum (Palandöken Mountain), and Kars (Ani Ruins).

After crossing the Turkish border, the route passes through Tehran, Iran, and Golestan National Park. It then continues to Ashgabat, the capital of Turkmenistan ("White City"), and the Door to Hell in the Karakum Desert.

The route extends through Uzbekistan’s historic cities of Samarkand (Registan Square) and Bukhara, into the Kazakh steppes, the Aral Sea, and Astana. It then continues into Russian territory, visiting Siberia, the Altai Mountains, and Lake Baikal.

The rally’s final stage may conclude within the geographical boundaries of Mongolia, or, according to other sources, may extend to Nepal, a region approximately 7,000 meters above sea level following Central Asia.

Official programs have been held at the welcoming and starting points of the rally within Türkiye, with participation from state officials.

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On 4 August 2024, the official kickoff ceremony for the Türkiye stage was held at Sultanahmet Square in Istanbul. Consuls general from countries along the rally route attended the event. Nadir Serin, President of the Association, emphasized in his speech at the ceremony Türkiye’s unique position as a bridge between Europe and Asia, and East and West, and expressed his belief that participants would return to their home countries as voluntary ambassadors of friendship.

The 2026 edition of the rally, the 20th in its history and featuring 40 vehicles and 60 participants, commenced in Istanbul on 3 May.

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On 4 May 2026, the group arrived in Ankara and was welcomed at the main building of the Presidential Complex by President of the Republic of Türkiye Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. President Erdoğan received information about the route from Association President Nadir Serin and took commemorative photographs with the participants in front of the 15 July Martyrs’ Memorial and classic rally vehicles. During the ceremony, Erdoğan distributed toys and pocket money to children and officially launched the Ankara stage of the rally. Also in attendance were Minister of Youth and Sports Osman Aşkın Bak, Presidential Communications Director Burhanettin Duran, Presidential Advisor on Foreign Policy and Security Akif Çağatay Kılıç, and Presidential Chief of Staff Hasan Doğan.

The rally group, consisting of classic cars from abroad and various provinces of Türkiye, arrived at the 15 July National Will Square in Aksaray following Konya. The Aksaray stage was officially inaugurated by Governor Murat Duru. In his remarks, Governor Duru highlighted Aksaray as one of the most critical stops on the historic Silk Road and a true "City of Caravanserais" renowned for its magnificent caravanserais. He further noted that the spirit of friendship once carried by caravans and camels in the past is being revived today by participants using modern vehicles.

The rally team, which departed from Germany and endured a journey of approximately two weeks under adverse weather conditions including rain and snow, arrived in the province of Erzurum on 7 May 2026. The group completed their overnight stay at the Erzurum Teachers’ Hostel. Early the next morning, the teams ascended to the snow-covered Palandöken ski resort in their classic vehicles.

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As part of the events, the team gathered in front of the “Palandöken” sign located at an altitude of 2,200 meters on Palandöken Mountain and organized various commemorative activities. Participants placed the flags of their own countries alongside the Turkish flag on the snow-covered northern slope of Palandöken as a memento of their journey. A similar flag-planting ceremony was also conducted in a snowy area at the lower reaches of Ejder Tepe, described as being at an altitude of 200 meters.

The Erzurum program of the rally team was accompanied by Erzurum Governor Aydın Baruş and the Director of Culture and Tourism of the Province, Ahmet Yer. Governor Baruş expressed his pleasure at hosting the guests in Erzurum, one of the important trade centers along the historic Silk Road. Baruş carefully examined the vehicles used in the rally and then undertook a test drive on Palandöken in a classic car belonging to Nadir Serin, President of the East-West Friendship and Peace Rally Association. Baruş noted that this was his first time driving a classic automobile and stated that such vehicles evoke a sense of freedom in people, adding that if his official duties permitted, he would consider undertaking a similar long-distance journey.

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The organization includes not only individual participants but also family-level participation. The German couple Jochen and Carmem Kaiser completed the route together with their child Linus. Jochen Kaiser declared that the journey proceeded without incident, that they derived great joy from experiencing the trip as a family, and that the landscape they traversed was exceptionally impressive.

According to evaluations by Nadir Serin, President of the Association, and other participants, the foreign rally team compared the natural atmosphere of the Palandöken region to that of Nordic countries such as Norway and Iceland. Nadir Serin emphasized that this comparison holds significant tourism potential and highlighted that participants, upon returning to their home countries, would serve as voluntary ambassadors by sharing these positive observations.

According to data collected during the Erzurum stage, the rally team has covered more than 6,000 kilometers of road since departing from Germany. It is reported that approximately 13,000 additional kilometers remain to be completed before reaching the planned final destination in Nepal.

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Having completed its activities within the boundaries of Erzurum, the rally caravan set off toward Kars to continue its route. After its program in Akyaka district of Kars, the team is scheduled to pass through the territories of Georgia, Azerbaijan (Baku), Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, China, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan. During the Kyrgyzstan stage, the team will traverse steppes and deserts as well as challenging terrains such as the high-altitude Allahverdi Mountains and the Pamir Mountains. The international rally’s final destination is Nepal.

The East-West Friendship and Silk Road Rally, planned to begin in Germany and conclude in Nepal, has entered a new phase following the completion of the Erzurum stage, now encompassing the provinces of Kars and Ardahan. This segment of the rally involves participants being welcomed by local authorities, visiting historical sites, and completing the Türkiye route before crossing into Georgia.

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After traversing the Erzurum Palandöken route, the rally team arrived in Kars and spent the night in the city. The following day, departing from Kars city center, the team proceeded to Akyaka district. At a welcoming ceremony held in front of the historic Akyaka Train Station, rally participants were hosted by Akyaka District Governor İsmail Demirtaş and Akyaka Mayor Ergüder Toptaş.

At this point, the rally team parked their vehicles and interacted with local residents, distributing various toys to children. Nadir Serin, President of the East-West Friendship and Silk Road Rally Association, stated that the team visits Kars annually and continues the tradition of bringing toys to children in Akyaka. During the visit, the rally vehicles crossed the 110-meter-long suspension bridge in the village of Küçük Aküzüm, which is under the jurisdiction of Akyaka district.

Following the program in Akyaka, the rally team traveled to the historic Ani Archaeological Site, listed on UNESCO’s World Heritage List. A formal reception was organized by a large provincial delegation. The delegation included Kars Governor Ziya Polat, Deputy Governor Hayrettin Buğra Güzel, Director of Culture and Tourism Bayram Yığcı, Director of Excavations at Ani Muhammed Arslan, and Acting Director of Kars Museum Hakim Aslan.

In remarks delivered by Kars Governor Ziya Polat, it was emphasized that the Ani Archaeological Site occupies a central position along the historic Silk Road, serves as a bridge connecting the Caucasus to Anatolia, and represents the first territories conquered by Sultan Alp Arslan in Anatolia, giving it critical significance for both Turkish and world history. Participants were informed that Ani contains the first Turkish mosque, bazaar, bathhouse, and tombs in Anatolia. Governor Polat noted that Kars, which welcomes over 600,000 tourists annually, has become a center of culture, history, nature, and tourism, and extended an invitation to the rally team to participate in future winter rally events.

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After the events in Kars, the team continued along their route and arrived the next day in the Çıldır district of Ardahan. A brief meal break was held in Çıldır town center, the final point of the Türkiye leg, during which local delicacies were enjoyed. Association President Nadir Serin noted that the final day of the rally in Türkiye was spent at the Çıldır-Aktaş Customs Gate. After a rest period, the rally team proceeded to the border checkpoint, completed passport procedures, and crossed into Georgia via the Çıldır-Aktaş Customs Gate.

The East-West Friendship and Silk Road Rally, which departed from Germany on 27 April, was organized with official support from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Türkiye, Directorate General of the European Union, the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, the Türkiye Tourism Promotion and Development Agency (TGA), and TÜVTÜRK.

According to official data provided by Association President Nadir Serin, the team’s route has so far passed through Germany, Vienna, Serbia, Istanbul, Ankara, Mount Nemrut, Bitlis (Ahlat), Erzurum (Palandöken), and Kars. Since entering Türkiye through the Kapıkule Border Gate, the team has covered approximately 4,000 kilometers within the country’s borders. Upon reaching the Kars stage, the total distance traveled since the starting point amounted to 7,000 kilometers, with an additional 12,000 kilometers remaining to reach the final destination in Nepal.

Due to adverse weather conditions such as heavy snow and rain encountered along the Türkiye route, some events on the official schedule had to be canceled. However, the organizing committee reported no injuries, accidents, or mechanical failures among participants or vehicles. It was noted that a six-year-old child traveled with his family and is in good condition. The primary objective of the rally, which began in Istanbul’s Sultanahmet and followed the Silk Road route, is, as described by participant Hasan Murat Özkasım, “to strengthen friendship and cultural ties.” Representatives expressed their appreciation for the hospitality and warm atmosphere they experienced during their time in Türkiye.