What’s New at Nomadic Road?

If there’s one thing Nomadic Road is not interested in, it’s staying still. As we grow, so do our motoring expeditions. 2025 is shaping up to be our boldest year yet, with fresh updates designed to deepen the experience for first-timers and returning adventurers.

Here’s what’s new at Nomadic Road, and what it means for the road ahead.

New Expedition Categories to Match Your Mindset

There’s been growth. A lot of it.

And as Nomadic Road grows, so does our tribe of adventurers, and the journeys we craft for them. With more travellers resonating with our raw, off-the-map exploration, we’ve also welcomed new expedition leaders to the fold. These are people who live and breathe overlanding, with deep knowledge of terrains, vehicles, and the kind of mindset these roads demand.

This momentum has shaped what comes next: a rethinking of how we categorise our overland expeditions. Not just by region, but by the kind of spirit each trip calls for.

1. Founder-Led Editions

The boldest routes. The toughest terrain. The kind of journeys that demand experience and instinct.

These expeditions are personally led by Venky, Nomadic Road’s founder, from frozen trails in winter Mongolia to the broken spine of Madagascar’s RN5, to chasing the ghost of the Dakar Rally in Bolivia.

“Earlier, all journeys were led by me,” says Venky. “But as we grew, we wanted to create certain expeditions that were tougher and more challenging.”

These founder-led expeditions aren’t for everyone. But if you’re chasing extremes, it’s where you belong.

2. Signature Editions

These are our tried-and-tested expeditions, crafted with the same precision but with a balance of comfort and challenge. They’re designed for travellers easing into the world of overlanding, or those exploring with partners and families. You’ll still experience remote terrains, rugged trails, and unpredictable roads, but with a little more room to catch your breath.

Every Signature Edition expedition is led by Nomadic Road’s in-house team of expedition specialists. These are individuals trained under Venky to deliver the experience we promise. Our leaders are deeply embedded in the world of overlanding. They understand the terrain, the vehicles, and the kind of mindset these off-road journeys demand.

One of our newest expedition leaders is William Kelly. With over a decade of experience in the world of adventure travel, William has led expeditions across terrains as varied as the Northern Cape of Australia and the Rub' al Khali desert in Saudi Arabia.

“What first caught my eye was Nomadic Road’s stunning visual storytelling,” says William. “But as I explored further, it was their mission to take people on raw, unforgettable journeys to the most remote corners of the world. That really spoke to me.”

He recently joined Venky on the Madagascar RN5 expedition—a first for him, and a chance to absorb the on-ground expertise Venky brings. “It was the kind of adventure that reminded me why I do this work,” he says. “Now, I’m incredibly excited to lead on an expedition from start to finish. I want to pour everything I’ve got into creating an experience that truly becomes a Signature Edition.”

From the moment you land to the final mile, we’re with you. Logistics, planning, contingencies; we handle it all. This way, you can focus on what matters: the road ahead.

3. Inaugural Editions

Every year, we like to launch something entirely new. A route we’ve never done. A terrain we’ve never crossed. These limited-seat journeys are for those who want to be among the first. For instance, one of our most in-demand routes, the Madagascar RN5, set the bar. River crossings, deep sand, slippery red clay, and steep ascents—it gave Grand Tour-level grit a real-world spin.

So in 2024, we had planned to launch a new southern Madagascar route. But we weren’t fully convinced about the experience and decided to hold back. Now, after months of refining the journey, we're confident it’s ready. In 2025, this bold new chapter is finally coming to life, and it promises to push even further.

Over nine days, you’ll journey through some of southern Madagascar’s most remote corners, where few travellers have ever set foot. The landscape here is raw, with dusty brown trails replacing the lush greens of RN5. You’ll cross rivers without pontoons, relying on pure skill and, of course, your machine. The journey includes four consecutive days of remote camping in the wilderness, with unexpected challenges—as with every inaugural edition. Think you’re ready to push your limits?

The idea to group our expeditions into categories actually came from one of our own—a fellow explorer who had just completed a journey with us. With his background in branding and marketing, he suggested we create tiers based on difficulty. It just made sense. A simple way to help future explorers know what to expect and choose a journey that feels right for them.

Pick Your Pace: Mild or Wild

We’ve always resisted the hard-sell approach. Our goal isn’t to convince you to book a trip. It’s to give you the right information so that when you do, you know exactly what you’re signing up for.

Not all overlanders are the same. Some are new to adventure travel; others have driven across frozen lakes, scaled volcanic peaks, and are ready for even more. We’ve always included detailed breakdowns on our expedition pages. These include details on weather, altitude, driving challenges, and so forth, so that you’re prepared.

Starting in 2025, we’ve streamlined our overland expeditions into two clear difficulty types:

• Mild and comfortable: For those seeking a more relaxed yet adventurous experience, this category offers a balanced blend of comfort and challenge. These expeditions are ideal for those who want to enjoy the beauty of overlanding without the intense extremes.
  Expect relatively easier driving terrains, along with access to traditional infrastructure and accommodations that offer more comfort. Journey times are relaxed, and you'll find yourself staying in comfortable, well-equipped accommodations where amenities are readily available.
  Expeditions like our Puna de Atacama (Argentina), Nomadic Summer (Mongolia), and Andean Plateau (Bolivia) fall under this category. They provide an immersive experience without pushing you too far outside your comfort zone.
• Tough and challenging: For the bold and fearless, these expeditions take you into unpredictable environments and harsh terrains. Here, nature dictates the pace, and you’ll have to adapt. Expect challenging trails, unpredictable journey times, and sometimes even vehicle breakdowns. Accommodations are basic, often with no amenities or infrastructure, which means you’ll truly be roughing it.

Think driving through snow-covered Mongolia with temperatures as low as -25°C. Or crossing the vast and harsh deserts of Namibia, South Africa, and Botswana in The Great Kalahari Expedition. Or navigating the dry, unforgiving landscape of Peru’s Uncharted Sierra Expedition. These journeys will test your resilience and skills at every turn. Expect unpredictable journey times, basic accommodations, and no-frills experiences that get you fully immersed in nature’s wildest corners.

Some of our travellers plan their journey a year in advance. We want that kind of preparation to be supported with the facts and the flexibility they need.

Ready for What’s Next?

The question we keep asking ourselves is: what haven’t we done yet? And then we go do it.

Over 30% of our travellers come back for more. But they’re not here to repeat the same ride. They want new terrains, bigger challenges, and stories worth chasing. What started as one-off expeditions is fast becoming a yearly ritual for many. A kind of rugged reunion. To meet that demand, we’re constantly evolving. 

This year, it’s about sharper formats, tougher routes, deeper stories. Some old favourites are getting a bold new twist. Others will push further into the unknown.

Keep an eye on the blog and expeditions page for the latest Nomadic Road updates. What’s next isn’t for everyone. But if you’re here, maybe it’s for you.