Greetings everyone!

I was an attorney that took off on my birthday in December of 2008 to circumnavigate the globe without ever getting on an airplane. After 16 months, 6 continents, and 44 countries, I made it all the way back home… and just kept traveling. I have been a permanent traveler (and blogger and photographer) for almost four years now – - and I love it.

The Ultimate Train Challenge was a concept I came up with while traveling in South America a few years ago. I love the concept of “challenge travel,” which is probably obvious from my quest around the world.

In 2010, I took off along with two other travel blogging friends to try to complete the challenge of doing the longest continuous train journey possible in the world today — Lisbon to Saigon. All in 30 days. All on trains.

We documented that effort at the Ultimate Train Challenge website. It was so much fun, I thought it would be a good idea to make it an annual event. Now anyone and everyone that wants to do it, can.

So… do it! It’s an experience you’ll never forget – or regret.

-Michael Hodson, UTC creator