On The Hippie Trail: Istanbul to Kathmandu and the Making of a Travel Writer by Rick Steves
Synopsis
Stow away with Rick Steves for a glimpse into the unforgettable moments, misadventures, and memories of his 1978 journey on the legendary Hippie Trail.
In the 1970s, the ultimate trip for any backpacker was the storied “Hippie Trail” from Istanbul to Kathmandu. A 23-year-old Rick Steves made the trek, and like a travel writer in training, he documented everything along the way: jumping off a moving train, making friends in Tehran, getting lost in Lahore, getting high for the first time in Herat, battling leeches in Pokhara, and much more. The experience ignited his love of travel and forever broadened his perspective on the world.
This book contains edited selections from Rick’s journal and travel photos with a 45-years-later preface and postscript reflecting on how the journey through Turkey, Iran, Afghanistan, Pakistan, India, and Nepal changed his life.
(From the publisher)
Purchase
Library
Reading Group Discussion Questions
Additional Book Club Resources
Other Works by Rick Steves
Rick Steves is on a mission: to help make European travel accessible and meaningful for Americans. He has spent 100 days every year since 1973 exploring Europe, researching and writing 24 travel guidebooks and hosting the public television series Rick Steves’ Europe. For a full list of his guide and phrase books, please visit https://store.ricksteves.com/shop/guidebooks.
If You Liked On The Hippie Trail, May We Recommend …
The Hippie Trail: A History, Sharif Gemie and Brian Ireland
Magic Bus: On the Hippie Trail from Istanbul to India, Rory MacLean:
Goa Freaks: My Hippie Years in India, Cleo Odzer
Odyssey: Ten Years on the Hippie Trail, Ananda G. Brady
The Great Railway Bazaar: By Train Through Asia, Paul Theroux:
Full Tilt: Ireland to India with a Bicycle, Dervla Murphy:
Flash: Ou le Grand Voyage, Charles Duchaussois
The Trail To Kathmandu (1970’s): Travel Memoirs of a Hippy, Ash Lingam
Hand to Mouth to India, Tom Thumb
Hippie, Paulo Coelho
Links of Interest for Your Book Club Discussion
Harvard Business Review, Life’s Work: An Interview with Rick Steves
New York Times, “Rick Steves Refuses To Get Cynical About The World”
Condé Naste Traveler, “Rick Steves n the “Hippie Trail” Trip That Changed Him
Amanpour and Company, “Travel Is a Political Act:” Rick Steves on the “Hippie Trail”
Rick Steves Europe: On The Hippie Trail with Rick Steves
The Interview, “Rick Steves on His Life, Travel and Cancer