Episode 1

Five intrepid duos are tasked with undertaking the trip of a lifetime, racing over 14,000km across Asia, the world’s largest continent, taking in three of its most diverse and fascinating nations – China, Nepal and India. And they have to do it with the lowest budget in the show's history – just over £1,000 per person.

The teams will race from north eastern China all the way to the southernmost tip of India – Kanniyakumari - a pilgrimage site where three mighty seas converge. They will have to navigate the two most populous countries in the world – India and China, which both have populations of over 1.4 billion people and counting. With over 700 languages spoken in India alone, they will also have to navigate crowds, congestion and cultural barriers, as well as a multitude of vast-ranging landscapes.

In China, contestants will travel through trailblazing cities, ancient towns, and villages nestled amongst karst peaks and rolling hills. They will reach the heart of the Himalayas in Nepal, home to eight of the world’s ten highest mountains, before travelling south to India and taking in 13 of its 28 states, where each feels like a different country with its own traditions, culture and landscapes. Leaving behind their smartphones, internet access and bank cards, they will be armed only with the cash equivalent of flying the route.

The race begins at the Great Wall of China, overlooking the village of Huanghuacheng, 80km north of Beijing. Twice the size of London, and with six major train stations, reaching the capital from the Great Wall will be the teams’ first challenge. To reach the first checkpoint – Huangling – the more adventurous can choose a route that carves its way inland while others can make the most of China’s extensive high-speed train network that runs along the coast, taking in the country’s largest metropolis, Shanghai.

The youngest pair in the race, 18-year-old Fin and 19-year-old and Sioned, are a teenage couple from Carmarthen, Wales. Keen to explore the world beyond the boundaries of their small village, the pair are initially overwhelmed by the scale of the challenge. Sioned’s plan to stop and strategise proves fruitful, and the pair secure an early head start. However, as they tackle some of China’s biggest cities, will they manage to maintain their lead?

Retired financial advisor Brian, 62, and 65-year-old driving instructor Melvyn are brothers looking to reconnect, having barely spent any time together since childhood. Despite completely contrasting lifestyles, and a different approach to travel, they are keen to discover if they have anything in common. Brian’s desire to pursue experiences leads them to visit the Longmen Grottoes, a series of caves that are home to thousands of Buddhist statues. But their push for cultural experiences puts their position in the race at risk.

Headstrong Yin and pragmatic Gaz, both 54, have supported each other through highs and lows over the past 35 years. Having run a Chinese takeaway together, they are unafraid of hard work. A tricky start puts their determination to the test, before a stroll through a marriage market in Shanghai leads them to reflect on their relationship.

Sisters Elizabeth, 33, and Letitia, 26, have travelled extensively but never with each other. A seven-year age gap and ten years living in different countries mean the sisters aren’t as close as they once were. Their plan is to use their experience and language skills to advance their race by garnering travel tips from locals and staying in rural homestays.

Housewife Caroline, 60, wants to prove she is more than just ‘mum’, and son Tom, 21, wants to show her the world through his eyes. With ten months' travelling experience under his belt, Tom takes the lead, but they hit a rocky start trying to escape the vast city of Beijing.

The race will test the five teams both physically and emotionally, pushing them to their limits. But with their feet on the ground, and their eyes wide open, the rewards will be great, and the memories will be everlasting. Only one team can emerge victorious as they all vie to claim the cash prize of £20,000 in their race across the world.