The final leg of Race Across The World 2026 sees the four remaining teams racing 950km from Palermo, Sicily, to the remote village of Hatgal on the shores of Lake Hövsgöl in northern Mongolia. The winner will claim a £20,000 prize.
The 11,000km route retraces parts of the ancient Silk Road, passing through eight countries: Italy, Greece, Türkiye, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan and Mongolia. Teams face extreme conditions, from 30°C Mediterranean heat to subarctic temperatures of –20°C, on a budget of less than £26 per person per day.
Contestants navigate without smartphones, internet access or bank cards, relying solely on cash and their wits. The final episode airs on BBC One and iPlayer on Thursday 21 May at 8pm.
Broadcaster Tyler West hosts the new video podcast Race Across The World: The Detour, available on BBC iPlayer and BBC Sounds after each episode. The podcast features guests including travel creators and comedians, discussing the series' destinations and stories.
