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A 76-year-old Kazakh grandfather, Sarsengbay, has chosen an extraordinary way to spend his retirement: by embarking on an epic walking tour of Europe. On March 3rd, he began his fourth major expedition, aiming to traverse the continent on foot.

Journey to Europe Begins

Sarsengbay departed Kazakhstan early in the morning. After a layover in Istanbul, his journey continued to Belgrade, Serbia, the starting point for his European trek. His assistant confirmed the travel details, stating, "He flew to Istanbul overnight. After transferring through Istanbul, he will arrive in Belgrade, the capital of Serbia, in two hours and will begin his walk across Europe from there."

Ambitious Itinerary

The seasoned traveler plans to explore Serbia, Hungary, Austria, Germany, and France. His ambitious route includes conquering the Carpathian and Alps mountain ranges, experiencing diverse European cities, and navigating scenic natural trails, all while testing his endurance.

A Pattern of Adventure

This is not Sarsengbay's first long-distance adventure. While planning took some time, primarily for organizing documents and flights, he relies on his experience and routine for the rest. "I'm not racing, I'm just walking," he explained. "I carry a small wheeled bag with a sleeping bag, tent, clothes, tools, and food. Everything is ready." He noted that preparation for this fourth route was less time-consuming due to his established experience.

A Life of Travel

Sarsengbay considers his current European walk part of a "world tour" that began in 2022. In the last four years, he has completed several significant journeys:

Before his retirement, Sarsengbay worked in agriculture and at a factory, with his travels previously limited to trips to Almaty. These recent four years seem to be his way of making up for lost time and opportunities.

Inspiring the Next Generation

Through his remarkable journeys, Sarsengbay aims to inspire both young people and his peers, demonstrating that age is not a limitation to exploring the world. "One should travel the whole world, not just around their own home," he shared. "If you don't leave your village, your understanding of the world remains limited. Everyone should travel, see, learn, compare, and gather the best from other peoples and countries."

Future Plans

Sarsengbay has no plans to slow down. He has already mapped out his adventures for the coming years. In 2027, he intends to cross the ocean to embark on a walking tour of North and South America.

This story was reported by Infohub.kz.