Meet Abin Babu — a 17-year-old adventurer from Vellimadakunnu, Kozhikode — who journeyed across 20 Indian states and two neighbouring countries, Bhutan and Nepal, in just 80 days, relying almost entirely on hitchhiking and the kindness of strangers.
A Plus Two student at Devagiri Savio Higher Secondary School, Abin set out on his epic journey on March 28 with little more than a backpack, ₹28,000, and a heart full of wanderlust. His travels, which ended on June 19, included an unforgettable trek to the Annapurna Base Camp in Nepal, the gateway to the world’s 10th-highest peak.
What’s more astounding is his budget. Except for a ₹3,000 flight from Mumbai to Bengaluru on his return, Abin spent barely anything on transportation or stay. He slept in tents pitched near petrol pumps or took shelter in police stations. Most of his spending went toward food.
Abin’s journey began with a ride in a vegetable jeep from Wayanad to Kozhikode’s Palayam market. From there, lorries, trucks, and other rides took him through Mysuru, Hyderabad, Kolkata, Assam, Sikkim, Darjeeling, Nepal, Himachal Pradesh, New Delhi, and more. When funds ran dry, he worked for two weeks at a Himachal resort.
His previous solo trip across nine Indian states in 50 days gave him the courage to dream bigger this time. He had even planned to continue into Pakistan, but escalating tensions halted that leg.
Abin, the son of Babu Thomas and Lisy Babu, covered half the costs with savings from event jobs during school holidays, while his family contributed the rest.