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During Nearly Ten Years, The Danish Thor Pedersen Traveled to All 203 Countries on The Planet Without Ever Taking a Plane, Facing Storms, Bureaucracies, and Loneliness — and Discovering Human Kindness at Every Border
Thor Pedersen, a Danish man passionate about adventures since childhood, turned an seemingly impossible dream into one of the greatest journeys ever undertaken by a human being. Inspired by the heroes he read about as a child — from Robin Hood to Indiana Jones — he always wanted to explore the unknown. But as he grew up, he believed he was born too late for great deeds. Until, in 2013, a simple email from his father changed everything.
In the message, there was a list of people who had visited every country in the world. That ignited something in Thor.
He was surprised to discover that about 200 people had managed to do it — but none without flying.
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So, he created his own challenge: to visit all 203 countries on the planet, without boarding a plane, spending at least 24 hours in each.
A Journey Guided by Rules and Determination
With the project named Once Upon a Saga, Thor established three main rules: never fly under any circumstances, stay at least one day in each country, and not return home until the end of the journey.
Additionally, he imposed a daily budget of only 20 dollars, refused to pay bribes, and vowed never to eat at McDonald’s throughout the trip.
With a map and colored pens, he planned a route that started in Denmark, went through Europe, North America, Central and South America, the Caribbean, Africa, the Middle East, Asia, and Oceania, before returning to Europe. A route that would take nine years, nine months, and 16 days to complete.
By Bus, Train, and Freighter: The Planet in Motion
Thor traveled entirely overland and by sea. There were 351 buses, 158 trains, and countless taxis, ferries, and boats.
In the Pacific, he crossed oceans aboard freighters, facing storms, frozen seas, and days of absolute boredom.
During a crossing between Iceland and Canada, the ship was hit by a four-day storm.
The cold was intense, and ice formed on the deck, just a few kilometers from the Titanic’s route. But fear gave way to wonder when the sea calmed and the northern lights illuminated the horizon.
At other times, the journey was purely contemplative. He remembers Venezuela, with its lush valleys and mountains, and a silent Machu Picchu, visited in the afternoon, almost empty.
He also recalls the day he sailed towards a gigantic rainbow in the middle of the Pacific — a spectacle that even the ship’s officer had never witnessed before.
People Who Marked The Path in Different Countries
Although the scenery was stunning, what marked Thor the most were the people. His motto was simple: “A stranger is just a friend you haven’t met yet.”
At every stop, he encountered generosity — someone offering a meal, an improvised bed, or just a smile. These small acts of kindness kept his motivation alive, especially during moments of exhaustion.
He emphasizes that the true meaning of his journey lay in human connection. In different languages and cultures, he realized that kindness is universal.
Wherever he went, he was welcomed by families, guides, diplomats, and strangers who, in some way, made possible what seemed unfeasible.
The Challenges and Unexpected Pauses
Not everything, however, was easy. In countries like Equatorial Guinea, obtaining a visa took months of attempts and back-and-forths at borders. Elsewhere, he faced endless bureaucracy, long crossings, and even political blockades.
The pandemic was another immense obstacle. Trapped in Hong Kong, Thor was separated from his fiancée for a year and a half.
It was during this time that the two got married — online — in a ceremony broadcasted across three different time zones. Later, they married again in Vanuatu, and a third time, officially, in Copenhagen.
Love and Purpose Amid Distance
The relationship between the two was a chapter apart in this odyssey. She visited him 27 times, in 27 different countries, while he continued his mission.
On one of those trips, Thor proposed to her at the top of Mount Kenya, amidst a snowstorm, with a tanzanite ring — a rare stone that changes color with light.
Despite the romance, he admits he almost gave up two years into the project. The mental and physical pressure, combined with loneliness and uncertainty, nearly made him stop.
But the memory of all those who helped him and the dream of completing something truly unique kept him going.
The End of The Saga and a New Beginning
When he finally reached the last country, the Maldives, Thor received a message that made him reflect: “This is the last time in your life that you can visit a new country.”
The thought moved him, but it also brought peace. He had achieved the impossible — without ever stepping on a plane.
Today, he is working on a new challenge: the Project 773, which divides the world into more parts and aims to make him the most traveled Dane in history.
A Lesson in Perseverance and Humanity from Thor Pedersen
For Thor Pedersen, the greatest lesson lies not in the kilometers traveled, but in the connections made. He believes everyone can achieve the extraordinary if they are willing to fight for their dreams.
Now, with his wife and a small daughter, he continues to explore. Recently, he took a 40-day trailer trip across 18 states, covering over 10,500 kilometers.
As he reflects on his saga, Thor summarizes in a few words what he learned: “Traveling is crossing borders, but also opening the heart. The world is huge, but people make it small — and welcoming.”
With information from Travelandleisure.
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