When most people think of retirement, they imagine peaceful mornings, leisurely walks, or perhaps spending time with grandchildren. But for Amarjeet Singh Chawla, a retired garment exporter from New Delhi, retirement marked the beginning of a brand-new life chapter — one defined by open roads, spiritual exploration, and global storytelling. At the age of 63, Chawla has already driven over 136,000 kilometers across 40 countries and visited 87 nations, all in pursuit of a dream he had nurtured for more than four decades.
From businessman to road adventurer, Amarjeet Singh has become a symbol of relentless passion, courage, and cultural pride. With his signature turban and unwavering spirit, he has not only broken age stereotypes but has also redefined what it means to live purposefully after 60.
From Fabric to Freedom: The Birth of the Turban Traveller
Chawla’s journey into global travel was not a spontaneous decision but a long-cherished dream waiting patiently to unfold. After running a successful garment export business for decades, he handed the reins to his son and chose to pursue something far more personal — to travel the world by road in his own car.
He named himself “The Turban Traveller,” a reflection of his Sikh identity, and started planning road trips that would combine his deep-rooted spirituality with a thirst for exploration. While many might hesitate to make such a drastic lifestyle shift in their late fifties, Chawla embraced the challenge with excitement and commitment.
The Epic Drive from Delhi to London
In 2018-2019, Chawla took on one of his most ambitious journeys: driving 40,000 kilometers from Delhi to London in his Toyota Fortuner SUV. He passed through 33 countries across Asia and Europe, navigating languages, roads, and cultures with confidence and curiosity.
The journey wasn’t just about covering distance — it was deeply spiritual, inspired by the teachings of Guru Nanak Dev Ji and his four historic Udasis. Along the way, Chawla connected with people from different faiths and backgrounds, spreading messages of unity, peace, and compassion. His route included stops at Gurudwaras, historical landmarks, and countless towns and villages, making the experience not just a drive, but a soulful voyage.
Retracing the Footsteps of Guru Nanak Dev Ji
Following the London expedition, Chawla and his wife Gursharan Kaur decided to take their spiritual travel deeper into South Asia. Between 2019 and 2020, the couple embarked on an eight-month-long road trip across all 29 states of India and six neighboring countries: Pakistan, Nepal, Bhutan, Myanmar, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka.
Their purpose was to retrace the paths walked by Guru Nanak Dev Ji, the founder of Sikhism, more than 500 years ago. They stayed in Gurudwaras, consumed Guru ka Langar (free community meals), and engaged with local communities to understand how faith and culture intersected in daily life. This journey gave rise to an extensive video documentary project with 245 episodes, which brought their travel experiences into homes across the globe through the series titled The Spiritual Journey of The Turban Traveller.
Honoring Guru Teg Bahadur Ji Through Sacred Roads
In 2021, Chawla launched another remarkable journey, this time to commemorate the 400th birth anniversary of the ninth Sikh Guru, Sri Guru Teg Bahadur Ji. The mission was clear: to visit all the historical locations in India where Gurudwara Sahibs related to Guru Teg Bahadur Ji’s legacy exist.
Over the course of this 27,000 km spiritual road trip, Chawla and his team sought to educate people about the Guru’s sacrifices for humanity, especially his stand for religious freedom. The journey became a mobile museum of Sikh heritage, bringing light to stories often forgotten in modern discourse.
They produced 120 episodes, each about 15 minutes long, capturing their experiences in Punjabi and Hindi with English subtitles. These episodes were broadcast to spiritual audiences across India, deepening awareness and respect for the Guru’s contributions to mankind.
A New Chapter: Exploring the Legacy of Guru Gobind Singh Ji
Not one to rest on his laurels, Chawla’s most recent adventure is a 25,000 km road journey across India to trace the life and legacy of the tenth Sikh Guru, Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji. This expedition is more than just a road trip — it’s a deep exploration of India’s cultural and spiritual fabric.
From the rugged terrains of Punjab to the sacred sites in Maharashtra, the journey is mapping the lesser-known tales of bravery, sacrifice, and resilience that define Guru Gobind Singh Ji’s life. Chawla continues to use his platform to educate the younger generation about their roots and to promote peace, harmony, and understanding.
A Global Dream: Crossing Continents and Connecting Cultures
Chawla’s future holds even more ambition. He is set to feature in a new web series titled CROSSING CONTINENTS – Europe on Wheels, which follows four strangers from different parts of the world on a minimum-resource journey across six continents. With plans to cover 160 countries in six seasons, the project is nothing short of epic.
The web series is designed not just as a travel show but as a cultural experiment — bringing together individuals of different nationalities, faiths, and life philosophies to demonstrate the unifying power of the human spirit. Chawla’s presence brings wisdom, depth, and authenticity to the narrative, making the show more than just entertainment.
More Than a Traveller: A Messenger of Humanity
What makes Amarjeet Singh Chawla’s story extraordinary is not just the kilometers he has driven, but the purpose behind every trip. Each journey is crafted around themes of faith, unity, legacy, and learning. He does not travel to escape life but to embrace it fully, using every road to build bridges between communities, faiths, and generations.
In a time when the world often feels divided, his voyages remind us that compassion still exists, that age is no barrier to dreams, and that purpose can drive you further than any engine ever could.
Amarjeet Singh Chawla is not just The Turban Traveller. He is a storyteller, a seeker, and a symbol of what it means to live with intention. His travels inspire a generation to step beyond comfort zones, to embrace the unknown, and to journey not just across landscapes — but deep within the soul.
His story continues — one road at a time.
Do follow him on Instagram:- Amarjeet Singh Chawla
For more information, click here
