Seasons & episodes
S1 · E4Mexico 2010-10-14 · 43 min
Karl travels to Mexico where he pays a visit to Chichen Itza. He also tries his hand at wrestling, learns how to become a cowboy, and hunts for a Mexican jumping bean.
S1 · E5Egypt 2010-10-21 · 43 min
Karl Pilkington's journey continues in Egypt, where Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant have arranged for him to sample the local culture. He tastes delicacies including rabbit meat, takes a boat ride down the Nile and is entertained by a belly dancer, before visiting the pyramids
S1 · E6Brazil 2010-10-28 · 42 min
Tag along with Karl Pilkington as he takes up temporary residence in Rio de Janeiro. On his way to Christ the Redeemer, he experiences a back wax and Brazil's famous beaches.
S1 · E7Peru 2010-11-04 · 44 min
Reluctant explorer Karl Pilkington visits Peru, where he is unhappy with the Amazon jungle's toilet arrangements, and fails to impress a local tribe with his hunting skills. Arming himself with oxygen, the Mancunian then sets off on a high-altitude, eight-hour trek to witness Machu Picchu, the fortress city of the ancient Incas.
S1 · E8Karl Comes Home: The Debrief 2010-11-11 · 43 min
Reluctant globetrotter Karl Pilkington is reunited with Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant to reflect on his journeys to the seven wonders of the modern world, considering whether travel has truly broadened his mind.
S2 · E1Desert Island 2011-09-23 · 43 min
Karl makes his way through the 'Bucket List' that has been created. First up he ends up spending a a night on a private island.
S2 · E2Trans-Siberian Express 2011-09-30 · 43 min
Karl takes a trip on the Trans-Siberian Express. He is expecting luxury, but Ricky and Steve have other ideas for the trip.
S2 · E3Dolphin Swim 2011-10-07 · 43 min
Karl gets the chance to swim with some dolphins but with Ricky and Steve as the holiday planners there are a few surprises.
S2 · E4Whale Watching 2011-10-14 · 42 min
Karl isn’t really prepared for the arctic conditions in Alaska. Ricky and Steve have also planned some dog sledding, a meeting with Innuits and a visit to the North Pole. When Karl finally gets to catch his whale watching cruise, he learns that Ricky and Steve have stuck him on a deep sea fishing trawler.
S2 · E5Meet a Gorilla 2011-10-21 · 43 min
Karl heads of to Africa to go meet a Gorilla. Before he travels to Uganda, Karl agreed to start in South Africa as he’s been there on holiday he heard it was alright. Ricky and Steve want Karl to have an authentic African experience so they arrange some time in a slum with a family and helping a charity rebuild a shelter. Karl visits Jessica the Hippo who lives with a family and Ricky sends him to join a Rhino conservation project before heading off traveling through the impenetrable forest in Uganda before coming ‘face to face’ with a Gorilla.
S2 · E6Route 66 2011-10-28 · 42 min
Karl wants to drive along the legendary Route 66 in the USA in an open top Cadillac but Ricky and Steve have other ideas. Along the way they want him join a high school choir, hang out with New Age therapists, meet the Amish before ending his journey by Wingwalking.
S2 · E7Climb Mount Fuji 2011-11-04 · 43 min
Karl’s last “thing to do” is seeing Japan’s most spiritual destination: Mount Fuji. On arrival in Japan Karl gets lost in Tokyo. Ricky and Steve put him up in a ‘capsule’ hotel, send him to a Sumo wrestling stable, arrange for Karl to meet a Zen Master and send him on the world’s steepest rollercoaster. And he has to attempt to climb Mount Fuji.
S2 · E8Karl Comes Home 2011-11-11 · 44 min
Karl is reunited with Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant after returning home and he reflects on his experiences. There are also a few surprises.
S3 · E1The Short Way Round: Venice 2012-11-30 · 43 min
Karl is joined by Warwick Davis as they attempt to follow in the footsteps of Marco Polo. They begin their adventure in Venice.
S3 · E2The Short Way Round: India 2012-12-07 · 43 min
Karl and Warwick's journey continues as they make their way to India. Laughing yoga and parts in a Bollywood film are trumped after Karl experiences his first holiday highlight.
S3 · E3The Short Way Round: China 2012-12-14 · 43 min
It's the final part of the journey as Karl and Warwick get ready to make their way to China. A surprise makes sure that the series ends on a high.