Magdy’s journey began at the Great Wall of China and took him to the Taj Mahal in India, Petra in Jordan, the Colosseum in Rome, Christ the Redeemer in Brazil, Machu Picchu in Peru, and finally, the ancient Mayan city of Chichén Itzá in Mexico.
To attempt this record, Magdy was only allowed to use scheduled public transport, as Guinness World Records does not endorse racing against the clock on public roads.
Planning the record-breaking route was a challenging task that took nearly one and a half years. “I had to navigate a complex web of flights, trains, buses, subways and walking between transportation hubs and the Wonders,” Magdy explained. “A single disruption could derail the entire itinerary and result in a flight back home!”
Each part of the journey required extensive research on transit times, mapping out the best public transportation options, accounting for immigration queues, layovers, and connections to the next destination.
Sometimes things got hard, such as the overnight transatlantic flight from Europe to Rio de Janeiro. However, reaching Machu Picchu proved to be a challenge, taking over a day and requiring several forms of public transport, as well as a significant amount of walking.
Although Magdy did not experience any major disruptions to his schedule, he did have a few close calls. He overslept and missed the daily bus to Petra, forcing him to find another public bus, which was difficult as the site is primarily served by private tour operators and taxis.
Additionally, he nearly missed his flight from Peru to Mexico, but airline staff reopened the check-in counter after Magdy explained his world record attempt. Ironically, the biggest issue he faced came after completing his record attempt, as it took him two whole days to return home to Cairo due to flight cancellations.
Magdy’s highlights of the trip included seeing alpacas in Peru and unexpectedly meeting an old friend he hadn’t seen in years. “Being able to reconnect, even briefly, with a familiar face amidst the whirlwind of the record attempt was a cherished moment,” he said.
Having fulfilled a childhood dream by visiting the New 7 Wonders and breaking a world record in the process, Magdy expressed an “immense sense of personal accomplishment.”
He added, “Beyond the personal satisfaction, this challenge also allowed me to momentarily let go of the daily stresses and pressures of normal life. The frenetic pace and problem-solving required throughout the record attempt served as an effective outlet to vent and decompress. Everyone should experience and invest in travel, an enriching experience that everyone should have at some point in their lives. It opens minds, broadens perspectives, and allows people to discover new cultures, ideas, and ways of life.”
