Rick Steves

Rick Steves presents an illustrated talk drawn from his 1978 journey along the Hippie Trail, the roughly 3,000-mile backpacking route from Istanbul to Kathmandu. At age 23, Steves traveled through Turkey, Iran, Afghanistan, Pakistan, India, and Nepal, recording experiences that included train travel, encounters in Tehran, getting lost in Lahore, and trekking through leech-filled areas near Pokhara.

The event centers on his book *On the Hippie Trail: Istanbul to Kathmandu and the Making of a Travel Writer*, which combines edited journal entries and travel photographs with a later preface and postscript. Steves reflects on how the journey changed his outlook, sparked his lifelong interest in travel, and influenced the development of his writing career. The book is a *New York Times* bestseller available in paperback.

When: November 9, 2026

Showtime: 7:00 p.m. ET

Doors: 6:00 p.m.

Format: Available in person at Sixth & I and virtually

Venue: Sixth & I Historic Synagogue, 600 I Street NW, Washington, DC 20001

Seating: General admission, with limited premium seating and reserved seating available at select giving levels

In-person tickets: $40 for a ticket bundled with a book bearing a signed bookplate. The price increases by $5 on the day before the event.

Virtual tickets: $12 for a virtual ticket, or $28 for a free virtual ticket bundled with a book bearing a signed bookplate.

Fees: Additional fees apply to online purchases.

How to purchase: Tickets are available online.

Ages: No age restriction is specified.

Run time: Not specified.