I am seriously jelous! Its a trip I wanted to do in my old Landrover last year but I lent it to somebody who crashed it and there was a problem with the insurance. The Suzuki was bought out of the salvage value but as a four seater it wasnt a trip I could do with the group I had planned.
My wifes MPV would be perfect though so maybe another year.
On the subject of daring not to book a flight incase the airline goes bust I have to say that if you buy your flights on a credit card you are covered in the event of a failure, if you take a decent holiday insurance out you are covered.
So if the worst happens at least you get your money back.
There are not many people I would hand over a stack of cash to on the promise of a service some months away. Why would flying be any different.
Credit Card payment gives you protection. Insurance gives you protection.
If you are booking without taking these precautions upon yourself then you need to take a long hard look at how you operate! All business is at highr risk at this time. Be careful about any major purchase with payment up front.
Take a look at this:
http://www.moneywise.co.uk/news-views/2008/09/12/are-you-covered-against-collapsing-airlines