Vasco da Gama was a 15th century Portuguese explorer who was the first European to reach India via sea route. He was educated as a nobleman and trained in sailing. In 1497, he led the first European expedition to sail around the southern tip of Africa and reach India. The trip took over three months and sailed over 6,000 miles of open ocean. Upon returning to Portugal in 1499, he was richly rewarded for bringing Portugal's plan to reach India by sea to fruition after 80 years of attempts.