23 Curated Defender Routes Announced as Self-Drive Programme Returns for Its Fourth Edition

The Defender Journeys 2026 program returns with its fourth edition, and the adventure begins in January 2026. The luxury self-drive format is planned across 23 customized Defender routes that cover some of the most scenic and tough regions in India. JLR India is now accepting bookings for the upcoming season

This program is designed for travelers who want a controlled but exciting driving experience. The unique part is that participants do not need to own a Defender. All vehicles are provided by the organisers

What Defender Journeys 2026 Includes

Here is a quick look at what the 2026 edition packs.

The entire format is arranged as a guided, premium travel plan that covers travel, stay, food, and drive support

• Organiser-provided Defender 110 SUVs
• Routes selected across India’s major adventure belts
• Off-road friendly schedules and guided cultural experiences
• Trained support staff for navigation, vehicle help and day-to-day planning

The price for the full package is Rs 5.5 lakh per couple, and this covers flights, stay, meals and the complete driving itinerary

23 Curated Defender Routes Across India

The program’s 23 routes highlight different types of Indian terrain. Each one is designed to offer a mix of driving, sightseeing and cultural stops

The journeys aim to show how the Defender performs on India’s most varied landscapes

Some of the locations covered include:

• Kutch
• Zanskar Valley
• UmLing La Pass
• Ladakh
• Spiti Valley
• Siliguri corridor

The routes combine high-altitude roads, desert paths and broken rural tracks. Participants follow a structured plan that includes drive time, rest breaks and guided local interactions

Defender 110 SUVs Used For The Journey

Only the Defender 110 is used for the 2026 edition. Although the Defender range in India includes the 90, 110 and 130 body styles, the program sticks to the 110 because of its stronger balance between size, comfort and capability

The aim is to let travelers experience what the Defender can do in real driving conditions

Each Defender 110 used in the program comes equipped with:

• All-wheel drive
• Hill descent control
• Off-road drive modes
• High-clearance build and rugged chassis setup

These features let the SUV handle broken mountain roads, loose gravel, soft desert sand and uneven rural tracks while still keeping long-distance comfort intact.

Groups are accompanied by trained support teams that manage the route, vehicle assistance and daily coordination.

Focus On Defender Capability And Real-World Use

The Defender has built its name around the idea of driving anywhere with confidence. During Defender Journeys 2026, participants get to experience this capability firsthand

Mark Cameron, Managing Director for Defender, shared that the Journeys program is “the ultimate expression of the Defender brand’s DNA.” He added that the aim is to help adventure-focused travelers understand how the vehicle behaves across India’s most challenging terrains

Defender Pricing And India Lineup

The Defender lineup in India spans multiple variants.
Current on-road price range: Rs 1.13 crore to Rs 3.01 crore
Ex-showroom price range: Rs 98 lakh to Rs 2.60 crore

Popular variants include:

• 110 OCTA Edition One P635 4.4 Petrol
• 110 OCTA P635 4.4 Petrol
• 110 Sedona Edition D350 3.0 Diesel
  (Plus several others across the 90, 110 and 130 body styles)

The Defender also offers features such as:

• Front and rear disc brakes
• Full-function power windows
• Multiple comfort and safety technologies

Mileage for the Defender range stands between 6.8 kmpl and 11.11 kmpl