Participants will drive the Defender 110 during the scheduled journeys, each supported by a team of product experts who will accompany the convoy throughout the route.JLR India on Thursday said it has opened reservations for the fourth edition of Defender Journeys, its self-drive expedition programme that will begin in January 2026.
According to the official press release, the company said that the initiative will offer curated itineraries across several regions, including the Thar Desert, Zanskar Valley, UmLing La Pass, Ladakh, the Spiti Valley, and the Konkan region.
Mark Cameron, Managing Director, Defender, said that the programme allows participants to operate the Defender across varied terrain. According to him, Defender Journeys “pushes boundaries” and enables participants to experience the vehicle’s capabilities while travelling across diverse regions.
Participants will drive the Defender 110 during the scheduled journeys, each supported by a team of product experts who will accompany the convoy throughout the route.
The 2026 edition features 23 itineraries designed around long-distance driving and regional exploration. JLR India said that the routes cover high-altitude passes, desert landscapes, coastal stretches, and hill regions. The company will manage accommodation, meals, support vehicles, and logistical arrangements.
Each route is structured to offer a combination of driving and scheduled stops at specific locations.
The company said that the programme provides participants with access to a Defender 110 for the duration of the itinerary, and ownership of the model is not required for enrolment. All operational elements, including route coordination and on-ground support, are handled by the company’s team.
Programme format and participant support
A group of Defender product experts will accompany each journey to guide drivers through off-road systems, including all-wheel drive functions and Terrain Response technologies. The team will also oversee route navigation and safety procedures.
Rajan Amba, Managing Director, JLR India, said the programme presents a structured format for self-drive travel. He stated the initiative has been created to offer guidance, planned itineraries and a controlled environment for participants to operate the vehicle on different terrain types.
The company said that the format is intended for individuals seeking a supervised long-distance driving experience. The programme includes coordination with local authorities where required and ensures that permits, check-ins and transitions between regions are pre-arranged.
Locations and expected interest
The routes span multiple regions, including Coorg, the Himalayas, the Thar Desert and the Konkan coastline. JLR India said the itineraries were selected to represent a range of terrain types typically associated with the Defender’s capabilities.
The Thar Desert route will involve dune sections and dry areas, while the Ladakh, Zanskar and UmLing La itineraries will include high-altitude stretches. The Konkan and Coorg routes will focus on coastal and forested regions, and the Spiti route will involve narrow mountain roads.
Reservations for the 2026 Defender Journeys are now open on the JLR India website. The programme will operate through 23 itineraries beginning in January and will offer structured, expert-supported routes across multiple regions. Participants will use the Defender 110 throughout the journeys, with all arrangements handled by the company.
