Defender Journeys Konkan Experience: Experience the Luxury Adventure of Defender Journeys Konkan Experience |

What can be better than experiencing the hills of the Western Ghats and exploring the Konkan coast? The key is adding luxury into the equation and that is exactly what we recently did on Season 2 of Defender Journeys. Land Rover recently invited TOI Auto to experience one of its many luxury curated adventures that it hosts for customers around the country, called Defender Journeys. As participants of the Konkan Experience, we embarked on a seven-day tour with a convoy of four Defender 110 SUVs, starting from Bengaluru to the misty hills of Coorg and right up to a centuries-old feni distillery of South Goa.

We started our journey from the hustle and bustle of Bengaluru and after a very relaxed drive of around 6 hours, reached Coorg, where the landscape turned into a lush green with heavy forest cover and misty hill roads. The organisers took us to one of the coffee plantations where we were given a crash course on the two types of coffee plants, the planting and harvesting process and other key details that one does not consider when making their morning brew. The day came to an end with a bonfire along with a hearty live grille, followed by a scrumptious meal indoors. Throughout the journey, Land Rover ensured that our accommodation and food arrangements were luxurious, no matter the location and Coorg was no different. We got to stay at a very charming heritage bungalow inside one of the coffee plantations and overall the experience was picture-perfect. The second morning we left for Bekal in Karnataka and on the way Land Rover had organised a tour and tasting session at one of the local plantations. December to February being the peak harvesting season, we saw how migrant workers harvest the coffee fruit before de-pulping it and processing the green beans. The green coffee beans only get their brown shade after drying under the sun and the signature aroma comes at the roasting stage. Armed with the masterclass in coffee making, we had a coffee-tasting session where we got to taste the final product in its different states.

Soon after lunch, we started our drive from Coorg to Bekal and this stretch of the journey was breathtaking, we crossed the beautiful valleys of the Western Ghats and crossed the border into Kerala, before ending the journey at the coast of Bekal. The beaches here were pristine and before the day came to an end, the group was serenaded with a session of moonlight rafting where we got to gaze at the stars above in the calm backwaters of Bekal. On the third day, we got to drive along the coast from Kerala, back into Karnataka where our next destination was the small pilgrimage town of Gokarna. In Gokarna, Land Rover had arranged our stay in a wellness resort where the guests were invited to participate in a yoga session, beachside dinner and temple visits.

While the wellness resort was certainly relaxing, our experience inside the Defender 110s had been equally elevating as it felt like the perfect roadtrip machine. The cabin of the Defender is roomy on the front and back, the interior feels high-tech and sturdy. Allthough we were driving the very economical 2.0 litre turbocharged petrol version, the SUV did not feel underpowered at any given point and picked up pace eagerly for single lane overtakes, apart from that the sheer presence of the Defender helps out on the roads as well. In terms of numbers the engine produces 296 bhp and 400 Nm of torque and comes mated to an 8-speed gearbox which is intuitive. Special mention has to go to the air-suspension in the Defender which offers high comfort to the passengers while also offering good feedback to the driver. The Defender 110 is certainly a mile muncher and very capable off-road as well, as we experienced later in our journey.

On the fifth day, the convoy of four Defenders began its journey to South Goa and we did not expect to see the special side of this popular tourist destination that the organisers had curated for us. From the private session at a centuries-old Feni distillery to the exclusive ‘farm to fork’ lunch with a celebrity chef, the Konkan Experience could have ended on a high note but Land Rover seemed to have planned something extra. This was the off-road trail experience where we got to test the capability of the Defender 110 in all its glory. From increased ride height via the air suspension to the multiple terrain modes and the 360-degree camera with off-road mode. The Defender is one SUV that you can take out into the wilderness without hesitation. It feels like an ultra-luxurious juggernaut. Something as tough and sturdy as the Defender 110 has no business feeling so luxurious and smooth to drive. After our off-roading session, the adventure had come to an end but the relationships among the guests and the memories made were everlasting.

Overall, if you love road trips and want to experience the Defender 110 in all its glory, then participating in one of the curated luxury adventures by Land Rover is right up your alley. The routes, accommodation, experiences and food, everything is curated to offer an experience of a lifetime which will appeal to the car enthusiast inside you.