It was a chilly morning on Friday the 26th of May and a bunch of 4x4 enthusiasts had gathered in the parking lot of Golden Palms Resort just outside Bangalore. This is how it all started, the first-ever Great 4X4 Expedition to Sakleshpur.

After a quick briefing session by Mr. Atul Sood, Head - Vice President, Sales and Strategic Marketing of Toyota Kirloskar Motor, over 30 enthusiasts were ready to take on a journey, an adventure. We were flagged off by Mr. Vikram Gulati, Executive Vice President of Toyota Kirloskar Motor. And off we went.

A convoy of 23 SUVs roared through the empty highways, forming a sight like never before.

Before we knew it, we arrived at our first stop, the historic site of Shettihalli Church.

We took some time cleaning the area up, leaving this beautiful place a little better than before. While doing so, we bonded over stories of our journeys so far.

And it was time for the last mile, to kick back and relax, at a unique eco resort – Hoysala Village Resort, our halt for the day. We called it a night with some chit-chat, lots of laughter and some yummy grub.

The next morning saw our engines roar even louder, as every one of us was excited to take on a challenge that was to give us the thrill of a lifetime. And so, we took off.

We made our way to the estate close by (there were some reservations from Estate owners on using the name – please check and re-confirm) through some scenic backroads at the foothills of the Mighty Western Ghats.

A specially curated off-road track awaited us, in the middle of a forest, where we could test our limits and those of our machines’.

After a quick safety briefing, all that was left was for us to drive through the course.

And boy, drive we did.

From scaling up positive slopes to testing our articulation on negative slopes, sliding through a ditch and mastering steep climbs and descents, each one of these six obstacles pushed our skills and vehicles to the limit.

And by the end of it, we were grinning end-to-end.

With an exciting adventure behind us, we grabbed a quick bite and headed off to taste some tea and then to a mesmerising Sunset Point.

That was Day 2, a Saturday well-spent!

Come Sunday, it was time for us to bid adieu, but not before remembering the previous day and celebrating some more.

It was a perfect end to an expedition with a felicitation ceremony to recognise the community’s contribution towards planting a tree in each individual’s name.

That was the very first Great 4x4 Expedition by Toyota. Join us for the next one, click on the link to check out the upcoming events.

The morning of 8th September started with a mild drizzle. Lonavala, one of the best monsoon getaways of the Western Ghats was rain-washed and ready to greet a band of adventure junkies headed her way. Soon enough, the headlights blinked, and a pack of SUVs made their way to the parking lot of the Radisson Resort & Spa, Lonavala.

Together, we were ready to conquer the Wild West at theGreat 4X4 Expedition by Toyota in Lonavala!

After a quick check-in and fulfilling lunch, out came the ponchos and raincoats as we stepped out for The Golden Trek in the lap of the Sahyadris, a 90-minute easy-endurance nature walk with experienced instructors leading the way. We were lucky to spot the rare Karvi flower that appears only once every seven years in full bloom, adding happy shades of purple to the greenery all around!

After some much-needed rest, dinner was filled with laughter and excitement. Mr. Kuldeep Pattanaik, senior marketing manager at Toyota Kirloskar Motor, welcomed everyone and provided a quick briefing. He was accompanied by Mr. Vikram Gulati, Country Head and Executive Vice President of Toyota Kirloskar Motor in welcoming the Expeditioners, and Mr. Vikas Tanwar from Wanderers Adventurers, who explained the safety protocols. Some exciting goodies like caps, shirts, and sippers also made their way to each room in our welcome kits!

D-Day!

After an early breakfast, our day started on a high, as we were flagged off by Mr. Vikram Gulati, Executive Vice President of Toyota Kirloskar Motor towards an awesome adventure! 21 SUVs & 45 Adventurers were all out on a mission to dominate the wild west!

Our first stop was the Rajmachi Waterfalls, a stunning spectacle that beckoned us with its distant rumble. We captured memorable moments, battling the rain, culminating in an awesome group shot! Soon, we experienced even more smiles at the Madhyamik Vidyalaya in Waghoshi, Lonavala, where we engaged with bright young students, discussed road safety, distributed school bags, installed an awareness board, and met Dr. Javed, the Chief Commando, MCF, Lonavala Gramin, who imparted valuable insights on road safety to the students.

After enjoying some lip-smacking Marathi food at the famous Vasudha restaurant, we headed for our battlegrounds - LearnOffRoad in Pali. Specially curated tracks, laden with hill climbs, rumbles, angular drops, and more stood ready to challenge us here. But with one-on-one expert supervision and following absolute safety protocols, we crushed every obstacle and how! Our vehicles unlocked their beast mode and we discovered the wonders that they could accomplish!

It was time for the sun to set for the day, but our day was still young. We headed back to our resort around dusk and freshened up in time for dinner. The food, the conversations, the music, and illusions, made it fit for a perfect last supper together. To top it all, we received certificates of appreciation for the virtual tree plantation drive done on our behalf in association with SankalpTaru!

The next morning our engines roared together for one last hoorah, as we finished a sumptuous breakfast and set off on our way back.

Our adventures climbed a notch higher as we headed to dominate the northern frontiers. Nestled in the lap of the Shivaliks in Punjab, Hoshiarpur became our playground for an adventurous retreat this September. Passionate Expeditioners rallied up the terrains and reached the ramparts of the Gaj Retreat in Hoshiarpur on the 22nd of September.

We were hungry to dominate the Northern Frontiers at the Great 4X4 Expedition by Toyota in Hoshiarpur!

A smooth check-in and fulfilling lunch later, our SUVs were ready to hit the higher gear. Laden with rocks and pebbles all around, we tested the might of our vehicles on-ground. As the sun was about to gradually set, our cars tested the waters, reflecting the crimson shades.

Following a well-deserved break, dinner was marked by pulsating excitement for the next day. Mr. Kuldeep Pattanaik, senior marketing manager at Toyota Kirloskar Motor, extended a warm welcome to all. Alongside him were Mr. Vikram Gulati, the Country Head and Executive Vice President of Toyota Kirloskar Motor, who joined in the warm reception of the Expeditioners, and Mr. Vikas Tanwar from Wanderers Adventurers, who detailed the safety guidelines. In a delightful touch, the welcome kits surprised everyone with their caps, shirts, and sippers thoughtfully planned for the next day.

Go Time!

Following a hearty breakfast, our day commenced with tremendous enthusiasm as we were officially given the green light by Mr. Vikram Gulati, the Executive Vice President of Toyota Kirloskar Motor, to embark on an awesome adventure. With a convoy of 14 robust SUVs and a group of 29 intrepid adventurers, we were all geared up for our ultimate mission: conquering the formidable Shivaliks!

After reaching the Kikar Lodge at the hilltop, we gathered for a round of hi-tea fit for the heightened views. Things took a fun turn as we proceeded in groups for a tree plantation drive around the premises of the Kikar Lodge. We got live prints of the forest leaves marked on our t-shirts. A little act that went on to show, how being responsible can be fun too!

A meticulously crafted course awaited us, filled with uphill climbs, rugged terrains, sharp descents, challenging obstacles, and more. Yet, under the watchful eye of dedicated experts and strict adherence to safety procedures, we conquered every challenge with resounding success! Our vehicles unleashed their inner beasts, revealing their astonishing capabilities to us.

We were back in time to witness the stunning sunset views from the hilltop at Kikar Lodge. New bonds were struck as everyone shared their off-roading experience over tea and snacks. Recharged and invigorated, we were back behind the wheels to enjoy an exciting night drive back to our resort, the Gaj Retreat.

A hearty dinner amidst a high-energy performance by local artists capped off the night. As a token of appreciation, certificates were distributed to every participant for the plantation drive. Though our journey had crossed its peak, the night was young and lively with stories from the day.

The next morning, blinking their headlights, the SUVs headed out marking the end of our North Expedition: An Awesome journey from start to end! To join us for the next one, click on the link to explore the upcoming drives.

October brings out the best of Eastern India. The festive winds pick up as the skies alternate between fluffy white clouds with bright sunshine and spells of light rain. We steered our wheels towards the east and drove past paddy fields and abundant white kash flowers to reach Ajodhya Hills in Purulia for an epic eastern adventure. On the 13th of October, Expeditioners gathered in full force at the Kushal Palli Resorts, A Unit Of Peal Tree Hotels in Purulia.

Eager to scale up our adventures, we kickstarted an epic journey at the Great 4X4 Expedition by Toyota in Purulia!

Traditional masked Chhau artists from Purulia welcomed us 45 Expeditioners as the 23 SUVs lined up in the ramparts of the resort. After a seamless check-in and lunch, we set out for a beautiful trail drive, cruising under the green canopy of the forests in Ajodhya Hills. Tea and snacks in the middle of the forest perfectly warmed us up for the offroad adventure that was due the next day.

Excited and energized, we came down for dinner and briefing for the next day. Mr. Kuldeep Pattanaik, senior marketing manager at Toyota Kirloskar Motor, welcomed everyone and was joined by Mr. Vishwas Tanwar from Wanderers Adventurers who detailed the safety protocol. Welcome kits were handed over to guests, which were replete with caps, shirts, and sippers curated for the next day. Dinner was accompanied by lively folk performances by local Santhal artists, who drummed up the beats to a crescendo that could only be matched by the upcoming adventure.

The Big Day!

Post a fulfilling breakfast, we were flagged off from the resort and hit the roads with renewed zest. A bright and sunny day ensured that the drive would be nothing short of absolutely epic!

Trailing past the forest, we reached the specially laid out tracks. The engines roared in excitement at the sight of the fresh challenges filled with uphill climbs, chicken holes, sharp descents, muddy obstacles, and a lot more. Under expert supervision and strict safety protocols, each vehicle maneuvered its way around every obstacle, exploring its true offroading potential.

Lunch could not slow down our spirits either! Instead, it energized us to do more good! We made our way past hillocks covered with white kash flowers that bloom in October to reach the waters of the beautiful Lahariya Dam, a sight that will always remain in our memories. Soon we were at the premises of the iconic Lahariya Temple, where we participated in a cleaning drive to make the surroundings even better.

Though the sun was about to set, we weren’t ready to end our adventures and were back at the tracks for one last hoorah before returning to the resort.

Dinner and cultural performances went hand-in-hand as we enjoyed a spectacular performance by the masked Chhau artists, bringing up the story of the victory of good over evil. We also received certificates as tokens of appreciation for the virtual plantation done on behalf of each of us in association with SankalpTaru. The night was capped off by more stories, laughter, and joy!

On the morning of the 15th of October, all 23 SUVs headed out, home-bound, marking the end of our Epic Eastern Expedition: An exemplification of everything Awesome! To join us for the next one, click on the link to explore the upcoming drives.

As spring marched into full swing in India, we turned our adventure radar on, and headed to nature’s very own playground, our serene and captivating northeast. With the majestic Brahmaputra as our backdrop, we made Vivanta, Guwahati our home from the 8 ^th to the 10 ^th of March, igniting the start of an unforgettable weekend at the Great 4X4 Expedition by Toyota!

26 SUVs. 51 Expeditioners. One Awesome Adventure!

After a smooth check-in and sumptuous lunch, we set out for a beautiful trail drive to an Eco-Adventure Park, located an hour’s drive away from the city, making it the perfect hotspot for our Expeditioners. Cruising past the winding tea estates, we drove up the hills and came to a halt at the very top, just in time to soak in the sunset views. After enjoying a little break and high tea with live barbecue and bonfire, we enjoyed a fascinating drive back to the resort at night.

Refreshed and rejuvenated we came down for dinner and briefing for the next day. Mr. Arun. G. Nair, Project Vice President, Toyota Kirloskar Motor Pvt. Ltd. welcomed us all to the northeastern chapter of the expedition. He was joined by Mr. Saurabh Garg, who took us through the detailed itinerary of the days ahead. Adding a touch of warmth to the occasion, International Women’s Day was celebrated with heartfelt gestures towards our female adventurers, complemented by safety briefings from Mr. Vikas Tanwar of Wanderers Adventurers. Welcome kits were handed over to guests, which were replete with caps, shirts, and sippers curated for the next day. Dinner was accompanied by a lively salsa performance by the Bad Salsa Group who have ruled global stages and emerged as champions of Britain's Got Talent!

Go Time!

Post a hearty breakfast, we were flagged off from the resort and revved up the hilly roads to reach a Nature Park in the Ri Bhoi district of Meghalaya located approx. 60 kms from our hotel. A bright and sunny day ensured that the drive was nothing short of awesome

Piping hot tea welcomed us in the morning before we embarked on our off-road adventure along the specially laid out track. The thrilling excursion featured challenging uphill climbs, log crossings, steep descents, rumbles, and a gurgling stream. Under the watchful eye of expert supervisors, we dominated it all! Following this rush of adrenaline, we recharged over a sumptuous lunch and then set off on our trail drive, winding past the lush green canopies. A refreshing round of tea and local delectables awaited us before we began our journey back.

The adrenaline rush, lasted for long after the adventure was over. Our convoy took to the roads once again, as we cruised our way past the meandering roads and hairpin turns of the hills. Driving past the slopes ripe with harvest, gardens of tea, and villages, we could not help but be in absolute awe of the rare beauty that is our northeast!

Dinner was accompanied by a lively performance by the band Naaz, whose Assamese and Bollywood fusion had us all captivated! As a gesture of gratitude, each of us received certificates acknowledging our contribution to the virtual plantation project in collaboration with SankalpTaru. The night continued to unfold with shared stories, laughter, and boundless joy, creating unforgettable memories.

As the sun rose on our final morning, hearts brimming with memories, we bid farewell to newfound friends and unforgettable adventures, already yearning for the next chapter in our journey. To join us on our next adrenaline-fueled escapade, click the link below and unlock the gateway to boundless exploration!