About XPD
Indeed, the destination matters. But what makes life truly worthwhile, are the roads that get you there.
That’s why we curate your journeys and travel companions, to create unique self driving holidays and overland XPDtions . On our voyages of discovery, companionable silences and cosy conversations are only interrupted by the scrunch of tyres on gravel.
Each journey is designed impeccably. Every aspect of the journey is planned and managed by a passionate XPDtion leader.
With XPD you will travel:
Safely – No compromise on this
Responsibly – The environment & people around you matter
With Quality Companions – Socially aware and genuine people are priceless
In True Local Style – Experience the local food, music and events
But most importantly, we ensure it is your adventure, with you at the steering wheel. As the terrain changes, you’ll conquer it. As each chapter of your journey unfolds, you’ll already be eager to start all over again.
With XPD you can be certain. The road ahead will always be unforgettable.
Meet the team
It all began with three kindred spirits, who shared one inspiring dream. This is the story of the founders who made XPD India & Beyond an exciting reality. With their distinct travel experiences and varied expertise, this team makes every XPDtion an adventure of epic proportions.
Meenakshi Sai
“The people, the monuments, the places. They all tell their stories to an avid listener.”
This organiser and expedition leader lives for the joy of seeing unpathed waters, undreamed shores. From winter drives in the Spiti Valley, solo drives across 6 provinces of Canada, to an XPDtion across 5 countries, this adventurer has innumerable hours and miles behind the wheels of many a vehicle. Meenakshi also captures her travel memories in her photographs and writings. Her love for meeting new people and conquering new terrain adds to the thrill of every XPDition.
Priya Rajpal
“I yearn for the road and the sight of that yellow line blurring in the rear-view mirror.”
This brand strategist and expedition leader always comes with a problem solving attitude. With her many years of experience of living across the globe, Priya feels at home almost anywhere. She has an uncanny ability to always make friends, never settle, and take challenges head on to find meaningful solutions.
Pradeep
“A nomad I will remain for life…”
This expedition leader and adventurous nomad has clocked more than half a million kilometres of driving across India, over a decade of working for ExxonMobil and Shell Petroleum. Pradeep has even stayed in 18 different cities in 11 different states of India.
A mega polyglot, Pradeep communicates in 10 Indian languages as well as German and Russian. With over 21 years of professional experience in people management, crisis handling and relationship building, all of which are extremely important on road expeditions, Pradeep also has an innate ability to make you feel at home.
Previously, Pradeep has been a part of a 30-day trip to Germany and a 52-day trip across China and Russia.
Sanjay Subbian
“In the end it’s all about the journey.”
This expedition leader is a former car racer and a genuine storehouse of vast knowledge on car mechanics. Sanjay’s first overland drive was in January 2016 with his sister and family to Thailand. Since then, this happy go lucky gentleman has wonderfully evolved into a perfect expedition leader.
Sanjay played a pivotal role in the planning and execution of the recently concluded XPD Beyond Asia-Trans Siberian 2019 road trip from Coimbatore to Saint Petersburg – A mammoth 52 day drive!
Meera Kumar
“I am a gypsy at heart and my earliest and best memories have been journeys.”
This dreamer is an expert in technology and logistics. Meera believes that every adventure into the unknown gives us the freedom to reinvent ourselves. She knows that today’s world of tech can set us free to be on our own journeys. Meera also dreams of building a community for likeminded wanderers and adventurers, who always seek meaningful travel experiences.
Our Causes
The journey becomes meaningful when we lend each other a helping hand. At XPD we strongly believe in working to make a difference. In an ocean of worthy causes, it is important to focus on and stay faithful to a couple so that one can really make a difference. We stand in support of Literacy For The Girl Child and the cause of Cervical Cancer – Awareness & Treatment.
Meenakshi Sai, as the trustee of the RR Trust has been working for many years now in the field of education, sports, health and empowerment of women and the girl child. She has also been spreading awareness among the masses about Cervical Cancer and how a simple vaccine can be an effective preventive measure.
So far RR Trust has also conducted vaccinations for 60 girls, coming from financial backgrounds where even a cost of Rs.6,000 for the vaccine becomes a huge economic burden. In these cases, the trust has provided meticulous support, with the vaccine administered 3 times, on specific dates, over 6 months.
In this journey, Meenakshi’s fascinating venture of Goldfish Trails (https://www.goldfishtrails.com/) has been a major source of funding for the trust. Through this service, travellers are able to purchase aesthetically designed key rings that help support our cause.
Meenakshi has also been relentlessly organising and doing awareness talks on female hygiene, HPV and its prevention. These talks are held in schools, colleges, women work spaces, and so on, all over Tamil Nadu . So far over 6000 girls have been reached through these talks and Meenakshi aims to do at least
100 awareness talks in 2020.
In collaboration with the rotary club, XPD India & Beyond has also organised a drive from Coimbatore to London in 2017. On the occasion of India’s Independence, this drive aimed to promote literacy in India.
Then in 2019, we had our momentous XPD Beyond Asia drive through the Trans-Siberian highway. This grand adventure aimed to spread awareness about cervical cancer and empower millions of women who are vulnerable to this disease. Read more about this here: <Link : The Hindu article>
Going forward, XPD India & Beyond remains committed to leaving a trail of kindness and good will.