In July 2015, a group of friends embarked on an extraordinary journey across continents, travelling from India in their vehicles. Over 57 days, they covered approximately 23,000 kms through 16 countries across Asia, Russia, and Europe, ultimately reaching their final destination in Morocco, North Africa. This remarkable expedition inspired two friends, Medha Joseph and Sujal Patwardhan, to start a new chapter. Cue in Embarq Motorworld, a company the two founded in October 2015.

　　Embarq is a luxury travel company that specialises in organising self-drive tours and road trips to some of the most breathtaking locations around the globe. Women from diverse backgrounds have joined their expeditions—some experienced drivers, others taking on long road trips for the first time. Many women have shared with them how these journeys boost their confidence, foster independence, and create lifelong friendships.

　　Embarq has organised various road trips across multiple countries, including a 15-country expedition from India to Spain and several special all-women drives. Joseph and Patwardhan wanted to redefine how people perceive self-drive travel, making it not just about the drive but about the culture, people, landscapes and personal experiences that make a journey truly memorable. The two have seen an increasing number of women travellers keen to explore the world on their own terms. Among their expeditions is The Bold Route, a series designed to nurture more women drivers around the world. Outlook Traveller caught up with the power duo for a chat about what sets Embarq apart, and journeying as women on the road.

　　Redefining Self-Drive Travel With Embarq

　　Patwardhan: Embarq is revolutionising self-drive travel by offering curated, luxury road trip experiences that blend adventure with comfort [It has] nuances that women appreciate and are curated by women, of course. Unlike conventional group tours, our expeditions provide the freedom of independent travel with the convenience of expert planning.

　　Joseph: [We have] crossed international borders seamlessly and driven through some of the world’s most breath-taking landscapes. Apart from K2K, our pioneering expeditions include the India-Tibet-Mongolia route which can be a transformational journey for a person.

　　Road Trips And Self-Drive Travel

　　Joseph: Some of our most cherished experiences have been road trips across the world—whether it was navigating the rugged landscapes of Kyrgyzstan, driving through the scenic Coastal routes of Scotland, or crossing vast deserts in Mongolia. These experiences reinforced our belief that self-drive travel is one of the most authentic ways to experience a destination, allowing for spontaneous detours, deep cultural connections, and a true sense of adventure.

　　Patwardhan: We have always been fascinated by the stories and bonds that road trips create. Every trip has reinforced our passion for bringing these experiences to more people and creating friendships that I cherish.

　　Women On The Road

　　Joseph: As women on the road, we've encountered everything from amused curiosity to genuine encouragement. One memorable incident was during a drive in the Himalayas when a group of local men, surprised to see women behind the wheel, initially hesitated to offer route guidance. However, their scepticism quickly turned into admiration as they saw us manoeuvre the challenging terrain with confidence. Moments like these highlight the shift in perceptions and the growing acceptance of women embracing adventure. Seeing our journeys encourage others to step out of their comfort zones is one of our greatest accomplishments. More women now reach out to us, eager to experience the thrill of self-drive travel, and there is no looking back after that.

　　Patwardhan: It has been both challenging and rewarding. Initially, there was scepticism—people would often ask if we had a male backup driver or if we could handle long-distance drives. But with each successful expedition, we’ve broken stereotypes and inspired more women to take the driver’s seat. We’ve also had moments of camaraderie, where women in diverse locations have come up to us, excited and inspired to see us travelling independently. It’s these interactions that remind us why we do what we do.

　　The Bold Route K2K Edition

　　Joseph: The Bold Route K2K Edition is an extraordinary self-drive expedition from Kashmir to Kanyakumari, designed to celebrate women’s empowerment and resilience. The route traverses the length of India, covering diverse landscapes, cultures, and stories. It is a testament to the spirit of adventure and the belief that women belong on the road just as much as men do. Apart from K2K, our pioneering expeditions include the India-Tibet-Mongolia route which can be a transformational journey for a person.

　　Patwardhan: Participants include trailblazing women from various walks of life—entrepreneurs, professionals, homemakers, and seasoned travellers—coming together to challenge norms and inspire future generations. This journey is about pushing limits and redefining possibilities. We drive 3,700 km across 11 cities in 10 days, which in itself is epic.

　　Future Of Women-Led Road Trips In India

　　Joseph: The future is incredibly promising! As more women embrace self-drive travel, we expect a rise in female-led road trip communities and networks. Infrastructure improvements, increased awareness, and growing representation in the adventure travel space will further boost participation.

　　Patwardhan: We envision more women feeling empowered to take control of their journeys, whether solo or in groups, making road trips an integral part of their travel experiences. At Embarq, we remain committed to leading this movement and creating more opportunities for women to explore the world on their own terms and leading their personal transformation journeys’ as well.