To drive from London to New York, covering three quarters of the Earth’s circumference, over 18,000 miles of highway, 3,400 miles of frozen tundra, and 1,000 miles of river and ocean. Through the coldest place on earth, the most dangerous strait, and untracked wilderness. In two highly temperamental Land Rover Defenders.

‘Princess’ and ‘The Mother Ship’ are two Land Rover Defender 110 station wagons, modified with 38” snow tyres ready for the harsh winter of the Alaskan wilderness. For the water crossings and journeys, custom made pontoons with a propellor powered by the Defender’s engines converts them into amphibious water craft.

PHASE 1 - LONDON TO PARIS

On the 19th of September 2023 Defender X will mobilise. Starting at the Royal Geographic Society in London this phase will see the Defenders driving down the River Thames, crossing the English Channel from Dover and landing at Sangatte in France. The team then drive to Paris and enter the River Seine, driving along this iconic river passing iconic French landmarks and ending at the Societe de Geographie in Paris. The Defenders will then be packed up ready to fly to New York for phase 2…

Our international team is made up of expedition veterans, pioneering adventurers and polar explorers Jeff Willner, Steve Brooks, Mikael Strandberg and film maker Sofie Rørdam.