ZOOM INTO 'EXTER'ORDINARY! Hyundai Exter's Expedition to Tipeshwar Wildlife Sanctuary

In the pursuit of capturing nature's most elusive moments as a part of Hyundai's Great India Drive, the Exter took us on a thrilling journey through the untamed landscapes of the Tipeshwar Wildlife Sanctuary, a 184 Km drive from Nagpur.

Expeditions - a harmonious blend of planned and spontaneous, lead us into the heart of the unexpected wonders we are destined to explore. The aim of OVERDRIVE and Hyundai's Great India Drive is to embark on such expeditions every year. Over the last few GIDs we have explored artistic and architectural nuances of our country with some of the best cars Hyundai has on offer and this year we set out to explore the wild with the versatile Hyundai Exter. The latest compact SUV from Hyundai is up for a challenge which its city car image doesn't quite recognize.

With an estimated 8.7 million species on Earth, and a huge number of species available at Tipeshwar itself, our mission focused on the apex predator - the mighty Tiger. Hyundai, in collaboration with us at , planned this venture as a commitment to responsible tourism and eco-friendly practices, ensuring that we preserve these magnificent species in a living form for our future generations to witness. We set forth on this adventure with the compact and capable Exter and accompanying us was Lionel Falcao, a veteran wildlife photographer, adding a seasoned perspective to our expedition. He opened up to us about his experiences about the diverse wildlife of India over the last decade and the technology and equipment that assist him in his art.

Tipeshwar Wildlife Sanctuary, home to approximately 20 Tigers, unfolded before us as a hidden gem. Offering a unique safari experience, Tipeshwar allowed us to drive our own vehicle under supervision, which is an exclusive factor here. However taking your own car comes with a series of strict inspections and identification scrutiny upon the advance approval of which you get to enter the jungle. The set rules and regulations by the government are absolute and attracts heavy penalties if violated. Going there driving your own car sounds like fun for sure but be rest assured that your driving skills are going to be challenged under intense conditions. The terrain at Tipeshwar is as diverse as its flora and fauna, filled with bamboo and teak forests and hilly undulations the 'track' presented itself as an intense challenge for the Exter. However the 185mm ground clearance and the tractable 1.2-litre engine on the Exter navigated the challenging terrains with agility, proving its mettle.