An Unforgettable Mountain Top Jeep Safari - Courtesy Exsul Travel

In this blog post, I cover my experience of the Mountain Top Jeep Safari, courtesy Exsul Travel, the number 1 rated outdoor activity in Palampur.

Palampur offers a unique opportunity for travelers to experience the natural beauty of the valley, hills, and mountains. If you're an adventure junkie like myself, Palampur also offers offbeat path trails and outdoor experiences that are not offered anywhere else, in the otherwise touristy areas of the region.

Did you know that you can now experience Palampur like never before on a 3- to 4-hour offroad trip courtesy Exsul Travel? Quite honestly, the first time I heard about the Mountain Top Jeep Safari that Exsul Travel was offering, I immediately knew, that very moment, this trip was going to be everything I came to the Kangra Valley for!

As I called Tamara to brief me about the "private" Jeep Safari, there was a sense of excitement yet I had concerns over the off-road driving conditions and safety of passengers. After all, any adventure activity comes with a certain amount of risk, doesn't it?

Tamara came across as one of the most sorted people I have ever spoken to in my entire life! She's friendly, patient, and professional. We immediately hit it off!



Not only did she brief me about the signature Mountain Top Jeep Safari, addressing all my security concerns, she also sent a confirmed itinerary on both WhatsApp and email, with all details and timing. Clearly, I felt in safe hands!

The jeep operates from 9 A.M. to 2 P.M. every day of the week and costs INR 1,950 per person (inclusive of Tea and Snacks). If you want to enjoy the picnic veg lunch, you'll need to pay INR 2,480 INR per person. Prices include taxes and fees.

Please note that the duration of the activity is approximate; the exact duration is subject to weather conditions.

Exsul booked the whole jeep (typically used by a private group) for my family, which usually costs INR 10,800 with tea and snacks and INR 15,000 with lunch.


The good part about the private Jeep Safari is that they pick you up from your accommodation in Palampur, at an agreed upon time. The entire journey, from pick up to drop off, takes approximately 3 to 4 hours to complete, depending on how many halts you take in between for photo ops or how much time you take to finish the picnic lunch or tea and snacks.

The moment you hop on the jeep, the driver hands over a Brochure and Activity Price List for your reference. I absolutely loved the complimentary traditional Himachali topis (caps) gifted to all members of my family. On behalf of my wife and two tiny tots, I take this opportunity to thank Exsul Travel for being so thoughtful!

All drivers employed by Exsul Travel are locals who have stayed with the company for a while. Even the guides are locals, which is heartening, to say the least. The more locals participate, the more employment opportunities it creates within the region!

The drivers are trained to drive on difficult stretches of road. Exsul has procured all the requisite approvals to take passengers to offbeat path trails and outdoor experiences.

Chaman, who was my jeep safari driver, has been with Exsul Travel for nearly a decade now. Soft-spoken, well mannered, and responsible is how I'd like to remember him. When our adventure began, he continued to drive upwards toward the Vindhyavasini Temple, getting up close and personal with the snow-capped Dhauladhar range at 6100 feet above the ground.

By the time we reached the mountain top, I had seriously lost count of the number of picturesque tea gardens, waterfalls, and old temples we witnessed on our trail.

Hiking up or down was an option given to us, but we chose not to hike. We also decided against a small nature walk. However, these are still options you must explore.

I highly recommend the Mountain Top Jeep Safari for special events like corporate team building exercises, celebrations, and so on.

A list of things to remember before you book the jeep safari.

• A minimum of 2 people per booking is required.
• You can only book a maximum of 12 people per booking. 
• 10 or more people can avail a flat discount of 10%.
• Payment in full is required before the activity, and any cancelation must be made at least 3 hours before the scheduled activity.
• No babies (up to 2 years old) and no pregnant women are allowed on the jeep safari.
• You can share the same jeep with guests from other hotels or groups.
• Alcoholic beverages are a strict no-no. You'll be asked to refrain from smoking as well.

All adventures in Palampur are best enjoyed by wearing comfortable clothes and hiking or walking shoes/sneakers. You're still better off carrying a warm sweater/jacket (Rain jacket if overcast), Sunglasses, Sunscreen, Hat, Bug spray/mosquito repellent, Backpack/comfortable bag, and Camera.

What's heartening to know is that children between 2 to 5 years of age do not have to pay anything for the safari; if your child's age lies between 6 to 12 years, they need to pay half price only.

Finally, would I want to do the Mountain Top Jeep Safari again? Yes. Would I want to book this through Exsul Travel again? Hell yeah!!!

[For further details and booking, contact info@exsultravel.com or +91-79912-03285.]