Dune bashing in Rajasthan

Posted on 16. Jan, 2012 by Thrillchimp in Activities, Adventure, Destinations, Must do Adventure

As kids, playing in the sand always delighted us. This childhood entertainment is taken to a new level by means of Dune bashing n Rajasthan! Better known as desert safari, this is a form of off-roading, using an off-road vehicle to explore sand dunes of dessert lands. In India, Rajasthan is the most popular venue for this adventure activity.

Experiencing the wide expanse of the desert, the ethereal magic of sunset and a lively Rajasthani entertainment makes for a splendid night to remember.

Begin your desert adventure at Jodhpur, a fortress-city at the edge of the Thar Desert. Then travel to Jaisalmer to see its unforgettable golden fortress. Situated 260 km away from Delhi and 240 km from Agra, Jaipur is a bustling capital city and a business centre with all the trapping of modern metropolis but yet flavored strongly with an age-old charm that never fails to surprise a traveler. Called the ‘Pink City’, Jaipur catches the admiration of any visitor.

Jaipur is well connected by road, rail, and air from (Delhi, Agra, Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai, Bikaner, Jodhpur, Udaipur, Ahmedabad) with a single international flight to Dubai from Sanganer Airport of Jaipur. There is also special luxury train, the Palace on wheels, which starts from Delhi every Wednesday from September to April on a round trip of Rajasthan, the first stop being Jaipur.

Other Places of interest in Rajasthan:

Rajasthan is culturally oozing with age old forts, palaces and heritage. Ancient forts of Nahargah, Amer, Jagarh and Moti Dungri are dramatic testimonials of the bygone era and a reminder of their lingering romance. These places can be visited while on a tour to Rajasthan.

The Sam dunes are the most charming spot around Jaisalmer, and possibly the whole of western Rajasthan. Sam Sand Dunes in Rajasthan is located 42 kms from Jaisalmer in the midst of the desert wilderness of the Thar Desert. The Sam Sand dunes are a tourist hot spot in more ways than one. 3km long, 1km wide and as much as half a kilometer high, the dunes are as unreliable as they are scenic. There is no vegetation here and the swirling air currents are almost as intense as the sandstorms in the Sahara.

Sitting there in the evening with the sun setting, listening to traditional musical instrument, one might feel that time has come to a stand halt. An overnight trip to the area is a must if one really wants to enjoy the sights and sounds, the ruins and the temples. Sleeping out in the open, stretched out on the sands facing the sky is an out of the world experience.

During the desert festival, the Sam Dunes really come alive with a sound and light show, and dance and music, which reverberate for a long time. Immersed in a laid-back haze, the beautiful Sam sand dunes create engrossing and absorbing views. The winds draw patterns on the constantly drifting sand dunes.

Best time to visit Rajasthan:

The best times to visit Rajasthan would be during winter season. The months from November to April are ideal, with December and January the busiest months. And, this is the ideal time to do dune bashing in Rajasthan.

Dune Bashing in Dubai, UAE

Dune bashing is a popular sport in Dubai as well. Here, Dune Bashing is often called a “White H2O Rafting of a Desert” as well as it is really renowned in whole of United Arab Emirates. Dune Bashing in Dubai is an exciting adventure here.

While zooming down at an 80 degree drop from high sand dunes is a fab experience, try hot air ballooning and zip lining across the desert. Bungee jumping and even skydiving in deserts is a different experience altogether. Adventure sport organizers like Thrillophillia offer complete packages where you can enjoy each of these sports without any compromise.

All’s well that end’s well. But what happens if you are stranded in the middle of the desert and a wind raises sand in a swirl? Hence, before you embark on a dune bashing in Rajasthan, ensure you are well versed in how to survive a sandstorm. Carry enough water and towels to protect from the swirling sand. And stay calm. After all, deserts can give you real high thrills!

Tags: dune bashing, Rajasthan