One of the routes in India that deserves much more attention than it currently is receiving, is the road that goes by the Thar desert in the Royal state of Rajasthan. It’s just not about the desert though, it is the spotless roads and quaint village setting of Rajasthan which blend excellently and make it stand out from the rest of the popular routes in the country.
Thar Desert and Rajasthan Route Map Planing your ride in the Thar Desert & Rajasthan If you’re starting from Jaipur, you could ride to Bikaner and stay there for a night. From there, the route that goes to Jaisalmer and then to Barmer is by the Great Indian desert. But, If you’re starting the ride from Jodhpur or Udaipur, then it would make sense to head to Barmer first and then ride onto to Bikaner via Jaisalmer. What you should keep in mind though is to at least stay a night in each of the three places and start early since there’s quite a lot to explore.
Rajasthan is covered with a blanket of forts and palaces so you’ll find them every now and then. If you’re not the history sort of a person and if you’re motorcycle is capable of going off road, then you could take it into the desert for short distances. Be careful to not get stuck, especially if you’re riding solo!
A suggestion on your itinerary, it is worth staying in Barmer, Jaisalmer and in Bikaner for two nights each to ride around the desert and explore local surroundings. Try desert tenting accommodation and don’t miss out ‘Sam sand dunes’ near Jaisalmer!
Restaurants and Dhabhas are easily available on the highway and are excellent places to mingle with the locals. But, their frequency reduces as you continue to ride towards the desert road. There’s no reason to worry though, you’ll find a couple quite often. Fuel too, shouldn’t be a concern since there are petrol bunks located in major villages and towns. Trust your intuition in choosing the right bunk though!
Roadside stop in the Thar Desert in Rajasthan | Photo: Ssaajan Manoj Jogia Best time of year to ride the Thar Desert and Rajasthan The Thar Desert is prone to extreme temperatures and care must be taken around this. Avoid the hottest period (April- September) as temperatures reach a staggering 45-50 degrees celsius. In the winter months (November- February) temperatures can go the other way and drop to a single digit combined with cold winds. March or October are ideal.
Road conditions and other considerations The roads in Rajasthan are a pleasure to ride. They are wide, two lane smooth roads, well maintained and have lesser traffic movement towards the desert when compared to other towns and cities.
Be sure though to watch out for goats, cows, buffaloes and camels. You’ll find them chilling or taking a stroll on the highway so ensure to have a good check on speed every time you get a little throttle happy. Also look out for villagers on mopeds, lorries and tractors being driven in the wrong direction.
Camel in Thar Desert | Photo: Ssaajan Manoj Jogia
