Before the Jeep became the preferred ride for Rajasthan’s long-route cabbies or turned farm hand for desert cowboys, it enjoyed an iconic status and a glorious past. Truth be told, the ubiquitous but rugged Indian 4X4 Jeep that roams the land today has a fine pedigree indeed. A direct descendant of the world famous American Willys Jeep, the Indian Jeep lives up to its forebear that has become part of adventure and wartime folklore. Today, the Jeep is back with a bang, riding on its simple, no-frills old-world charm, acquiring cult status as it roars across ‘Marudhar’ - the land of death (as Rajasthan is sometimes referred to locally). Some families have retained their Jeep(s) for generations while those who have recently been bitten by the Jeep bug spend a fortune restoring old Jeeps to mint condition!
It’s the highlight of the Manvar desert experience - an adventurous drive in rugged four wheel jeeps where one will scramble and climb over dunes and higher crests with a mustachioed Jeep driver in khakis and beret who seem to think that they are getaway guys in a James Bond movie! As small convoy vehicles track up and down the dunes, invariably getting stuck, part of the fun is ‘digging out’ and enjoying the soft sand under your feet before you are back in the car and off again.
One can also opt for a more gentle desert encounter with smaller dunes. Our drivers are happy to take you out for a slightly more serene experience, which still offers a great deal of fun.
Desert drives wind through the dunes and 'streets', (the valleys between dunes). A gentle drive (about an hour and a half) through the terrain is a great way to cover the distances needed to find the free-roaming wildlife herds. The delicate desert gazelles wander freely across the plains and dunes, often dipping to drink within this conservation-led sanctuary resort - come upon them in the dunes or pick them out where they are well-camouflaged amongst trees and shrubs. Stop for photo opportunities, pointing out animals and tracks, or focusing on specific interests you may have, as well as pointing out some of the many bird species or lucky encounters with rarer inhabitants.
The desert landscape is spellbinding. For miles altogether, there’s nothing except the whooshing sound of the wind racing against the frame of your sunglasses. But from this arid nothingness you may suddenly see an unexpected group of village women appear out of nowhere in their colorful finery, and disappear like a mirage before your eyes. Visit the homes of the inhabitants living in the desert (Bishnois, Rajputs, Meghwals). Also take a peek into the homes and lives of the desert craftsmen such as carpenters, metal-smiths and cobblers. See unique species of flora and fauna that have adapted to the desert. Take a trip to the farms in the desert and learn about farming.