BHPian aayusht recently shared this with other enthusiasts: I had been planning to take the Jeep on a long drive to Jaisalmer for a few years now, and since we got the Taigun, the Jeep wasn’t getting driven as much as earlier. The long weekend of 14th August was the opportunity to take the Jeep out, but we initially wanted to avoid hot and humid destinations. However, due to the massive rains and landslides, the hills were not being considered. Finally, we decided on Jaisalmer after a lot of discussion and exploration of other destinations.The plan was to do the trip over 4 days, but we changed it to 6 days (5 nights) to make it a relatively relaxed trip instead of a rushed one. Day 1: Gurgaon to Bikaner (14th August) We left Gurgaon early morning around 5:30 am, bags packed, and Google Maps predicted a 7.5-hour drive ahead to Bikaner. The journey is about 400 km, so we aimed to reach Bikaner by lunchtime. We followed Google Maps blindly (we are not good at directions). But thanks to the early start and occasional push to munch more miles, we were making good time. The total travel time was about 6.5 hours from our home to the hotel. On the way, we crossed Jhunjhunu, Churu, and Ratangarh. We stopped just once throughout the journey for a 10-minute bio break + tea break. The highways themselves are smooth, but one thing we quickly realised – they are not really “free-flow” highways. Just before Bikaner, we got a speed challan because of a hidden interceptor right after a sudden speed limit cut. From 80 to 50 km/hr in seconds & even though we spotted the interceptor Ertiga, we couldn’t slow down in time. Honestly, it felt unfair. Great roads, but no real joy in driving when you are constantly looking out for such interceptors. By lunch time, we checked into Laxmi Niwas Palace in Bikaner. The hotel is beautiful and has a great staff. After some rest, we spent the evening exploring Bikaner’s Junagarh fort and then went for a swim at the hotel pool. In the evening, we had excellent Laal Maas at the hotel. Day 2: Bikaner to Jaisalmer (15th August) After a heavy breakfast at the hotel, we set off towards Jaisalmer. It’s a 6-7 hour drive (around 330 kms). This time we drove carefully and avoided 3 interceptor vehicles by keeping within speed limits and noticed many cars being stopped by these cops. We reached Taj Gorbandh Palace around lunch and settled in. Thanks to the long weekend, it was super crowded. While the Taj hotel was pretty nice, the staff was overwhelmed by the large crowds. Day 3: Exploring Jaisalmer (16th August) We roamed the Jaisalmer Fort, Patwon ki Haveli in the morning. The living fort was buzzing with shops and homes. I tried to peep into homes (I know, it wasn’t polite), to get a glimpse into the lives of those in a living fort. We had lunch at 1156AD a restaurant that serves great Rajasthani food & had chicken-based starters (can’t recall the name) and mutton rice. After the heavy food, I went for a 30-minute nap at the hotel. But the most memorable, exciting part came in the 2nd half post lunch. We went on dunes safari in an old Mahindra 4×4. I had spoken to 2-3 different tour operators who organise such dune bashing rides to get quotes. After the sand dunes, we wanted to see the sunset in the desert. While we waited for the sunset, we just spent time around the sand dunes, and I became overconfident and drove my Jeep Compass (petrol DCT) a little too close to the dunes. In minutes, the wheels spun and the car sank. Trying to reverse only made it worse. A sharp burning clutch plate smell hit me when we tried pushing. Lesson learnt the hard way – don’t do dune driving unless you have a proper 4×4. Thankfully, some good Samaritans came to help and offered to push my car out. Found out later that they were just tourist & I was glad to have met them. We missed the sunset thanks to the dark clouds, but still had an exciting evening with the experience of being dug out of the dunes. Day 4: Exploring Jaisalmer (17th August) Visited Bada Bagh in the morning & saw windmills along the way. For lunch we visited the Suryagarh palace (another hotel in Jaisalmer) and had excellent food. We visited the Gadisar Lake in the evening, but it started raining as we approached the lake. Note to others: Be mentally prepared for massive traffic as you approach Gadisar Lake (and personally felt it was avoidable). Parking is a hassle in many parts of the city, including the lake and the fort. Day 5: Jaisalmer to Bikaner (18th August) After breakfast, we checked out and began the 6-7 hour drive back to Bikaner. By now, we were more cautious with the speed limits – no more surprise challans and saw another 2 interceptor Ertigas & cars that oversped past us being challaned. Reached Laxmi Niwas Palace a little late afternoon. We had eaten a few things en route without stopping for too long, so we skipped lunch. We went into the Bikaner city to buy some famous Namkeen and then returned to the hotel to relax in the hotel pool. Wrapped up the evening with Laal Maas. Day 6: Bikaner to Gurgaon (19th August) On the last morning, after a quick breakfast, we began the long 400km drive back to Gurgaon. This time we couldn’t beat the traffic and took close to 8-9 hours. Throughout the trip, I filled up fuel twice, but this time fueled with the extra premium petrol since I was less confident about the quality of fuel along the highways. In the total trip, we covered about 2000km – a good drive for the Compass. It now awaits another long trip. Check out BHPian comments for more insights and information.Gurgaon to Jaisalmer in a Jeep Compass: 6 days, 2000 km Rajasthan drive
BHPian aayusht recently shared this with other enthusiasts: I had been planning to take the Jeep on a long drive to Jaisalmer for a few years now, and since we got the Taigun, the Jeep wasn’t getting driven as much as earlier. The long weekend of 14th August was the opportunity to take the Jeep out, but we initially wanted to avoid hot and humid destinations. However, due to the massive rains and landslides, the hills were not being considered. Finally, we decided on Jaisalmer after a lot of discussion and exploration of other destinations.The plan was to do the trip over 4 days, but we changed it to 6 days (5 nights) to make it a relatively relaxed trip instead of a rushed one. Day 1: Gurgaon to Bikaner (14th August) We left Gurgaon early morning around 5:30 am, bags packed, and Google Maps predicted a 7.5-hour drive ahead to Bikaner. The journey is about 400 km, so we aimed to reach Bikaner by lunchtime. We followed Google Maps blindly (we are not good at directions). But thanks to the early start and occasional push to munch more miles, we were making good time. The total travel time was about 6.5 hours from our home to the hotel. On the way, we crossed Jhunjhunu, Churu, and Ratangarh. We stopped just once throughout the journey for a 10-minute bio break + tea break. The highways themselves are smooth, but one thing we quickly realised – they are not really “free-flow” highways. Just before Bikaner, we got a speed challan because of a hidden interceptor right after a sudden speed limit cut. From 80 to 50 km/hr in seconds & even though we spotted the interceptor Ertiga, we couldn’t slow down in time. Honestly, it felt unfair. Great roads, but no real joy in driving when you are constantly looking out for such interceptors. By lunch time, we checked into Laxmi Niwas Palace in Bikaner. The hotel is beautiful and has a great staff. After some rest, we spent the evening exploring Bikaner’s Junagarh fort and then went for a swim at the hotel pool. In the evening, we had excellent Laal Maas at the hotel. Day 2: Bikaner to Jaisalmer (15th August) After a heavy breakfast at the hotel, we set off towards Jaisalmer. It’s a 6-7 hour drive (around 330 kms). This time we drove carefully and avoided 3 interceptor vehicles by keeping within speed limits and noticed many cars being stopped by these cops. We reached Taj Gorbandh Palace around lunch and settled in. Thanks to the long weekend, it was super crowded. While the Taj hotel was pretty nice, the staff was overwhelmed by the large crowds. Day 3: Exploring Jaisalmer (16th August) We roamed the Jaisalmer Fort, Patwon ki Haveli in the morning. The living fort was buzzing with shops and homes. I tried to peep into homes (I know, it wasn’t polite), to get a glimpse into the lives of those in a living fort. We had lunch at 1156AD a restaurant that serves great Rajasthani food & had chicken-based starters (can’t recall the name) and mutton rice. After the heavy food, I went for a 30-minute nap at the hotel. But the most memorable, exciting part came in the 2nd half post lunch. We went on dunes safari in an old Mahindra 4×4. I had spoken to 2-3 different tour operators who organise such dune bashing rides to get quotes. After the sand dunes, we wanted to see the sunset in the desert. While we waited for the sunset, we just spent time around the sand dunes, and I became overconfident and drove my Jeep Compass (petrol DCT) a little too close to the dunes. In minutes, the wheels spun and the car sank. Trying to reverse only made it worse. A sharp burning clutch plate smell hit me when we tried pushing. Lesson learnt the hard way – don’t do dune driving unless you have a proper 4×4. Thankfully, some good Samaritans came to help and offered to push my car out. Found out later that they were just tourist & I was glad to have met them. We missed the sunset thanks to the dark clouds, but still had an exciting evening with the experience of being dug out of the dunes. Day 4: Exploring Jaisalmer (17th August) Visited Bada Bagh in the morning & saw windmills along the way. For lunch we visited the Suryagarh palace (another hotel in Jaisalmer) and had excellent food. We visited the Gadisar Lake in the evening, but it started raining as we approached the lake. Note to others: Be mentally prepared for massive traffic as you approach Gadisar Lake (and personally felt it was avoidable). Parking is a hassle in many parts of the city, including the lake and the fort. Day 5: Jaisalmer to Bikaner (18th August) After breakfast, we checked out and began the 6-7 hour drive back to Bikaner. By now, we were more cautious with the speed limits – no more surprise challans and saw another 2 interceptor Ertigas & cars that oversped past us being challaned. Reached Laxmi Niwas Palace a little late afternoon. We had eaten a few things en route without stopping for too long, so we skipped lunch. We went into the Bikaner city to buy some famous Namkeen and then returned to the hotel to relax in the hotel pool. Wrapped up the evening with Laal Maas. Day 6: Bikaner to Gurgaon (19th August) On the last morning, after a quick breakfast, we began the long 400km drive back to Gurgaon. This time we couldn’t beat the traffic and took close to 8-9 hours. Throughout the trip, I filled up fuel twice, but this time fueled with the extra premium petrol since I was less confident about the quality of fuel along the highways. In the total trip, we covered about 2000km – a good drive for the Compass. It now awaits another long trip. Check out BHPian comments for more insights and information.
