Self Drive 4x4 Jeep Safari Self Drive Jeep Tour Rajasthan 4x4 Jeep Safari in India with MHE

Off Roading & Self Drives

The Great Thar Expedition 2009
24th to 27th January 2009

Trip Highlights

Mercury Himalayan Explorations is pleased to announce fixed departures for the trip that won us the National Tourism Award for two years running (2004 and 2005) for Most Innovative Tour Operator : Self Drive 4x4 Jeep Safaris in Rajasthan.

This trip is designed specially for people who love driving and who want to get off the roads and negotiate Rajasthan's rugged terrain with the security of professional guidance and mechanical backup.

The Great Thar Expedition is a one of a kind adventure in India. On offer is 4 days of challenging driving through some of the most beautiful desert landscapes in Rajasthan. Spend the nights in royal camps on dunes, in famous forts and even in small village havelis. Our route has been specially designed to offer the right amount of challenges for beginners as well as experienced off-road drivers.

All our self drive jeep tours use legal and insured self drive vehicles which can range from Mahindra Scorpios and Ford Endeavours to the top of the line Mitsubishi Pajeros. Every tour is led by our-in house 4 x 4 expert, a mechanic and a knowledgeable local tour guide. Each jeep is equipped with wireless sets for easy communication and as a back up we have a recovery and mechanic vehicle with all the groups.

If you cannot make these dates we can organize tailored off-road tours at any time to suit you

Location Chart

Jodhpur - Manvaar - Samrao - Osiyan - Khimsar - Jodhpur

Day by Day Itinerary

Day 01 - 24th January : Arrive Jodhpur and drive to Manvaar

Meet on arrival in Jodhpur by our expedition team and transfer to hotel for wash, change and breakfast. Post breakfast we collect our cars and go through a full briefing on off-road driving, safety, the route and driving rules for the convoy.
We then drive the first leg of the expedition for approx 90 km partly by dirt track and partly on tarmac roads to the Manvaar Desert camp.
Dinner and overnight at the camp

Day 02 - 25th January - Off-road and sand dune driving from Manvaar to Samrao

After breakfast we set off for some serious off-road driving over small dunes and sand tracks till we reach the village of Samrao. On arrival at Samrao we will drive the short distance to the Samrao Dunes and take camel rides to the dune tops to enjoy the desert sunset. Return to Samrao for dinner and overnight.
The only accommodation in Samrao is the Thakur's Haveli, a very basic but clean and friendly place where the Thakur's family always go out of their way to make you comfortable. In the past we have even slept on the roof on charpoys and our clients have been thrilled with the experience.
Dinner and overnight at the Haveli

Day 03 - 26th January : Samrao - Osiyan - Khimsar Sand Dunes

Drive over more dunes and dirt tracks for 3 hours till we reach the village of Osiyan.
Lunch at the Osiyan Camp. Post lunch drive on for another 2.5 hours to Khimsar.
Dinner and over night at the spectacular Khimsar Dunes or Palace.

Day 04 - 27th January : Khimsar - Jodhpur Depart for Delhi

Post breakfast drive for 3 hours by road back to Jodhpur.
On arrival hand back your cars and move to restaurant for lunch. Post lunch we will have some time free to roam in the market and do some last minute shopping before you continue your onward journey.

Costs

Driving your own vehicle		Rs. 22,800/- per person
Driving a Mahindra Scorpio (Insurance not included on Scorpios)		Rs. 27,100/- per person
Driving a Mitsubhishi Pajeros or Ford Endeavor		Rs. 29,350 /- per person

Please note that in the unlikely event that there are less than 8 people who sign up for this fixed departure, the tour will be cancelled and full refund made 1 week prior to the tour.

Costs include:

Accommodation as per the itinerary on twin share basis in Manvaar and Khimsar.
Open air charpoys in Samrao Haveli.
All meals from breakfast on day one till lunch on day four.
Use of self driven vehicles as per the requirement on minimum four sharing basis.
One local guide, one 4x4 expert and one mechanic for the entire route.
One extra recovery / guide vehicle.
One wireless set in each car.
Mineral water while on drive.
Self drive insurance and Comprehensive Damage Waiver (only with Pajeros and Endeavours)
Cost of pick up and drop off for the cars.
Currently applicable Govt taxes.

Costs do not include

Any transport costs to and from Jodhpur
Any fuel. You will be given a full tank and will have to hand over a full tank.
Any beverages in hotels / camps.
Any expenses of personal nature like tips. Laundry/phone calls etc.
Any increase in taxes etc.
Any vehicle damage

Payment Terms

20% advance payment to be made on booking
Balance payment to be made at least 15 days prior to the trip

Cancellation Policy

More than one month prior to the trip		15%
30 days - 20 days prior to trip		25%
19 days - 10 days prior to the trip		50%;
10 days - 3 days prior to the trip		80%
Less than 3 days		100%

A Note

MHE guided self-drive expeditions are professionally managed by experts who have been running off road trips for the past 7 years. We take utmost care to give to a safe, memorable and enjoyable driving experience. We have designed this trip to give you the comforts of the best accommodation in Rajasthan but at the same time give you the excitement of an adventure trip. While on the drive everyone will be expected to help and give a hand to cars and people in trouble.

Comprehensive Damage Waiver

As a driver you are liable to pay any damages to the vehicle up to a maximum of Rs. 80,000. However in most cases we have negligible or zero damages and rarely more than Rs. 4000 - 5000 per car. In. This security amount will be blocked off on your credit card before handing over the car.