Raise some dust

Kalpana Sunder

Defy the rules of gravity and kick up  clouds of sand as you set out for the adrenaline-fuelled dune bashing

If your cup of tea is adrenalin, then you can find it in the desert too. Just tighten your seat belt and lunge into a spot of dune bashing. Dune bashing also called the ‘white water rafting of the desert’ is nothing but off-roading in the desert. This adventure activity involves the use of tough and specially built four-wheel drives (4WDs), which can navigate the wind-carved peaks and valleys of sand dunes. The desert can be a huge playground for adventure seekers.

For the first timers and the faint-hearted, do remember to tighten your seat belts properly and prepare yourself for a bumpy ride. The experienced drivers rev the engine, deflate the tyres for some traction and then take you on one roller-coaster ride that you will never forget! The ride seems to defy the rules of gravity, kicking up mammoth clouds of sand that even obstruct the view from the windscreen. The vehicle swirls and spins, careens precariously and teeters sometimes on the edge of a sand dune several metres high. It might feel like you are part of a daredevil circus stunt… Reaching the knife-edge crest of the dune, plunging down the other side, heading straight down at breakneck speed, skidding on the sand — all this is part of the adventure. A common modification in the vehicle is to fit bead lock rims, which allow tyre pressure to be lowered even further, without risking tyre and rim separation. Dune bashing is typically done an hour or two before sunset, when the temperatures are lower and when you can enjoy the beautiful sight of the golden rays of the setting sun over the sand dunes turning them a burnished orange.

Where to do

You can do dune bashing in several parts of the world. Dubai is the epicentre of dune bashing with several companies offering this sport. Most tour operators sell dune bashing excursions as desert safaris that include cultural activities like falconry, camel riding, Turkish coffee, belly dancers, and optional overnight desert camping.

In Oman, dune bashing is available in many places, including the popular Wahiba (also called the Sharqiya) Sands where huge longitudinal dunes 200-km-long and 100-km-wide rise up to 150 metres in height and makes dune bashing a thrilling adventure beyond comparison. You can dune bash and also end the evening by staying in a tented camp like 1,000 nights and the next day visit a Bedouin camp for a full-on desert experience.

With high dunes and long sand valleys, you’ll never get bored of adrenaline-fuelled dune bashing in Abu Dhabi. Experience the breathtaking dunes between the UAE capital and the oasis city of Al Ain or explore the desert expanse outside the Liwa oasis in the western region. 

In India, dune bashing has been introduced in Jaisalmer where the Sam dunes, near Jaisalmer, is the scene of this adventure sport. About half-a-km high, one-km-wide and three-km-long, the dunes are picturesque and ideal for this sport. A package with dune bashing and overnight in a desert camp costs about Rs 9,300 per person.

Safety tips

Before you set out on the dunes, traction is not easily acquired on sand. Most drivers will need to deflate the air pressure in the tyres down to between 15 and 20 psi. This will allow the tyre tread to spread more and grip more surfaces. 

Momentum is key when travelling on loose terrain such as sand, so be sure that if you are driving through soft sand, you do not slow down, unless absolutely necessary. 

If you feel the vehicle digging in or getting stuck while moving, turn the wheel left and right repetitively to allow the tyres to grip fresh terrain and gain better traction. 

It’s better to plan your route way in advance and often look for camel excretion or footprints as these are sure signs of hard and compacted sand. Make sure you carry a phone.

If you want to try dune bashing on your own, it’s better to follow a leader and avoid getting lost in the desert. Always drive in the desert with at least three cars for safety in numbers and let someone know when you are heading into the desert.

Carry enough water and towels. 

Stay calm. Take anti-nausea tablets or dehydrated ginger if you suffer from motion sickness. 

Strap a Go-Pro Camera to the side view mirror for amazing pictures. 

People with back problems like slipped disk should avoid this activity.

Equipment

A 4X4 vehicle and a GPS device

Air compressor and tyre gauge.

Tow rope, high-wheel jack, spare tyre. 

Large sports utility vehicles like Toyota Land Cruiser, Hummer and Prado are the best.