2025 Hyundai Great India Drive: A journey to the Rann and beyond!

March 13, 2025 Admin

Over the years, Hyundai’s Great India Drive has been an opportunity to explore the immense beauty our country has to offer. It’s been an unprecedented effort to showcase the unseen and uncharted corners of India, in all its fantastical glory. This time around, our journey began from the great state of Gujarat. The epic journey kicked off with a short drive from the Ahmedabad airport to a location just outside of Little Rann of Kutch.

The proceedings started with the flag off just outside of Little Rann of Kutch.

After an overnight stop with a gala dinner and celebration of eight editions of the Great India Drive, it was time for an early flag off to one of the natural occurring gems. The flag-off ceremony began with the top brass of Hyundai Motor India, waving the brand’s flag high, and then eventual entry into the Little Rann of Kutch. After driving in a convoy for about an hour or so, we entered the fabled land, which is a sight to behold, thanks to its unique topography. As far as the eye could see, the saline desert dominated the wide expanse, with the horizon constantly reminding us just how easy it is to get our bearings wrong.

The 2025 Hyundai Great India Drive convoy consisted of all the Hyundai SUVs in India, including the Exter, Venue, Creta, Alcazar and the Tuscon.

Nevertheless, the convoy stuck together, with occasional stops for refreshments and of course, picture opportunities, which were ample to say the least. It was a treat to witness the varied lineup of Hyundai SUVs, strutting their stuff in this one of a kind terrain. This lineup included the Creta Electric, Creta N Line, ICE-powered models of Creta, Venue, Venue N Line, Tucson and the Exter.

It was a treat to witness the varied lineup of Hyundai SUVs, strutting their stuff in this one of a kind terrain.

As the sun began to wind down, the convoy began to make its way to the next destination for the day. Dholavira, which was about 200km from where we began in the morning, hove into view. With it came the unforgettable sight of the salt flats of Rann of Kutch. But, that wasn’t our last stop for the day.

As the sun began to wind down, the convoy began to make its way to the next destination, Dholavira.

The convoy came to a halt at the Road to Heaven, a road that couldn’t be more aptly named, and the cherry on top was the sun-kissed tint of the sky as the sunset over this remarkable piece of landscape. The next day, we made our way to Bhuj to explore a market with local merchants and their goods, post which it was time to head back to base. All road trips have a beginning and an end.

At first, we encountered the brilliantly paved highways and expressways, which made the going extremely smooth.

Lucky for us, we had our very own journey to undertake after the beauty on showcase in Gujarat. We were up bright and early to make our way to a place, which has a special place in our country’s lore. This destination is situated about 350km from Delhi NCR, in the beautiful state of Uttarakhand. At first, we encountered the brilliantly paved highways and expressways, which made the going extremely smooth.

After the highway run, the mountain roads began to beckon.

Thanks to the Creta’s impeccable reputation as a mile muncher, the initial journey was a doddle. However, after the highway run, the mountain roads began to beckon. Thankfully, the Creta was more than up to the task. The 1.5-litre, naturally aspirated motor, which is mated to the silky-smooth IVT gearbox, made short work of the twisty tarmac and narrow roads.

The Hyundai Creta diesel proved to be the perfect companion on our long expedition thanks to its 1.5-litre, naturally aspirated motor, which is mated to the silky-smooth IVT gearbox.

We began our climb after the city of Haridwar, whilst heading into Rishikesh. All along the way we witnessed daunting mountains and the beautiful river flowing alongside, almost gently guiding us to our summit. Here too, the Creta showcased its brilliant dynamics.

The Creta’s interior cocoons you in comfort with all the modern amenities you would need for a trip like ours.

The chill in the wind became more prominent, and as the sunlight began to rest its weary head between said mountains, our destination was getting closer and closer. We were welcomed into Devprayag with the brilliant sight of the Alaknanda and Bhagirathi rivers, coming together in unison to form one of the holiest rivers in the country.

Devprayag is the spot where Alaknanda and Bhagirathi rivers come together to form the Ganges.

Ganges, which flows through one of the most fertile and densely populated regions in the world, is a source of life for millions. Its bountiful existence doesn’t just hold sacred value, but also utility-based one as well. It’s total length is a staggering 2,510km, but it all begins at Devprayag, a small yet quaint town, which is also home to the Central Sanskrit University, which sits atop a mountain overlooking the confluence of the two rivers.

Devprayag’s confluence was the perfect end to for the eighth edition of the Hyundai Great India Drive.

In many ways, this confluence was a fitting metaphor for Hyundai’s relationship with India, and a perfect ending for the eighth edition of this spectacular voyage.