Sparkling white salt flats
Rann of Kutch in Gujarat is of the of the few natural salt flats in the world. Rann Utsav has made this place well known now with many families visiting the region after the push from then CM and now PM Mr. Modi. As the saying goes “Kutch nahi dekha to kuch nahi dekha“- If you have not visited Kutch, you have not seen anything worthwhile
When to go
November to February during winter is the best time when water levels are low and salt flats are dry. Days close to full moon have special activities arranged. You can see the shining white land amidst glow of the moon. While you can enjoy the night light on any day, Rann Utsav arranges transport only on the day, a day before and after full moon nights
The region becomes lively during festive season, so it is better to visit during Nov- Feb.
Getting in
Bhuj is the closest airport and railway station. You will have Rann Utsav tents at arrival are to welcome and escort you into vehicles that take you to Rann. Tent city of Dhordo is 90 minutes away from airport and railway station. Alliance Air flights are connected to cities like Mumbai
Getting around
All activities and transport are arranged by Rann Utsav if you are staying in tent city. You can also go independently and travel around without staying in tent city
Getting around
Swiss tents come up during the festival season in Dhordo. If you are in the region outside festival dates, there are “Bhungas“ or mud homes with thatched roof where you can experience authentic stay
You are given light refreshments on the way from airport/ train station to Dhordo
Staying in tent city vs. Outside
The tents are not cheap. Each day is upwards of INR 6k per night including meals. If you want to get a flavor of the festival, you can stay in the tent city for one night and move outside for rest of the days
While 1-2 nights are actually more than enough, the best places are included only in 4 day package
4 night package covering nearby areas like Dholavira, Kala Dhungar, Mandvi beach can cost between INR 20k to 1.8 lac as you get premium tents
You can reach out to organizing team in the tent city for helping with cabs for independent travel- they are helpful and reasonably priced
Full moon vs. Other days
Full moon experience is good in case you can arrange travel around the dates and don’t mind slightly higher prices (20% higher). Transport from and to the Rann from tent city at night is arranged only close to full moon days
If you are not staying in tent city, you can choose to go on any night actually. Given you will spend a lot anyway, this 20% hike is worth the extra pennies. If your dates don’t match, don’t fret either. It is more a good to have, you will anyway have a very good experience on other nights too
Activities
There are cultural programs each evening to keep you entertained. If you stay for 4 nights, some of them might be repeated
There is no TV in tents except for common tents like reception areas
Morning activities include para sailing, ATVs, wall climbing etc. You are anyway out of tents in the morning
Booking
There are many authorized agent portals for booking one of them here
The rates are same across any agent. Few of them run promotions on website and Facebook pages, so keep an eye
The cancellation policy is not favorable- 60% before 15 days and no refund post that. It is better to book closer to date rather than months away once your schedule is more predictable and sure
Food
You are well fed with morning tea, breakfast, lunch, evening tea and dinner. You can get a good variety from continental to tradtional Gujarati dishes. Lunch is typically outside if you are on more than 1 day package
Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival and visit to Rann for sunset and sunrise
Day 2: Kala Dhungar (Black Hill), Gandhu nu Gaam handicraft village
Day 3: Dholavira excation site, museum including drive across road to heaven on Rann of Kutch lake
Day 4: Nirona craft village. It earlier used to be visit to Mandvi beach but seems to have changed now
Day 5: Return visiting Smritivan earthquake museum on the way. It used to be Swami Narayan Mandir earlier
2 night package includes places in first three days only. 3 night package had a choice between cities covered in 3 and 4 above
Khari river gorge is a canyon that is not included in the package. You can visit on your own if you have time
Is it worth visiting?
Definitely yes. We have taken both 1 night and 4 night package
I personally prefer 1 night option to get the feel of the festival. You can take a car yourself on day 2 after checkout to visit Dholavira. Rest of the places can be skipped. If you can make it and have the money, go on full moon day