Rann Utsav Tent city: Is it worth it?

Reaching Rann Utsav Tent City set up during Rann Utsav in Gujarat:

Rannutsav Tent city can only be reached from Bhuj. Bhuj is connected to Mumbai and Ahmedabad with daily flights, trains and some of the most amazing roads in India. We love to travel the roads ourselves as its super convenient with the kids too. They sleep leisurely in the back and we can pick up all sorts of fresh and highway food to make sure they get to try all the different kinds of food and get some crazy experiences too.

You can read more about our recent road trip to Gujarat here. You can also find there our guide to Rann Utsav.

If you have a booking at the Rannutsav Tent City, there is a scheduled bus/ car pick up from both the railway station and the airport. Hence you wouldn’t have an issue even without your own or rented car.
Along with just the stay, Rann utsav in Gujarat ensures you have a guide to Rann Utsav activities to do and keep you busy during your stay.

Rooms and Amenities:

The tents are quite spacious and comfortable. Decked up in a traditional Kutchhi way, you see mirror work and patchwork all around. Some pretty rugs and wooden furniture bring the room alive. Complete with all the basic amenities like a kettle, heater, a modern bathroom and cozy comforters, we couldn’t ask for more.

Things to see and do:

The Rannutsav Tent city is exactly as its called – A city. There are tents, performance areas, shopping areas, food shops, a huge food hall, and lawn areas in the middle of each tent block where you could sit with your extended family or friends for a cup of tea or just chit chat. Rannutsav offers you packages which include stay, meals and sightseeing within that. Here I’ll lay out for you what you shouldn’t miss when staying there:

• Cultural evening performance: Some amazing traditional folk song and dance performances you shouldn’t miss. While we were there, they had also invited the Siddis, a native African tribe which has been living in Kutchh for ages now, to perform. The area is spread out in an interesting way to keep all and sundry engaged. There are activity kiosks of henna (mehndi in India), star gazing, Indian chai (tea), puppet shows etc all around that area. If you can, definitely try their Tandoori chai. It was something quite unique you wouldn’t find in a lot of places. By the time you read this blog, there may have been many more things introduced and do keep on a lookout for those to enhance your experience.
• Sightseeing Trip: I’m assuming this is why you’re visiting the Rann of Kutch and this part of Gujarat so yes, this is something you just can’t miss. A note of caution there: depending on the package you opt for, some places may not be included. Like for a 1 night stay package they don’t include Kalo Dungar which is one of the best vantage points for the Rann of Kutch. Additionally, their morning sightseeing doesn’t include the Bhuj Akshardham temple which is one of the most beautiful Akshardhams we have seen. We found the Ahmedabad Akshardham much more commercialized and not as beautiful in terms of carving and marble work as this one. They will cover Bhujodi which is an artisan and handicraft market in Bhuj and if you’re into these things or just want to shop for Indian craft, don’t miss it. Since we had our own car, we even visited the Chhattris in Bhuj, again a pretty sight and another great example of India lacks commercialization of its tourist spots. When there is history and architecture dripping from every nook and corner, it tends to get marginalized and we don’t realize the gold mine we are sitting on.
  Read this post to know more about Rann of Kutch.

• Shopping: If you’re traveling within India, prices of memorabilia and craft will seem expensive and it is expensive. However, if you’re living abroad and may not have time to shop anywhere else, you could consider buying a few things like traditional brass wind chimes, mirror work dupattas and silver jewelry. Food: It is not in pecking order and do not miss the food they serve. Lunch, evening snacks, dinner and breakfast were all super filling, with amazing local flavors and lip smacking. I can almost taste the moong dal halwa still. Other local delicacies like the bajre ki roti (pearl millet bread, regular in homes of the coastal areas of western India like Rajasthan, Gujarat and Maharashtra) and patra were delicious to say the least.  

• Pricing
  The stay is actually a complete package inclusive of sightseeing, meals and all the entertainment and performances. There are a lot of activities, food options and obviously shopping for which is on a pay as you go basis, but considering the entire package it’s a unique experience and is a must do in your Gujarat itinerary.

You can check out our 10 day Gujarat itinerary with kids here. It also covers the top 10 things to see and do in Gujarat. Rann Utsav in Gujarat in one of the must do things in Gujarat. Best part is you don’t need a guide for Rann Utsav in Gujarat.

I wouldn’t end without mentioning that if you were to stay in Bhuj and go by yourself to Rann, Bhujodi etc you would save on the cost, however it’s the complete package one is looking at and not just the stay which makes it worthwhile.