Rann of Kutch: What to see?

Reaching the Rann of Kutch

Rann of Kutch is accessible by road in bigger vehicles or 4X4. In case if you’re self driving, make sure to check if your vehicle can go till the entry of Rann of Kutch. Rann of Kucthh can be reached by Bhuj and the nearby villages of Dhordo. If you’re staying in the Rannutsav tent city, they will arrange for the Rann of Kutchh visit through their buses at both sunrise and sunset.

Best month and time to go

Winters are the best time to visit Rann of Kutch, when you can see it as the white salt desert that it is. This experience is one of its kind in the world (Bolivia salt desert experience is different with a lack of color that you will see in Gujarat). The Rannutsav Tent city is also set up during the winter months only usually between Oct – Mar. For the exact dates for the year you’re planning to visit, please visit the Rannutsav Tent City official website.

The Rann is best visited on a full moon night as that is the whole Rann brighens up in the moon light and it’s a surreal experience. Sunrise and Sunset are the best times to visit the Rann as you get to enjoy both the bright white rann and the amber orange glaze that covers the Rann as the sun sets or rises.

Do note that depending on the duration you stay at Rannutsav tent city, either only Sunset visit or both sunset and sunrise visits are included in your package. They also charge a premium for stay in the Rannutsav tent city during the full moon nights.

5 things to see and do in Rann of Kutchh

• Camel ride
  The buses only go upto the entrance of the Rann of Kutchh. From there the camel carts take the passengers into the actual Rann. When visiting as a packaged tour with Rannutsav tent city, this is complimentary – both the bus ride and the camel cart ride. Interesting part is that if you want you can take the camel cart ride all the way back to the rannutsav tent city too. This is on a paid basis and for INR 500 they were willing to take 6 of us (4 adults and 2 children) back from the Rann to the tent city. Its an amazing option as our kids loved the ride instead of going in the bus where you don’t get the fresh air or the feel of that place.
• Photograph in the white rann
  I don’t think this even needs a mention.
• Enjoy the traditional folk music by the xxx communities of Gujarat
  Usually you’ll find them playing some soothing and folk music and you can just listen in. There is no obligation to pay anything but of course its good to give them something to keep these traditions alive. They already live a pretty hard life and a little support from us tourists goes a long way.
• See or buy the Kutch craft umbrellas
  This was a hit with our kids as they loved carrying these around. We eventually did not buy them but actually I won’t mind having one in our home, just for the color.
• Try climbing over the pink structure

What to carry

A light jacket for yourself and if you’re traveling with kids, light woolens are recommended especially during December and January when winter in Gujarat is at its peak. Bottles of water and Indian currency in cash. Goes without saying, something to capture the magical moments. You don’t have to wear shoes but it obviously helps in the cold.