Our Experience
We had been to lot of places in the mountains and we wanted to explore some different terrain. Kutch gave us that, we found it to be unique as we have never been to white desert before. The day we got to know about this place it was in our priority queue of “to do” list. We wanted to spend time at Rann and enjoy the solitude it offers.And we did that!!!!
Rann – check.
We had planned a 3 day trip to Kutch, during which we spent the first night at Shaam-e-Sarhad- a village resort in Hodka, food there was awesome and we got a feel of staying in village with facilities of urban area. We thoroughly enjoyed the handicraft village during the day and in the evening we went to the Rann. We had to walk about 4-5 Km inside the Rann so that we can get away from the crowd and actually feel the white desert. The experience was extraordinary and tiring. We found that desert was sapping the energy from us and we couldn’t even sit as the salt was wet. We had thought to stay till night and enjoy the moonlit night, but then unfortunately it was a no moon night.
Next day we went to Kala dungar and India bridge. At Kala dungar we did a small trek around hills and enjoyed the view of the Rann from top. Indian bridge was okay, as we did not have the permit to go further in so there was nothing much to do or see.
Last day we spent at Mandvi beach which was the most relaxing part of the trip. We had to skip eating Dabeli at Mandvi because of time constraint (Madvi is place where Dabeli was invented). We felt that we should have spent more time at each destination but then we hope we go back again someday.
The USP of the trip was the sunset both at Mandvi and Rann.
What is there in Kutch?
Kutch is a district in Gujarat which is famous for salt desert (Great Rann), beautiful beaches, shipyards, ports, Indus valley civilization remnants, old palaces and forts. There is so much in Kutch that one can’t get bored. Great Rann of Kutch is amazing and should be definitely visited, specially on a moonlit night.
How to reach Kutch?
Bhuj is the city from where Rann (meaning desert) of Kutch/ Mandvi can be reached. Trains, flights and buses are available for Bhuj from major cities of India. From Bhuj a private taxi can be hired for the trip to Great Rann of Kutch and Mandvi ( taxi is the only easy mode of transportation).
When to visit Kutch?
Gujarat is a very hot state with temperature reaching around 48 degree Celsius in summers. Also the winters is Gujarat are mild, hence the only time when Kutch should be visited is during winter months( Dec- Feb), this is also the time when Rann Utsav festival is hosted.
If you are planning a trip then try to go on a full moon light when entry to the white desert is open till 9 pm. Also Uttrayan (kite festival 14th Jan) is a good time to visit.
How to plan a trip to Kutch?
A minimum three day trip is required to visit Great Rann of Kutch, kala dungar (highest point in Kutch), India bridge (last Indian post in Kutch), Mandvi beach and handicraft village. Great of Rann of Kutch, Kala Dungar and India Bridge are in opposite direction of Mandvi from Bhuj (both places take around 1.5- 2 hrs to reach from Bhuj). Hodka village and Dhordo village are two places where lot of resorts are present, though many resorts are coming up on the way to Rann. Dhordo is last village after which Rann starts. Dhordo has many resorts. So a 2 days for Great Rann, Kala Dungar, India Bridge and 1-2 days for Mandvi is sufficient for a short trip to cover the important places( the more you stay in Kutch, more you can explore and the more you will fall in love with Kutch).
Where to stay in Kutch?
There are amazing resorts in Bhuj, Great Rann of Kutch and Mandvi.
Near Great Rann of Kutch you can stay at Hodka village(has few resorts and it is about 18 kms from GRK), Dhordo village(its the beginning of GRK and has tents are on the white desert). We would suggest that you stay in these village resorts rather than in Bhuj, only then you will get feel of Rann(we stayed in Shaam-e-sarhad, amazing resort with great service and food).
At Mandvi, Mandvi Beach resort is one of the best stay as it has its own beach.
What all places can be visited in Kutch?
Some of the places which you should definitely include in your itinerary:
- Great Rann of Kutch: This is the White desert- Spread in 7,505.22 square km. It is magnificent and is one of its kind. You need to experience sunset at this location.
My brother enjoying solitude in the desert- realizing how insignificantly small we are 
watching sunset in white desert is one of the best experience ever - Kala Dungar: At 458m above sea level this place gives a panoramic view of the Great Rann. Kala Dungar has many small mountains, so you can enjoy hiking on these mountains (hiking here is easy).
Hiking is quite easy at Kala Dungar and the views are awesome 
Oh Desert ! white Desert !- why are you so far..?? 
Highest point in Kutch - Magnetic Hill : On the way to Kala Dungar magnetic hill is present which can pull up a car. Though studies say that there is nothing like magnetic pull at this location but one should experience this to decide for themselves.
The hill is probably magnetic..mind it !! - Little Rann: Famous for the Indian Wild Ass Sanctuary.
A domesticated Sambar at Mandvi beach - India Bridge: A hour drive from Kala Dunga, this is the last post of India in Gujarat, after which Pakistan starts( a very important bridge for Army). To move forward from this bridge, you would require a special permit from Bhuj. Stopping on this bridge is not allowed.
- Mandvi Beach: It is a private beach owned by Mandvi Beach Resort and one of the cleanest one that we have visited. You can stay at this beach in the luxurious tents or just spend a day( as we did) by paying 550 INR per person(lunch is complimentary).
One of the cleanest beaches 
Mandvi Beach property 
Sunset at Mandvi – a spectacular view (thanks to our friend who lent us his camera) - Vijay Villas Palace: A beautiful palace situated very near to the Beach resort Mandavi. Many bollywood movies were shot here (Hum dil de chuke sanam).
The grand vijay villas palace (not that grand..:P) 
Awesome view from the top of the palace 
- Hodka village : Handicraft is one of the main stay for Kutchhi people and Hodka village, Bhujodi are famous for it. There are amazing craftsman who make beautiful embroidered things, leather things, pottery.
Men at work – super dedication towards the work 
Village Hodka..begins..! - Banni Grasslands : A 1.5hr drive from Rann, these grasslands are Reserved Forests of India. Though we could not go there but we have heard its good and worth visiting.
- Dholavira: An Indus Valley Civilization site. This site has remnants of 5000yr old civilization and is now taken care by ASI (Archaelogical Survey of India). It is about 200km from Bhuj.
- Ship making : Mandvi is famous for ship building.
Ship being build at Mandvi 
This place is also famous for making replicas of the ship (Sagar ship model)
Do you require permit to enter Rann?
Permit is required to visit Rann. You can get permit from Bhuj or on the way to Rann, a police post is present where the permit can be obtained (100Rs pp plus 50Rs for vehicle). A copy of identity proof is required for this permit. Permit can be obtained in 15mins and all the taxi drivers know about this post. This permit is valid only for a day.
What is there in Rann Utsav?
During Rann Utsav (Dec-March), tent city is setup with good quality tents and good facilities. Also a lot of shops and stalls are setup where handicraft and food items are sold. Musical and dance program is also organised for the people staying in the tent city.
The best thing, about staying in the tent city is that you are at the Rann(literally) and hence can easily enjoy sunset and sunrise. But resorts which are a bit far off from the tent city are very calm and peaceful and they too host cultural programs at night.
What is a must carry for the trip?
Gujarat does not experience winter. However, Rann gets very cold during evening and very hot during afternoon. Hence you need to carry both warm clothes and sunglasses to Rann. There are very few shops on the way to Rann, hence carry water and food with you.
when you see no pug marks – you know this is the road less travelled
Fledgling Travelers 