Best Time to Visit and things to do in White Desert Rann of Kutch

I have been inspired by the great saying that “while job fills your pocket, travel fills your heart”. Having travelled almost every nook and corner of India, the only adventure spot that was left for me to explore is the Great Rann of Kutch.

Situated in the Indian state of Gujarat, 108 km of Bhuj to be precise, it is also called the White Desert. Gujarat, a state of India, known for its culture, has many places of historic importance and scenic beauty, but Rann of Kutch is arguably the must go travel destination.

Gujarat Tourism promotes the Rann Utsav festival, which includes cultural programs, adventure activities, and exposure to native culture and food. The place has so much to offer including the great Rann Utsav, the new moon view and the sunset point that makes this place an ideal vacation spot not just with friends but with family as well.

The heritage of the place can be easily seen in the local people which makes it a culture rich place.

The Demographics of Seasonal Marshy Salt Desert Kutch

Talking about its existence, this region of salt marshes stretches across approximately 7,500 square feet of area in Gujarat and shares its endless expanse of white desert with Pakistan’s province Sindh.

The Rann of Kutch is a seasonal marshy salt desert that transforms with the seasons, filling up with water during monsoons and drying up in the summer to become a bed of white salty land.

In India, this vast desert is accessible from Khargoda in Surendranagar district of Gujarat. While I took a taxi to reach the desert expanse, other motor vehicles such as buses and two-wheelers also ply on the route charging varied rates.

White Desert kutch Distance From

Best Time to Visit the White Desert

Rann of Kutch is known for its extreme weather conditions. While in summers the temperature increase to a maximum of 49-degree Celsius as the sun is at its peak, the temperature plummets to 0 degrees during the night and in winter months.

Therefore to avoid extreme weather, I preferred visiting the White desert post-October when the desert starts to dry up.

During monsoons, the desert gets submerged into the water and there are high chances that you might not enjoy your stay here in the marshland.

The wetland extends from the Gulf of Kutch on the west through to the Gulf of Khambhat on the east, highlighting the seasonal expansion during India’s summer monsoon.

As Tropic of cancer also passes through the Rann of Kutch and this makes it particular hot and humid.

As the desert lacks some of the basic facilities such as food, water, and toilets, the best time to head out is an early morning after having the breakfast or during the night when the sun is not at its peak.

I took up a local guide to understand the weather changes and the best time to stroll the place. This is how I understood that strolling the white expanse during the full moon is the beauty to behold.

Therefore, I made sure that I capture the glowing full moon during my visit at night.

White Desert Rann of Kutch Weather throughout the Year:

The Traveling Permit

As the white desert has proximity to the Pakistan border, this makes it a highly sensitive area. Therefore, a written permit is required for travelling to the area.

As I stayed around Bhuj and took a car to go to the desert, the permit was taken from Bhirandiyara village police station.

Besides, a valid Id proof was taken to approve of my existence and identity. Though this might seem unusual but the area is full of vigilance and security personnel monitoring the area.

World Heritage Site

During my visit to the Rann of Kutch, I was introduced to the Indian Wild Ass Sanctuary, also known as the Wild Ass Sanctuary, that is also the little Rann of Kutch.

This Indian Wild Ass Sanctuary is a surreal place that UNESCO has attributed as a world heritage site.

This wildlife sanctuary is the biggest sanctuary of India that harbours one of the endangered species Wild Ass (Khur) that is on the verge of extinction.

During the safari in the sanctuary, I saw some really bizarre species of reptiles, invertebrates, amphibians, and zooplankton that are easily spotted. A trip to this sanctuary makes your stay in Rann worthwhile.

The Camel Safari

Being in Rann of Kutch and not going for a camel ride is seriously not acceptable. Throughout my stay in Rann was the camel safari was one of the most exciting adventures.

The magnificence of the white desert can be witnessed from a height and what is better than a camel safari.

Sitting on its hump and slowly allowing the breathtaking view to unfold with the sun in the backdrop is one of the must to do things in Rann of Kutch.

As I stayed in Rann for two days, I particular went to the desert during sunset to see the spectacular view of the sun setting.

It seemed as if the white desert is slowly swallowing the sunset and hue of the rays radiated the desert.

Rann Utsav

When I planned my gateway to Rann, I specially chose November as this is the time of the year when I could see the glorious Rann Utsav in the white rann of Kutch.

The Utsav that offers a plethora of activities is a marvelous way to spend your time while in Kutch. The Kutch rann is known for its diverse cultural and natural attractions, including its wildlife, handicrafts, and cuisine, as well as activities like camel safaris and shopping.

The Utsav is characterised by sequenced tent houses or stalls, shops selling Gujarat rich culture especially the embroidery, heritage artifacts among other precious products that will remind you of the immense heritage that Gujarat has.

The locale people selling products wearing colourful clothes and lehenga choli is also fascinating.

Though I didn’t understand their language properly, I could still try my hand at bargaining and bought a bed sheet made out of block painting.

Another major attraction is the facility of staying inside the Utsav as large tents are given a luxurious makeover for tourists to stay and enjoy the three-month long festival.

I booked a tent for my stay and was really satisfied with the experience. Staff was really accommodating and serves every guest equally.

I strolled around the Utsav to witness the glorious heritage of the place in embroideries, wooden boxes that are carved out with design, jewelry boxes and other sculptures that speak of the vast art of different communities of the areas such as Jaths, Rabaris, Sodha, and Rajputs.

Since it is a festival that is famous world over, which makes it so popular is the constant dance and music. Illumination with fluorescent lights and incandescent lamps that make it even more beautiful.

Other activities such as cultural dance and live music were something that I got involved in. The activities started at around 7:00 pm and gave enough time for everyone to enjoy.

The Cultural Music

The folk music of Gujarat was heard even from a distant. Locale people of the area sag beautiful renditions that are hard to comprehend but sound really pleasing.

People from around Gujarat come to the festival to sing and gain the attraction of the tourists. Through the day I could listen to live soulful music that added an edge towards the entire journey of strolling.

The culture of Gujarat can be smelled in the air as danced and traditional music is being played around.

The vigour of perfect Indian music by Indian artists with their band using traditional music equipments was so peaceful, that I stayed there the entire night to enjoy the festive mood.

The Ethnic Clothes

In the vast expanse of white desert, the people of kutch perfectly complimented the place with their selection of vibrant coloured clothes.

The women’s dressed in lengha cholis and men in dhotis are full of colour that add life to the otherwise dull and silent desert.

Not just people of Kutch but I found camels wearing the same traditional colours and donning the embroideries with pride. This is another stand out point of the place that can be easily spotted.

Exhibition

I was introduced to the natural grandiose of the place and the exhibition had on display everything that belongs to the city and the state.

The cultural ethnicity and vernacular architecture are evident from the stalls that put up a great show and offers a large variety of the cities magnificence on sale.

I personally bought some products and others as souvenirs for my family and friends as it came really cheap.

Other Activities

As I walk through the Utsav, I was excited to see paramotoring, ATV rides, camel rides, kids fun zone, and other activities on offer.

Tourists in huge numbers from around the world have flocked the place and kids especially enjoyed doing the activities. The air was filled with giggles and screams that made it even more fascinating.

Even I couldn’t resist and participate in paramotoring. As I don’t know how to ride a bike, a driver accompanied me. These activities make the festival even more adventurous to visit during this time.

Foreigner was seen involving themselves in spa treatments however that was a bit more expensive that made me stay away from spending my money on that and instead choose another camel ride.

Cultural shows are played throughout the day to show the cultural importance of the place and to make tourists aware of the historical instances of the place.

A package is what I preferred as it included majorly all the activities and this saved me of spending more money on other not so interesting activities.

Food Options

When I talk about travel, eating is one of my favourite activities and being in Kutch food was everywhere. From chats to Gujarati thalis the place has everything as per one’s liking.

However, the one biggest disadvantage of the place is that except during the festivals at other times of the year, food is generally not available.

Moreover, vegetarian food is served in the state and alcohol is not available as it is an alcohol-free state.

Though I visited around the festival I made sure to carry some food that is ready to eat and loads of water as the temperature soar you begin to feel dehydrated.

Nearby Places

After spending two nights in Rann of Kutch, I began my journey to visit the other nearby places of Kutch. Nandeshwari temple being one of them.

The temple is located near the border of India and Pakistan in Banaskantha.

Don’t miss the chance to visit Kutch and explore its attractions like the Rann Utsav festival, camel safaris, shopping for handicrafts, and experiencing the local cuisine.

Kalo Dunger

Another marvelous place that I got introduced to is the Kalo Dunger or the Black hill. It is the highest point in kutch and provides a clear view of the altitude of the white desert.

A staircase leads up to the top point that gives a panoramic view of the white expanse.

As I was travelling by car, it took me an hour to reach the place but it was worth it. One can assimilate the topography of the place, rocky surface and still desert that makes it really breathtaking.

Kalo Dunger also has the famous Dattatreya temple. The temple has a fascinating story of hungry Jackels that are fed vegetarian food before serving the same to devotees and visiting tourists.

Therefore, I made sure to visit the place to approve of its life long history and to witness the food serving practice in real.

Key Takeaways

As I stayed in Rann for three days which is enough to explore the place, I made a list of key things that need to be accompanied. The Rann of Kutch was historically connected to the Arabian Sea but became closed off due to geological shifts. Getting a permit to visit the place is one of them.

It is vital to carry sunscreen if you plan to stroll the desert in the afternoon. Drinking plenty of water is mandatory to remain fresh and gain energy to walk long miles. The area also features small oasis of water bodies and marshes that fill up during monsoons.

Visiting not just the desert but also the nearby places will better to see the beauty that Gujarat has to offer.

As the white desert kutch is salty, it might get to your eyes if it is airy in the desert, therefore wearing eyewear is also recommended.

Umbrellas can be taken handy in case you visit close to monsoon. A camera is a must to click all the magnificent beauty of the place and its topography.

Staying at the tent is highly recommended in order to enjoy the great Rann Utsav. The cultural shows are also a great way to understand the history of the place and the figures that are of huge importance.

Lastly, summery clothes and light cotton wearables are best to make the journey comfortable.