Rann of Kutch - The White Desert

The Rann of Kutch, also known as the Great Rann of Kutch (there's a Little Rann of Kutch as well), is a remarkable place to visit in Gujarat. Much of it consists of the world's largest salt desert, measuring around 10,000 square kilometers. What makes it even more amazing is that the salt desert is underwater during the main monsoon season in India. For the remaining eight months of the year, it's an enormous stretch of packed white salt. Here's all the information you need to visit it.

It is located in mostly in Sindh, Pakistan and the western tip of Gujarat , India. It is divided into two main parts; Great Rann of Kutch and Little Rann of Kutch.

The Rann of Kutch is a sensitive area, due to its proximity to the Pakistani border. Therefore, written permission is required to visit the salt desert. This can be obtained on the way at the Bhirandiyara village (famous for mawa, a sweet made from milk) checkpoint, around 55 kilometers from Bhuj. The cost is 100 rupees per person and 50 rupees for a car. You'll need to submit a photocopy of your ID, plus show the original. Permission is also obtainable from the Gujarat Police DSP office in Bhuj near Jubilee Ground (it's closed Sundays, and every second and fourth Saturday). You must to present the written permission to the officers at the army checkpoint at the entry to the salt desert.

The Safari

The safari across the Little Rann visits the 'bets', islands on the ancient seabed that are now higher grounds covered with grass and scrub.

These 'bets' support a variety of wildlife including the 'Gudkhur' (Asiatic wild ass) that is not found elsewhere. The wild ass is a handsome chestnut brown member of the equus genus (horse family). Capable of reaching high speeds when galloping across the Rann, the wild ass is usually seen in small herds.

The elegant blackbuck (Indian antelope), nilgai or blue bull (India's largest antelope) and the graceful chinkara (Indian gazelle) are other mammals seen at the bets.

The main carnivores of the Little Rann of Kutch are the endangered Indian wolf, desert fox, Indian fox, jackals, desert and jungle cats, and a few hyenas.

Smaller mammals like hares, gerbilles and hedgehogs, and reptiles like spiny tailed lizard, monitor, red and common sand boa, saw-scaled viper, cobra, dhaman (Indian rat snake), etc, could also be seen during the safaris in the Rann. 

Rann Utsav

Rann utsav is a Carnival of Music, Dance, Enhance the nature beauty of White Rann / Dessert when the flash light of Full Moon spread it on the white land starts every year of December onwards at Kutch, Gujarat & marks this celebration till Holi. 

Lots of Tourist visit from different parts of the world just to feel the view of shimmering landscape at rann utsav that gives the enchanting moments of this Fest, which feels like as Heaven On Earth during Rann Utsav Festive Time specially on Full Moon night when moon light flash it on the White Dessert / Rann and it creates White Milky Color only at rann utsav, kutch, gujarat, india.

Every year it organizes with the support of Gujarat Tourism with many activities like the Traditional Cultural Dance, Cultural Act shows, Camel Safari, Musical Moments, Live in Tents & many more activities at rann utsav.

This district is famous for its various Cultural Traditional Shopping Activities at rann utsav like – Authentic Handicraft Items, Bandini Sarees, Traditional Ornaments & many more items which we have seen & our sounds WO ! For those visitor who are interested to like visit rann utsav, Historical Sites, Wild Life Sanctuary.

Little Rann Of Kutch, rann utsav which is famous for Wild Ass, Great White Rann of Kutch, Museums, Palaces, Forts etc. Kutch is the only place in Gujarat where you can enjoy all moments at one place. 

How to Get There

The resorts mentioned above will arrange transport for you from Bhuj. There are a couple of ways of getting to Bhuj. 

If taking a train, it's most convenient from Mumbai (15 hours). Flights to Bhuj are also available from Mumbai. Compare Flights to Bhuj and Save. Buses to Bhuj are available from many places in and around Gujarat, and the road is in good condition.