Great Rann Of Kutch, Rann Of Kutch - Timings, Entry Fee, Best Time to Visit
#1 of 13 Places to Visit in Rann Of Kutch
Distance (From Rann Of Kutch): 6 Kms
Trip Duration (Including Travel): 2 Hours
Place Location: Near Dhordo Village
Transportation Options: Cab
Travel Tips: Visitors require written permission to visit the salt desert due to its proximity to the Pakistani border. Permission can be obtained at the Bhirandiyara village checkpoint and also from the Gujarat Police DSP office in Bhuj (closed on Sundays, 2nd & 4th Saturdays). The cost is Rs. 100 per person, Rs. 25 for bike & Rs. 50 for car. One needs to submit a photocopy of ID, plus show the original. Do note that the checkpoint may not open until 11 AM.
At a distance of 5 km from Rann Tent City and 6 km from Dhordo Village, the Great Rann of Kutch is a salt marshy land located in the Kutch district of Gujarat, India. Located in the far north of Gujarat, it is reputed to be one of the largest salt deserts in the world and among the prime places to visit in Rann of Kutch.
Covering an area of about 7500 sq. km, the Great Rann of Kutch borders Pakistan and occupies a part of the Thar Desert which also extends into Rajasthan. The Great Rann of Kutch is known for its white desert, the most popular attraction of all tourist places in Kutch. A large part of the Great Rann of Kutch submerges in water during the rainy season and becomes dry during the winter season, leaving a vast expanse of salt land, which dazzles like a diamond under the scorching sun and appears like an eerie under the bluish glow during the night hours. The Rann of Kutch is the only large flooded grasslands zone in the whole Indo-Malayan region.
The White Desert is really amazing to see during the sunset and under the full moonlight as it sparkles and offers a spectacular view. A lot of tourists and culture enthusiasts plan their Kutch tour during the time of the Rann Festival as it gives visitors not only a chance to experience full moon on salt desert but also get a taste of the local culture, cuisine, and hospitality. People who want to relish the view of the desert from a different angle should climb the Kalo Dungar (black hill), the highest point in Kutch as it offers a splendid view of the Kutch region, Thar Desert, and the Great Rann.
The best time to visit Rann is during 'Rann Utsav' or Kutch Utsav. It is a 3-month long major festival celebrated here from December to February with great enthusiasm. Amidst the magical landscapes, a carnival of high-spirited gaiety, the Rann Utsav is marked by the excellent quality of folk dance, music, and art. It is organized by the Government of Gujarat and draws a large number of tourists from all over the world to witness the culture and hospitality of Kutch.
The best way to reach the White Desert in Great Rann of Kutch is from Dhordo, as it is being developed by the Gujarat government as the Gateway to the Rann. Dhordo is on the edge of the salt desert, about 78 km from Bhuj, and can be reached only by cab or taxi from Bhuj.
