Rann of Kutch Weekend Tour | Short Trip To Rann of Kutch

OVERVIEW- Rann of Kutch, a large area of salt marshes is located in Gujarat, India. It is divided into Great Rann of Kutch and Little Rann of Kutch. The name "Rann" has come from the Hindi word ran meaning "desert". The Rann of Kutch is a large flooded grasslands zone in India. The area has desert on one side and the sea on the other. It provides the Rann of Kutch with a variety of ecosystems, like mangroves and desert vegetation. Kutch lies on the India-Pakistan border and you can see parts of Pakistan from Kutch. Kutch is also famous for crafts and embroidery works, Flamingo Sanctuary and Wild Ass Sanctuary. It is once in a lifetime experience to be at Rann of Kutch, and is indeed one of the best weekend tours you will ever plan in your life.

AHMEDABAD- It is the largest city in Gujarat, associated with the great thinker and freedom fighter, Mahatma Gandhi. It is an exclusive blend of Hindu and Islamic styles of architecture. The city's prosperous and eventful past and present is embodied in its rich kaleidoscope of history, art and culture, rich architecture and imposing monuments. The city is a famous business hub and is well known for chemical and textile industries.

RAJKOT- Once the capital of the princely state of Saurashtra, Rajkot is now an important industrial city of the West Indian state of Gujarat. It is also popular as the place where Mahatma Gandhi had spent the initial years of his life and gained early education from a school. Home to some striking gardens, ashrams, lakes and temples, Rajkot is also quite popular for its handicraft items, jewelry market and special tie and dye or Bandhani, a beautiful cloth material.

BHUJ- Known popularly as the doorway to Kutch, the old walled city Bhuj is one the most important tourist destinations in India.

GREAT RANN OF KUTCH- The Great Rann of Kutch is by far the largest white salt desert in India and is truly a magnificent destination to be at. One can enjoy camel safaris on a moonlit night (During the Rann Utsav in December-March). Accommodation is available at the nearby villages called Dhordo and Hodka.

LITTLE RANN OF KUTCH- Little Rann of Kutch proudly boasts of being one of the largest wildlife sanctuaries in India. It is the abode of saline desert plains, arid grasslands, rocky and thorn scrubs, lakes and swamps.

Tour Destination: Ahmedabad/Rajkot/Bhuj - Rann of Kutch - Ahmedabad/Rajkot/Bhuj

Travel Duration: 02 Nights/03 Days

DAY 1: AHMEDABAD/RAJKOT/BHUJ - RANN OF KUTCH

Today morning drive to Little Rann of Kutch. Transfer to resort. Later in the afternoon visit

INDIAN WILD ASS SANCTUARY- Located in the Little Rann of Kutch, Indian Wild Ass Sanctuary is one of its kind. It is the only place where the Indian Wild Ass or Ghudkar still inhabit. The sanctuary is also the home of 32 mammal species and is an important breeding site for birds. This wildlife sanctuary is considered as one of the largest seasonal saline wetland areas.

Overnight at Hotel.

DAY 2: GREAT RANN OF KUTCH

After breakfast, visit the desert of Kutch

WHITE SALT DESERT- Sprawling in an area of 7000 sq km, White Salt Desert in Great Rann of Kutch is a magical place. One can enjoy camel ride here or else a long walk is enough to get one all excited. Watching the sun go down is probably the best thing to do here; the evening shots are simply worth capturing.

KALA DUNGAR- At a short distance from Great Rann White Desert is Kala Dungar. Also known as the Black Hill, it is the highest point of the Kutch region and it offers a panoramic view of the desert. Atop the hill is a Hindu temple known as Dattatreya that dates back to 400 years old.

DHOLAVIRA- Visiting Kutch region gives history lovers a great opportunity to visit ancient sites like Dholavira. This site is considered as the slice of the Indus Valley Civilization/Harappan Civilazation. The ruins throw light on the culture of Harappa and reveal their excellent knowledge of planning and constructing a sound infrastructure. One can find the evidences of well-built harvesting system, network of tanks and sewage system.

Overnight at Hotel.

DAY 3: RANN OF KUTCH - AHMEDABAD/RAJKOT/BHUJ

After breakfast, go for shopping

HANDICRAFT: Handicraft is an important part of Kutch life. There are two villages near the Great Rann White Desert Known as Dhordo and Hodka, these villages are the face of Kutch handicraft (for the record, there are about 32 villages in Kutch region that indulge in the art of embroidery). Visit Dhordo to witness Mutua embroidery, which includes chain stitches inset with small mirrors, leather embroidery and silver jewellery. In Hodka village, the skills of the local Rabari, Meghwal and Maldhari communities can be seen. Apart from the embroidery, Bhungas (huts) can are decorated by the village craftsmen. Apart from Dhordo and Hodka, Sumrasar, Loria, Zura, Nirona,Nakhtarana,Bhujodi, Padhdhar, Dhamanka and Anjar are the handicraft villages in the region.

Later, drive back to Ahmedabad/Rajkot/Bhuj to catch your flights/train towards onward destination.

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