One day trip to Kutch
One day trip to Kutch is impossible? Are you the one who thinks that? Well, then you are at the right place. Kutch is highly promoted by Gujarat tourism in some or another way and Amitabh Bachhan- one of the finest actors in Bollywood is the brand ambassador for promoting Kutch. Kutch is a massive land of a desert on one end and sea on the other. The amalgamation of both is what we call Kutch. Kutch is a diverse land and I decided to take one day trip to Kutch because of the sung Rannutsav that is held every year for a specific period. It usually starts in November and ends in February. People from around the globe visit Tent city just to enjoy the marvelous hues of colour that the natural beauty of Earth creates. I don’t know, how was it unnoticed to date. Gujarat needs more tourism awareness to divulge such splendid spots that lays in its womb. As is the tagline for Kutch, ‘Kutch nahi dekha to kuch nahi dekha’ and trust me it is apt. when you land onto the salt that spreads on the unending land that meets paradise, you feel an armistice of mind and you would easily spend hours there to get a glimpse of the sun and the moon.
The tent city is erected for a specific period, later which there is nothing but infinite land and hot air. However, hypothetically Kutch is supposed to be visited for a specific period only. You would not find any habitation at all. During the month of the monsoon, the land is engulfed by the Arabian sea later which is a surreal experience. The place where you once stood and captured lifetime moments is submerged in the sea. This experience gives goosebumps for sure. If you want to plan an easy one-day trip to Kutch, you can opt for Rannustav that allows you peace of mind, only if you want to enjoy the festival. But I am a kind of adventurous person trips are not memorable if you just have to relax, enjoy, and get set for your routine. I wanted to see other beauties as well. So, we planned to stay in Bhuj. It is one hour and 42 minutes drive from the White desert of Kutch. Trust me, the drive was all worth it. You can spot the grazing land of the cattle that are mostly buffaloes, sheep, and goats. Cows are depleting from the dry land slowly.
However, it is mandatory to get a permit to enter the desert area. Well, we wanted to visit kalo dungar too. A physical check post is set up at Bhirandiyara village but due to heavy rush, the queue was long which further probed them to go for an online permit. You can get your permit online through www.rannpermit.com. There is a minimal fee of INR 100 for people adults and INR 50 for kids below 12. Also, a minimal charge of 50 for a four-wheeler is taken. After giving the required documents and charges you can enter the desert area that covers many villages and most importantly white desert. Check post timings are 10 am to 5 pm.
We had to manually take the permit as we were not aware of online but online saves time. You must do that if you are visiting the Desert area.
The first point to visit in Desert- Kalo Dungar (Black mountain)
Before heading for the White Desert, we wanted to visit Kalo Dungar as it is a place that is not supposed to be missed at any cost. You pass many villages like Khavda and Ludiya that are well known for handicraft. But if you are having limited time, head straight forward to Kalo Dungar. After driving for a while, you will see a notice board that says “TROPIC OF CANCER IS PASSING FROM HERE’. Don’t miss that board on your way to Kalo Dungar. The board is utter pleasing because we have only read in Geography books till date, isn’t it? Later, the climb of the hill is steep and the driver needs to be cautious enough.
For more such stories on Kutch, click here.
A most important point of Anti-gravity
People have experienced this. Vehicles would tend to run at the speed of 80 kph, I say 80 because we experienced 80 kph against gravity. Our car climbed hills at that speed on neutral. You can try this. Turn off the engine and stand at the place where it is said anti-gravity point. You would notice vehicles running backward and that too climbing slopes. This is something magical but it is said, there is a magnetic field that pulls vehicles. Well, there are differences in opinion for scientists too but this is a point to experience.
The rider would enjoy the feel of the hill and the stormy cool wind. Kalo dungar has a sight to behold. I never wanted to live in that place but the time frame was all we had. Take your vehicle to the last point where you can. You can take it straight away to the spot where the Dattatreya temple is rooted.
Dattatreya temple and the story behind
Dattatreya temple is a 400-year-old temple. There is a legend that says God Dattatreya stayed there and during his stay he used to feed jackals with food. Following the same ritual to date, priests prepared offerings of cooked rice for jackals for centuries. However, if you are lucky enough you get to spot the jackal eating the prasad. Temple is well maintained and gives you divine energy when you step in it. As it is said, every particle speaks, a place gives you peace of mind. This place does. Well, you would be greeted by many local folks who would run behind you for turban tying. If you want to enjoy the local feel and enjoy the moments, you should try. It cost INR 20 and you can grab some beautiful moments. Camel ride can be enjoyed at this place too. The way to the viewpoint has many stalls that sell local crafts and also you would find few stalls that offer Maggie and ganne ka juice. (sugar cane juice).
The viewpoint is amazing and doesn’t forget to take a selfie with the guy who sits on the steps playing the sitar to give you instagrammable picture/ selfie. He is quite famous on Instagram. Ah! the breeze I felt on reaching the top was stunning. You can spot the last army post as Pakistan is the next destination and also you can catch the glimpse of the India bridge that is just a few kilometres away. Wait, if you cannot spot with your naked eye, you would see guys with binoculars running behind to help to enjoy the view. A charge is minimal and if you are a group, they even bargain. Time? The time, they give is unlimited.
Take magical pictures, capture moments, and enjoy the breeze. Well, Kalo dungar is the highest peak of Kutch.
Later, head straight away for White desert
You can make sure to visit the White Desert by 4 or 5 o clock as before that it would be really hot. You would notice BSF checking your permit at entries and later, you would be headed to the desert. Don’t forget to take a camel cart or horse cart. They will take you a lit bit deeper and it is the most convenient way. I know, most people are courageous enough to walk down to enjoy the peace of nature and the desert but that would be amazing when you go in but when you are supposed to come out it is all dark everywhere and you would repent. We took a ride mid-way because we were enthusiastic enough to walk but trust me it is a bit deeper than it looks like.
Take a camel cart ride which goes around INR 800 for the whole cart. It is a two-way ride. You can enjoy your moments in the desert and call the man when you want to live. We met the happiest old man there.We stayed till the sunset as we wanted to see the moon rise. I saw the size of the moon as if I am watching it from somewhere in space. It was massive. You can check the moon rise in the place and direction to spot the very rise of the moon. Don’t leave the salted desert before watching the moon rise. You if do, you are missing major sight.
We covered both of these amazing spots in a day and returned to Bhuj by night. Kutch is amazing but if you have less time in hand, these are the places in Kutch that are not to be missed at any cost.
34 Comments
Mayura Amarkant
Wow! Very informative post! I am eagerly waiting for the pandemic to end so that I can travel to my heart’s delight. I have always wanted to visit Bhuj and Kutch and now I am eager to visit, thanks to your blog post.
Will return to your post for the tips. Thanks for writing this one!
Madhu Bindra
Thank you for such a detailed post. I had visited the Rann a long time back when my husband was posted in Gujrat. We spent a whole day visiting the salt desert and it was really lovely. And saw the wild asses too 🙂
Pamela Mukherjee
I really would like to visit Kutch as I heard many stories of Kutch festival and Runn Utsav. I really want to spend few days here to cherish the culture and the place. Maybe this year in December I will visit this place.
Harjeet Kaur
Such a detailed post. Loved it. I felt as if I was travelling myself with you. Kutch is on my bucket list. Never heard of the Black mountain and the cars moving on their own, Very interesting.
Shreemayee Chattoppadhyay
Kuchh is on my wishlist since my aunt visited there in 2005. I heard a lot fantastic stories of there visit and am really eager to go. Although we still haven’t been able to. Anyway good recommendation. Will try very soon.
Akanksha Singh
I am always intrigued to visit deserts for their tales and yet I couldn’t as of now. But surely some time in future.
Seema Bardeskar
This is so wonderful. Hoping that the pandemic ends and we can all start our travel journeys and experiences again. Only. Day in Kutch is manageable, didn’t know that. Would like to experience the anti-gravity point personally.
Satabdi Mukherjee
Thank you for such a detailed post! If I ever visit Gujarat, I’ll be sure to go to the places you’ve mentioned and try out the activities, especially the camel cart ride.
Smita Saksena
Kutch trip in a day!! Really seems so difficult as its so beautiful and enchanting. A visit to Kutch is In my bucket list, just waiting to get this bad corona phase over and will definitely plan to visit. Thanks for sharing such an amazing post.
Vasumathi_The Scarlett Dragonfly
I read about the Rann Utsav only in the recent years and was planning a trip last year. But for obvious reasons, didn’t travel anywhere. Hopefully this year I can make it during the festival. Very informative post that Iam sure I will find useful when I do go there. Also, arent Flamingos famous here? I have heard that they arrive in such large numbers that it is a sea of pink literally. Is there a best time to visit if one wants to see the Flamingos?
SWETA
Yes. Visit in the months from Nov to Feb. Best time to visit Kutch
The Other Brain Inc.
The rann of Kutch looks so awesome. I would like to experience anti gravity once for sure.
Raghav Dudeja
I’m living closer to Gujrat then ever (Maharashtra). I hope this so called new normal ends so that I can travel to ask the places mentioned above.
Ritu Bindra
Thank you for the virtual tour of Kutch. I had visited it decades back and I am sure it has changed a lot since then. Would love to visit it again. Definitely bookmarking your post.
Shail Thosani
I am from Kutch and practically spent most of my holidays there and trust me if you want to cover the entire Kutch you need atleast 4-5 days to do so. There are so many places to check out and the culture and history and stories behind each is place is so enthralling. Your post is very descriptive and next time you visit Kutch I hope you enjoy it completely and visit more places. Because as the tagline says Kutch nai dekha toh kuch nai dekha.
SWETA
Indeed Shail. Kutch attracts me like a moth to fire. I. Surely going to cover as much as I can.
Suhasini
Kutch is always my favourite place and wanted to visit it from a long time
SWETA
Yes it is a great palce to visit.
Abha Mondal
I would love to visit Kutch one day. Added this place to my bucket list. I have never been to Gujrat before. This is very useful post for my future trip. Loved your Details about this place.
Docdivatraveller
Kutch is so high on our list! As soon as Covid gets over, we definitely gonna pack our bags for Gujarat.
Shail Thosani
I am from Kutch and practically spent most of my holidays there and trust me if you want to cover the entire Kutch you need atleast 4-5 days to do so. There are so many places to check out and the culture and history and stories behind each is place is so enthralling. Your post is very descriptive and next time you visit Kutch I hope you enjoy it completely and visit more places. Because as the tagline says Kutch nai dekha toh kuch nai dekha.
Mehul Kaku
What a post. Waiting for Covid to get over soon and get going with travelling. Thank you for sharing informative post.
Hansa Kajaria
Me n my husband really wanted to visit RaanUtsav in Kutch but couldn’t do it coz our kids were small. Now for sure we will plan for this place. Kutch being our hometown, we would love to go there with our kids and make them know more about Kutch and Kutchi Community.
Milan Singhal
If i visit Gujrat in near future, would definitely like to explore the places u mentioned. the anti-gravity point looks interesting.
SWETA
Sure Milan. It is worth trying.
Pamela Mukherjee
I really would like to visit Kutch as I heard many stories of Kutch festival and Runn Utsav. Maybe this year in December January month I will visit this place and explore it in detail.
Noor Anand Chawla
Kutch has long been on my list of places to visit and is my son is also keen to see the interesting wildlife of this region that we have read about – hopefully someday!
Rahul Prabhakar
What a lovely travelogue! I’d love to visit the Dattatreya temple someday. Hope I’m lucky to spot the jackal eating the prasad.
Gurjeet Chhabra
In one day you have covered such beautiful and magnetic place. I love to visit and explore Kutch
Humaira
Amazing place. Seeing the sunset at kutch is superb. And they have camel rides too. Definitely include in my bucketlist.
Rakhi Parsai
Gujarat overall is a beautiful state for its rich traditions and culture. I have been to some other prominent places in Gujarat but never got the chance to visit Kutch. Although have heard a lot about the place for the various festivals they celebrate with huge enthusiasm. Loved to read the details of this trip and the possibility of a one day trip as well.
Raksha
Kutch is so beautiful. I visited the place many years ago as part of Rann Utsav and I loved everything about it. I hope to go back there some day and stay for a longer period.
Jenifer
I have never been to Gujarat, so I would like to visit and explore Kutch.
Like u said, even if less time I have, I can see these places.
Looking forward to visit in future.
Sindhu
Your travel posts are very interesting. I really love all the details you share which would be helpful to many like me who would love to visit. Kutch seems to be a good place for a one day tour