The Great Rann of Kutch is a salt marsh located in the White Thar Desert of Gujarat. Inundated with water most of the year, this area becomes a dry landscape in winter. The desert consists of blinding white salt. It was one of the rare places in India where there was hardly anybody. That’s quite a feat in a country with almost one billion people!
The only other people visiting were a few Indians including a small group of school children. Their brightly-colored outfits enhanced the desolate desert landscape.
INTRODUCING THE GREAT RANN OF KUTCH OF GUJARAT
This was one of the highlights of my trip. The peacefulness of the White Thar Desert was a welcoming respite from the chaos India is known for. Its vastness reminded me of how small I was in this big world.
The only noise in the desert was when my feet crushed the salt I walked upon. The salt reminded me of crushed snow that had fallen during the many winters I spent in Canada.
The best way to get to The Great Rann of Kutch is to hire a private driver. It takes about 2 hours from the city of Bhuj located in the state of Gujarat. I don't suggest you hire a tuk-tuk. It might be cheaper but the ride be painfully slow and very uncomfortable. Remember to bring a scarf or a hat to shield you from the sun. It gets very, very hot and there's no shade anywhere.
The White Thar Desert is heavily guarded because of its proximity to Pakistan. For this reason, you need a special permit to enter this area so don't forget your passport. Your driver should know this and will stop at the small post located on the main road to obtain the permit from officials.
Have you been to The Great Rann of Kutch? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
23 Responses
Megan Claire
Thanks for sharing and introducing me to this stunning destination – I had never heard of the white salt desert of the Great Rann of Kutch, but am so glad I have now! Reminds me of the salt flats of Bolivia, but much closer to me here in Aus 🙂
Swati Sammie
Looks beautiful.. I have heard and read so many things about Kutch and the Rann Utsav festival that have been trying to visit the place for so long now. But for some or the other reasons the plans keep on getting postponed. Keeping finger crossed to visit in Jan.
Lydia@Lifeuntraveled.com
Hi Stephanie! I had read about it online and immediately knew I had to go. 🙂
Eric Bravo
Never heard the the Great Rann Kutch before, but glad I came across this! Looks amazing! I kind of want to see how it looks inundated with water. Thanks for sharing!
Live Learn Venture
Wow — this really looks and sounds beautiful. It sounds like it’s not so touristy at all — which I love. I also love the photo of the camel, too cute!
Claire Summers
Love this post! Your words have really brought it to life for me. I never imagined somewhere like this existed in India. Yours it one of about 10 posts on India I have read this week…I feel like the universe is telling me I need to visit India. I’m a yogi so its somewhere I dream of going to study anyway.
TalesOfABackpacker
The other comments are right, it looks just like the salt flats in Bolivia – I suppose that’s what happens when the water dries to leave a salt desert! It sounds much hotter than Bolivia though, it was still bitterly cold there even during the day! This would be a wonderful place to visit, I had no idea it existed in India!