Kutch

• Mumbai, departure by train

  Board the 22955 up Kutch Superfast Express from Bandra Terminus at 17:45 hours

• Arrival at Bhachau – Khadir Island (Dholavira) 200 kms – 5 hours

  On arrival in Bhachau at 0600 hrs where the train stops for 2 mins our transport will pick you up and we will drive to a nearby hotel for freshen up. After breakfast we will drive to the Khadir Bet(island), in the Rann of Kutch Lake. As we leave the mainland and enter the island of Khadir, the scenery changes and becomes more arid. We will check in the Rann Resort. Early in the evening we will visit the Fossil park and further proceed to the sunset point to enjoy a beautiful view.

• Dholavira Sights

  Early in the morning visit the ruins of Dholavira, a city of the 5000-year-old Harrapan civilisation. The guide and his information are keen to this visit, as he takes us through the history and later also shows us around todays Dholavira. Later we will leave for the Chipper point which overlooks the Great Rann Lake, and on our way back we will enjoy a local Kutchi Lunch. Later we will come back to the resort for some rest and in the evening enjoy a village walk to understand how the villagers live in harmony with nature and in extreme conditions in this arid land.

• Khadir Bet – Kalo Dungar - Big Rann (Dhordo) - Devpur Homestay

  The new road constructed between the island and the mainland might be the best drive of your trip. The White Rann is seen in its full glory during our drive today. As we enter the mainland, we will first drive upto Kalo Dungar (Black Hill) but first witness a Geomagnetic area enroute. From the top the views of the entire Rann (sometimes right into Pakistan) are stunning. Later we will stop for lunch and then drive to the India bridge, which is as close as possible that we can get to the border. The roads being better helps with the drive as we first make a stop in Dhordo to get an idea of the tent city and crowds. We will then drive straight to our accommodation for the night. The Devpur homestay is the only heritage homestay in the entire Kutch.

• Devpar – Banni Grasslands – Nirona Art Village - Devpur Home Stay

  Today promises to be a day with nature as we leave our home stay early and drive towards the Banni biosphere area famous for its early morning views. We will be guided by the area expert as we catch the winter migration of the birds for the morning birding safari in the reserve. Later on, enjoy lunch at the home of our guide and head to Nirona, the premier arts and handicraft village of Kutch Rogan art on cloth, copper bell making and lacker painting on wood is some of the art forms that you will observe in this village. Later drive to Devpar homestay in the evening.

• Chavda Rakhiyal Forest Reserve - Mandvi Port Town – Vijay Vilas Palace Beach – Devpar Homestay

  Begin your day surrounded by nature at Chavda Rakhiyal Forest Reserve, a haven designed by Salim Ali, the Birdman of India. Immerse yourself in the beauty of the reserve, witnessing various bird species. Enjoy a serene cup of tea by the lake, soaking in the tranquility. Return to the homestay and after breakfast, we will head towards Mandvi, the old capital of the Kutch region known as the most important port here. Lunch would be a local Thali. The Mandvi lighthouse is where (permission depending) we will enjoy the views of the surrounding coastline. We will visit the most important trade of the town, a ship building site. Later we will drive to the Vijay Vilas Palace and enjoy some tea in Royal surroundings overlooking the Gulf of Kutch. Sunset is best enjoyed from our private beach after which we will drive back to Devpar.

• Devpar homestay – Ajrakhpur (LLDC Museum)* – Bhujodi – Departure by train

  After breakfast in the orchard, those who leave by train will check out. We would drive to the Bhuj town, the adminstrative capital of Kutch and enjoy our last day not only in the town but also in some of the local artisan villages nearby like Ajrakhpur, where the LLDC (living and learning design centre) is located which displays the textile culture of the entire region. The village is also famous for the Ajrakh block printing. The entire village of 200 families practise only the Ajrakh Style of block printing. Our next stop will be in Bhujodi which houses multiple options to do some last-minute shopping. We will spend time at leisure in Prag Mahal in Bhuj where dinner will be arranged before boarding the night train back to Mumbai.
  
  *Ajrakhpur (LLDC Museum) - Closed on Mondays

• Arrival at Mumbai

  The train arrives at 22956 Bandra Terminus (BDTS) station at 11:45 HRS.

Hotels :

Dholavira - The Rann Resort
Devpar - Devpar Homestay

Tour Cost :

(5% GST will be added to the total tour cost)

Tour Dates :