Kutch – The largest district of India is a land of color, culture and spectacular topography. The term Kutch refers to something which intermittently becomes wet and dry. A large part of the Kutch, commonly known as the Great Rann of Kutch, remains submerged in water during the rainy season and becomes dry during the winter.
You will Experience the Great Rann of Kutch along with Dholavira, a UNESCO world heritage site, Offbeat White Desert and some less explored hidden gems of Kutch. The tour will also cover tourist attractions of Bhuj City, Hodka Village, Kalo Dungar, India Bridge and Mandvi.
Upon arriving at Ahmedabad railway station/airport in the morning you will be made to proceed towards Bhuj. Reach Bhuj by evening. Check in to the hotel and relax in the hotel/resort. Overnight stay in Bhuj
After breakfast we leave for Bhuj Sightseeing. BHUJ: The historic city of Bhuj derives its name from the Bhujiyo Dungar, a hill, overlooking the present day Bhuj town. Bhuj is a typical example of a desert town located between two geographical features – Bujiyo Dungar on the East and Hamirsar Lake on the West.
Visit AAINA MAHAL: It was constructed by Rao Lakhpatji (1707-61 A.D.) in 1750 A.D., who was a great patron of art, architecture, music and literature. Aaina Mahal is a unique example of an Indian palace built in the mid-eighteenth century with European influence.
PRAG MAHAL: Rao Pragmalji II (1838-76 A.D.) undertook the construction of Prag Mahal and appointed the famous architect – Colonel Henry Saint Wilkins to design it. Constructed in the Italian Gothic style, it has a large Durbar Hall, big rooms, wide verandas and a 45 meter high lofty bell tower. It was built using the various types of stones available in Kutch region. This is a fine example of Indian craftsmanship combined with European architectural design.
THE KUTCH MUSEUM: Formerly known as the Fergusson Museum, It was founded by Maharao Khengarji III in 1877 AD and is the oldest museum in Gujarat. Constructed in the Italian style, the museum is located in picturesque surroundings on the bank of Hamirsar Lake. The museum has been a center of attraction for scholars due to its large collection of Kshatrapa inscriptions, curious archaeological objects, fine collection of arms and specimens of various crafts of Kutch region. Other places of interest at Bhuj are – Cenotaphs of Kutch rulers, Snake Temple at Bhujiyo Hill Fort, Swaminarayan temple, Vegetable market, Hatkeshwar temple and Alfred High School. Overnight stay at Bhuj
Get ready to visit heart of Kutch. Drive on straight road to visit Bhirandiyara village to collect your entry permit. This village is 55 Km from Bhuj town. From here left side road will take you to white desert (Rann Utsav organize every year here) enroute visit Hodka Village, Banni and Pachcham regions, Dhordo Village, straight road will take you to Kalo Dungar. At Kalo Dungar you will get spectacular view of White Rann and there is a temple of Dattatreya at the hilltop.
After Kalo Dungar and India Bridge return to white Rann (via Bhirandiyara village) to enjoy sunset. After sunset return to Bhuj for night stay.
If you are interested in staying traditional houses of Kutch region ( known as Bungas ) then you can stay one night near to Village Bhirandiyara , or near White Rann ( village Dhordo ). You may enjoy village life in this region popular for handicrafts and mirror design dresses.
Evening return back to Bhuj for an Overnight stay
Early morning excursion to Dholavira, the Harappan City. Dholavira become the 40th site from India to get the UNESCO’S WORLD HERITAGE tag. The archaeological site of a Harappan-era city was added to the heritage site list on July 27th 2021. It is the first site of the ancient Indus Valley Civilisation (IVC) in India to get the UNESCO World Heritage tag.
DHOLAVIRA: Dholavira is the larger of the two most remarkable excavations of the Indus Valley Civilization or Harappan culture, dating back to 4500 years ago. It is being surrounded by the Great Rann of Kutch, is a unique insight into the pioneering Harappan mind, with one of the world’s earliest and best planned water conservation systems and what might be the world’s first signboards, written in ancient Indus script. Return back to Bhuj for an overnight stay
Morning drive to Mandvi; Mandvi is located on the banks of the Rukmavati River, barely one km from the Arabian Sea at the Gulf of Kutch. The town has a very pleasant climate throughout the year and it was a summer retreat of the Kutch Maharaos. The centre of attraction at Mandvi is the Vijay Vilas Palace, a royal abode set in the middle of well-laid gardens with water channels and marble fountains. The architect and craftsmen from Jaipur designed and constructed the palace in 1920 AD. The palace has all the elements of Rajput architecture and draws largely on the plan of palaces of Orchha and Datia. The central high dome on the pillars, the Bengal domes on sides, the windows with colored glass, carved stone Jaalis, domed bastions at the corners, extended porch and other exquisitely stone carved elements, make the palace worth visiting. It owns a private beach, maintained in an eco-friendly manner to preserve its pristine beauty. It is an example of the traditional skill of craftsmen of early 20th century. Visit Ship building yard. On the banks of the Rukmavati River, just south of the bridge, you can visit the still-active shipbuilding yard. Craftsmen still assemble ships out of wood, for local or international guests, and you can feel free to watch them work. The process is long and elaborate and shoddy workmanship means risking sailors’ lives. Overnight stay at Bhuj
Morning after breakfast drive to Ahmedabad and transfer to Airport/Railway station for onward journey
