Mumbai to Bhuj (865 km) {Kutch} on train (13 hrs), 2 day trip and back !
Expense per head : INR 5000 (aprox), includes commute, a night halt at Shaam-e-Sarhad Village Resort and food.
February 10th afternoon we packed our back and boarded the train to Bhuj city, Gujarat. We were on our journey to see the most talked and advertised Rann of Kutch - The White Desert in Gujarat. Three of my friends from Mumbai and me. We reached Bhuj early morning on 11th, a cab had been already booked for our 2 day trip.
From Bhuj we drove towards Sham-e-Sarhad Village Stay at the Hodka village - 60 km from Bhuj. As we move out of Bhuj city we were able to see wide stretch of land with little bushes till far. The road was narrow and very less traffic. Sham-e-Sarhad is an amazing place to stay. Its a authentic village stay. Mud floors and mud houses with amazing food. The place was at peace with nature with calmness and silence surrounding it.
After getting freshen up and lunch we drove to Kalo Dungar or Black Hill. Its the highest peak of Kutch district and 50 km from Sham-e-Sarhad.
Once at the top you could see the wide stretch of the Rann, far off white land. Its one of those rare sights of the beautiful planet. Only place from where we could see a panoramic view of the Great Rann.
From Kalo Dungar we drove straight to Rann of Kutch, the destination .Its about 45 km from Kalo Dungar and as we moved down from the hilly ranges, we saw plain land, plain land as far as the eye could see. The road was straight and both side we had raw earth land, stretched wide into the horizon. It was like the raw playground that had no structure built on it neither it knew it boundaries.
Finally we were at the renowned Rann of Kutch. Permits had been taken earlier.There were 2 check points before we landed on the white desert. Rann is an astonishing and stunning place. An ocean of salted marshy land. Never had i seen such a view or place on this earth.
White sand of salt all around, like a ocean had got dried up. We walked on the marshy land and started walking towards the endless horizon on the other side. It was late evening and every step i took into the marshy land i saw a new color of setting suns ray in the sky. One of the best sunset that i was noticing .The skyline became beautiful with the setting sun. It was like i could run to the end and peep the sun even if it went down. A long distance was covered and i thought to take a small halt and sit. There were small insects that fly during the sunset and they could be troublesome. It was my bandana and full covered clothes that gave a relieve there.
I sat watching the sun go down and enjoying every beauty of the white desert in the moment. It was almost dark and suddenly i turned to see something that made my eyes wide open - Moonrise.
First time in my life was i witnessing this. The moon was just above the earth, touching it rite at the curve. Huge in size, red in colour, i had never seen a moon so beautiful. This was a stunning sight. The light of the moon was shining on the white desert. I started moving towards the moon, as if i could run and reach very very close to it. There were flash light all around, photographers best time was this. I missed a nice camera here, but the experience was enthralling. We left from the beautiful Rann by 9 . Had amazing food at the village resort and one of the best sleep at the mud house, on the mud beds. Though the night was chill, the mud house was much much cozier.
Next morning was just too beautiful.I spent sometime on the charpai in front of our resort. Clean and fresh air and just sound of lil chirping birds.After our breakfast we checked out and we went to a nearby village - hodka and met the locals. We spent nice time talking to children and the locals there. Rather we even played - goli with the smallies at the village. Their main source if income is handicraft .The village had 3-4 small houses. These houses had just one main room, small entrance and some tribal art done on the walls. The ladies are still not seen much outside the village and take care of the house and kidos. From the village we went seeing some palace in Bhuj. Prag Mahal and Aina Mahal is a must watch. They are magnificent piece of art and architecture of the 19th century.
Later part of the day was spent at the Mandvi beach. This was one of the dirtiest of beaches i had ever been. Thats the truth and i cannot lie. Though we had some amazing food at the Osho hotel in Mandvi, the beach is not much of hang around place.
Late evening we were back to Bhuj and boarded our train and off to Mumbai.
This post was originally published on Love Travel.