Well, I wanted to verify if Mr. Amitabh Bacchan really meant what he said when he said ‘Kacchh nahi dekha toh Kuch nahi dekha’ (If you haven't seen Kachchh/Kutch, then you haven't seen anything!) while promoting Gujarat tourism. After travelling for 9 days and visiting the ‘Kutch Hub’, I can surely say that Kacchh Nahi Dekha toh *Bohoth* Kuch nahi Dekha. So, here is a report which I have tried to make as concise as possible while giving all important & relevant details.
Kutch district also written as Kachchh, is a district of Gujarat state. Covering an area of 45,652 km², it is the largest district of India. Kutch literally means something which intermittently becomes wet and dry; a large part of this district is known as Rann (Desert) of Kutch which is shallow wetland which submerges in water during the rainy season and becomes dry during other seasons. The Rann is famous for its marshy salt flats which become snow white after the shallow water dries up each season before the monsoon rains.
The district is also famous for ecologically important Banni grasslands with their seasonal marshy wetlands; which form the outer belt of the Rann of Kutch. - Wikipedia.
We had traveled in our own vehicle throughout the visit. And during this drive we have travelled a distance of about 3000Kms in 9 days (this includes the distance driven even during local sightseeing).
Started our trip from Borivali, Mumbai and did the Kutch hub.
AHMEDABAD (2Nights)
Borivali/Ahmedabad road condition: National Highway - Very good.
Day 1 – 18 Mar – Borivali – Ahmedabad (Overnight stay) – Approximate distance 535 Kms
Local Sightseeing: Sarkhej Roza
Day 2 – 19 Mar – Ahmedabad (Overnight stay)
Local Sightseeing: Thol Bird Sanctuary – Approximate distance 30 Kms.
Hotel Royal,
Near Sarkhej Dhal, Near, City Pulse Cinema, Sarkhej, Ahmedabad – 382210
Ph. No. 26821149, 9016299500
Tariff: Rs. 499/- Non-AC room, Rs. 950/- AC room (Inclusive of taxes, on double Occupancy/night)
A restaurant serving good Vegetarian food is in the same compound.
Vehicle parking space is available for a few vehicles.
Budget Hotel. AC rooms are better than Non AC rooms - cleanliness and comfort wise.
BHUJ (2Nights)
Ahmedabad/Bhuj road condition (Part National Highway & part State Highway):
Ahmedabad-Bachau, very good. Bachau to Bhuj – road work in progress, not exactly bad but a difficult drive.
Day 3 – 20 Mar – Ahmedabad/Bhuj (Overnight Stay) – Approximate distance 355 Kms
Local Sightseeing: Visited the ‘Hill Garden’ and a beautiful temple – Trimandir.
Day 4 – 21 Mar – Bhuj (Overnight Stay)
Local Sightseeing (using local transportation (Rickshaw): Prag Mahal, Kutch Museum, Ramkind Vav, Some shopping in Bhuj market, visited Sharad baug and finally walked along Hamirsar Lake before returning to the hotel.
Hotel Seven Sky, Website - http://www.sevensky.co.in/rooms.php
Post Box No. 30, Seven Sky Ring Road,
Bhuj-Kutch. 370001. Gujarat-INDIA.
Phone: +91 (2832) 307777
Mobile: +91 97277 62201 / 202
Tariff: Rs. 2200/- (Inclusive of taxes, on double Occupancy/night) – AC Delux room.
They have a beautiful Restaurant serving only Vegetarian food. Ample vehicle parking space available.
A 3 star hotel, located on the Airport road and out of the city, completely paisa vasool (Value for money).
MANDVI (1Night)
Bhuj/Mandvi road condition (State Highway): Very good.
Day 5 – 22 Mar – Bhuj/Mandvi (Overnight Stay) – Approximate distance – 67 Kms
Local Sightseeing (Bhuj): Aina Mahal (Closed on Thursday) and en-route Mandvi visited the Jain temple at Koday.
Local Sightseeing (Mandvi): The Ship building yard on the Rukmavati River, Mandvi Palace and finally watched sunset at the Mandvi Beach.
Hotel Kutch Inn, Website - http://www.hotelkutchinn.com/
Near Kashiwishvanath Beach, Haji Hassan Hospital Road, Mandvi – Kutch, Gujarat
Tel : +(91) - (2834)-224399 / 224400
Mobile : +91 98252 05317
Tariff: Rs. 1300/- (Inclusive of taxes, on double Occupancy/night) – AC Executive Delux room.
They have a good restaurant serving only Vegetarian food. Ample vehicle parking space available.
NARAYAN SAROVAR (1Night)
Mandvi/Narayan Sarovar road condition(Part National Highway & part State Highway): Very good.
Day 6 – 23 Mar – Mandvi/Narayan Sarovar (Overnight stay) – Approximate distance – 146 Kms
Local Sightseeing at Barayan Sarovar: The Temple at Narayan Sarovar & the lake, Koteshwar temple, Visit to Lakhpat fort (30 Kms away) and back in time at Sunset point in Narayan Sarovar to watch the Sunset.
Toran Resort (run by Tourism Corporation of Gujarat), Narayan Sarovar.
Contact preson: Mr. Vallabh Bhai - +91 9727723942
Tariff: Rs. 400/ (Inclusive of taxes, on double Occupancy/night), Non-AC rooms. Dormitory with 4 beds are also available. Reasonably good restaurant is there in the resort premises. The cook needs to be informed well in advance about the food requirements.
The resort is just about OK for a night’s stay. Hygiene & cleanliness is average in the rooms.
Ample vehicle parking space available.
DHORDO (1Night)
Narayan Sarovar/Dhordo via Bhuj road condition (State Highway): Very good.
Day 7 – 24 Mar – Narayan Sarovar/Dhordo (Overnight Stay) Approximate distance – 195 Kms
Local Sightseeing in and around Dhordo: White Rann, local village visits, Kalo Dunger (black Hill).
Hotel Gateway to Rann, Website - http://kutchrannresort.com/
Dhordo Village, Banni, Kutch, Gujarat.
Tel : +91.2803.296181, 91.9409475359
Tariff: Rs 3800/- (Inclusive of taxes and all 3 meals (L, D, B), on double Occupancy/night), Mud Bhungas with AC.
A beautiful resort with traditional Mud bhungas to stay. Very neat & clean and well maintained place. A good restaurant serving only Vegetarian food is located inside the resort premises. Ample vehicle parking space available. The resort is located quite close to the White Rann and the Toran Resort.
DHOLAVIRA (1Night)
Dhordo/Dholavira via Bhuj road condition (State Highway): Partly good.
Dhordo to Bhuj, Good.
Bhuj to Rapar – Once off the Bhuj high way, the road condition worsens but from Rapar, it is very bad as the road laying work and the Kutch canal work is in progress. Just about 60 Kms before Dholavira, the road becomes beautiful.
Day 8 – 25 mar – Dhordo/Dholavira (Overnight Stay) Approximate distance – 320 Kms – SH 42)
Local Sightseeing: Dholavira Museum and the Excavated site at Dholavira.
Toran Resort (run by Tourism Corporation of Gujarat), Dholavira.
Contact preson: Mr. Gaurang Bhai - +91 9825026813, Land line no. 0283 7277395
Tariff: Rs. 1012/ (Inclusive of taxes, on double Occupancy/night), AC Mud Bhungas. Reasonably good restaurant is there in the resort premises. The cook needs to be informed well in advance about the food requirements.
Again Cleanliness and hygiene negligible. But just for a night's stay not bad at all. BTW, all the Bhungas are AC fitted and one should take care to check if all the gadgets are working in the bhungas - AC, Geyser, toilet flush & lights etc before occupying the room!! Ample vehicle parking space available.
DHOLAVIRA/MUMBAI
Via Rapar, Radhanpur, Mehsana, Ahmedabad & Borivali.
Road condition: From Rapar, the road is beautiful.
Day – 26 Mar – Drive to Borivali (Check out and drive to Mumbai) Distance - 913 Kms
Local Sightseeing: Re-visited the excavated site at Dholavira.
SOME NOTES FROM OUR TRIP:
Kutch is beautiful.
Roads are in top condition except in few places where the work is in progress.
Good vegetarian food is available in all parts of Kutch.
Presence of Border Security force (BSF) can be felt in every place in Kutch but that does not one bit interfere in one’s travel in anyway.
Though photography is not prohibited at all BSF outposts/check posts, it is advisable to take permission from the concerned authorities before photographing.
During the village visits, too, obtaining permission from the people being photographed is advisable. Women in their ethnic dresses look beautiful but they do take offense if one photographs them without seeking permission.
One needs to take the permit while visiting the ‘White Rann’. It is better to obtain it en-route to Dhordo or Hodko villages where the resorts are mostly located.
The permit is issued by the Assistant Police Subinspector at Bhirandiyara Check-Post. One will have to fill an application form and submit photocopies of ID/address proof with a fee of Rs. 100/ person and Rs. 50/- for a four-wheeler.
The permit is valid for a day. The BSF personnel will collect the counterfoil of the permit effectively stopping subsequent visits to the White Rann on the same permit. But one can politely request the staff to permit another visit, in case one intends to re-visit.
Generally a Pan Card or Passport copy or a Driving License is accepted but the original is to be shown for verification purpose. On an average this process takes about 15 minutes.
If one does not intend traveling all the way to Dhordo to experience the ‘White Rann’, one can do that while travelling to Dholavira – without any permit!! The road leading towards Dholavira cuts right through the Rann (White desert), and one can stop the vehicle and experience the White Rann easily.
At the time of travel to Dholavira, one can explore/check the road between Khavda & Dholavira which is presently under construction. This route reduces substantially the distance between Dhordo & Dholavira via Khavda.
Due to prohibition, liquor is not available in Gujarat and most of the resorts do not allow open consumption of alcoholic drinks.
Kutch district also written as Kachchh, is a district of Gujarat state. Covering an area of 45,652 km², it is the largest district of India. Kutch literally means something which intermittently becomes wet and dry; a large part of this district is known as Rann (Desert) of Kutch which is shallow wetland which submerges in water during the rainy season and becomes dry during other seasons. The Rann is famous for its marshy salt flats which become snow white after the shallow water dries up each season before the monsoon rains.
The district is also famous for ecologically important Banni grasslands with their seasonal marshy wetlands; which form the outer belt of the Rann of Kutch. - Wikipedia.
We had traveled in our own vehicle throughout the visit. And during this drive we have travelled a distance of about 3000Kms in 9 days (this includes the distance driven even during local sightseeing).
Started our trip from Borivali, Mumbai and did the Kutch hub.
AHMEDABAD (2Nights)
Borivali/Ahmedabad road condition: National Highway - Very good.
Day 1 – 18 Mar – Borivali – Ahmedabad (Overnight stay) – Approximate distance 535 Kms
Local Sightseeing: Sarkhej Roza
Day 2 – 19 Mar – Ahmedabad (Overnight stay)
Local Sightseeing: Thol Bird Sanctuary – Approximate distance 30 Kms.
Hotel Royal,
Near Sarkhej Dhal, Near, City Pulse Cinema, Sarkhej, Ahmedabad – 382210
Ph. No. 26821149, 9016299500
Tariff: Rs. 499/- Non-AC room, Rs. 950/- AC room (Inclusive of taxes, on double Occupancy/night)
A restaurant serving good Vegetarian food is in the same compound.
Vehicle parking space is available for a few vehicles.
Budget Hotel. AC rooms are better than Non AC rooms - cleanliness and comfort wise.
BHUJ (2Nights)
Ahmedabad/Bhuj road condition (Part National Highway & part State Highway):
Ahmedabad-Bachau, very good. Bachau to Bhuj – road work in progress, not exactly bad but a difficult drive.
Day 3 – 20 Mar – Ahmedabad/Bhuj (Overnight Stay) – Approximate distance 355 Kms
Local Sightseeing: Visited the ‘Hill Garden’ and a beautiful temple – Trimandir.
Day 4 – 21 Mar – Bhuj (Overnight Stay)
Local Sightseeing (using local transportation (Rickshaw): Prag Mahal, Kutch Museum, Ramkind Vav, Some shopping in Bhuj market, visited Sharad baug and finally walked along Hamirsar Lake before returning to the hotel.
Hotel Seven Sky, Website - http://www.sevensky.co.in/rooms.php
Post Box No. 30, Seven Sky Ring Road,
Bhuj-Kutch. 370001. Gujarat-INDIA.
Phone: +91 (2832) 307777
Mobile: +91 97277 62201 / 202
Tariff: Rs. 2200/- (Inclusive of taxes, on double Occupancy/night) – AC Delux room.
They have a beautiful Restaurant serving only Vegetarian food. Ample vehicle parking space available.
A 3 star hotel, located on the Airport road and out of the city, completely paisa vasool (Value for money).
MANDVI (1Night)
Bhuj/Mandvi road condition (State Highway): Very good.
Day 5 – 22 Mar – Bhuj/Mandvi (Overnight Stay) – Approximate distance – 67 Kms
Local Sightseeing (Bhuj): Aina Mahal (Closed on Thursday) and en-route Mandvi visited the Jain temple at Koday.
Local Sightseeing (Mandvi): The Ship building yard on the Rukmavati River, Mandvi Palace and finally watched sunset at the Mandvi Beach.
Hotel Kutch Inn, Website - http://www.hotelkutchinn.com/
Near Kashiwishvanath Beach, Haji Hassan Hospital Road, Mandvi – Kutch, Gujarat
Tel : +(91) - (2834)-224399 / 224400
Mobile : +91 98252 05317
Tariff: Rs. 1300/- (Inclusive of taxes, on double Occupancy/night) – AC Executive Delux room.
They have a good restaurant serving only Vegetarian food. Ample vehicle parking space available.
NARAYAN SAROVAR (1Night)
Mandvi/Narayan Sarovar road condition(Part National Highway & part State Highway): Very good.
Day 6 – 23 Mar – Mandvi/Narayan Sarovar (Overnight stay) – Approximate distance – 146 Kms
Local Sightseeing at Barayan Sarovar: The Temple at Narayan Sarovar & the lake, Koteshwar temple, Visit to Lakhpat fort (30 Kms away) and back in time at Sunset point in Narayan Sarovar to watch the Sunset.
Toran Resort (run by Tourism Corporation of Gujarat), Narayan Sarovar.
Contact preson: Mr. Vallabh Bhai - +91 9727723942
Tariff: Rs. 400/ (Inclusive of taxes, on double Occupancy/night), Non-AC rooms. Dormitory with 4 beds are also available. Reasonably good restaurant is there in the resort premises. The cook needs to be informed well in advance about the food requirements.
The resort is just about OK for a night’s stay. Hygiene & cleanliness is average in the rooms.
Ample vehicle parking space available.
DHORDO (1Night)
Narayan Sarovar/Dhordo via Bhuj road condition (State Highway): Very good.
Day 7 – 24 Mar – Narayan Sarovar/Dhordo (Overnight Stay) Approximate distance – 195 Kms
Local Sightseeing in and around Dhordo: White Rann, local village visits, Kalo Dunger (black Hill).
Hotel Gateway to Rann, Website - http://kutchrannresort.com/
Dhordo Village, Banni, Kutch, Gujarat.
Tel : +91.2803.296181, 91.9409475359
Tariff: Rs 3800/- (Inclusive of taxes and all 3 meals (L, D, B), on double Occupancy/night), Mud Bhungas with AC.
A beautiful resort with traditional Mud bhungas to stay. Very neat & clean and well maintained place. A good restaurant serving only Vegetarian food is located inside the resort premises. Ample vehicle parking space available. The resort is located quite close to the White Rann and the Toran Resort.
DHOLAVIRA (1Night)
Dhordo/Dholavira via Bhuj road condition (State Highway): Partly good.
Dhordo to Bhuj, Good.
Bhuj to Rapar – Once off the Bhuj high way, the road condition worsens but from Rapar, it is very bad as the road laying work and the Kutch canal work is in progress. Just about 60 Kms before Dholavira, the road becomes beautiful.
Day 8 – 25 mar – Dhordo/Dholavira (Overnight Stay) Approximate distance – 320 Kms – SH 42)
Local Sightseeing: Dholavira Museum and the Excavated site at Dholavira.
Toran Resort (run by Tourism Corporation of Gujarat), Dholavira.
Contact preson: Mr. Gaurang Bhai - +91 9825026813, Land line no. 0283 7277395
Tariff: Rs. 1012/ (Inclusive of taxes, on double Occupancy/night), AC Mud Bhungas. Reasonably good restaurant is there in the resort premises. The cook needs to be informed well in advance about the food requirements.
Again Cleanliness and hygiene negligible. But just for a night's stay not bad at all. BTW, all the Bhungas are AC fitted and one should take care to check if all the gadgets are working in the bhungas - AC, Geyser, toilet flush & lights etc before occupying the room!! Ample vehicle parking space available.
DHOLAVIRA/MUMBAI
Via Rapar, Radhanpur, Mehsana, Ahmedabad & Borivali.
Road condition: From Rapar, the road is beautiful.
Day – 26 Mar – Drive to Borivali (Check out and drive to Mumbai) Distance - 913 Kms
Local Sightseeing: Re-visited the excavated site at Dholavira.
SOME NOTES FROM OUR TRIP:
Kutch is beautiful.
Roads are in top condition except in few places where the work is in progress.
Good vegetarian food is available in all parts of Kutch.
Presence of Border Security force (BSF) can be felt in every place in Kutch but that does not one bit interfere in one’s travel in anyway.
Though photography is not prohibited at all BSF outposts/check posts, it is advisable to take permission from the concerned authorities before photographing.
During the village visits, too, obtaining permission from the people being photographed is advisable. Women in their ethnic dresses look beautiful but they do take offense if one photographs them without seeking permission.
One needs to take the permit while visiting the ‘White Rann’. It is better to obtain it en-route to Dhordo or Hodko villages where the resorts are mostly located.
The permit is issued by the Assistant Police Subinspector at Bhirandiyara Check-Post. One will have to fill an application form and submit photocopies of ID/address proof with a fee of Rs. 100/ person and Rs. 50/- for a four-wheeler.
The permit is valid for a day. The BSF personnel will collect the counterfoil of the permit effectively stopping subsequent visits to the White Rann on the same permit. But one can politely request the staff to permit another visit, in case one intends to re-visit.
Generally a Pan Card or Passport copy or a Driving License is accepted but the original is to be shown for verification purpose. On an average this process takes about 15 minutes.
If one does not intend traveling all the way to Dhordo to experience the ‘White Rann’, one can do that while travelling to Dholavira – without any permit!! The road leading towards Dholavira cuts right through the Rann (White desert), and one can stop the vehicle and experience the White Rann easily.
At the time of travel to Dholavira, one can explore/check the road between Khavda & Dholavira which is presently under construction. This route reduces substantially the distance between Dhordo & Dholavira via Khavda.
Due to prohibition, liquor is not available in Gujarat and most of the resorts do not allow open consumption of alcoholic drinks.
Great information you have shared here, through this post. Thanks and keep sharing such valuable updates through your side.
जवाब देंहटाएंExecutive Rooms in Bhuj