Our journey started from Ahmedabad. Four of us packed into our Maruti Ignis and set off at around 5 in the evening. The most annoying aspect of the road trip was maneuvering city traffic. Once we hit the highway it was smooth sailing all along.
We arrived at Bhuj around 1:30 in the night and checked into Hotel Shyam Palace. Perfectly located on the highway, just outside the city of bhuj. Budget hotel with 4 star arrangements. We were quite impressed.
Next morning started our journey to the white dessert. But first stop was breakfast. We found this small Punjabi dhaba on the way to the rann.
The roads from Bhuj onwards are pretty good. So driving is a breeze. Open land on both sides, smooth roads and we got lucky with very little traffic.
By lunch time we were at Shaam-e-sharad. Its located in Hodka, about 20 minutes away from the white dessert. Cozy, economical local bunga huts.
A quick lunch and we were off to see the highlight of our trip, the white dessert.
Nothing really prepares you for the view at the white dessert. Pictures and videos really cant do justice to the vast expanse of white salt, clear blue skies and nothing else in sight.
Our next stop was Kalo Dungar, about 1 hour drive away from the white dessert. Aiming at being able to make it in time for the sunset there.
Kalo Dungar meaning black hill is the highest point in Kutch and overlooks the Rann of Kutch lake. The view is breathtaking and there is a sunset point where people come specifically to view just that.
And then, since we were there for a full moon night we headed back to the Rann for the moon rise.
On the way back to the rann, do check out the magnetic field point. Where the car defies gravity. One of the three magnetic field areas in the country.
The moon rise on a full moon night is breathtaking. I have honestly never watched a moon-rise, but watching it happen over the white dessert was a different experience altogether.
Next day we decided to head off to Lakhpat Fort.
Our pit stop on the way was probably my favorite part of the entire trip. I will let the pictures speak.
The drive to Lakhpat is not the best. There is parts of the route which are over unfinished roads. But the last one hour was pure delight, windmill farms all along.
The fort is a huge complex offering panoramic views of the beach as well as the Indo-Pak border. Walk around or just do what we did, stop, sit and stare. Feels like lands end.
Mandvi was our next stop. Again not the best roads, mainly because of truck traffic. But still a picturesque drive all-together.
Instead of visiting the more popular beach at mandvi, we headed straight to Serena Resorts and Kashi Vishwanath beach.
Serena resorts has an excellent day package. Lovely restaurant by the beach. And access to the private beach. We however preferred to just walk about Kashi Vishwanath beach. Desserted, peaceful, gentle waves lapping at our feet and most importantly so clean.
Our last day in Kutch, I decided i needed one last look at the white dessert. So it was an early morning sojourn in an attempt to catch the sunrise over the white dessert. And it was well worth the early morning.
Our last stop for the trip was Bhuj Fort. Google maps took us to another end of the fort, so we had a long climb before we reached the top. (there is a proper route where cars go up till the top too, but climbing up was way more fun).
The view from above is beautiful. The entire Bhuj city, birds eye view.
A must visit in Bhuj city for foodies i would say is UmiyaG Dining Hall. Definitely the best food we had in the entire trip. There is a reason why they are so full on any given day.
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