Excursion to the Little Rann of Kutch

Duration: 10-12hrs

What this tour is about:

This is a day trip to the Little Rann of Kutch to visit the largest wildlife sanctuary in India. Spread over 5,000 square kilometers, the Wild Ass Sanctuary is home to the last of the Indian wild ass (ghudkhar).

The Rann of Kutch is a saline desert. During the monsoons, the Rann gets flooded and is dotted with elevated islands called 'beyt'. It is these grass-covered bets that support the wild ass population, currently around 3000 in number. In addition, the Sanctuary is also home to chinkara (Indian gazelle), desert foxes, jackals, caracals, nilgais (the largest antelope of Asia), Indian wolves, blackbucks, and striped hyenas.

The Sanctuary is located on the migration routes of many bird species. Nearly 75,000 birds nest in the reserve each year, arriving from various parts of the world. The ceraneous vulture comes from Egypt, the common and demoiselle cranes arrive from Siberia, the blue-tailed bee-eater visits from Europe, and the houbara bustard of Iran and Iraq stops over as well. All of these are commonly sighted in the sanctuary. Also present are sandgrouses, desert wheatears, ten species of lark, the white-browed bulbul, Indian coursers, stoneplovers, shrikes, ducks, geese, three types of ibis, spoonbills, godwits, stints, sandpipers, shanks, moorhens, saras cranes, both Indian flamingoes, and three species of pelican.

The Little Rann of Kutch is home to tribal communities of salt makers. It also receives visits from nomadic pastoral communities such as the Rabaris and Bharvads. Families of Jats own land here. It is possible to visit some settlements for a glimpse of nomadic life and their colourful clothing and jewellery.

How the tour works:

We will pick you up from your hotel and drive 3hrs to the Sanctuary. We will spend the day in the sanctuary, returning by evening. Lunch can be had at a wildlife eco-resort in the Sanctuary.

When:

Not recommended from Jun 15 to Oct 15 (in the monsoon months and immediately thereafter). Best from Nov to Mar, due to arrival of winter migrant birds. All days of the week

Tour Start:

From your hotel at 8:00 a.m.

Tour End:

At your hotel by 6:00 p.m.

Costs and Booking:

The costs are based on the number of people doing the tour.