Salt Plains - Rann of Kutch - Where?

Greetings all.

I have about 7 days off from Christmas. I was planning to visit Gujarat to see the salt plains in the Ranns.

Where should i head to coming from bombay on a bike. Which places can i expect to see the salt plains?

Would the little rann of kutch be a better place for the salt plains or would it be the great rann of kutch.

from there, i plan to visit Bhuj. is there anything interesting in and around Bhuj?

Also, how cold would it be there?

Thanks in advance.

cheers

In 2007 we traveled from Junaghad to Bhuj ans crossed the little ran. From the high way goes through the salt planes but it is not very scenic.

Bhuj has some old palaces, damaged by the earthquakes.
The shipyards in Mandvi are a good trip.

We also went to Dholavira, the site of the Indus civilization. This road goes to a very scenic salt plane.

In the 7 days that you have you can cover places like Jamnagar, Okha, Bhuj etc. For more imformation about Bhuj/Kutch you can check this out - http://travel-o-graphy.blogspot.com/...tch-day-1.html

To get a glimpse of salt pan you can go to jamnagar and drive towards the port.

Lonely Planet '07 suggests as good bases for the Little Rann Sanctuary: Zainabad (small town 105 km north-west of Ahmedabad), Dasada (12 kms. before it), Dhrangadhra (130 kilometers from A'bad), and possibly the interesting-sounding Sayla, an hour to the south of the latter.

It features some cautions again that this is harsh terrain btw. A classic story I once read involved the writer getting out of his jeep to take a few steps -- only to find he couldn't see his jeep no more because of the mirages, in this godforsaken landscape. LP cautions in the rainy season in contrast it becomes a treacherous muddy swamp (it also gets engulfed by the sea yearly, I think?), and that even in the dry season that seemingly dry crusted ground may not always be all that solid. In view of this, taking a guide with you here at all times is commonly advised.

I guess what this means is driving through here on your own wheels, being a little cautious about just venturing off the road -- or just straight across the (salt) plains, as I guess is sometimes the only option if you don't circumvent the area -- would be in order.

If I am not mistaken, the Elong shipyard where many ships rest in piece isn't far from there. Check it out.

I was in Little Rann couple of weeks ago.
We stayed at Desert Coursers (recommended by a LP and a friend).
Fab place.

For more details check out our blog.
http://10yearitch.com/?tag=zainabad

Desert Coursers will provide you a jeep, driver/guide at no cost.
You can not drive on your own in the park. Only a fool would attempt to go off on his own

I am not sure why LP mentions that it is not for the "faint at heart". You are not trekking through the desert, you are driving through it.

If you want to check out the salt pans, mention it to the driver.
He'll take you to the salt pans within the park.

There are pics on our blog.

@jusmail

Alang is in Souther Gujarat - close to Diu.

Hello Joe cool.

Rann of kutch .. the town is Dhangadra and the person to contact is Devjibhai. he is a well known conservationist and with his sons takes people in their jeep to see the rann/salt pans/flamingoes.

Have stayed with him in Dec 2006 and will strongly recommend him.

cant find his contact details but if you serch here you will find it. He is recommended by other members as well.


Our trip in dec 2006 was
Mumbai
vapi
Dhangadra (Rann of Kutch)
Junagadh via rajkot
Sassan Gir
Somnath + Diu
Alang/Bhavnagar/lohthal
return to Mumbai
Our trip was 7N/8D kind off.

we drove our Indigo all the way except in the rann where we with Devjibhai and went in his jeep.

Hope this is of help
Mani