Thisroutetothewesternborderofthecountrypresentsscenes that are
asstarkasthey are beautiful. Bhuj is a small town with an even smaller
cantonmentairport. Getting your hands on a self-driven car here
mightbeabitdifficult given how remote the place is, so we’d suggest
hiringsomeone to drive you around in the hired car. You’d also do well
toensureyoupack enough food as the restaurant options on the way
arefewandfarbetween. The landscape around is barren, although
thelocalsyouspot while making your way through the little villages
enrouteprovide a dash of colour. And, not just the locals, even the
domesticanimals including the massive-horned cows and camels
makefordramatic subjects to photograph. Keep your windows rolled
upthroughoutor you’ll be cleaning out sand from every bit of your
personandclothing for days after. As you draw closer to the Rann,
theairstartsto grow thick with salt; when you step out for your first
sightofthegreat salt desert, you’ll be able to taste it. It also dehydrates
youafairbit,so make sure you have enough fluids on hand. The final
stretchofroadthat leads to Dholavira – one of the last villages before
ourborderwith neighbour Pakistan and the destination for those
visitingthe Rann – cuts straight through the white expanse of the
saltdesert. It’s here that you truly feel far, far removed from
civilization, and the road trip feels worth the effort.102
km
The Great Rann is truly as far removed
from civilisation as can beBHUJ TO RANN OF KUTCH
PHOTOGRAPHS: SB STOCK/123RF (SHIMLA), DINODIA/123RF (RANN OF KUTCH), HIMANSHU PANDYA (WILD ASS)THE WINTER LIST INDIAN ROAD TRIPSOctober 2019 119