During our 2 weeks Gujarat Road trip, we planned to spend a couple of nights in the Rann of Kutch. Since we were traveling during the Rann Utsav months, we wanted to experience staying in the tents in White Rann which are setup during the Rann Utsav. But, we were late in booking and couldn’t find a satisfactory option in the Rann Utsav Tent City. So, we decided to rather stay in a homestay in Kutch. And what a beautiful decision it turned out to be!! Now, I highly recommend, even if you stay in the Rann Utsav Tent City, at least stay one extra night in a homestay in Kutch. As it will be a unique experience of a lifetime. Anyways there’s a lot of things to do and places to see in Rann of Kutch. And to experience it all you are going to stay a minimum of 3 nights in Kutch. So, you can spend one night at the Rann Utsav Tent City and 2 nights in a homestay in Rann of Kutch.
Where to have the homestay experience in Kutch
The homestay experience in Kutch is spread across cities and towns and villages. If you are staying one or more nights at the Rann Utsav Tent City, then you can book a homestay experience in Kutch anywhere from Bhuj to Rann. Since, we didn’t stay in the tent city, we wanted to stay as near to the White Rann as possible. So that visiting the Rann Utsav event and exploring the rest of the Rann of Kutch region will be easy for us. There are several villages in the Rann of Kutch region very close to the Rann Utsav and White Rann location (5-10km). Like Gandhi Nu Gaam, Nirona, Hodka, Dhordo etc. You can explore for homestays in one of these villages and book online.
I found the Rann Bhoomi Homestay in Hodka village attractive. And the reviews were also good. So, I booked the same. And I was not disappointed. The homestay was located on a slight 5km diversion from the main highway that leads straight to the White Rann and Rann Utsav location. Inside the village of Hodka. Upon reaching here, what I learnt that these villages have each many homestays. These homestay experience in Kutch are run by the locals. Sometimes one family has multiple homestays as well. They focus on providing the locals with authentic Kutch village experience. Along with local food and cultural performances by local artists.
How does a homestay in Kutch look like
The homestays in Kutch are very beautifully made. Let me give you a virtual tour of the one we stayed in – Rann Bhoomi Homestay. As you enter inside, there is a huge central courtyard wherein you can park your four wheeler safely.
Traditional Gujarati Homes in the homestay in Kutch
Around this courtyard, there are rooms made in traditional Gujarati home style. There is a verandah outside the rooms to sit. And for some rooms, there could even be a personal outdoor space. Like how we had one in front of our rooms. Which had a “Khatia” (a traditional bed found in villages in India). Where we spent our first evening enjoying our coffee and snacks.
All the rooms had beautiful paintings and crafts made on the outer walls. As well as inside the houses. This is what sets the traditional Gujarati homes, particularly in the Kutch region, apart from other places anywhere in India or outside.
Staying in the traditional Bhonga Rooms
Some rooms are even structured in the round shape – like a traditional Gujarati “Bhonga” home. Since, the Kutch region tends to get extremely hot in the summers, these mud houses built in the round shape with raised roofs covered with thatch provide the much needed respite. There was no AC in our rooms. So, initially I was worried that it will get too cold at night. But, once we used to close the doors and windows of the room, the room used to get warm and cozy on it’s own. Now, that’s the beauty of the traditional eco friendly and scientifically built houses.
Reception and restaurant at the Rann Bhoomi Homestay
In the center of the homestay was a reception and restaurant area. With the kitchen at it’s rear end. The kitchen and the restaurant opened in another courtyard on the other side. Which was part of the private residence of the owner. Their family cooked homely meals in the kitchen and served the guests in the restaurants.
Inspite of limited resources in this region, I was highly impressed with the breakfast and dinner buffet that they served us. Breakfast usually consisted of poha, khakhra, fafda, some sweet dish etc. And dinner consisted of phulkas, bajre ki roti, sarso ka saag, besan kadi, some simple vegetables and a traditional sweet dish. The food was very tasty and good.
Bonfire in the homestay
Since the nights were getting chilly when we visited end of December, the homestay would lit a fire in a fireplace on one side of the courtyard near the reception. There was a nice sitting arrangement done all around the fire. In fact, on the second day of our stay at Rann Bhoomi Resort and homestay we even had our dinner sitting around the fire. It was one of the most lovely experiences that we remember from our entire Gujarat trip.
Other facilities to experience at a Kutch Homestay
-
Some homestays which have ample space oragnize traditional Gujarati dance and music performances for the guests at night as well. If you are interested to watch one, you can ask your homestay about the availability before you book.
-
Hot water is available in the homestays through a centralised geyser which you can collect from designated taps. Most of the homestays don’t have a geyser installed in the bathroom. They will happily provide you with a bucket to fill the hot water for your usage. We had a tap available right outside our room so it was not at all an issue.
-
Since we traveled in our own vehicle, we didn’t need to book a transfer to anywhere we wanted to go. But, if you are going through public transport or taxi. And you will like to avail of guided tours, you can inquire in advance with your homestay. They may be able to arrange for the same.
-
Many homestays also have small shop on the premises. Where they sell local art. Done by the ladies at their home or nearby homes in the village.
Things to keep in mind when going for a homestay experience in Kutch Gujarat
-
Since these homestays are run by locals and they are simple village homes. So, we can’t expect the same level of luxury and professional service as what we get at hotels and resorts. So, we should set our expectations accordingly when visiting here. For instance, if not having an AC or a geyser, having to fill a bucket of hot water for yourself or having limited homely food is not the options you are looking for when vacationing, then the homestay experience in Kutch might not be for you.
-
However, if you ask politely, I am sure the owner will do everything they can to make your stay comfortable. Helping you out at each step of your vacation and giving you local tips 🙂
-
The only thing I would say could have been better during our stay was our bathrooms. The bathrooms in the homestay we stayed were very small, particularly the ones available with the rooms we stayed in. It was a challenge to use them. Maybe other rooms had better ones. I am not sure. But other than that, we thoroughly enjoyed our stay.
General tips on visiting a homestay in Kutch
-
For the homestay we stayed in, the google map marking was not accurate. So, initially we had to do little to and fro before we found it. So, better to take some directions from the locals. Or, call your homestay owner and ask for some landmarks. Don’t rely 100% on google maps.
-
If you are visiting in the winter months then nights can get very chilly with the temperature dropping as low as 3-4 degrees. So, do carry heavy winter cloths for the evenings onwards and early mornings. Particularly if you are visiting with kids like we did, you will require to carry sufficient woolen cloths for them including caps and gloves and mufflers.
-
The whole region is eco friendly. So, we need to be mindful and not litter with water bottles etc. If you are relying on drinking water bottle, better you buy multiple before entering into the villages as you might not find them readily in the village. And dispose of them in designated dustbins after use.
-
Staying and roaming in Rann of Kutch needs a permit. Which you can obtain easily from the official rann of kutch website. Do carry the permit with you all the time. Or you might be denied entry. Some of the villages, particularly those in the rann of kutch region, also come under the permit limit. So, if you are staying in a homestay here, then also you will need a permit. We obtained ours online for both the days of our stay in rann of kutch.
-
There are not many petrol pumps in the Rann of Kutch region. In fact, there were none in the Hodka village. Right outside on the main road there was one petrol pump. And being the only one in this region for around a 10km plus radius, this one used to be super crowded. Particularly with heavy vehicles. So, you should plan to keep your tank full. And strategically get the re-fuelling done either in the morning hours or in the afternoon when the petrol pump is less crowded.