We spent a total of 21 days in Gujarat. We started at the eastern end with Baroda and Ahmedabad, worked our way southwest through Saurashtra, then north through Kutchch and finally back west, ending with the wonderful 12th century monuments in Modhera and Patan. It feels like we’ve seen a good chunk of the lovely state!
This morning, Dhanraj (owner & host of Desert Coursers) arranged a car to drive us to Modhera and Patan for Rs.800, which was quite reasonable. The driver was instructed to take us to the famed Sun temple at Modhera and then to Patan’s Rani-ki-Vav (Queen’s stepwell). Dhanraj also mentioned that he personally knew the family that is famous throughout India for their hand-woven Patola saris; the driver was instructed to take us there as well for a visit. So we left Zainabad knowing that we had had a very special time there and that we would be back someday soon.
We’d read a lot about the landscape of Rann, but seeing it in person was an absolutely unreal experience! It’s unique in the world and has no comparison to anything we’ve ever seen till date. And the stay at Camp Zainabad made it all the more special…
Desert Coursers was recommended to us by Madhu’s friend Soumya who had stayed with them earlier on and had completely enjoyed the experience. It was also recommended in the Lonely Planet so we knew that we couldn’t go wrong. And we didn’t! It was a very unique stay made all the more special by the presence of the host family and their interaction with the guests.
Located in the Little Rann of Kutch, Wild Ass Sanctuary is the largest wildlife sanctuary in India. The Asiatic Wild Ass is one of the fastest animals in India and can run up to 80 kmph.
Asiatic Wild Ass
Desert Coursers, was started in 1984 by the descendants of Nawab Zainkhan. They provide environment friendly cottages, locally known as Koobas, which are equipped with all the modern amenities.
Our Kooba
The Little Rann of Kutch is a seasonally marshy saline clay desert located in the Thar Desert. Rann means “salt marsh” in Hindi. During the monsoons the Rann gets flooded, creating several islands (locally called “bets”).
The evening we arrived @ Desert Coursers, there was a wedding in one of the nearby villages. The family was more than happy when we showed up after dinner.
Band Baja
Rating: 7 out of 10
Hotel Prince is said to be the 1st 3-star hotel in Kutchch. LP had recommended it so we knew it would be one of the best places to stay. And it was! We were given a Deluxe double-room, which was beautifully decorated. It was a spacious room with wooden floors and decorative Kutchchi mud-work on the walls and ceilings. The bed was one of the best we’ve had in all our Gujarat stay. It was supremely comfortable with a soft, thick comforter on top. The only negative in the room, was that the bathroom wasn’t great. Of course, it was a functioning one with no problems of any sort, but it just wasn’t 3-star.
