Gujarat’s Rann Utsav-The Tent City is listing its 2026-27 season from 1 November 2026 to 7 March 2027, giving visitors a long planning window for trips to Dhordo and the White Rann of Kutch.
The official Rann Utsav website, linked from Gujarat Tourism’s Rann Utsav page, lists the new season dates and has opened booking and enquiry channels for tent stays. Gujarat Tourism’s own festival page was still showing the previous 2025-26 dates at the time of research, so travellers should reconfirm dates, rates and package inclusions on the official event booking site before committing to flights or non-refundable accommodation.
Key dates for the 2026-27 season
The main Rann Utsav season is listed for 1 November 2026 to 7 March 2027. The special-date calendar highlights several high-demand periods:
- Diwali week: 8 to 14 November 2026
- Full moon periods: 22 to 25 November 2026, 21 to 24 December 2026, 20 to 23 January 2027 and 18 to 21 February 2027
- Christmas and New Year period: 18 December 2026 to 2 January 2027
- Dark moon dates: 9 November 2026, 8 December 2026, 7 January 2027 and 6 February 2027
Full-moon dates are traditionally among the most popular times to visit because the salt desert is at its most atmospheric after dark. Those dates can also mean higher demand and tighter availability, particularly for official Tent City packages and transfers.
Where the festival takes place
Rann Utsav is centred on Dhordo in Gujarat’s Kutch district, near the White Rann. Gujarat Tourism describes the festival as a showcase of Kutch’s crafts, folk music, dance, food and desert landscapes, with nearby destinations including Bhuj, Mandvi, Dholavira, Narayan Sarovar and Lakhpat.
Dhordo has also been promoted as a rural tourism destination after being recognised in UN Tourism’s Best Tourism Villages programme in 2023, a detail highlighted by Gujarat Tourism. The festival remains most practical for travellers who can route through Bhuj and then continue by road to the desert.
Getting there and local transfers
The official Rann Utsav travel page lists Bhuj Airport and Bhuj Railway Station as the main gateways. Dhordo is around 85 km from Bhuj, with the road journey usually taking about 1.5 to 2 hours. Ahmedabad is listed at roughly 410 km by road, Rajkot at about 310 km and Vadodara at about 510 km.
Package itineraries commonly include scheduled coach transfers from Bhuj railway station and airport. The official package page lists fixed departure times and notes that complimentary transfers may not be available outside those slots, so international visitors should avoid tight connections and check transfer timing before booking onward transport.
Permits, bookings and weather checks
Visitors planning to enter the White Rann at Dhordo should check the official Gujarat online permit portal. Gujarat Tourism links to the Rann of Kutch permit site for online entry permits, and the permit requirement is worth handling before arrival during busy festival weeks.
The official Rann Utsav site also carried a notice that heavy rainfall had delayed formation of the White Rann this season. That notice may change before or during the 2026-27 festival period, but it is a useful reminder that the salt-desert landscape depends on seasonal conditions. Travellers booking mainly for the white salt-pan views should check recent official updates close to departure.
Accommodation packages on the official site include tent categories, meals, cultural programmes, craft markets and selected sightseeing or transfers, depending on the package length. Rates, inclusions, taxes and cancellation terms should be checked directly on the booking page, as package pages may show different seasonal tables or be updated closer to the festival.
Planning notes for visitors
- Book early for full-moon, Diwali and Christmas-New Year dates.
- Route via Bhuj where possible; it is the simplest gateway for official transfers.
- Check whether your package includes White Rann visits, meals, Bhuj transfers and local sightseeing.
- Apply for or verify the White Rann entry permit requirement before travel.
- Pack for desert conditions: warm layers for winter nights, sun protection for daytime and comfortable footwear for salt-flat walks.
Primary sources
Frequently Asked Questions
The official Rann Utsav website lists the 2026-27 season from 1 November 2026 to 7 March 2027 at Dhordo in Gujarat’s Kutch district.
The listed full-moon periods are 22-25 November 2026, 21-24 December 2026, 20-23 January 2027 and 18-21 February 2027. These are likely to be high-demand dates.
Bhuj is the main gateway. The official travel page lists Bhuj Airport and Bhuj Railway Station as the nearest access points, with Dhordo around 85 km away by road.
Gujarat Tourism links to the official Rann of Kutch online permit portal for entry permits to the White Rann at Dhordo. Visitors should check the permit portal before travelling.
