Rann Utsav 2026-27: Dates, Tent City Booking, Permit, Cost

Rann Utsav 2026-27 runs from 1 November 2026 to 7 March 2027 at Dhordo in Kutch, Gujarat. It is a four-month season of tent stays beside the white salt desert, Kutchi craft, folk music and full moon nights.

This guide gives the dates, the Tent City prices with GST, the White Rann permit fees, the full moon calendar, how to reach and how to book. We also point out where websites contradict each other, and we add a section for visitors from other countries, so you do not pay the wrong price or miss a permit or a visa step.

Quick answer: Rann Utsav 2026-27 is on from 1 November 2026 to 7 March 2027 at Dhordo, about 85 km from Bhuj. Reported Tent City rates start at Rs 6,300 per person per night before 18 percent GST. The White Rann permit costs Rs 100 per adult. Check the price on rannutsav.net before you pay anyone.

Rann Utsav 2026-27 at a Glance

Detail	Rann Utsav 2026-27
Season dates	1 November 2026 to 7 March 2027
Venue	Rann Utsav Tent City, Dhordo village, Kutch district, Gujarat
Operator	Evoke Experiences, in collaboration with Gujarat Tourism
Official website	rannutsav.net
Visitors from abroad	Need an Indian visa (e-Tourist Visa for many nationalities) and a passport at the permit stage
Nearest airport and railway station	Bhuj, about 80 to 85 km from Dhordo
Permit for the White Rann	Required. Rs 100 for adults, Rs 50 for ages 6 to 12, free up to age 5
Reported starting tariff	Rs 6,300 per person for one night, before 18 percent GST
Best months	November to February. March can reach about 35 degrees C

The season dates were reported in July 2026 by travel trade news sites such as TravelBiz Monitor and Voyagers World, which describe the Tent City as operated by Evoke Experiences with Gujarat Tourism. Gujarat Tourism's own festival page still showed 2025-26 dates when one travel site checked it, so use the official booking site for the final word.

What Is Rann Utsav?

Rann Utsav is a tourism festival held every winter on the edge of the White Rann, the vast salt flat of the Great Rann of Kutch. Visitors stay in a purpose-built Tent City at Dhordo, watch sunset and sunrise over the salt, shop at a craft haat, and see folk performances.

Dhordo was named a Best Tourism Village by the UN World Tourism Organization in 2023. The festival is not a single event on one day. It is a season, and the experience changes with the moon, the weather and the crowd.

What Is New in 2026-27

• 35 seasonal tents near Dholavira. A second set of tents opens beside the Dholavira UNESCO World Heritage Site, for travellers who want to extend the trip to the Harappan city and Khadir Bet.
• Siddi community performances. The cultural programme adds performances by the Siddi community of Afro-Indian descent, along with folk music and dance.
• The craft haat returns. Artisans show Ajrakh textiles, embroidery, Bandhani sarees, mirror work, jewellery and Lippan art.

How to Check the Official Price Before You Book

Many websites carry the words Rann Utsav Tent City in their name. The official website, rannutsav.net, says it is operated by Evoke Experiences in collaboration with Gujarat Tourism. It also states that resellers and travel agents are third-party sales channels and are not the official site. That is normal in travel, as long as you can compare what you are offered with the official page.

• Whoever you book through, a travel company, a hotel or the site itself, get the category, dates, number of nights, GST, inclusions and cancellation terms in writing.
• Compare the price with the tariff on rannutsav.net for the same dates.
• Ask whether the White Rann permit is part of the price.
• Do not pay to a personal account or a link that does not match the booking you were shown.
• Prices quoted below come from published guides, not from our own booking. They can change, so confirm them before paying.

Rann Utsav Tent City Cost 2026-27

The Wego travel guide lists the tariff below per person, twin sharing, for one night, before 18 percent GST. A second site that resells the packages gives the same starting numbers. We could not open the live booking page, so treat these as the reported rates.

Category	Regular	Busy	Peak
Non-AC Swiss Cottage	Rs 6,300	Rs 8,300	Rs 10,300
Deluxe AC Swiss Cottage	Rs 8,300	Rs 10,300	Rs 12,300
Premium Tent	Rs 9,300	Rs 11,300	Rs 13,300
Super Premium Tent	Rs 10,300	Rs 12,300	Rs 14,300

What the Price Becomes with 18 Percent GST

Category	Regular with GST	Busy with GST	Peak with GST
Non-AC Swiss Cottage	Rs 7,434	Rs 9,794	Rs 12,154
Deluxe AC Swiss Cottage	Rs 9,794	Rs 12,154	Rs 14,514
Premium Tent	Rs 10,974	Rs 13,334	Rs 15,694
Super Premium Tent	Rs 12,154	Rs 14,514	Rs 16,874

These GST figures are our own arithmetic on the reported base rates. One reseller page calls the starting price per person while its Hindi text ties it to a one-night package for a twin-sharing cottage. Always ask whether the price you are shown is per person or per room, and whether GST is added at the last step.

Which Dates Are Regular, Busy and Peak

• Regular: most of November and February, and 1 to 7 March.
• Busy: Diwali week (8 to 14 November), the November and February full moons, and December and January outside the peak dates.
• Peak: 18 December to 2 January, and the January full moon (20 to 23 January).

Suites, Extra Guests and Children

• The reported suite rates are Rs 35,000 for the Rajwadi Suite (two guests) and Rs 70,000 for the Darbari Suite (four guests), for one night.
• An extra person above age 6 in the same tent is reported from Rs 4,500 a night.
• Children under 6 are reported to stay free.

What Is Usually Included

• Tent stay with all meals: morning tea, breakfast, lunch, hi-tea and dinner.
• Shared AC coach transfers from Bhuj airport and Bhuj railway station, on fixed timings.
• Check-in at 12:30 PM and check-out at 9:30 AM, as reported.
• A sightseeing itinerary that grows with the stay. One night covers the White Rann sunset. Two nights add sunrise and Kalo Dungar. Three nights add Dholavira and the Road to Heaven.

ATV rides, paramotoring, camel carts and the craft haat are usually paid on the spot, and the fees are not published. Cancellation terms reported by Wego are 90 percent refund 30 days or more before check-in, 60 percent from 15 to 29 days, and none under 15 days. Confirm these on the official policy page.

White Rann Permit 2026-27: Fees and Steps

Every visitor who walks onto the White Rann needs an entry permit. It is issued by the Kutch district administration through an online permit portal, or on arrival at the Bhirandiyara checkpoint, about 55 km from Bhuj.

Visitor	Permit fee
Adults above 12 years	Rs 100
Children 6 to 12 years	Rs 50
Children up to 5 years	Free
Cars and two-wheelers	Reports differ. A 2018 notice listed Rs 50 for a four-wheeler and Rs 25 for a two-wheeler, while a recent guide lists vehicles as free. Check the portal

Steps to Get the Permit Online

1. Open the official Gujarat Rann permit portal and choose Get your permit.
2. Select the date of visit and the number of travellers.
3. Enter the name of the main traveller and the vehicle number.
4. Upload a government photo ID of the main traveller.
5. Check the details, pay the fee and download the receipt.
6. Show the receipt at the checkpoint.

These steps follow a 2025-26 guide, and the portal can change its screens. If you booked a resort or hotel, ask them to arrange the permit. Apply two to three days before you arrive in busy weeks.

Is the Permit Included in the Tent City Package?

Sources disagree. One guide says the permit is included in Tent City packages. The Wego guide warns that it may not be part of your package. Ask the booking team to confirm in writing, and carry a printed or saved receipt either way.

Kalo Dungar Needs a Separate Permit

Kalo Dungar, the highest point of Kutch at 462 metres, is in an army-controlled area. A recent guide says it needs a separate permit from the same portal, so apply for both together. Photography is reported to be not allowed there.

Documents to Carry

• Indian visitors: a government photo ID such as Aadhaar. PAN cards are reported as not accepted.
• Foreign visitors: passport and visa. The online portal is reported to be for Indian nationals only.
• A printed or phone copy of the permit receipt and the Tent City booking voucher.

Rann Utsav Dates and Full Moon Nights

The White Rann looks its best on full moon nights, but those nights are also the most crowded and the most expensive. The full moon dates for the season are below. Moon phase dates differ by a day between sources, so plan around a window of one day on each side.

Month	Full moon night	Dark moon (stargazing)	Note
November 2026	Tue, 24 November	Mon, 9 November	Busy rate. Diwali week is 8 to 14 November
December 2026	Wed, 23 December	Tue, 8 December	Peak rate. Christmas and New Year from 18 December
January 2027	Fri, 22 January	Thu, 7 January	Peak rate
February 2027	Sat, 20 February	Sat, 6 February	Busy rate. Often a calmer month

Christmas and New Year are the busiest weeks of the season. For ideas, see our note on Christmas around the world and our guide to New Year in Ayodhya. The 24 November full moon is also Kartik Purnima. If you want a quieter visit with good weather, February is described as pleasant, with thinner crowds than December and January.

Best Time to Visit the Rann of Kutch

• November to February is the most comfortable period. Days reach about 30 degrees C and nights drop to about 5 degrees C.
• December and January are the peak months, with more events, more crowds and higher prices.
• March can be hot, with temperatures near 35 degrees C, so it suits only budget travellers.
• Early November is the start of the season. One report says heavy rain delayed the White Rann from forming this year, so ask the Tent City how the salt surface looks before you travel.

How to Reach Dhordo and the Rann Utsav Tent City

Bhuj is the main base for reaching the Rann, with an airport and a railway station. From Bhuj, Dhordo is about 80 to 85 km by road. Tent City and travel pages quote 1.5 to 2 hours, while some press articles say about three hours, so plan for up to three if you stop on the way.

From	How	Distance and time
Bhuj to Dhordo	Tent City coach, taxi or cab	80 to 85 km, 1.5 to 3 hours
Delhi to Bhuj	Flight	About 1 hour 45 minutes. Air India added a morning flight in late October 2026, and an evening flight already ran
Ahmedabad to Bhuj	Flight	About 1 hour
Ahmedabad to Bhuj	Road	About 335 km, around 7 hours
Ahmedabad to Bhuj	Train	7 to 9 hours
Mumbai to Bhuj	Flight	About 1.5 hours
Mumbai to Bhuj	Train	14 to 16 hours

Mumbai to Bhuj has morning and afternoon flights, and Ahmedabad also connects to Bhuj. From other cities, most travellers fly to Delhi, Mumbai or Ahmedabad and change there, so check the airline schedule for your dates. The Tent City coach timings change by season and seats are shared, so confirm them before you book flights. For a cab from Bhuj, agree the fare and the waiting time in advance, because Dhordo has little local transport.

Things to Do Around Rann Utsav

White Rann at Sunset and Sunrise

The sunset visit usually runs from about 5:30 PM to 7:00 PM, and the sunrise visit from about 6:30 AM to 7:30 AM. Slots are short, so keep the permit ready. Carry warm clothes, because the salt flat is cold after sunset.

Kalo Dungar

The highest point in Kutch at 462 metres. It gives a sunset view over the white salt toward the border. It needs its own permit.

Dholavira and the Road to Heaven

Dholavira is a 5,000-year-old Harappan city and a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2021. It is open from 8 AM to 6 PM in winter, and its museum is reported closed on Fridays. The Road to Heaven is a 30 km road across the salt between Khavda and Dholavira.

Craft Villages Near Bhuj

• Bhujodi, a weaving village about 8 km from Bhuj.
• Ajrakhpur, known for Ajrakh block printing.
• Nirona, known for Rogan art.

Most craft villages close by about 6 PM and many shops take only cash. The Kutch Museum in Bhuj is closed on Wednesdays.

At the Tent City

Expect an evening cultural programme, the craft haat, and activities such as ATV rides, paramotoring and camel carts. Activity fees are not published, so ask on arrival.

Rann Utsav for Visitors from Other Countries

Rann Utsav is easy to add to a longer India trip, but visitors from abroad need to sort out three things before they book: the visa, the permit and the route from the arrival airport.

Indian Visa for Rann Utsav

• e-Tourist Visa: citizens of many countries can apply online at indianvisaonline.gov.in, the official portal. Options are a 30-day visa, a 1-year visa and a 5-year visa.
• Reported fees: for many nationalities the 30-day visa is about USD 25 from July to March and USD 10 from April to June, the 1-year visa about USD 40 and the 5-year visa about USD 200. A 3 percent bank charge is added, and some countries have different fees. Check the official fee table.
• Timing: processing is up to 72 hours as reported, but apply at least four days before departure and allow extra time from October to March.
• Passport: valid for at least six months from arrival, with two blank pages.
• Arrival card: submit the online e-Arrival card within 72 hours before you land.
• OCI card holders: Overseas Citizens of India do not need a tourist visa.
• Apply only on the official portal. Do not pay anyone who promises a faster visa than the official processing time.

Check that your arrival airport is on the e-Visa list. Visa rules and fees can change, so confirm them on the official portal before you buy non-refundable tickets.

White Rann Permit for Foreign Visitors

The online permit portal is reported to be for Indian nationals only. Foreign visitors are told to carry a passport and visa. We could not find a clear published rule for the foreign visitor permit at Dhordo, so ask the Tent City or the district checkpoint to confirm the steps in writing before you travel. Kalo Dungar needs a separate permit, so ask about that for foreign visitors as well.

Route from Your Arrival Airport

• Fly into Delhi, Mumbai or Ahmedabad, then take a domestic flight to Bhuj. Delhi and Mumbai both have direct flights to Bhuj.
• Leave a buffer of at least half a day if you connect from an international flight, because domestic transfers and baggage re-checks take time.
• Book Bhuj airport pickup in advance. Tent City coaches run on fixed timings, so a late flight can mean a private cab.

Practical Notes for Visitors from Abroad

• Carry some cash. Craft villages and local stalls take mostly cash.
• Gujarat is a prohibition state, so do not expect alcohol at the Tent City. Check the current state rules if this matters to you.
• Kutch is a border district. Follow the checkpoint staff, and do not photograph military or restricted areas.
• Winter nights are cold, so pack warm layers even if you come from a warm country.
• Take travel insurance that covers India and road travel.

Our guides for travellers from the USA, Canada, London, Melbourne and Sydney show how we plan trips for overseas visitors in India. If you want one India itinerary that covers Kutch and other places, see the 5 day NRI itinerary.

How Many Nights Should You Stay?

Stay	What you can see	Who it suits
1 night	White Rann sunset and the Tent City programme	Short trip from Bhuj or Ahmedabad
2 nights	Adds sunrise and Kalo Dungar	Most first-time visitors
3 nights	Adds Dholavira and the Road to Heaven	Photographers and history lovers

Two to three nights is a practical start. Add extra days for Bhuj, the craft villages and Dholavira.

How to Book Rann Utsav Tent City

1. Pick your dates from the regular, busy and peak list above. Avoid Diwali week and 18 December to 2 January if cost matters.
2. Check the tariff and availability for your dates on rannutsav.net, or ask your travel company to do it.
3. Choose the category and the number of nights.
4. Get the GST, the cancellation policy and the permit position in writing.
5. Pay only against a written confirmation or voucher, and keep it.
6. Apply for the White Rann permit and, if you plan to go, the Kalo Dungar permit.

Book full moon, Diwali and Christmas dates early, because those nights cost the most and fill first.

Questions to Ask Before You Pay

• Is the price per person or per room, and is 18 percent GST added at checkout?
• Is the White Rann permit included, and does it cover Kalo Dungar?
• Are airport and railway transfers from Bhuj included, and at what times?
• What is the change and cancellation rule for my dates?
• Which meals are included on the arrival and departure day?
• Are there extra charges for activities and the craft haat?

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Paying without comparing the offer to the tariff on rannutsav.net, or without a written confirmation.
• Forgetting the 18 percent GST when comparing prices.
• Reaching the checkpoint without a permit receipt or ID.
• Planning only one night, then missing sunrise and Kalo Dungar.
• Booking a full moon night without knowing it is a busy or peak rate.
• Packing light for the desert nights, which can drop to about 5 degrees C.
• Leaving no cash for craft villages, where many shops take only cash.

Rann Utsav Packing List

• Warm layers and a shawl for evenings and the sunrise trip.
• Sunglasses and sunscreen, because the glare off the salt is strong.
• Comfortable walking shoes or closed shoes.
• A headlamp or torch for pre-dawn walks.
• Government photo ID and printed permit and booking receipts.
• Cash for craft villages and local stalls.

Plan Your Rann Utsav Trip with Your Travel Partner

Your Travel Partner is a travel company based in Ayodhya that arranges trips across India, for travellers from every state and from other countries. For Rann Utsav we plan the whole trip with you: Tent City stay, Bhuj airport and railway pickup, cabs to Dhordo, Kalo Dungar and Dholavira day trips, hotels in Bhuj, and a step by step guide to the permit.

• Tell us your city, dates, group size and budget. We plan the route and share the category, price, GST and inclusions in writing.
• We arrange airport pickup and railway station pickup in Bhuj and your onward cab, round trip or intercity travel.
• We book your hotel and Tent City stay for the nights you need.
• If you want Kutch with other places, we build a custom package.
• Visitors from other countries get help with the route from the arrival airport and a plain checklist for the visa and permit steps. Read about how we work in our post on how we handle everything after you land.

See all our trips on the packages page, read what travellers say in our reviews, learn about us, or send your plan through the enquiry form or on WhatsApp. For a Gujarat festival read our guide to Diwali in Gujarat and Maharashtra and the best places to celebrate Diwali.

Frequently Asked Questions

When is Rann Utsav 2026-27?

Rann Utsav 2026-27 runs from 1 November 2026 to 7 March 2027 at Dhordo, Kutch, Gujarat. The Tent City is operated by Evoke Experiences in collaboration with Gujarat Tourism.

Where is Rann Utsav held?

It is held at the Rann Utsav Tent City in Dhordo village, Kutch district, Gujarat, near the White Rann. Dhordo is about 80 to 85 km from Bhuj, the nearest airport and railway station.

How much does Rann Utsav Tent City cost in 2026-27?

Reported rates start at Rs 6,300 per person per night for a Non-AC Swiss Cottage on regular dates, before 18 percent GST, which makes it about Rs 7,434. Busy and peak dates cost more, up to Rs 14,300 before GST for a Super Premium Tent. Confirm on rannutsav.net.

Do I need a permit for the White Rann?

Yes. Every visitor needs a White Rann entry permit. The fee is Rs 100 for adults, Rs 50 for children aged 6 to 12 and free up to age 5. Apply online or at the Bhirandiyara checkpoint.

Is the permit included in the Tent City package?

Sources disagree. One guide says it is included, another says it may not be. Ask for written confirmation and carry the permit receipt.

How do I book Rann Utsav Tent City?

You can book through the official site, rannutsav.net, or through a travel company. Whichever you use, get the category, GST, inclusions and cancellation terms in writing and compare them with the official tariff.

Which dates are the most expensive?

Peak dates are 18 December to 2 January and the January full moon, 20 to 23 January. Diwali week, 8 to 14 November, and the November and February full moons are busy dates.

When are the full moon nights during Rann Utsav 2026-27?

The full moon nights are 24 November, 23 December, 22 January and 20 February. Sources differ by a day, so plan a window of one day on each side.

What is the best time to visit the Rann of Kutch?

November to February is the most comfortable period. February is described as pleasant with thinner crowds, while December and January are the peak months. March can be hot.

How far is Dhordo from Bhuj?

Dhordo is about 80 to 85 km from Bhuj. Tent City information gives 1.5 to 2 hours by road, while some press articles say about three hours, so plan extra time.

How many nights should I stay at Rann Utsav?

Two to three nights is a practical choice. One night covers the White Rann sunset, two nights add sunrise and Kalo Dungar, and three nights add Dholavira and the Road to Heaven.

What ID do I need for the White Rann permit?

Indian visitors should carry a government photo ID such as Aadhaar. PAN cards are reported as not accepted. Foreign visitors need a passport and visa.

Can I visit the White Rann without staying at the Tent City?

Yes. You can visit with a permit, from the online portal or at the Bhirandiyara checkpoint, and stay in other hotels or resorts.

Do foreign tourists need a visa for Rann Utsav?

Yes, an Indian visa is needed. Citizens of many countries can apply for an e-Tourist Visa on the official portal, indianvisaonline.gov.in, while OCI card holders do not need a tourist visa. Check the permit steps for foreign visitors with the Tent City before you travel.

Can I plan Rann Utsav from another city or country?

Yes. Your Travel Partner plans Rann Utsav trips for visitors from any Indian city and from abroad, including the Tent City stay, Bhuj pickup, cabs, hotels and a custom itinerary. Share your dates and group size on WhatsApp.

Conclusion

Rann Utsav 2026-27 is on from 1 November 2026 to 7 March 2027. Pick your dates around the moon and the price bands, book only on the official site, add 18 percent GST to every rate you see, and get your White Rann permit before you reach the checkpoint. Two to three nights is the best way to see the salt, Kalo Dungar and Dholavira.

Sources

• Rann Utsav 2026-27 official website
• TravelBiz Monitor: Rann Utsav Tent City returns in November
• Voyagers World: Rann Utsav returns from 1 November
• Outlook Traveller: Rann Utsav 2026-27 guide
• Wego: Rann Utsav 2026-27 dates and Tent City prices
• GoAsia: Rann Utsav 2026-27 dates
• IndiaMapped: Rann of Kutch travel guide
• YatraDham: Kutch Rann Utsav guide (permit steps, 2025-26)
• Wego: India e-Tourist Visa 2026
• GoAsia: India e-Visa options, fees and documents
• DeshGujarat: Air India launches new Bhuj-Delhi flight
• DeshGujarat: online permit system for the White Rann (2018)