Location: Kutch Desert Wildlife Sanctuary, Kutch, Gujarat, India.
District: Kutch.
Nearest City: Bhuj.
Best time to visit: October to March.
Climate/Weather: Weather of Kutch is tropical monsoon with an average annual rainfall of approximately 14 inches. In Summer temperature can reach up to 48°c and become very hot indeed. In Winter temperature ranges from 12 °c to 27 °c, making it more pleasant to visit.

How to reach there

By Air : The nearest airport is Bhuj (110 kms).
By Rail : The nearest railway station is Bhuj (110 kms).
By Road : The nearest bus station is Rapar (20 kms).
Distances from Major Cities :
Veraval : 42 km
Keshod : 86 km
Delhi : 1140 km
Mumbai : 340 km
Rajkot : 160 km/3 hrs.
Ahmedabad : 415 km (SW)/7 hrs.

This sanctuary, which is the largest in the state, encompasses a true saline desert where thousands of Flamingoes nest and breed in the world famous ‘Flamingo City’, while a 5000-year-old city lies buried in an eternal silence close by. This area was declared a sanctuary in February 1986.
Kutch Desert Wildlife Sanctuary is the largest sanctuary of Gujarat. Kutch Desert Wildlife Sanctuary occupies an area of 7505.22 square kilometers. Spread over an area of 2 sq km, Kutch Bustard Sanctuary is located in proximity to Naliya which is under the district of Kutch in Gujarat, India.
Kutch Desert Wildlife Sanctuary in Gujarat houses some of the rare wild animals like striped hyena, porcupine, fox, small Indian civet, Indian pangolin and a large number of reptiles. The Kutch Desert Wildlife Sanctuary of Gujarat has vast area of sun-baked mud flats that are salt impregnated. Some of the area around the Sanctuary have small patches of uplands, the hilly islands of the sanctuary are called bets.
The northern boundary of this sanctuary forms the international border between India and Pakistan and is heavily patrolled by the Border Security Force in India with much of this sanctuary being closed to civilians after the India Bridge at Kala dungar (Black hill), Khavda. Tourists and researchers can only enter here with special permission from the BSF.

Flamingo City

The world famous ‘flamingo city’ is located in the mudflats of the Rann, at the distance of around 10 km from the Nir out-post on Kala Dungar. Hundreds or thousands of greater flamingoes breed here, normally during the year at the optimum level of inundation. They construct their muddy nests, lay eggs and rear young ones.

Bird Species

The famous bird species found inhabiting Indian Little Rann of Kutch Wildlife Sanctuary are Laggar Falcon, Spotted & Indian Sandgrouse, Flamingoes, Francolin Partridge, Desert Larks, Houbara Bustard, Bustard Quails, Desert Wheatear, Short Toed Eagle, Steppe Eagle, Imperial Eagle, Storks, Ducks, Cranes and Pelicans.

Flora

There are two hills named- Kala Dungar and Goro Dungar. On this hilly island exist several microhabitats. They include grassland, scrubland, barren wasteland, agricultural land, village ponds, irrigation reservoir etc.

Fauna

The wild animals that harbors in the Kutch Desert Wildlife Sanctuary include hyenas, jackals, birds, Nilgai, chinkara, sambhar, wild boar, Indian hare, pale hedgehog, small Indian civet, Indian porcupine, Indian fox, jackal. The avian species of the Kutch Desert Wildlife Sanctuary include stork, crow, spoonbill, sparrow, osprey, white backed vulture, black vultures and more.

Kutch Desert Festival

A visit to Kutch Desert Festival, offers access to the interior and beautiful recesses of the region of Kutch, situated in Gujarat, India. It is organised in Feburary. The Kutch Mahotsav or the great Kutch festival offers access to the interior and beautiful recesses of the desert district of Gujarat.

Things to do at the Sanctuary

- A jeep or camel safari in and across Rann of Kutch with tented camps on the baits.
- For photography enthusiasts, special rides and camouflaged boats are provided.
- A trip to a typical Saurashtra village and an insight into the art of handloom weaving and Dyeing Units can be enticing due to the vibrantly colored dyes and the exquisite craftsmanship.
- Tribal life is best experienced with the tribal people.

Nearest Visiting places

- Bhuj : This is known as the famous walled city of the state, Bhuj has its great importance of ancient values and historical backgrounds to denote that it is one of the ancient spots in the country.
- Bela : This spot is in the borders of Rann of Kutch which is a famous for its wild ass sanctuary.
- Chitrod : This place evoked into regular inhabitance during the separation and displacement of the people India.
- Anjar : Shrine of Jesai Toral, the bungalow of James Mcmurdo, Ajaypal temple and the holy shrine of Pinjora Pir are the locations of spirituality and serenity.
- Mandvi : This spot is said to be the biggest tourist location of the state, the town is famously known for its historical values dates back even before 18th centuries.
- Mundra : This is another coastal city of the state, and famously known as ‘the Paris of Kutch’ which was founded during the reign of Rao Bhojraji (1633-1645).
- Koteshwar : In the district of Lakhpat is situated the temple of Koteshwar which is a holy place of pilgrimage in Kutch.

Jaisalmer is a wonderful tourist destination in the state of Rajasthan. The desert citadel is truly a golden fantasy located in the harsh Thar Desert. Bhatti Rajput ruler Rawal Jaisal, after whom the city finds its name, founded Jaisalmer in 1156. He hailed from the Yadav and Rajput kin group. His Yadav descent can be traced back to the Mahabharata and the Rajputs were famed for courage and gallantry. On advice of a local hermit Eesaal he chose the Tricut Hills as his new abode abandoning his vulnerable old fort at Luderwa just 16 kilometres northwest.
Jaisalmer’s strategic location on the camel train contours, between India and Central Asia, brought it great wealth. The Jaisalmer Rajputs brimmed their treasure chests with immoral gain, won through cattle maneuvering and by more orthodox methods such as imposing excise duties on the caravans, which passed through their kingdom to Delhi.
Far from the noise and pollution of cities, Jaisalmer is an exciting tourist destination that offers historical forts and majestic havelis. Situated amid the picturesque and harsh Thar Desert, Jaisalmer city commands a premiere position among the various tourist attractions scattered all over the desert land of Rajasthan. The Jaisalmer city is visited in large numbers, both by Indians as well as foreign tourists. The perfect time to visit the golden city is during the Desert Festival, held in Jan/Feb every year, when the city reverberates with the sound of melodious tunes and rhythms. There are folk dances and several innovative competitions and contests, including a turban-tying contest, longest moustache competition and the famous camel races which can really charge up the atmosphere. The Desert Festival comes alive with the foot tapping beats of Dhap, Ghoomar, Gair among a host of other traditional dance forms, in accompaniment with several musical instruments like sarangi, matka and minla. The Gangaur festivities are also major crowd pullers.
Jaisalmer has a very hot and dry climate (you really can’t expect anything else from a city located in the desert) and is very hot in daytime during the summers but as the night falls, typical of the deserts, the temperature cools down dramatically.

Map:

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Places to See:
Jaisalmer Fort: Made of sand stones and locally known as Sonar Quila, the Jaisalmer Fort is a dominating structure amidst sands. The awesome splendour of a commanding and exotic fort that seems to rise out of a desert haze with its yellow sandstone walls and bastions bathed in a golden hue in the afternoon sun looks incredible. The golden hued fort stands about 80 meters over the city and houses an entire township within its huge ramparts. This magnificent fort, with its 99 bastions, is probably the planet’s only living fort, with about a quarter of the old city’s population dwelling in it.
Havelis: Jaisalmer is known for its havelis (mansions). The merchants built magnificent mansions (Havelis), all carved from wood and yellow sandstone. The Salim ji ki haveli and Nathmal ji ki haveli are known as the most striking. Intricately latticed and with conspicuous facades, the havelis are quite unique.
Gadi Sagar Lake: A scenic rain water lake with beautiful shrines. Like many such lakes, a good spot for picnics and for boating. This tank, south of the city walls, once held the town water supply, and befitting its importance in providing precious water to the inhabitants of this arid city, it is surrounded by small temples and shrines.
Lodurva: The ancient capital of the Bhattis with Dilwara style paintings scattered all around the ruins. “Toran” or the ornate arches at the main entrance and splendid carvings are noteworthy.
Amar Sagar Lake: Amar Sagar is a small and beautiful lake cum Oasis and is adjacent to a 17th Century palace called the Amar Singh Palace. The Amar Sagar is a five story high haveli and is famous for its murals. Wherever you go in this haveli, you will notice beautiful murals. Beautifully carved Jain temples add to its splendour.
Wood Fossil Park Jaisalmer: Located around 16 Km from Jaisalmer near the Barmer road. Fossil trunks lie scattered in this park. Fossilized tree trunks are of various sizes with the largest being 13 meters in length and 1.5 meters in width. Covering about 10 sq. Km of bare hillside, the Fossil Park contains 25 petrified trunks, in total.
Tazia Tower: During Moharram, beautiful ‘Tazias’-ornately decorated bamboo, paper and tinsel replicas of a bier, are carried out in procession by Muslims. Each storey of this five-tiered tower has a carved balcony.
Sam Sand Dunes (42 km): The ripples on the wind-caressed dunes, that create an enchanting mirage, are a delight for a trigger -happy photographer. Various cultural programmes are organised against the backdrop of these fascinating sand dunes. Camel rides on the sand dunes are an unforgettable experience, as is the sunset. One can spend an enchanting evening on the sands watching the sensuous snake dance of the Kalbeliya gypsies and listening to the full-throated folk songs of the Manganiyars.
Desert National Park: The landscape of the Desert National Park is dominated by rolling sand dunes and scrub covered hills. The prominent fauna of the park includes black buck, chinkara, desert fox and the great Indian bustard. The Sudashri forest post is the most ideal place for observing wildlife in the Desert National Park. One also hear the morning call of the grey partridge.

How to get there:
Air: Jaisalmer is connected with Jaipur as well as other major cities.
Rail: Connected through a rail connection with Jodhpur (300 Km).
Road: There are frequent deluxe buses to Jodhpur and Bikaner. 18 hrs drive from Delhi, 14 hrs from Jaipur, 6 ½ hrs – Bikaner, 5 hrs- Jodhpur.

Places to stay:
- Gorbandh Palace (3 Star Hotel): An actual desert retreat, yet close to the havelis and the fort.
- Fort Rajwada (4 Star Hotel): Located on the Jaisalmer-Barmer link road.
- Heritage Inn (3 Star Hotel)
- Narayan Niwas Palace (Heritage Hotel): An actual 19th century palace.
- Taj Rawal Kot (4 Star Hotel): This hotel gives a great view of the city.
- Himmatgarh Hotel (2 Star Hotel): Situated right outside the fort.
- Jawahar Niwas Palace (Heritage Hotel)
- Hotel Rang Mahal (Heritage Hotel): Located around 2 kilometers from the railway station (link)
- Hotel Killa Bhawan: Located in the Jaisalmer Fort
- Nachna Haveli (Heritage Hotel): Inhabited by the same family for 300 years.
- Mandir Palace (Heritage Hotel): This hotel is more than 2 hundred years old.
- Jaisal Castle (Heritage Hotel): An elaborate haveli (link).