Rann Utsav 2026: Dates, Tent City Prices and Booking Guide

Photo: Prof Ranga Sai / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0

Rann Utsav 2026 starts on 1 November 2026. The Tent City at Dhordo, at the edge of the Great Rann of Kutch, stays open until 7 March 2027. The full-moon nights, Diwali week and Christmas week are the busiest windows. Below are the season dates, the official tent prices, the full-moon calendar, the permit you need and the simplest way to get there from Bhuj.

The details come from the official site, rannutsav.net, which Gujarat Tourism lists as the festival’s official website. Lookalike websites using similar names show different dates and phone numbers, so check the address before you pay.

Rann Utsav 2026 dates and what the Tent City is

Gujarat Tourism appointed Lallooji & Sons to operate the Tent City, which is managed by Evoke Experiences. According to the official site, the Tent City has more than 350 tents across nine clusters, and meals, cultural programmes and desert activities are included in the stay. Gujarat’s tourism corporation started the festival in 2005 as a three-day event. Today it runs for around 100 days. Dhordo was named one of the UNWTO’s Best Tourism Villages in 2023.

For 2026-27, CNBC-TV18 reports that Evoke is also adding 35 seasonal tents at Dholavira, the UNESCO-listed Harappan site, which could suit you if you want to combine the white desert with archaeology.

Full moon dates at Rann Utsav 2026-27

The salt flat is at its most striking under a full moon, and these are the nights most people try to book. Here is the official special-dates calendar:

A peak surcharge applies from one day before each full-moon date. If the moonlit desert is the reason you’re going, reserve one of these windows early. If you’d rather avoid the surcharge and see more stars, choose the dark-moon dates.

Rann Utsav 2026 tent prices

The official package page lists rates per person, excluding taxes. These are the Season 1 base rates for packages with one, two and three nights:

Season 2 adds ₹2,000, ₹3,500 or ₹4,500 per person for the one-, two- and three-night packages. Season 3 adds ₹4,000, ₹6,000 or ₹8,000. The site’s booking calendar shows which season a date falls in. Some other points from the tariff:

• Children under six stay free. An extra mattress costs ₹5,500 (₹4,500 in non-AC tents).
• Single occupancy is charged at 75% of the double-occupancy rate.
• The Rajwadi Suite (two guests) costs ₹35,000 a night and the Darbari Suite (four guests) ₹70,000 a night.
• Cancellations made 30 or more days ahead get a 90% refund. Between 15 and 29 days you get 60% back, and nothing under 15 days. A date change costs 10%.

What a typical stay looks like

Check-in is at 12:30 PM and check-out at 9:30 AM. On the first evening, the official itinerary includes a trip to the sunset point on the white desert from roughly 5:30 PM to 7:00 PM. Two-night packages add the sunrise point (around 6:30 to 7:30 AM) and a day trip to Kala Dungar and Gandhi Nu Gaam. On the way back to Bhuj, the exit tour stops at the Swaminarayan Temple and the Kutch Museum. The museum is closed on Wednesdays, so plan your departure day with that in mind.

One night is enough to see the desert at sunset. Two nights give you a sunrise and a calmer pace, and that’s what most first-time visitors should aim for.

How to reach Dhordo

The nearest airport and railway station are in Bhuj, about 85 km or 1 hour 45 minutes from Dhordo. The official how-to-reach guide lists Tent City transfers from Bhuj airport and the railway station at 8:15 AM, 10:00 AM, 1:30 PM, 3:30 PM and 5:30 PM. Return transfers leave at 4:30 AM and 9:30 AM. Book a flight or train that arrives before one of these slots.

If you’re driving, Dhordo is about 410 km (roughly eight hours) from Ahmedabad, 310 km from Rajkot, 940 km from Mumbai and 1,150 km from Delhi.

The White Rann permit

You need a permit to enter the white desert area. Indian nationals can apply online at the Gujarat government’s Rann permit portal, and the permit is checked at the Bhirandiyara checkpost. Children up to five years old are free, children aged six to 12 pay ₹50, and anyone older pays ₹100. There is no vehicle fee. Sort it out online before you set off.

Planning Rann Utsav around the rest of your winter

Rann Utsav fits easily into a wider winter trip in Gujarat or Rajasthan. Our 2026-27 winter travel guide for India suggests when to book each region. If you want to build the trip around festivals, the India festival calendar for 2026-27 has the bigger dates. Rann’s November full moon (23–25 Nov) is just a few weeks after Dev Deepawali on the ghats of Varanasi, so both fit into one November if you plan the travel carefully.

Packing for the Rann

• Warm layers for the sunset and sunrise trips.
• Sunglasses and sunscreen, since the white salt reflects a lot of light.
• Your ID and a printed or downloaded Rann permit.
• Cash for craft stalls and village visits.

Frequently asked questions

When does Rann Utsav 2026 start?

The official Tent City season at Dhordo runs from 1 November 2026 to 7 March 2027.

What is the cheapest Rann Utsav 2026 package?

The Non-AC Swiss Cottage starts at ₹6,300 per person for one night (Season 1 base rate, excluding taxes). Season 2 and 3 dates cost more.

When is the full moon at Rann Utsav 2026?

The full-moon dates are 23–25 November 2026, 22–24 December 2026, 21–23 January 2027 and 19–21 February 2027. A peak surcharge applies from one day before.

Is a permit needed for the White Rann?

Yes. Indian nationals can get it online at rannpermit.gujarat.gov.in. It costs ₹100 for adults and ₹50 for children aged six to 12, and children up to five go free.

Which is the official Rann Utsav booking website?

Gujarat Tourism lists rannutsav.net as the official website. Be careful with lookalike domains that show different dates or contact numbers.

Featured image: Prof Ranga Sai / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0.