Rann Utsav tent city season opens Nov 1 with new stays, activities and wider Kutch circuit

Ahmedabad: The 2026-27 season of Rann Utsav - The Tent City will begin on November 1, 2026, and run until March 7, 2027. Accommodation for tourists has been improved, cultural programmes have been expanded and some new experiences have been added. The festival is operated and managed by Evoke Experiences, which works with Gujarat Tourism. This time the emphasis will also be on getting visitors to explore other parts of Kutch beyond the White Rann.

The main change this season is that about 70 premium semi-permanent tents are being set up at Dhordo. They will replace part of the traditional canvas accommodation. The aim is to improve guest comfort while retaining the tent-stay experience that has become the hallmark of Rann Utsav.

The range of all-day activities at the tent city will also widen. These include craft workshops, live music, storytelling sessions, exhibitions, stand-up performances and special activities for children. They have been added with families and tourists staying several nights in mind, so that their time is more engaging.

Beyond the tent city, Evoke Experiences is also strengthening its "all of Kutch" approach. It wants tourists to visit Dholavira, Mandvi and Road to Heaven along with Dhordo. These trips combine the white desert, local handicraft traditions, meetings with people in villages, cultural performances, coastal experiences and the archaeological heritage of the Indus Valley Civilisation.

At Dholavira, Evoke is adding about 50 tents. It already has 44 permanent cottages there. A new interactive excavation experience is also being prepared for children, so that young visitors can learn about archaeological discovery and the history of the Harappan civilisation.

Bhavik Sheth, chief operating officer of Evoke Experiences, said of the coming season: "Rann Utsav has grown considerably over the years and tourists' expectations have also changed. Travellers now want comfortable stays, meaningful cultural engagement and experiences that go beyond ordinary sightseeing. This season we are investing in both accommodation and programmes, and are also encouraging guests to see more of Kutch. Our larger goal is that tourists spend more time in this region and that tourism creates opportunities for local communities, artisans and businesses."

The company expects about 500 accommodation units to be operational this season across Dhordo, Dholavira and its other locations in Kutch. Tourists currently stay about two nights on average. In view of this, the company is building itineraries that link several places and encourage longer stays.

The festival has long provided a platform for Kutch's artisans, artists and local communities, and takes the region's handicrafts, food and cultural traditions to a wider audience in India and abroad. The expanded offering for 2026-27 is part of a larger effort to make Rann Utsav more than a seasonal attraction and a gateway to Kutch's cultural, natural and historical diversity.