Road trip from Bhopal to Rann of Kutch and back in Gypsy by Siddharth Pathak in January 2021

Road trip from Bhopal to Rann of Kutch and back. 

Duration of trip:  9 Days (January 2021) 
Vehicle: Maruti Gypsy. 
Total Distance: 3585 kms. 
Fuel Expenses: ₹32650. 
Tolls Paid: ₹1640, all FasTag except Dewas Bypass.
Stay Expenses: ₹28630 

Itinerary: 
Day 01 - Bhopal - Bhuj - Mandvi 
Day 02 - Mandvi Local
Day 03 - Mandvi - Narayan Sarovar - Koteshwar - Lakhpat - Mata no Madh - Bhirandiyara 
Day 04 - Bhirandiyara - Dhordo - Tent City - White Rann - Kala Dungar - Bhirandiyara
Day 05 - Bhirandiyara - India Bridge - Bediya Bet - Vigakot Fort (Zero Point) - Bhirandiyara - Dholavira
Day 06 - Dholavira Local 
Day 07 - Dholavira - LRoK - Zainabad - Modhera - Ahmedabad
Day 08 - Ahmedabad - Statue of Unity - Halol
Day 09 - Halol - Bhopal

From 0630hrs to 0930hrs, no tourism permit is required to enter the last section of White Rann, BSF checkpost just asks for details. Once the permit office opens, then its required to get it before entering. 

For evening visits, usual time of closure is 1800-1900hrs but it varies depending upon instructions from local administration, e.g. on days when there is any cultural program, its allowed to go after sunset also but not otherwise. Also once inside, there is no time limit and one can be there as long as they wish to.
Permits for Zero Point beyond India Bridge is not easy to obtain. Managed to get it through family friends. Typically needs to be applied atleast 1 week in advance at BSF HQ, Bhuj 
Personally we found Dhordo - TentCity circuit pretty hyped and Dholavira side was way better and peaceful. Also the White Rann patch before Dholavira is much better than what we saw in Dhordo.

Content courtesy: Narrated in the first person by Siddharth Pathak and Richa Pathak