Paragsar is the pretty private preserve of the Maharao of Kutch with forests, orchards and a large lake where crocodiles, fresh-water turtles and storks can be watched from the shady embankments. The Samma village here is worth a visit.

Vithon Fossil park: Mohan Singh Sodha’s private collection of fossils is an interesting mix of finds open for visitors for a fee. This includes petrified wood, fruits and vegetables some which date back millions of years, fossilised shells of crustaceans and a shark skeleton that ratify the marine past of the Rann of Kutch, dinosaur fossils, jurassic stone found from the ridges near Bhuj.

Banni bird sites: Drive to Nakhatrana from Mandvi and drive through the grasslands and marshes of Banni, specially good for eagles and important stopover places for migrating birds.

HANDICRAFTS:

Kutch is well-known for its handicrafts like embroidery, patchwork, bandhini, block printed fabrics, pottery, metalwork, silver jewellery, stone crafts, wood carvings, mashru fabrics, handloom-woven rugs and shawls and so forth. Embroidery is especially interesting as the techniques, workmanship and motifs of the Rabaris, Ahirs, Mutwas, Meghwals, Sodhas, Jaths are unique to each community. There are interesting Rabari villages in the Bhuj – Mandvi – Mundara triangle. Shroff Bazaar, Danda Bazaar, Kansara Bazaar, Vaniyavad and Darbargadh area in Bhuj, the markets of Anjar and the old court area of Gandhidham have good shops for traditional textiles and silverware. On the road from Bhuj to Anjar are many interesting craft centres. Padhar is a village known for its Rabari embroidery, Dhaneti is an interesting Ahir village where Radhaben is known for her beautiful mirrorwork embroidery and Laxmiben runs an embroidery workshop, Bhujodi has master weavers who have won national awards and international recognition, Anjar is known for its tie-and-dye and metalwork. Sharma Resorts is a good place to stay on the Anjar – Gandhidham Road.