In the latter half of 2021, the New York Times unveiled a list featuring 52 must-visit places in the world. Among the many places stood one with an unusual name&ndashKadiyo Dhro.
Located nearby a quaint village in the Kutch district of Gujarat, Kadiya Dhro is colloquially known as the Grand Canyon of India. Since its river and rock formations add to the immense beauty of the place, Kadiya Dhro should be on your itinerary while you are visiting the area.
Varun Suchday, a traveller and founder of the 'Kutch Travel Club', stumbled upon this quiet destination in 2020. Later, he entered the place in a competition by the New York Times about unknown destinations. A month later, he received a response saying that Kadiya Dhro had been selected.
The rock formations&ndashformed through ages of exposure to strong wind and river flow&ndashseen at the location are referred to herders as "kotaro" in the local Kutchi language. An excellent place for trekking, the site is serene and soothing and is among the few places in the region still untouched by travel lovers.
How to Reach
From Bhuj, Kaliya Dhro is around 35-40 km, near Kodki village. Bhuj is well connected by air, rail and road. The Bhuj airport lies 4 km from the city and has ample domestic flights from major destinations in India. You can take state and private buses from the airport that run between all the significant parts of Gujarat. You can also follow Suchday on Instagram (@kutchtravelclub) and reach out to him since he organises walks and meetups at Kadiya Dhro.
Places to Visit Nearby
Since Bhuj is roughly a 1.5-hour drive from Kadiya Dhro, you can visit the famous tourist spots in and around the town. These include the Rann Of Kutch (3 km from the city centre), Aina Mahal (1 km from the city centre), Hamirsar Lake (1 km from the city centre), Shri Swaminarayan Temple (5 km from the city centre) and Mandvi Beach (58 km from the city centre).
Best Time to Visit
The ideal time to visit Kadiya Dhro (Gujarat) is from November to February. When you are out in the cold air travelling from one tourist attraction to another, the lovely weather and warm sun are the ideal companions.
Pro tip Since an off-road drive of 4-5 km should be expected to reach Kadiya Dhro, a vehicle (jeeps are available locally) with good ground clearance is recommended. Also, as crocodiles are spotted here, visitors are advised not to try swimming in the river.