Gujarat Tour Packages

About Gujarat

Gujarat packs a lot into one state. The white salt flats of the Rann of Kutch, the sea temples of Somnath and Dwarka, the last Asiatic lions at Gir, and the Statue of Unity at Kevadia are all within a comfortable road trip of each other, on some of the best highways in the country.

Kutch is known for its handicraft villages, where families still do bandhani tie dye, Rogan art, Ajrakh block printing and mirror work by hand. Saurashtra has Junagadh below Girnar, the Jain temples of Palitana and the Gir forest. Ahmedabad has the Sabarmati Ashram, Adalaj stepwell and the old city pol houses, and in the south the Statue of Unity site now has a valley of flowers, a jungle safari park and a river cruise around it.

Best season is October to February, when the days stay dry and the Rann Utsav tent city is open. Gir safaris run from mid October to mid June and the park closes in the monsoon. We handle hotels, tent city bookings, safari permits and a driver who knows the routes, which matters when a day covers three hundred kilometres.

Best places to see

• White Rann, DhordoA flat white salt desert that stretches to the horizon, at its best on a full moon night between November and February. The Rann Utsav tent city sits close by with craft stalls and folk music.
• Gir National ParkThe only wild home of the Asiatic lion, with jeep safaris from Sasan Gir. The first morning slot gives the best chance of a sighting, and permits are booked online well ahead.
• Somnath TempleOne of the twelve Jyotirlingas, rebuilt on the Saurashtra coast where the temple meets the open sea. Stay for the evening aarti and the sound and light show.
• Dwarka and Bet DwarkaThe Dwarkadhish temple in the old town and the island shrine of Bet Dwarka reached by ferry. Go for the morning darshan before the queue builds, and see Nageshwar Jyotirling on the way.
• Statue of Unity, KevadiaThe tallest statue in the world, with a viewing gallery in the chest, a valley of flowers, a jungle safari park and a laser show at night. A full day is needed.
• Kutch craft villagesNirona for Rogan art and copper bells, Ajrakhpur for block printing and Bhujodi for weaving, all within a short drive of Bhuj. Mornings are when the artisans are at work.
• Ahmedabad old city and Sabarmati AshramA morning heritage walk through the pols and havelis starting at dawn, and Gandhi's ashram on the river. Add Adalaj stepwell and Akshardham at Gandhinagar.
• Palitana and JunagadhThe Shatrunjaya hill temples at Palitana, a climb of about 3,800 steps best started before sunrise, and Junagadh with Uparkot fort below Girnar hill.
• Mandvi beach and Vijay Vilas PalaceA quiet Kutch coast beach with a shipbuilding yard and the palace used in film shoots. Late afternoon is the pleasant hour.

Suggested itinerary

• Day 1 Arrive Ahmedabad, old city heritage walk, Sabarmati Ashram and Adalaj stepwell, evening at Kankaria lake.
• Day 2 Drive to Bhuj, afternoon at the craft villages of Bhujodi and Ajrakhpur, overnight in Bhuj or at Dhordo.
• Day 3 Nirona for Rogan art and bell making, evening and sunset at the White Rann, night at the tent city.
• Day 4 Mandvi beach and Vijay Vilas Palace, drive on to Dwarka for the night.
• Day 5 Dwarkadhish darshan, Bet Dwarka by ferry and Nageshwar Jyotirling, drive to Somnath for the evening aarti.
• Day 6 Drive to Sasan Gir, afternoon at leisure, early night before the safari.
• Day 7 Morning lion safari at Gir, drive to Ahmedabad or on to Kevadia for the Statue of Unity, departure.

What is included

Best season

October to February is the season. The Rann Utsav tent city at Dhordo usually runs from November to March and the full moon nights book out first. Gir is open from mid October to mid June and closed through the monsoon. March to May gets very hot inland and in Kutch, and the monsoon from June to September is green but the salt desert is under water.

Good to know

• Kutch needs a permit for the Rann viewpoint at Dhordo, issued at the checkpost, and photo ID is checked, so carry originals for everyone.
• Gir safari permits are released online in advance and sell out in season, especially for weekends and holidays.
• Nights in the Rann and at Gir drop sharply in December and January, so carry warm layers even though the days are pleasant.
• Gujarat is a dry state, alcohol is prohibited and only served to permit holders, and most restaurants are vegetarian.
• Try Kathiawadi thali, dhokla and fafda jalebi in Ahmedabad, and Kutchi dabeli and kesar mango in season.
• Driving days are long on this circuit, so start early, and factor a slow road once you leave the highways in Saurashtra.

Planning and cost

Flights or trains, hotels, transfers and sightseeing are arranged together by our team. Every plan is made for your dates and your group, so the cost is quoted after we know what you want. Price on request.