Things to do in

Gujarat

Guided intertidal ecology walk across the Narara reef in Marine National Park (Gulf of Kutch), near Jamnagar, Gujarat. Participants walk across exposed reef flats at low tide to observe corals, algae, invertebrates and shallow-water fishes in their natural habitat while learning about reef ecology, conservation, and local coastal communities.

Khijadiya Bird Sanctuary is a compact but richly biodiverse wetland complex near Jamnagar in Gujarat. The sanctuary comprises brackish marshes, freshwater lakes, mudflats and scrub—making it an excellent spot for waders, ducks, and many migratory species. It is ideal for photographers, field naturalists and casual birders seeking a concentrated birdwatching experience close to urban Jamnagar.

Experience the surreal expanse of the White Rann at Dhordo as the sun dips below the horizon and the salt flats turn into a glowing canvas of pinks, oranges and gold. This short excursion focuses on sunset and early twilight — perfect for photographers, nature lovers and travellers seeking an otherworldly landscape. Often combined with local cultural performances during the Rann Utsav (seasonal festival).

Rann Utsav is a seasonal cultural festival held on the spectacular White Rann (salt desert) near Dhordo village in Kutch, Gujarat. The festival celebrates local Kutch culture — music, dance, crafts, food and the stark beauty of the salt desert — with tented accommodation, nightly cultural programs and daytime excursions across the landscape.

Experience the surreal white salt desert at night — a guided nocturnal safari across the Great Rann of Kutch from Dhordo, ending with an immersive stargazing session under extremely dark skies. This activity blends cultural elements (folk music, tribal stories and local cuisine) with natural wonder (vast salt flats, dramatic night sky) for a memorable overnight experience.

Dholavira is one of the most remarkable and well-preserved urban settlements of the Bronze Age Indus (Harappan) Civilization. Located on the island of Khadir Bet in the Rann of Kutch, Gujarat, the site displays an exceptional example of town planning, water management systems (large reservoirs and channels), and monumental architecture dating from roughly 3000–1500 BCE. In 2021 it was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List for its outstanding testimony to early urban civilization in South Asia.

Bhujodi (near Bhuj, Kutch) is a living weaving hamlet famous for handloom woollen and cotton textiles—rugs, shawls, stoles and household textiles made on traditional pit looms. This activity focuses on guided visits and interactive sessions with local master weavers: watching live weaving demos, trying basic loom-work, learning about local materials and dyeing, and buying directly from artisans. The experience blends craft education with cultural exchange in a compact, community-centered setting.

Nirona (near Bhuj, Kutch) is a living-craft village best known for the rare textile technique Rogan art and traditional metal bell-making. Visitors can watch multi‑generation artisans demonstrate painstaking handwork — Rogan painters using castor-oil based paint and a metal stylus to create intricate motifs on fabric, and metalworkers hammering and finishing small bells and decorative items. The visit combines cultural insight, live demos, and opportunities to buy or try a short hands-on workshop.

Aina Mahal (Hall of Mirrors) and Prag Mahal are two adjacent 19th-century palaces in Bhuj that showcase the royal history, architecture and craftsmanship of the Kutch princely state. Aina Mahal, built in a blend of Indo-European styles, houses a museum of royal artifacts, ornate mirror-work rooms, lacquerware and an extensive collection of arms, furniture and ceremonial items. Prag Mahal, constructed in Italian Gothic style with red sandstone and European motifs, is renowned for its imposing facade, ornate clock tower, carved columns and an evocative palace interior that can be viewed from the courtyard and (where allowed) from the tower with panoramic views of Bhuj.

Visiting both palaces gives a compact, richly historic introduction to Kutch's royal past, historic interiors, decorative arts and colonial-era architectural influences.

Mandvi Beach in Kutch (Gujarat) is a long, gently sloping sandy beach on the Arabian Sea known for its calm waters, wide shoreline and spectacular sunsets. It’s ideal for both quiet relaxation and a variety of water-based adventures — from gentle camel rides along the shore to adrenaline-filled parasailing and jet-skiing. Close to the historic Vijay Vilas Palace and local shipbuilding yards, Mandvi blends beach leisure with cultural sights.

Vijay Vilas Palace is a 1920s seaside royal residence on the coast near Mandvi in Kutch, Gujarat. Set against the Arabian Sea, the palace blends Indo-Saracenic, Rajput and European architectural elements and sits within formal gardens with a private sandy beach. The palace is known for its ornate courtyards, terraces, carved stone work and period furniture — and is a popular photography and film location (notably featured in several Indian films). Visiting offers a compact, scenic heritage experience combined with beach time and sunset views.

Little Rann of Kutch Wild Ass Sanctuary is a unique saline desert and seasonal wetland on the eastern fringe of Kutch, Gujarat. The sanctuary is famed for the Indian Wild Ass (Equus hemionus khur) and a rich assemblage of waterbirds and desert-adapted wildlife. Safaris from Dasada or Zainabad take you across salt flats, seasonal wetlands, and reed patches to observe wildlife, spectacular landscapes and local pastoral life.

Experience the living landscape of the Agariya salt‑makers: a guided cultural trail into the salt pans of the Little Rann of Kutch to observe traditional salt production, meet the Agariya community, and learn about their seasonal livelihood, crafts and local ecology. The trail combines walking on the salt crust, village interactions, short drives across the edge of the Rann and opportunities for birdwatching and wildlife spotting (including the Indian wild ass at a distance).

Rani ki Vav is an 11th-century intricately ornamented stepwell built in memory of King Bhima I by his queen Udayamati. Located in Patan, Gujarat, it is a unique example of subterranean water architecture and is recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site (2014). The structure is designed as an inverted temple highlighting the sanctity of water, with seven descending levels of sculptural panels and over 500 finely carved figurative sculptures depicting Hindu deities, celestial beings, and scenes from epics.

A focused cultural visit to the Patan Patola Heritage Museum where you explore the history, techniques and masterpieces of Patola — the double-ikat silk saree of Patan. The visit combines a curated museum display with a live weaving demonstration by master weavers, plus time for Q&A and shopping.

Modhera Sun Temple is a 11th‑century Solanki (Chaulukya) era temple complex dedicated to Lord Surya (the Sun God). Built around 1026 CE during the reign of King Bhima I, the temple is renowned for its architectural symmetry, ornate stone carvings and axial alignment that allows the sun’s rays to fall on the sanctum at certain times. The complex includes the main sanctum (Guda Mandapa), an assembly hall (Sabha Mandapa) and the large stepped tank known as Suryakund (Rangamandapa) — a ceremonial water reservoir with beautifully carved steps used for rituals and festivals. The site is protected and maintained by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) and is an important example of medieval Gujarati temple architecture.

Explore the UNESCO World Heritage site of Champaner-Pavagadh Archaeological Park — a unique fusion of Hindu and Islamic architecture, pre-Mughal mosques, forts, palaces, temples and stepwells set against the dramatic Pavagadh hill. This activity combines cultural history, short trekking or ropeway ascent, panoramic viewpoints and a close look at well-preserved 15th–16th century urban planning and monuments.

A protected dry deciduous forest in Panchmahal district, Jambughoda Wildlife Sanctuary is known for teak and mixed forest, small herds of chital (spotted deer), sambhar, nilgai, wild boar, and a variety of birds. The sanctuary is a quiet, offbeat wildlife destination with undulating hills, seasonal streams and tribal settlements nearby. It’s ideal for short treks, birdwatching, nature walks and photography.

Lakshmi Vilas Palace is the grand royal residence of the Gaekwad family in Vadodara (Baroda), Gujarat. Built in the late 19th century in an ornate Indo-Saracenic style, it is one of the largest private residences in the world and houses a museum with royal artefacts, paintings, armoury, vintage cars and ornate furniture. The palace complex also includes formal gardens and a Durbar Hall noted for its stained glass, intricate woodwork and murals.

Sunrise boat ride at Nalsarovar Bird Sanctuary offers an unforgettable early-morning experience gliding across one of Gujarat's largest wetlands. You'll witness thousands of resident and migratory birds as the first light paints the lake, with reflections of birds, lotus patches, and reed islands creating spectacular photo opportunities.