Gujarat Tour Packages

Few places in India blend ancient civilizations, sacred shores, vibrant cities, and desert saltflats as seamlessly as Gujarat. From the chalk-white expanse of the Great Rann of Kutch to the wave-washed temples of Dwarka, from the bustling craft villages around Bhuj to the lion-haunted teak forests of Gir, Gujarat is a traveler’s canvas of contrasts. Its UNESCO treasures, world-class highways, and welcoming culture make journeys easy, while festivals like Navratri and Uttarayan turn nights into whirlwinds of color. Expect astonishing stepwells, sun-drenched coastlines, delicious vegetarian cuisine, and a thriving legacy of textiles and design. In short: Gujarat is where history feels alive, nature still surprises, and hospitality comes with a smile.

Type of Destination

• Cultural & Heritage: Ancient stepwells, Indus Valley sites (Dholavira, Lothal), UNESCO-listed Old Ahmedabad and Champaner-Pavagadh.
• Nature & Wildlife: Gir National Park (Asiatic lions), Blackbuck and bird sanctuaries, white salt desert of Kutch, long coastline.
• Pilgrimage: Somnath, Dwarka, Palitana (Shatrunjaya), Ambaji, Modhera Sun Temple.
• Adventure & Outdoors: Desert safaris, trekking (Girnar, Saputara, Pavagadh), cycling and river activities near the Statue of Unity.
• Crafts & Culinary: Bandhani, Ajrakh, Patola, Rogan art; famed vegetarian thalis and street food.

Prime Season and “Snow” Season

• Prime Season: October to March. Pleasant days (approx. 15–30°C), clear skies, festivals (Navratri, Diwali, Rann Utsav, Uttarayan), best for wildlife, desert, and city sightseeing.
• Snow Season: Not applicable. Gujarat is largely coastal and semi-arid to tropical; no snowfall. For cool climates, head to Saputara in the Dang hills during winter.

Languages Spoken

• Gujarati (state language)
• Hindi (widely understood)
• English (tourism and business)
• Kutchi (Kutch region), and various regional dialects (Kathiawadi, Surti, Charotari)

Local Transport Options

• Intercity: GSRTC buses (including AC Volvo), private coaches, fast express trains, excellent highways.
• In cities: Auto-rickshaws (metered/negotiated), app taxis (Ola/Uber in major cities), city buses; Ahmedabad BRTS (Janmarg) and Ahmedabad Metro on key corridors; Surat BRTS.
• Unique links: Bet Dwarka ferry (Okha jetty), seasonal Ghogha–Hazira Ro-Pax car-and-passenger ferry across the Gulf of Khambhat.
• Self-drive/rentals: Widely available; roads are generally very good.

How to Reach

• By Air
  • Major gateways: Ahmedabad (Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport), Vadodara, Surat, Rajkot International (Hirasar), Bhavnagar, Jamnagar, Bhuj, Porbandar, Kandla, Keshod.
  • For specific regions: Dwarka via Jamnagar; Gir via Keshod/Rajkot; Kutch via Bhuj; Statue of Unity via Vadodara.
• By Rail
  • Key junctions: Ahmedabad (Kalupur), Vadodara, Surat, Rajkot, Bhavnagar, Jamnagar, Bhuj, Palanpur.
  • Well connected with Mumbai, Delhi, Jaipur, Udaipur, Jodhpur, Indore, Pune, and across India.
• By Road
  • National Highways: NH 48 (Delhi–Mumbai corridor via Surat–Vadodara–Anand), NH 27 (East–West corridor to Porbandar via Rajkot), NE-1 Ahmedabad–Vadodara Expressway.
  • Excellent state highways link coastal Saurashtra, Kutch, and central Gujarat.

Best Time to Visit

• Summer (March–June)
  • Weather: Hot, dry; interiors can touch 40–45°C, coast a bit milder.
  • Crowd & Budget: Fewer crowds except at hill/sea spots; better hotel deals.
  • What’s best: Early-morning temple visits, museums, coastal breezes, stepwells (cool microclimate).
  • Packing: Light cottons/linens, hat, sunscreen, electrolytes, sunglasses.
• Monsoon (July–September)
  • Weather: Warm and humid; 28–34°C with showers; landscapes turn lush, waterfalls revive, Saputara shines.
  • Crowd & Budget: Moderate crowds; value pricing except long weekends.
  • What’s best: Saputara, Polo Forest, Zarwani/Girmal Falls, heritage and food trails.
  • Packing: Quick-dry clothes, rain jacket/umbrella, anti-slip footwear, insect repellent.
• Winter (October–February) – Best Overall
  • Weather: Pleasant to cool; 15–30°C; can dip lower in Kutch and Dang nights.
  • Crowd & Budget: High during Navratri (Sep/Oct), Rann Utsav (Nov–Feb), Uttarayan (Jan 14), New Year; book early.
  • What’s best: Rann of Kutch, wildlife safaris, city walks, festivals, desert sunsets.
  • Packing: Light warm layers for nights, closed shoes for deserts/forests.

Places to Visit (Top Highlights)

1. Ahmedabad – India’s first UNESCO World Heritage City
   • Pol heritage walks, Sabarmati Ashram, Adalaj & Dada Har Stepwells, Sidi Saiyyed Jali, Sabarmati Riverfront.
2. Rann of Kutch (Dhordo & Kalo Dungar)
   • The surreal White Rann salt desert, moonlit walks, folk music, crafts; best Nov–Feb.
3. Gir National Park (Sasan Gir)
   • The only wild home of the Asiatic lion; guided jeep safaris; nearby Girnar ropeway and Junagadh forts.
4. Somnath & Veraval
   • Iconic Somnath Jyotirlinga by the Arabian Sea, evening aarti and light-and-sound show; nearby beaches and fish port views.
5. Dwarka & Bet Dwarka
   • Sacred Dwarkadhish Temple, lighthouse sunsets; short boat ride to Bet Dwarka island shrines.
6. Statue of Unity & Ekta Nagar (Kevadia)
   • World’s tallest statue (182 m), Valley of Flowers, viewing gallery, jungle safari park, riverfront activities and laser show.
7. Champaner–Pavagadh Archaeological Park (UNESCO)
   • A medieval city beneath a volcanic hill: mosques, citadel ruins, Jain temples, and a rewarding climb/ropeway.
8. Modhera Sun Temple & Patan
   • Exquisite Solanki-era Sun Temple; nearby Rani ki Vav stepwell (UNESCO) and Patola weaving houses.
9. Bhuj & Craft Villages
   • Aina Mahal, Prag Mahal; excursions to Bhujodi, Ajrakhpur, Nirona for textiles, block prints, and Rogan art.
10. Mandvi & Kutch Coast
    • Vijay Vilas Palace, shipbuilding yards, wind-swept beaches, camel rides at sunset.
11. Velavadar Blackbuck National Park
    • Open savannahs with graceful blackbuck herds and harrier roosts—photographer’s delight.
12. Saputara (Dang Hills)
    • Gujarat’s hill station: cool air, boating, treks, monsoon views, cable car.

Things to Do

• Join a heritage walk in Old Ahmedabad’s pols and end with street snacks at Manek Chowk.
• Sleep under canvas at the Rann Utsav’s tent city and catch a full-moon rise over the White Rann.
• Safari in Gir at dawn; look for lions, leopards, chital, and birdlife.
• Dance Garba during Navratri—community grounds host spectacular live music nights.
• Craft immersion: Watch Patola weaving in Patan, Ajrakh block printing in Ajrakhpur, and Rogan painting in Nirona.
• Stepwell trail: Adalaj, Rani ki Vav, and lesser-known stepwells around Ahmedabad–Patan.
• Riverfront cycling along the Sabarmati or a sunset Ekta Cruise near the Statue of Unity.
• Birdwatching at Nal Sarovar, Khijadiya, and Chhari-Dhand wetlands (winter prime time).

Adventure Activities

• Desert Jeeping & ATV on designated tracks around Dhordo and Kutch villages.
• Trekking & Stair Climbs: Girnar (10,000+ steps), Pavagadh, Saputara viewpoints.
• Paragliding/Parasailing at Saputara (seasonal) and occasional festival set-ups on the coast.
• River Rafting & Zipline (seasonal) near the Statue of Unity on the Narmada.
• Cycling Trails in Kutch grasslands’ buffer zones and around Ekta Nagar’s landscaped circuits.

Cuisines to Try

• Gujarati Thali (sweet-savoury balance of kadhi, shaak, farsan, rotis, rice).
• Undhiyu (winter delicacy), Khaman/Dhokla, Khandvi, Fafda–Jalebi (Uttarayan staple).
• Kathiawadi fare: Bajra rotla with lasaniya bataka, sev tameta, ringna no olo.
• Kutchi dabeli, Handvo, Muthiya, Dal Dhokli.
• Surati specials: Locho, Ghari; coastal pomfret and prawns in Saurashtra.

Dining Places (Tried-and-Loved)

• Agashiye – The House of MG (Ahmedabad): Elegant rooftop thali and heritage vibes.
• Rajwadu (Ahmedabad): Village-style ambience, live folk, lavish Gujarati spread.
• Swati Snacks (Ahmedabad): Polished takes on classics—panki, handvo, khichu.
• The Grand Thakar – TGT (Rajkot): Robust Kathiawadi flavors and generous thalis.
• Sasumaa (Vadodara): Traditional Gujarati thali favorite.
• Gopal Locho & Khaman House (Surat): Iconic for locho, khaman, and Surti snacks.
• Mandap (Vadodara): Brass-bell ambience and hearty thalis.

Resorts & Stays

• Rann Utsav – Tent City, Dhordo: Premium tents in the White Rann with culture shows.
• Shaam-e-Sarhad Village Resort, Hodka: Community-run mud-bhunga stay, authentic and artsy.
• Woods at Sasan (Gir): Nature-forward luxury in teak forests; spa and mindful activities.
• The Fern Gir Forest Resort (Sasan Gir): Comfortable base for safaris and families.
• Tent City Narmada (Ekta Nagar): Scenic glamping near the Statue of Unity.
• The House of MG (Ahmedabad): Heritage hotel with museum-like charm and pool.
• Hawthorn Suites by Wyndham (Dwarka): Villa-style resort near the coast and temples.
• Blackbuck Safari Lodge (Velavadar): Boutique wildlife lodge on the savannah.

Nightlife (Gujarat-Style)

Note: Gujarat is a “dry state”; alcohol requires a permit. Nightlife centers on culture, food, and waterfronts.

• Manek Chowk Night Food Market (Ahmedabad): Jewel box of late-night snacks—don’t miss chocolate paan and ghughra.
• Sabarmati Riverfront (Ahmedabad): Illuminated promenades, boat rides, and cycling.
• Navratri Garba Nights (statewide, Sep/Oct): Electrifying dances with live orchestras.
• Rann Utsav Cultural Evenings (Dhordo, Nov–Feb): Folk music, dance, starry skies.
• Sound & Light Shows: Somnath Temple, Statue of Unity laser projection, and seasonal shows at heritage sites.

Shopping

• Patola silk (Patan), Bandhani tie-dye (Jamnagar/Kutch), Ajrakh block prints (Ajrakhpur), Kutchi embroidery & leather, Rogan art (Nirona).
• Agate and stone crafts (Khambhat), brass/copper bells (Nirona), silver jewelry, handloom shawls (Bhujodi).
• Markets to visit:
  • Law Garden Night Market & Dhalgarwad (Ahmedabad) for textiles and jewelry.
  • Rani no Hajiro & Teen Darwaza lanes (Ahmedabad) for crafts and cosmetics.
  • Bhujodi & LLDC (Ajrakhpur) showrooms for curated craft shopping.
  • Jetpur & Rajkot textile markets; Surat for saris and diamonds (showrooms).

Off-beat Places

• Dholavira (Kutch, UNESCO): Spectacular Harappan city with ingenious water systems amid salt flats.
• Lakhpat Fort & Gurudwara (Kutch): Ghost-town serenity, ruined ramparts, and wide-sky horizons.
• Marine National Park – Pirotan Island (Jamnagar): Coral, mangroves, and intertidal walks—requires tide timing and permits.
• Polo Forest (Vijaynagar, Sabarkantha): Ruined temples deep in forested hills; misty monsoons.
• Zarwani Falls & Shoolpaneshwar Sanctuary (near SOU): Emerald valleys, forest hikes, and picnic spots.
• Khijadiya Bird Sanctuary (Jamnagar): Freshwater–saltwater mosaic wetland; winter birding paradise.
• Little Rann of Kutch: Salt pans, wild ass sightings, flamingos; rustic salt-worker hamlets.

Festivals & Events (When to Go)

• Navratri Garba: Sep/Oct (9 nights of dance and devotion).
• Rann Utsav: Nov–Feb (cultural desert festival at Dhordo).
• International Kite Festival – Uttarayan: Jan 14 (kites, sweets, rooftop revelry).
• Modhera Dance Festival: Mid/Late January (classical performances at the Sun Temple).
• Bhavnath Fair (Junagadh): Around Maha Shivratri (Feb/Mar).
• Tarnetar Fair: Aug/Sep (colorful Saurashtra fair famed for embroidered umbrellas).
• Ambaji Bhadarvi Poonam Fair: Aug/Sep (pilgrimage and stalls).
• Janmashtami at Dwarka: Aug (temple festivities and processions).

Key Experiences (Must-Do)

• Watch a full-moon rise over the White Rann from Dhordo.
• Spot a wild Asiatic lion on a dawn safari in Sasan Gir.
• Climb or ropeway to Pavagadh or Girnar for sunrise views and temple darshan.
• Learn the art of Ajrakh printing or Rogan painting straight from master artisans.
• Stand on the viewing gallery of the Statue of Unity and cruise the Narmada at sunset.
• Fly a kite on Uttarayan and feast on fafda–jalebi and undhiyu.
• Wander the pols of Ahmedabad and cool off in the shade of a stepwell.

Travel Tips

• Dry State: Alcohol is restricted; tourists can obtain short-term permits at select hotels/shops—carry ID. Do not drink-and-drive.
• Advance Bookings: Reserve Gir safaris, Rann Utsav tents, and festival dates early (Dec–Jan sell out).
• Permits & Timing: Border areas (Kutch), Marine National Park, and some islands need permits; plan around tides and park closure seasons.
• Weather & Clothing: Summers are hot; winters can be nippy in deserts/hills. Dress modestly for temples; remove footwear inside.
• Cash & Connectivity: UPI is widespread; carry some cash in craft villages. Mobile coverage can be patchy in remote Kutch.
• Responsible Travel: Buy directly from artisans, avoid wildlife disturbance, and keep the White Rann pristine.
• Road Sense: Distances are long; start early, carry water, and watch for livestock on rural highways.

Interesting Facts

• Ahmedabad is India’s first UNESCO World Heritage City (2017).
• Statue of Unity (182 m) is the tallest statue in the world.
• Gujarat’s coastline (~1,600 km) is the longest among Indian states.
• Gir is the only place on Earth where Asiatic lions roam free.
• Dholavira showcases one of the largest Harappan cities with advanced water management (UNESCO, 2021).
• Lothal houses one of the world’s earliest known dockyards.
• Surat polishes a major share of the world’s diamonds, by volume.
• The Girnar ropeway is among Asia’s longest temple ropeways, easing the climb to sacred peaks.

If you’re dreaming of a trip that mixes living culture, rare wildlife, desert drama, and soul-stirring temples—Gujarat belongs at the top of your list.