Gujarat has always been a destination I had wanted to explore with the family. A state that packs in everything — Gandhian history, ancient stepwells, Jyotirlingas, the world’s tallest statue, and the last refuge of the Asiatic lion — it felt like no single trip could ever do full justice to it.
In January 2023, we finally made it happen.
This was a proper road trip — eight days, one hired cab for the entire journey, and a route that took us from Ahmedabad all the way down to Dwarka, along the Saurashtra coast to Somnath, and finally into the forests of Gir before flying back home.
I am writing this post in 2026, a little late by my usual standards, but the memories are vivid enough. Some posts may read more like travel memoirs than straightforward travel guides. I hope you find them useful regardless.
In this post, I will focus on the overall itinerary. I will be writing separate posts with detailed accounts of each destination.
How We Planned This Trip
The base city was Ahmedabad, which has a good airport and works well as a starting point for most Gujarat itineraries.
We flew in from Bangalore (Bengaluru) and hired a single cab for all 8 days. This turned out to be the most practical decision of the trip. Gujarat’s key destinations are spread across the state, and having a dedicated cab gave us the flexibility to cover everything at our own pace without worrying about bus schedules or train connections.
We stayed at four different hotels across the journey — spending three nights in Ahmedabad before progressively moving westward and southward through the state.
Day 1 – Bangalore to Ahmedabad | Ahmedabad Local Sightseeing
Our journey began with an early morning flight from Bengaluru to Ahmedabad.
After checking in at Le Grande Residency, we headed out for our first day of sightseeing.
We visited the Sabarmati Ashram, the place where Mahatma Gandhi lived and shaped the course of India’s independence movement. There is something quietly powerful about standing at a place so deeply tied to history.
From there, we went to the Akshardham Temple — a massive and beautifully crafted temple complex that is well worth the time it takes to explore.
We ended the evening at Kankaria Lake and the Sabarmati Riverfront, both of which offer a relaxed and pleasant way to wind down a long travel day.
Read the full post: Ahmedabad – Where Gandhi’s India Meets a UNESCO World Heritage City
Day 2 – Ahmedabad to Statue of Unity and Back
Day 2 was reserved entirely for the Statue of Unity in Kevadia, roughly 200 kilometres from Ahmedabad.
The drive through the Narmada valley is scenic, and the statue itself is a sight that genuinely takes your breath away when you first see it. At 182 metres, the sheer scale of the structure is something photographs cannot fully prepare you for.
We returned to Ahmedabad the same evening.
Read the full post: Statue of Unity – Standing at the Feet of the World’s Tallest Statue
Day 3 – Ahmedabad to Modhera and Patan and Back
This was the day that surprised us the most.
We drove north from Ahmedabad to visit the Sun Temple in Modhera and the Rani Ki Vav stepwell in Patan — two of the most remarkable pieces of ancient architecture I have seen anywhere in India.
Both are UNESCO-listed or nationally protected monuments, and yet they feel wonderfully unhurried compared to more famous tourist sites. The carvings at Modhera and the sheer depth and intricacy of Rani Ki Vav left a lasting impression on me.
Read the full post: Sun Temple Modhera & Rani Ki Vav, Patan – Gujarat’s Twin Architectural Wonders
Day 4 – Ahmedabad to Dwarka via Jamnagar
On Day 4, we checked out of Ahmedabad and began the long drive west towards Dwarka, one of the four sacred dhams of Hinduism.
The drive passes through Jamnagar, which has a few sights worth a brief stop if time allows.
We checked in at The Grand Dwarka and spent the evening exploring the famous Dwarkadhish Temple — a towering five-storey structure right on the edge of the Arabian Sea.
Read the full post: Dwarka Travel Guide – Dwarkadhish Temple, Bet Dwarka & Nageshwar Jyotirlinga
Day 5 – Bet Dwarka and Nageshwar Jyotirlinga
Day 5 was spent exploring the area around Dwarka.
We took a short boat ride to Bet Dwarka, an island believed to be the original residence of Lord Krishna. The boat journey itself is part of the experience.
We also visited the Nageshwar Jyotirlinga, one of the twelve Jyotirlingas of India, located a short distance from Dwarka.
Read the full post: Dwarka Travel Guide – Dwarkadhish Temple, Bet Dwarka & Nageshwar Jyotirlinga
Day 6 – Dwarka to Porbandar to Somnath
Day 6 involved a long but scenic drive along the Saurashtra coastline.
We stopped at Porbandar to visit Kirti Mandir, the birthplace of Mahatma Gandhi — a different kind of Gandhian experience compared to Sabarmati.
By evening, we reached Somnath, one of the most significant temple towns in India. The Somnath Temple, rebuilt after centuries of destruction, sits dramatically on the edge of the Arabian Sea. The Sound and Light Show in the evening is not to be missed.
We stayed the night at Vits Imperial Somnath.
Read the full post: Porbandar & Somnath – Gandhi’s Birthplace and the Eternal Temple
Day 7 – Somnath to Gir National Park
The final destination of the trip was Gir National Park — the only place in the world outside Africa where you can see lions in the wild.
We went on a jeep safari and, to our great excitement, managed to spot lions. It was one of the most memorable moments of the entire trip.
We stayed at Daksh Resort near Gir.
Read the full post: Gir National Park – The Last Kingdom of the Asiatic Lion
Day 8 – Gir to Ahmedabad | Flight to Bangalore
The final day was a long drive back to Ahmedabad, from where we caught our evening flight back to Bengaluru — tired, but thoroughly satisfied.
Trip Summary
Route: Bengaluru → Ahmedabad → Statue of Unity → Modhera → Patan → Jamnagar → Dwarka → Bet Dwarka → Porbandar → Somnath → Gir → Ahmedabad → Bengaluru
Duration: 8 Days / 7 Nights
Mode of Travel: Flight (Bengaluru–Ahmedabad return) + Hired cab for all 8 days
Season: January — ideal weather, clear skies, comfortable temperatures
Stays:
- Le Grande Residency, Ahmedabad (Days 1–3)
- The Grand Dwarka, Dwarka (Days 4–5)
- Vits Imperial Somnath, Somnath (Day 6)
- Daksh Resort, Gir (Day 7)
Key Destinations Covered:
- Ahmedabad – Sabarmati Ashram, Akshardham, Kankaria Lake
- Statue of Unity, Kevadia
- Sun Temple Modhera & Rani Ki Vav, Patan
- Dwarka – Dwarkadhish Temple, Bet Dwarka, Nageshwar Jyotirlinga
- Porbandar & Somnath
- Gir National Park
Frequently Asked Questions
How many days are enough for a Gujarat trip? Eight days is a comfortable duration to cover the major highlights — Ahmedabad, Statue of Unity, Modhera, Patan, Dwarka, Somnath, and Gir. If you want to add Kutch and the Rann, plan for at least ten to twelve days.
What is the best time to visit Gujarat? October to March is the ideal window. January, in particular, offers clear skies, comfortable temperatures, and excellent conditions for both sightseeing and wildlife safari at Gir. Avoid April to June as summers are harsh across Saurashtra.
Is Gujarat a good destination for a family trip? Absolutely. The mix of spirituality, history, architecture, wildlife, and easy road connectivity makes Gujarat one of the best family road trip destinations in India. The sites are well maintained and manageable for all age groups.
Is it better to hire a cab or use public transport for a Gujarat road trip? For a family covering multiple destinations, hiring a single cab for the entire trip is strongly recommended. It offers flexibility, saves time on connections, and works out cost-effective when split across a family. Public transport works well for solo travellers or couples with more time.
Is Gujarat vegetarian friendly? Yes, very much so. Gujarat is one of the most vegetarian-friendly states in India. The Gujarati thali is a must-try. Most restaurants, especially in smaller towns like Dwarka and Somnath, are entirely vegetarian.
What is the approximate budget for an 8-day Gujarat family trip? Our total spend was approximately ₹1,22,000 for a family, covering return flights from Bengaluru, cab hire and hotel stays for 8 days, food, and shopping. Entry fees and boat rides would add marginally to this figure.
Do I need to book Gir National Park safari in advance? Yes. Safari slots at Gir fill up quickly, especially between October and March. Book online well in advance of your travel dates to avoid disappointment.
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