Discover Gujarat Beyond The Ordinary: A 15-Day Private Journey

Gujarat rarely gets the credit it deserves. Everyone talks about Rajasthan's palaces or Kerala's backwaters, but Gujarat quietly holds royal cities, UNESCO stepwells, salt deserts, lion territory and a coastline dotted with temples and old Portuguese forts. With Garhwal Himalayan Expedition, this 15 day route takes you through all of it, at a pace that doesn't feel rushed and doesn't skip the good parts either.

Route At A Glance

Mumbai to Surat, Vadodara, Champaner-Pavagadh, Ahmedabad, Modhera, Patan, Little Rann of Kutch, Bhuj, the Kutch villages, Great Rann of Kutch, Mandvi, Dwarka, Porbandar, Somnath, Gir, Diu and back to Mumbai.

Day 1: Mumbai To Surat

The journey opens with a private drive from Mumbai into Surat. Once you check in, depending on how much daylight is left, there's enough time for:

• Surat Castle
• Tapi Riverfront
• Dutch Garden
• Local textile and street food markets

Overnight in Surat.

Day 2: Surat To Vadodara

Vadodara carries Gujarat's royal weight, and it shows. A day here typically covers:

• Laxmi Vilas Palace, still one of the most impressive royal residences in India
• Baroda Museum
• Sayaji Garden
• Kirti Mandir
• Local heritage pockets

Evening is left open for the local market.

Overnight in Vadodara.

Day 3: Vadodara To Champaner-Pavagadh To Ahmedabad

The drive to Champaner-Pavagadh takes you into a UNESCO-listed archaeological zone that blends Hindu and Islamic architecture in a way you don't see often.

• Pavagadh Hill
• Kalika Mata Temple
• Jama Masjid
• Historic gates and fortifications
• Ancient stepwells and monuments

Continue onwards to Ahmedabad by evening.

Overnight in Ahmedabad.

Day 4: A Full Day In Ahmedabad

This is a heritage-heavy day and worth every hour of it.

• Sabarmati Ashram
• Adalaj Stepwell
• Sidi Saiyyed Mosque
• The old city on a heritage walk
• Manek Chowk
• Hutheesing Jain Temple
• Calico Museum area, opening hours permitting

Evenings here are for local markets and proper Gujarati food.

Overnight in Ahmedabad.

Day 5: Ahmedabad To Modhera To Patan To Little Rann Of Kutch

An early start takes you to the Modhera Sun Temple, known for its carved stonework and stepped tank. From there, Patan brings you to Rani ki Vav, arguably one of India's finest stepwells, plus a look at Patola weaving where workshops are open.

By evening, you're headed into the Little Rann of Kutch.

Overnight in the Little Rann / Dasada area.

Day 6: Little Rann Of Kutch

An early safari here is worth the wake-up call. The Wild Ass Sanctuary is one of the last strongholds of the Indian Wild Ass, and sightings often include:

• Indian Wild Ass
• Flamingos
• Pelicans
• Cranes
• Raptors and desert birds
• Foxes
• Nilgai

Afternoons open up village visits and a look at local handicraft traditions.

Overnight in Little Rann of Kutch.

Day 7: Little Rann to Bhuj

The drive deeper into Kutch lands you in Bhuj, a good base for exploring the region's artistic side.

• Bhujodi
• Local handicraft lanes
• Aina Mahal
• Prag Mahal
• Kutch Museum, opening hours permitting

Overnight in Bhuj.

Day 8: Bhuj To Kutch Villages To Great Rann Of Kutch

This day is built around Kutch's artisan communities, and there's plenty to see across Nirona, Hodka, Dhordo and Bhirandiyara, access depending:

• Embroidery
• Bandhani tie dye
• Ajrakh block printing
• Rogan art
• Bell making
• Pottery and leather work

By late afternoon you're at the Great Rann of Kutch, and the sunset over that white salt expanse is honestly hard to describe until you've seen it.

Overnight in Dhordo, Hodka or a village stay nearby.

Day 9: Kutch To Mandvi

Trade the white desert for the Arabian Sea. The morning starts slow in the village before the drive to Mandvi, where you can explore:

• Vijay Vilas Palace
• Mandvi Beach
• Traditional shipbuilding yards
• Local markets

Overnight in Mandvi.

Day 10: Mandvi to Dwarka

A coastal drive brings you into Dwarka, one of Hinduism's most sacred sites. Evening is set aside for Dwarkadhish Temple and the streets around it.

Overnight in Dwarka.

Day 11: Dwarka To Bet Dwarka To Porbandar To Somnath

Morning temple visits in Dwarka, followed by, depending on ferry and transport access:

• Bet Dwarka
• Nageshwar Jyotirlinga
• Rukmini Devi Temple
• Gomti Ghat

Then onward to Porbandar for Kirti Mandir and Sudama Temple, and finally Somnath by evening, where the temple atmosphere by the sea is worth staying for.

Overnight in Somnath.

Day 12: Somnath To Gir

A bit more time around Somnath in the morning, then off to Sasan Gir, home to the Asiatic lion. Depending on availability, an evening safari might turn up:

• Asiatic Lion
• Leopard
• Spotted Deer
• Nilgai
• Sambar
• Crocodiles, hyenas, jackals
• A long list of bird species

Overnight in Sasan Gir.

Day 13: Full Day At Gir National Park

Early morning safaris tend to be the most rewarding here. The rest of the day is flexible:

• Nature walks
• Birdwatching
• Maldhari village visits, a rare look at pastoral life in the region
• Interpretation centre, subject to operation

Overnight in Sasan Gir.

Day 14: Gir To Diu

From forest to coast. Diu brings a completely different flavour, thanks to its Portuguese history.

• Diu Fort
• Paul's Church
• Naida Caves
• Diu's old town
• Nagoa Beach

Sunset by the Arabian Sea closes out the day nicely.

Overnight in Diu.

Day 15: Diu Back To Mumbai

A relaxed morning with breakfast and free time before the return journey. The trip back to Mumbai can be arranged by road, flight or train depending on what the group prefers.

Why This Route Works

Gujarat isn't just one thing, and that's the point of this itinerary. You get royal Vadodara, spiritual Ahmedabad, the surreal salt flats of Kutch, wildlife in the Rann and Gir, temple towns along the coast and a Portuguese finish in Diu, all without backtracking or wasted travel days.

Fifteen days is a real commitment, but Gujarat rewards it. With Garhwal Himalayan Expedition handling the logistics, drivers, stays and pacing, all that's left for you to do is show up and take it in.