About Gujarat
Gujarat has India's longest coastline, two Jyotirlingas on its western shore, the last wild Asiatic lions, a white salt desert, UNESCO World Heritage Sites and some of India's most important pilgrimages. Distances are manageable and highways are good, which makes it ideal for road trips.
Chale Trip is based in Rajkot, in the middle of the Saurashtra peninsula. Most of the state's highlights are between two and eight hours away, so we can plan anything from a day trip to a week-long tour with the same car and driver.
Where to go
Saurashtra
The peninsula around Rajkot: temples, coast, lions and history.
- RajkotOur home city, and the starting point for Saurashtra. Guide
- DwarkaShri Krishna's kingdom and one of the Char Dham, with Nageshwar and Bet Dwarka nearby. Guide
- SomnathThe first Jyotirlinga, on the Arabian Sea. Guide
- JunagadhUparkot Fort, Mahabat Maqbara and the gateway to Girnar. Guide
- GirnarSacred mountain with Hindu and Jain temples and a ropeway. Guide
- Sasan GirThe only home of the wild Asiatic lion. Guide
- DiuBeaches and a Portuguese fort, just off the coast. Guide
- PorbandarGandhiji's birthplace on the coast. Guide
- JamnagarLakhota Lake, Bala Hanuman and the Marine National Park. Guide
- BhavnagarA coastal city with Takhteshwar temple, Nilambagh Palace and Velavadar blackbuck park nearby. Guide
- PalitanaShatrunjaya hill and its hundreds of Jain temples, one of Jainism's holiest sites, about 50 km from Bhavnagar. Guide
Kutch
Gujarat's wild north-west: salt desert, crafts and ancient history.
- BhujCapital of Kutch, with palaces and craft villages. Guide
- White RannThe white salt desert at Dhordo and the Rann Utsav. Guide
Central & North Gujarat
Cities, the capital, a Sun temple and a Shakti Peeth.
- AhmedabadIndia's first World Heritage City and Gujarat's business hub. Guide
- GandhinagarThe capital, with Akshardham and GIFT City. Guide
- VadodaraLaxmi Vilas Palace and Champaner-Pavagadh. Guide
- Statue of UnityThe world's tallest statue, on the Narmada. Guide
- AmbajiOne of India's major Shakti Peethas, in the Aravallis. Guide
- ModheraThe 11th-century Sun Temple with its stepped tank, and the Rani ki Vav stepwell at Patan nearby (a UNESCO site), both in north Gujarat.
South Gujarat
Industry, food and Gujarat's only hill station.
- SuratThe diamond and textile city. Guide
- SaputaraGujarat's hill station in the Sahyadri range, about 165 km from Surat; cool, green and lovely in the monsoon.
Suggested road trips
- Dwarka–Somnath yatra (2–3 days)Rajkot – Dwarka – Nageshwar – Bet Dwarka – Porbandar – Somnath – Rajkot. See plan
- Lions & beaches (3 days)Rajkot – Junagadh – Sasan Gir – Diu – Somnath – Rajkot. See plan
- Kutch & the White Rann (3 days)Rajkot – Bhuj – craft villages – Dhordo – Kala Dungar – Mandvi – Rajkot. See plan
- Statue of Unity & Vadodara (2 days)Rajkot – Vadodara – Ekta Nagar – Pavagadh – Rajkot. See plan
Best time to visit
October to March is the best season across most of Gujarat. Gir's safaris usually close mid-June to mid-October, the Rann is at its best in winter, and the monsoon turns Saputara and the Girnar hills green.
Distance from Rajkot
Most of Saurashtra is within 2–5 hours of Rajkot. Ahmedabad is about 4–4.5 hours, Bhuj about 4.5–5 hours, and the Statue of Unity about 7–8 hours. Distances and times are approximate.
Travel tips
- Gujarat is a dry state: alcohol is restricted. Diu, a Union Territory, has different rules.
- Many temples close in the afternoon; plan darshan for mornings and evenings.
- Festivals such as Navratri, Uttarayan, Janmashtami and Diwali are wonderful but busy. Book early.
