Grand Gujarat Circuit with Udaipur

Ahmedabad, the Statue of Unity, Dwarka, Somnath, then Mount Abu and Udaipur, by private car.

Your route

1. 1 Ahmedabad 3 nights
2. 2 Rajkot 1 night
3. 3 Dwarka 2 nights
4. 4 Somnath 1 night
5. 5 Mount Abu 1 night
6. 6 Udaipur 1 night

1. Day 1 Ahmedabad

   Arrive, Sabarmati Ashram and Akshardham.

   Arrive in Ahmedabad, where our driver meets you at the airport or railway station and takes you to your hotel. After some rest, visit the Sabarmati Ashram, Mahatma Gandhi's home for many years and the starting point of the Dandi March, now a peaceful museum on the river. In the evening, visit the Akshardham temple in Gandhinagar for its carvings and water show, which is closed on Mondays. Gujarati thali, with its sweet and savoury dishes, is a must for your first dinner here. Overnight in Ahmedabad.

2. Day 2 Ahmedabad

   Old city, Adalaj stepwell, Jama Masjid.

   Explore Ahmedabad, India's first UNESCO World Heritage City. Visit the Jama Masjid, the Sidi Saiyyed mosque with its famous carved stone window, and Bhadra Fort. Walk through the old pols, narrow lanes with carved wooden houses, and visit the Adalaj stepwell, with fine carving five storeys deep. In the evening, try street food at Manek Chowk, which turns into a food market at night. In the evening, try the street food at Manek Chowk, which turns from a jewellery market into a busy food market after dark. Overnight in Ahmedabad.

3. Day 3 Kevadia

   Day trip to the Statue of Unity.

   A full-day excursion to the Statue of Unity at Kevadia, about 200 km away, the tallest statue in the world at 182 metres, dedicated to Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel. Ride the lift to the viewing gallery for views of the Sardar Sarovar dam and the Narmada valley. Visit the Valley of Flowers and the cactus garden nearby, and stay for the evening laser show if time allows. The statue is closed on Mondays. Return to Ahmedabad. Entry tickets for the viewing gallery are extra and should be booked online. Overnight in Ahmedabad.

4. Day 4 Rajkot

   Drive to Rajkot, Kaba Gandhi no Delo.

   After breakfast, drive to Rajkot, about 220 km and four hours. Check in and relax. Later, visit Kaba Gandhi no Delo, the house where Mahatma Gandhi spent his childhood, now a small museum, and the Watson Museum with its collection of royal relics. Rajkot is also known for its snacks, so try the local chevdo and ganthiya. Enjoy a quiet evening at the hotel. Rajkot is also known for its snacks, so try the local chikki, gathiya and the famous Rajkot ice cream in the evening. Overnight in Rajkot.

5. Day 5 Dwarka

   Drive to Dwarka, evening aarti.

   Drive to Dwarka, about 230 km and four to five hours, one of the four Char Dham sites and the ancient city of Lord Krishna. Check in and visit the Dwarkadhish temple in the evening for the aarti, and walk down to Gomti Ghat, where the river meets the Arabian Sea. Mobile phones and cameras are not allowed inside the temple. Mobile phones, cameras and leather items are not allowed inside the temple, so leave them in the vehicle or the lockers. The evening aarti is the most moving time to visit. Overnight in Dwarka.

6. Day 6 Dwarka

   Bet Dwarka, Nageshwar, Rukmini temple.

   After breakfast, visit Bet Dwarka, an island believed to be Krishna's residence, now reached by the Sudarshan Setu bridge. On the way, visit the Nageshwar Jyotirlinga with its tall Shiva statue, Gopi Talav and the Rukmini Devi temple with its beautiful carvings. Return to Dwarka for the evening aarti or a walk on the seafront. Bet Dwarka is also a good place to see dolphins on the boat crossing in calm weather. Carry water and a cap, as the coast gets hot by midday, and dress modestly for the temples. Overnight in Dwarka.

7. Day 7 Somnath

   Porbandar on the way, Somnath aarti.

   Drive along the coast to Somnath, about 230 km and five hours. Stop at Porbandar to visit Kirti Mandir, the birthplace of Mahatma Gandhi, and the Sudama temple. Arrive at Somnath, the first of the twelve Jyotirlingas, standing on the Arabian Sea. Attend the evening aarti and watch the light and sound show about the temple's history. Mobile phones and bags must be left in the lockers. The coastal road passes salt pans, fishing villages and quiet beaches along the Arabian Sea. Overnight in Somnath.

8. Day 8 Mount Abu

   Long drive to Mount Abu.

   Today is a long drive from Somnath to Mount Abu, about 500 km and ten to eleven hours, so we leave early after morning darshan. The road crosses Saurashtra and north Gujarat before climbing into the Aravalli hills to Rajasthan's only hill station at about 1,200 metres. Break for lunch on the way. Arrive by evening and rest. Carry snacks, water and a small pillow for the long journey, and expect simple roadside restaurants for lunch. Mount Abu is much cooler than the plains, so keep a jacket handy. Overnight in Mount Abu.

9. Day 9 Udaipur

   Dilwara temples, drive to Udaipur.

   After breakfast, visit the Dilwara temples, a group of Jain temples from the eleventh to thirteenth centuries famous for the finest marble carving in India. Photography is not allowed inside. See Nakki Lake if time allows. Then drive to Udaipur, about 165 km and four hours, the City of Lakes. Check in and enjoy the evening by Lake Pichola. Mount Abu is also a good place for a quiet walk around Nakki Lake. The road down to Udaipur winds through the Aravalli hills, so carry motion sickness tablets if you need them. Overnight in Udaipur.

10. Day 10 Udaipur

    City Palace, Lake Pichola, departure.

    After breakfast, explore Udaipur. Visit the City Palace, a grand complex of courtyards, balconies and mirror work overlooking Lake Pichola, the Jagdish temple and Saheliyon ki Bari, the garden of the maidens with its fountains. Take a boat ride on Lake Pichola if time allows. Our driver then drops you at Udaipur airport or railway station for your journey home. Udaipur is also famous for its miniature paintings, silver jewellery and colourful textiles. Your grand journey through Gujarat and Rajasthan ends here.

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