Welcome to Anand—the cooperative heart of India where the Amul dairy movement began in the 1940s and reshaped rural livelihoods. Today, this university town pairs an easygoing campus vibe with deep devotion, surrounded by temple towns like Dakor and learning hubs like Vallabh Vidyanagar.

Within two hours of Anand you can walk Ahmedabad’s UNESCO-listed old city, admire the gilded Laxmi Vilas Palace of Vadodara, and stand inside the world’s tallest statue at Kevadia. Architecturally minded travelers will love Modhera’s Sun Temple and Patan’s Rani ki Vav, masterpieces of stone, story, and light.

Expect vegetarian-friendly dining, a “dry state” policy on alcohol (carry proper permits when applicable), hot summers, and mellow winters. Dress modestly at temples, prebook popular sites like the Statue of Unity, and ride the rails between cities for a slice of everyday Gujarat.

Anand

Anand is intimate, green, and proudly “Amul country.” The Amul Dairy Museum and the leafy IRMA (Institute of Rural Management Anand) campus speak to a cooperative legacy that’s still very much alive. In nearby Vallabh Vidyanagar, students spill out of tea stalls and dosa counters, giving the town a youthful pulse.

Use Anand as your base for day trips. Ahmedabad and Vadodara are roughly 1–2 hours away by road or rail, making for easy heritage walks, palace visits, and stepwell excursions. Closer to home, Dakor’s Ranchhodraiji Temple draws pilgrims for evening aarti and street snacks.

• Where to stay: Browse stays on Hotels.com (Anand) or apartment-style options on VRBO (Anand). If you prefer a resort setting with on-site dining and a pool, search for properties in Vallabh Vidyanagar.
• Getting in: Fly into Ahmedabad (AMD) or Vadodara (BDQ). Compare fares on Trip.com (flights) or Kiwi.com. AMD–Anand by road is ~1.5–2 hours; BDQ–Anand ~1 hour. Trains run frequently between Anand Jn., Ahmedabad, and Vadodara—check schedules via Trip.com (trains). Expect INR 50–150 for unreserved/2S fares and INR 1,200–2,500 for an intercity taxi.

Day 1: Arrive in Anand and settle into Amul country

Afternoon: Arrive via AMD or BDQ and transfer to Anand. Check in, then stretch your legs with a gentle walk under the gulmohars of Vallabh Vidyanagar. Stop at an Amul Parlour for a thick chocolate shake or seasonal ice cream—this is the freshest place to sample the brand’s classics.

Evening: Dinner on property if you’re at a resort-style stay, or head into V.V. Nagar for a comfortable first-night meal. Good, widely loved picks include Sankalp (crisp dosas, South Indian thalis), Hocco Eatery (old-school ice cream and North Indian plates), and The Chocolate Room (desserts and coffee). Early night after travel.

Day 2: Anand essentials, Nadiad and Dakor temple town

Morning: Visit the Amul Dairy Museum (nominal entry; closed on major holidays). Exhibits trace how the milk cooperative empowered farmers and built a nationwide brand. Stroll the IRMA campus nearby, known for its banyan-shaded paths.

Afternoon: Drive to Nadiad (30–40 min) to see Santram Mandir, a serene multi-tiered temple. Lunch back toward Anand—try khichdi–kadhi and seasonal shaak at a local vegetarian dining hall, or go light with paper masala dosas at Sankalp.

Evening: Head to Dakor (about 35–45 min) for darshan at Ranchhodraiji Temple, a major Krishna shrine. After aarti, sample hot fafda–jalebi, khaman, and gota from the food stalls around the bazaar before returning to Anand.

Day 3: Ahmedabad UNESCO old city (guided day tour)

Travel: Anand to Ahmedabad is ~1.5–2 hours by car or ~1–1.5 hours by train (INR 50–150). Depart early; many tours start around 9:00 a.m. Taxis for the day typically cost INR 3,000–4,500 depending on distance and vehicle.

Book a comprehensive city tour to cover more in less time:

World heritage Ahmedabad city tour in private car with guide and lunch

• Why go: See the pols (historic neighborhoods), Sidi Saiyyed’s stone jali, Jama Masjid’s pillared courtyard, and the Sabarmati Ashram in one well-paced day.
• Food notes: Grab a pre-tour chai with maska bun near Manek Chowk; for lunch, your guide will steer you to a trusted spot for Gujarati staples. In the evening, consider village-style dining at Vishalla before the return to Anand.

Day 4: Modhera Sun Temple and Rani ki Vav stepwell (full-day excursion)

Expect an early start and a full day (10–12 hours) from the Ahmedabad side, with drop-off possible back in Ahmedabad (you can return to Anand afterward). The carvings, solar alignment, and acoustics at Modhera plus the story-laden terraces of Rani ki Vav make this a Gujarat highlight.

Private Tour of Step well, Modhera Sun Temple & Patola saree weaving by car

• Logistics: Anand–Ahmedabad (start point) ~1.5–2 hours by road; tour duration ~10–12 hours.
• Dining: Most tours stop for a simple local lunch—ask for seasonal shaak, bajra rotla, and chaas.

Day 5: Vadodara royal day—Laxmi Vilas Palace and Sayaji Gardens

Morning: Train or car to Vadodara (45–70 minutes). Start at Laxmi Vilas Palace, the Gaekwad family residence, four times the size of Buckingham and filled with stained glass, marble, and a fascinating arms gallery. Entry is typically INR 200–500 with an audio guide; dress modestly and respect private areas.

Afternoon: Stroll Sayaji Gardens (Kamati Baug) and pop into the Baroda Museum & Picture Gallery for miniatures and ethnographic curios. Lunch at Mandap (Express Hotel) for an abundant Gujarati thali—rotlis, farsan, dal, kadhi, vegetables, sweets, and buttermilk keep arriving till you surrender.

Evening: Coffee at Brewberrys (a Vadodara-born chain) or dessert at Hocco. For dinner, The Secret Kitchen offers inventive vegetarian plates, while old-time favorites near Alkapuri serve butter-laced pav bhaji and spiced tawa pulao. Return to Anand by night.

Day 6: Statue of Unity at Kevadia (full-day from Vadodara)

Make a day of the world’s tallest statue (182 m) honoring Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel. The complex includes a museum, exhibition hall, viewing gallery, and evening light-and-sound show, plus landscaped riverfronts and eco parks.

Day Trip to Statue of Unity (Guided Full Day Sightseeing Tour from Vadodara)

• Tickets: Basic entry starts around INR 150; viewing gallery tickets about INR 380; book timed slots in advance, especially on weekends and holidays.
• Food: Carry water and sun protection. Lunch options are available at the complex; end the day with a comfort dinner back in Anand—think simple dal–bati or khichdi–kadhi.

Day 7: Slow Anand morning and departure

Morning: Easy breakfast—pair masala chai with the freshest Amul butter on toast or a plate of poha. Pick up edible souvenirs: khakhra, gathiya, and a cold box for Amul cheeses or sweets from reputable local mithai shops near the main market.

Afternoon: Transfer to AMD or BDQ for your onward flight. For flight options compare on Trip.com (flights) or Kiwi.com. If you’re departing from Vadodara and want a prebooked ride, consider this convenient option:

Private Transfer from Vadodara (BDQ) Airport to Vadodara City

Optional/Alternative tour if you add extra time in Ahmedabad

Half-Day Private Sightseeing Tour of Ahmedabad

This is a compact way to see Sidi Saiyyed’s jali, Adalaj Stepwell (time permitting), and a couple of historic pols if you prefer a lighter day than the full-day tours.

Practical tips

• Train vs. car: Trains are frequent and inexpensive between Anand–Ahmedabad–Vadodara. A private car gives flexibility for Modhera–Patan and Dakor. Check schedules on Trip.com (trains).
• Best time: October–March is most pleasant. Summers are hot—hydrate and plan outdoor sites for mornings/evenings.
• Temples and attire: Shoulders and knees covered, shoes off inside. Photography rules vary; ask before shooting.
• Where to stay (also for split nights): If you decide to overnight elsewhere, browse Hotels.com (Ahmedabad), VRBO (Ahmedabad), Hotels.com (Vadodara), and VRBO (Vadodara).
• Estimated costs (per person): Anand–Ahmedabad train INR 50–150; private car for a day INR 3,000–5,500; palace entry INR 200–500; Statue of Unity entry INR 150–380; guided day tours from ~USD 60–150 depending on inclusions.

Seven days based in Anand let you taste Gujarat’s essence—cooperative history, sacred towns, scholarly campuses, and a ring of world-class heritage. With day trips to Ahmedabad, Vadodara, Modhera–Patan, and the Statue of Unity, you’ll stitch together a journey of stone, spirit, and superb vegetarian food. Safe travels and su-swagatam to Amul country.