Gujarat’s Kathiawar coast is where myth and geography clasp hands. In Dwarka, the Gomti River slides into the Arabian Sea beside a temple to Krishna revered for over two millennia. A few hours south, Somnath Temple—the first of the twelve Jyotirlingas—rises where invaders, saints, and statesmen have jousted with time, and where the evening aarti still stills the day.

Push inland and Sasan Gir delivers one of India’s signature wildlife experiences. This is the last abode of the Asiatic lion, a scrub-forest ecosystem also teeming with leopards, crocs, and more than 300 bird species. Safari dawns here are all amber light, dust motes, and footpad whispers on the trail.

Expect excellent vegetarian cuisine (Gujarati thali rules), respectful dress codes and shoe removal at temples, and early starts for safaris. October–March offers pleasant weather; Gir safaris usually run mid-October to mid-June (the Devalia “Interpretation Zone” often opens year-round). Pre-book temple stays, ferries, and especially Gir permits.

Dwarka

Ancient legends place Krishna’s capital at Dwarka, and the present Dwarkadhish Temple—with its lofty shikhara and conch flag—anchors a tight-knit old town. Step down to Gomti Ghat at dawn, watch pilgrims float diya lamps, then cross Sudama Setu footbridge for sea breeze and temple silhouettes.

Beyond the core, don’t miss Bet Dwarka Island by ferry from Okha and the nearby Nageshwar Jyotirlinga and Rukmini Devi Temple. For a beach interlude, Blue Flag–certified Shivrajpur Beach (about 20 km) brings clean sands, shallow waters, and sunsets that wash gold into indigo.

• Stay: Browse stays in Dwarka on VRBO or Hotels.com. Well-rated options typically include resorts near Shivrajpur Beach and comfortable business hotels a short walk from the temple.
• Eat & drink: Sample a Gujarati thali at a longstanding bhojanalaya near the temple (rotis, farsan, kadhi, and seasonal shaak). Casual vegetarian spots near the Dwarkadhish main gate do reliable dosas and pav bhaji; along the waterfront, simple cafés brew cardamom chai at sunrise. For dinner, look for hotel restaurants offering satvik (onion/garlic-free) menus after evening aarti.
• Fun fact: The flag atop Dwarkadhish Temple changes five times daily; watching the rope team execute it against the sea wind is a small local spectacle.

Somnath (Veraval)

Somnath is myth and resilience carved in stone. Rebuilt multiple times, the present temple—consecrated in 1951—stands on the Prabhas Patan seafront with an inscription pointing due west across ocean “without land until Antarctica.” It is both pilgrimage and poetry.

Nearby sites knit together Krishna lore: Triveni Sangam (a confluence sacred for last rites), Bhalka Tirth (where Krishna is said to have left his mortal body), and the small but insightful Prabhas Patan Museum. Time your visit for the enthralling sound-and-light show after sunset.

• Stay: Compare stays in Somnath/Veraval on VRBO and Hotels.com. You’ll find modern mid-range hotels steps from the temple and seafacing properties for sunset views.
• Eat & drink: Try the Somnath Trust’s canteen/bhojanalaya for clean, budget-friendly thalis. Sea-facing vegetarian restaurants near Sagar Darshan Road do fresh rotis and korma; sweet shops in Prabhas Patan serve warm jalebi and fafda for a classic Gujarati breakfast.
• Practical: Dress modestly, leave phones/cameras if required (security policies change), and arrive 15–20 minutes before aarti to get a good view.

Sasan Gir (Gir National Park)

Welcome to lion country. Sasan Gir’s mosaic of teak and acacia, thorn scrub, and riverine tracts shelters the Asiatic lion, once almost lost and now carefully managed. Safaris roll at first light and late afternoon, when big cats stir and peacocks call from the salai trees.

Between drives, slow down: village walks, birding by Kamleshwar Dam, and the Devalia Interpretation Zone (a fenced mini-safari often open in monsoon) all add texture. Book permits well ahead—seats go fast in peak season.

• Stay: Nature-forward resorts with pools and spa menus make the most of downtime—browse choices on VRBO and Hotels.com.
• Eat & drink: Most lodges include buffets or set menus; look for seasonal kathiyawadi dishes (ringna no oro—roasted eggplant; sev tameta; bajra rotla with ghee) and fresh buttermilk between safari slots.
• Safari basics: Typical slots are around 6:00–9:00, 8:30–11:30, and 3:00–6:00 (times vary). Permit pricing and jeep/guide fees change; as a ballpark, expect INR 800–1,000 for Indian permits and higher for foreign nationals per vehicle, plus jeep and guide charges. Carry ID used for booking.

Getting to the first city (Dwarka)

• By air: Fly to Jamnagar (JGA), Porbandar (PBD), or Rajkot (HSR/RAJ) and drive 2.5–5 hours to Dwarka. Search flights on Trip.com Flights or Kiwi.com.
• By train: Overnight trains run from Ahmedabad to Dwarka/Okha; book via Trip.com Trains.
• Private transfer: A car with driver from Jamnagar or Porbandar to Dwarka typically takes 2.5–3 hours (~USD 40–70 depending on vehicle and season).

Day 1: Arrive in Dwarka, Gomti Ghat and Sudama Setu

Morning: Fly into Jamnagar/Porbandar or arrive by train. Transfer to Dwarka (2.5–3 hours by road from Jamnagar). Check into your hotel near the old town or Shivrajpur Beach.

Afternoon: Ease into the rhythm at Gomti Ghat—watch pilgrims bathe at the river’s mouth. Cross the pedestrian Sudama Setu for breezy views of Dwarkadhish Temple and the coastline. Pick up prasad laddoos from stalls lining the ghat.

Evening: Attend the evening aarti at Dwarkadhish (arrive 20 minutes early). Dinner ideas: sit-down Gujarati thali at a temple-area bhojanalaya (unlimited rotis, kadhi, seasonal vegetables), or a simple paneer/vegetable meal at a nearby vegetarian family restaurant. Cap the night with kulfi or rabdi from a sweet shop on Shree Dwarkadhish Road.

Day 2: Dwarka’s Sacred Circuit + Shivrajpur Beach

Morning: Join the early darshan at Dwarkadhish, then drive to Nageshwar Jyotirlinga (about 30 minutes). Continue to Rukmini Devi Temple, a short, sculpted gem with a storied past. Breakfast: masala chai and hot fafda-jalebi from a local sweets shop.

Afternoon: Head to Shivrajpur Beach (Blue Flag). Swim in the gentle shallows or rent a beach chair; camel rides and water sports may be available seasonally. Lunch at a beachside canteen or back in town for kathiyawadi staples (try sev tameta and bajra rotla with white butter).

Evening: Stroll Dwarka Beach and lighthouse area for sunset. Optional: return for a second aarti or wander the bazaar for rudraksha malas and brass diyas. Dinner at your hotel restaurant or a vegetarian multicuisine spot near the main gate.

Day 3: Ferry to Bet Dwarka, Drive the Coast to Somnath

Morning: Driver to Okha jetty (~30–40 minutes) and take the local ferry to Bet Dwarka (boats run frequently; allow 2–3 hours round-trip for darshan). Light breakfast at the jetty—fresh coconut water and savory snacks.

Afternoon: Begin the scenic coastal drive to Somnath (about 5–6 hours, ~235 km). Break in Porbandar to visit Kirti Mandir (Gandhi’s birthplace) and for lunch—several vegetarian restaurants cluster near the city center.

Evening: Check into your Somnath hotel. Attend the Somnath Temple evening aarti followed by the sound-and-light show on the seafront. Dinner: temple-trust canteen thali or a seafacing vegetarian restaurant on Sagar Darshan Road. Early night recommended.

• Dwarka → Somnath transport: By road 5–6 hours (private car ~USD 60–120 for the day). By train, routes via Okha/Veraval typically take 5.5–7 hours; check schedules on Trip.com Trains.

Day 4: Somnath Legends—Triveni, Bhalka Tirth, and Seafront Walks

Morning: Start at Triveni Sangam for a quiet riverside moment, then visit Bhalka Tirth, associated with the final chapter of Krishna’s earthly life. Breakfast: poha or thepla with yogurt from a local snack shop.

Afternoon: Explore the Prabhas Patan Museum (sculptures and inscriptions tracing Somnath’s rebuilds). Pause at Prabhas Patan market for gathiya and seasonal pickles to take home. Lunch at a family-run thali house—ask for seasonal shaaks like undhiyu in winter.

Evening: Return to the temple precinct for sunset on the promenade—waves crash just below the plinth. Optional second viewing of the light-and-sound show. Dinner at your hotel restaurant; finish with dudh na puff (frothy winter milk) if in season.

Day 5: Somnath to Sasan Gir + First Safari

Morning: Depart for Sasan Gir (~2 hours, ~80 km). Check into your lodge and confirm your safari permits and jeep bookings with reception. Light lunch at the lodge.

Afternoon: Join an afternoon safari (typical slot ~3:00–6:00 pm). Keep voices low; watch for lion prides near waterholes, shy leopards at treeline, and flocks of rosy starlings. Carry a light scarf and hat—sun can be sharp.

Evening: Unwind by the pool or with a short village walk arranged by your lodge. Dinner features kathiyawadi specialties; ask for ringna no oro (smoky eggplant) and bajra rotla with jaggery and ghee.

Day 6: Dawn Drive, Devalia Zone, and Birding

Morning: Early-morning safari—often the most rewarding for movement and calls. Pack binoculars: changeable hawk-eagles, painted sandgrouse, and owls are regulars. Return for a hearty breakfast.

Afternoon: Visit the Devalia Interpretation Zone (aka Gir Safari Park) for a shorter, fenced drive—useful in monsoon or if you crave one more lion sighting. Alternatively, head to Kamleshwar Dam for crocodile spotting and bird photography. Lunch at the lodge.

Evening: Optional spa or yoga session if available at your resort. Dinner under the stars; end with masala chai and stargazing—rural skies here can be surprisingly crisp.

Day 7: Departure via Rajkot, Diu, or Ahmedabad

Morning: Gentle start with a bird walk around the lodge—green bee-eaters and kingfishers are common near water. Breakfast and check-out.

Afternoon: Transfer to your chosen exit: Rajkot (3.5–4 hours), Diu (2–2.5 hours), or Ahmedabad (6–7 hours). Search flights on Trip.com Flights or Kiwi.com. If taking an evening train to a metro hub, check Trip.com Trains.

Evening: If time allows in transit hubs, snack on dhokla and khandvi before your flight. Reflect on the week’s arc: sea to shrine to forest.

Where to book and how to move between cities

• Flights in/out: Use Trip.com or Kiwi.com to compare fares to Jamnagar, Porbandar, Rajkot, Diu, or Ahmedabad.
• Trains within Gujarat: Book on Trip.com Trains; AC Chair/3A berths between coastal towns and Ahmedabad generally run USD 6–20.
• Private car with driver: Most hotels can arrange; budget roughly USD 60–120 per transfer day for a sedan, more for SUVs. It’s the most efficient way to string together Dwarka → Somnath → Sasan Gir.

Food & drink cheat sheet (Gujarat)

• Breakfast: Fafda-jalebi, poha, thepla with pickle, and steaming masala chai from sweets shops near temple districts.
• Lunch: Gujarati thali (unlimited breads and rotating vegetables, kadhi/daal, rice, farsan, chutneys). Many temple-run canteens serve satvik meals.
• Dinner: Kathiyawadi plates in Saurashtra—try sev tameta, ringan bateta nu shaak, garlic-free options on request; finish with shrikhand or basundi.

Good-to-know for temples and safari

• Temples: Modest dress; leave leather items, shoes, and sometimes phones. Aarti times vary—ask your hotel concierge each day.
• Gir permits: Book well in advance for peak months (Nov–Feb). Carry the same ID used for booking; your lodge can help with the process and registered jeeps/guides.
• Best season: October–March is pleasant. Gir core zones typically close mid-June to mid-October; the Devalia zone often runs year-round.

Optional pre/post extensions using our activity partners

Many travelers route through Mumbai or Delhi for international flights. If you have a spare day, these highly rated tours are convenient add-ons.

• Mumbai City Highlights (full or half-day): See the Gateway of India, Dhobi Ghat, CST station, and seaside Marine Drive.

  

  Highlights of Mumbai Sightseeing Tour: TRAVELLERS CHOICE AWARDED
• Old & New Delhi City Tour (customizable): Jama Masjid and Chandni Chowk in the morning; India Gate, Rashtrapati Bhavan vistas, and Qutub Minar by afternoon.

  

  Old & New Delhi City Tour – Half or Full Day Options Available

In summary: This one-week Gujarat route threads together Dwarkadhish Temple, the storied seafront of Somnath, and the wild hush of Sasan Gir. Expect sunrise ghats, sunset aarti, and two golden safari windows—bound by a coastal road trip and plates of warm, generous thali.