Gujarat is India’s western tapestry of merchant cities, Jain stepwells, sun temples, salt plains, and forests where Asiatic lions still prowl. Its largest city, Ahmedabad, is a UNESCO World Heritage City—an honor earned by its 600-year-old pols (neighborhoods), carved havelis, and riverside ashram where Gandhi planned the salt march.

Beyond the city, the bronze colossus of the Statue of Unity rises above the Narmada—at 182 meters, the world’s tallest statue—while the Modhera Sun Temple and Patan’s Rani ki Vav stepwell showcase the apex of Solanki-era stonework. Down south, the teak forests of Gir National Park are the only place on Earth to see Asiatic lions in the wild.

Expect vegetarian-forward cuisine with bold flavors—undhiyu, khaman, khandvi, and fragrant Kathiyawadi thalis—plus irresistible ice cream culture. Summers are hot; winter (Nov–Feb) is ideal. Note: Gir’s core zones typically close during the monsoon (June–Oct); the Devaliya Interpretation Zone runs year-round. Advance permits and early starts are your friends.

Ahmedabad

Ahmedabad thrums with craft traditions and modern design schools, legendary street food, and serene stepwells tucked behind traffic. Start at Sabarmati Ashram for a quiet dose of history; then trace the wood-and-stone filigree of the old city’s mosques, mansions, and bird-feeding towers (chabutras).

• Top sights: Sabarmati Ashram, Sidi Saiyyed Mosque’s “Tree of Life” jali, Adalaj Stepwell, Bhadra Fort, Jama Masjid, Calico Museum (book ahead).
• Eat and drink: Agashiye (rooftop Gujarati thali), Vishalla (village-style dining and utensil museum), Rajwadu (garden restaurant), Zen Cafe (third-wave coffee), Das Khaman (classic farsan).
• Fun fact: Manek Chowk is a jewelry market by day and a street-food carnival by night—pav bhaji, chocolate sandwiches, kulfi, the works.

Where to stay (Ahmedabad): Browse stays on VRBO or Hotels.com. Favorites: The House of MG (heritage with rooftop thali), Hotel Accolade (value near the business core), Hyatt Regency Ahmedabad (riverfront views, polished rooms).

Getting in: Fly into Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport (AMD). Search fares on Trip.com Flights or Kiwi.com. For intercity trains in India, use Trip.com Trains.

Day 1: Arrival, Ashram Calm, and Night Bites

Afternoon: Arrive in Ahmedabad and check in. Ease into the city at Sabarmati Ashram—Gandhi’s spartan quarters and museum sit under neem trees by the river, a grounding first stop.

Evening: Stroll the old city lanes around Bhadra Fort and peek into the Sidi Saiyyed Mosque to admire its famed stone lattice. Dinner options: Agashiye’s set-menu thali (seasonal, elegant), or Vishalla for rustic Kathiyawadi classics and a small living museum. Night snack at Manek Chowk: try pav bhaji, a gooey “chocolate sandwich,” and a malai kulfi from Asharfi Kulfi.

Day 2: UNESCO Heritage City Tour (Guided)

Dedicate the day to Ahmedabad’s greatest hits with a knowledgeable guide and easy transport.

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

Expect highlights like Jama Masjid’s vast courtyard, intricately carved havelis inside pols, and the stepwell at Adalaj. Lunch is included; add a late-afternoon coffee at Zen Cafe near the design schools, or an ice cream from Havmor—an Ahmedabad tradition since the 1940s.

Day 3: Stepwells, Sun Temple, and Patola Weaving (Full-Day)

Head north to see Gujarat’s stone poetry and living textile heritage.

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

Marvel at Rani ki Vav in Patan, a UNESCO-listed stepwell with 1,000+ sculptures; then the Modhera Sun Temple, perfectly oriented for the equinox sunrise. Visit a Patola workshop to see the exacting double-ikat technique. On the way back, grab a simple Kathiyawadi thali at a highway dhaba—millet rotla, garlic chutney, and kadhi hit the spot.

Day 4: Statue of Unity Day Trip (Kevadia/Ekta Nagar)

It’s an early start, but the spectacle is worth it—India’s iron man, Sardar Patel, rendered at monumental scale against the Narmada.

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

Tour the viewing gallery inside the statue, then wander the Valley of Flowers, Sardar Sarovar Dam viewpoints, and, time permitting, the evening projection mapping show. Eat at the Ekta Food Court; return to Ahmedabad late evening.

Sasan Gir

South of Rajkot, teak and acacia forests stitch together riverine habitats where deer, leopards, and the star residents—Asiatic lions—coexist with pastoral Maldhari communities. Safaris are genuine wilderness drives with real odds of a lion sighting, especially at dawn.

• Top experiences: Jeep safaris in Gir National Park, Devaliya Interpretation Zone (for guaranteed fauna viewing), birding along the Hiran River, side trip to Somnath Temple on the Arabian Sea.
• Eat and drink: Lodge kitchens do best here; also look for rustic Kathiyawadi thalis—baingan bharta, sev tameta, rotla, chaas.
• Good to know: Book safaris well ahead; carry passports; avoid strong perfumes; core zones typically close in monsoon (Devaliya stays open).

Where to stay (Sasan Gir): Find lodges on VRBO or Hotels.com. Look for nature-forward resorts near the Sinh Sadan gate; popular picks include The Fern Gir Forest Resort, Woods at Sasan, and Gir Serai.

Getting there from Ahmedabad (Day 5 morning):

• By train: Ahmedabad → Junagadh Jn (6–7 hours) or Veraval (7–8 hours), then 1.5 hours by car to Sasan Gir; from ~$4–12 in AC classes via Trip.com Trains.
• By car: 360–380 km, 7–8 hours via NH27/NH51; expect ~$70–120 for a private sedan with driver.
• By air + drive: Flights to Diu (service varies; check Trip.com Flights or Kiwi.com), then ~2 hours by road to Sasan Gir.

Day 5: Transfer to the Lion’s Realm

Morning: Depart Ahmedabad early by train or private car. Keep snacks handy; highway dhabas en route serve simple but tasty Kathiyawadi plates.

Afternoon: Check into your lodge, rest by the pool, and confirm safari permits and gate times at reception. If you arrive with daylight to spare, visit the Devaliya Interpretation Zone (bus or jeep) for an easy introduction to the park’s wildlife.

Evening: Dinner at your lodge—ask for bajra rotla with white butter, sev tameta, and chilled chaas. Early to bed for a pre-dawn wake-up.

Day 6: Dawn and Dusk Safaris in Gir

Jeep Safari - Gir National Park, Gujarat, India

Morning: Your first safari (typically 6–9 a.m.)—golden light, alarm calls, and fresh pugmarks increase your odds of a lion or leopard sighting. Bring a light layer; mornings can be crisp in winter.

Afternoon: Break for a late breakfast and a nap. Around noon, bird along the Hiran River; look for kingfishers, Indian pitta (seasonal), and peafowl.

Evening: Second safari (approx. 3–6 p.m.) as animals stir again. Celebrate with a hearty Kathiyawadi dinner—baingan bharta and garlic chutney pair beautifully with hot rotlas.

Day 7: Seaside Temples or Forts, Then Depart

Morning: Optional side trip to Somnath Temple (about 1.5–2 hours each way). Attend the morning aarti and walk the seaside promenade. Dress modestly; phones are restricted inside sanctum areas.

Afternoon: Return to Ahmedabad (7–8 hours by car) or head to Rajkot for onward flights. Search options on Trip.com Flights or Kiwi.com. Trains back to Ahmedabad or Vadodara can be checked via Trip.com Trains.

Evening: If you overnight in Ahmedabad, consider a final feast at Rajwadu or a lighter bite at Swati Snacks (for panki and handvo). Pack some khakhra and khaman for the journey home.

Dining Shortlist (Ahmedabad)

• Agashiye: Elevated Gujarati thali on a heritage rooftop—seasonal vegetables, farsan, and sweets served on gleaming thalis.
• Vishalla: Village ambiance, lantern-lit walkways, and a small utensil museum; order bajra rotla, ghee-laden dal, and churma.
• Rajwadu: Lush gardens and live folk music with an expansive thali featuring Kathiyawadi favorites.
• Zen Cafe: Minimalist, artsy coffee bar—try the pour-over and a pistachio cake slice.
• Das Khaman: Iconic stop for spongy khaman, khandvi, and patra; perfect breakfast or snack.
• Manek Chowk: Night market classics—pav bhaji, dosa, and kulfi from Asharfi Kulfi.

Suggested Add-ons and Alternatives

• Ahmedabad Night Walk: If you want a guided nocturnal look at the city: Ahmedabad Night Walk (2 Hours Guided Walking Tour)

  

• Alternate stepwell tour: If you prefer a streamlined route, consider Patan Stepwell and Modhera Sun Temple instead of the weaving stop.

  

Practical Tips

• Safari bookings: Reserve Gir permits well in advance; carry original passports. Core zones generally shut during monsoon (June–Oct); Devaliya runs year-round.
• Dress and culture: Conservative attire for temples; remove shoes when required.
• Getting around Ahmedabad: App cabs are reliable; old city lanes are best on foot.
• Best time: Nov–Feb offers pleasant weather for both city walks and safari drives.

Day-by-Day Snapshot

• Day 1: Arrive Ahmedabad; Sabarmati Ashram; Sidi Saiyyed Mosque; Manek Chowk night market.
• Day 2: Guided UNESCO city tour (pols, mosques, stepwells, museums).
• Day 3: Modhera Sun Temple + Rani ki Vav + Patola weaving workshop.
• Day 4: Full-day Statue of Unity (Kevadia) with viewing gallery and laser show.
• Day 5: Morning transfer to Sasan Gir; Devaliya or lodge downtime.
• Day 6: Dawn and dusk jeep safaris in Gir National Park.
• Day 7: Somnath side trip (optional); afternoon departure.

Across seven days, you’ll thread together Gujarat’s storied past and living traditions—pols and stepwells, a record-breaking monument, and India’s only Asiatic lions. Come hungry and curious; Gujarat rewards both appetites in equal measure.