What you may not know is that Gujarat and Saurashtra, though combined, have distinctive identities. Saurashtra is the land of legend, myths, folklore, valiant heroes and royal maharajas. Even today you can see Darbar people proudly strutting about in the streets of Saurashtra. The lifestyle here is different from those in the Gujarati cities of Ahmedabad, Baroda and Surat as you will find when you join our Gujarat Saurashtra Darshan tour. A typical itinerary would go as follows:

Itinerary-

Day 1: Ahmedabad-Jamnagar

Arrive in Ahmedabad to a warm welcome by our tour guide who escorts you the waiting coach that will take you to Jamnagar at a distance of 315 km. The 6 hour drive includes a stop for lunch at a wayside restaurant to sample regional cuisines. Check into your hotel and then set out to visit the famed Lakhota Lake and Lakhota Museum, repository of the past glories of this princely city made famous by international cricketer and royalty, Maharaja Shri Ranjitsinhji. From here it is only a short distance to the Marine National Park, the largest of its kind in India. Jamnagar is also home to thriving brass industry and to Reliance and Essar Oil refineries. Explore the city after nightfall and enjoy the spicy street food if you like.

Day 2: Jamnagar-Dwarka

Early in the morning you enjoy a delicious breakfast and board the coach for the 150 km drive to Dwarka, home of Lord Krishna. Here, the group visits the Dwarkadheesh temple and devotees are free to take a dip in the Gomti River, said to be submerged in the sea adjoining the temple. Next, we visit the Rukmini Temple and then in the evening return to the Dwarkadheesh temple for the evening Aarti. Explore this town after sunset before retiring for the night.

Day 3: Dwarka-Porbandar-Somnath

The sun rises and it is pleasantly cool in the morning as you breakfast and then get into the coach for the 200 km drive to Somnath. However, we stop at Porbandar, about 75 km away for lunch and to visit the two famous landmarks: Kirti Mandir where Gandhiji was born and Sudama temple. After that we proceed to Somnath, one of the four major Chardham of India. Check into your hotel and then set out to visit the holy Triveni Sangam, Geeta Mandir, Chopati and the fabled Somnath temple in the evening. The Aarti is a glorious sight as hundreds of devotees throng the Shiv temple and pray. As night falls you are treated to a Sound and Light show.

Day 4: Somnath-Diu

After breakfast the group sets out for the island resort of Diu, about 100 km away. Visit the Fort, St Paul’s church and Diu Museum in the day after checking into your hotel room. The evening is free for you to spend on the beach.

Day 5: Diu-Sasangir-Junagadh

A delicious breakfast awaits and afterwards the group boards the coach for the 150 km drive to Junagadh. On the way we stop at Sasangir and visit the Gir Wildlife Sanctuary, home to the last of the Asiatic Lions. After the brief visit we proceed to Junagadh and check into a hotel in this princely city. Late afternoon the group sets out on an exploratory tour of the famed Uperkot Fort, the Mahabat Maqbara and the Junagadh Museum. Junagadh was once known as the city of Greeks and later as Sorath. Uperkot Fort is a relic of the Mauryan dynasty, said to have been built by Chandragupta in 319 BC. Just a couple of kilometers from the fort you will come across a large boulder inscribed with the edicts of Ashoka. Junagadh has a rich legacy of Solanki rule, Chudasamas and later on the Babis of whom the most famous is Parveen Babi, the film actor.

Day 6: Junagadh-Virpur-Gondal-Ahmedabad

Today is a busy day as you will start on the 320 km drive back to Ahmedabad but not before we stop at Virpur and visit the famous Jain temples here and then proceed to the Swaminarayan temple and Navlakha Palace at Gondal where you will also visit the vintage car museum. The car museum has old cars still in pristine condition, once used by royalty and nobility of the region. Then we proceed to Ahmedabad and check into a hotel.  In the evening we take an excursion to the Kankaria Lake, a popular spot for locals and tourists, go shopping and visit Law garden area where street hawkers sell fancy embroidered traditional garments.

Day 7: Ahmedabad

Check out of your hotel after breakfast and visit Adalaj Step Well, on the way to Gandhinagar and then proceed to Akshardham temple, a beautiful complex. Later, on the return leg we stop at Gandhi Ashram and then the tour ends. The coach takes you to the airport or railway station for your onward journey.

For even better experience plan your trip with TravelTourGuru during Diwali vacations or during Navratri time. The nine days make the nights come alive all over Saurashtra and Gujarat.