Gujarat: Of Carved Wells and Roaring Forests
Ahmedabad's UNESCO old city and stepwells, royal Vadodara, Saurashtra and the Asiatic lions of Gir.
9 Nights, 10 Days
Duration
4
Destinations
Stepwells, Sabarmati Ashram, royal Vadodara and the Asiatic lions of Sasan Gir: the state many of our families call home.
Regions on this journeyGujarat
Overview
This 9-night journey brings together the very best of Gujarat, from the UNESCO-listed heritage of Ahmedabad to the royal grandeur of Vadodara, the warm Saurashtra hospitality of Rajkot, and the wild grasslands of Sasan Gir, the only place on Earth where the Asiatic lion still roams free.
Beginning in Ahmedabad, guests spend three nights exploring the 600-year-old walled city, a tapestry of stepwells, mosques and bustling markets, before an excursion to the extraordinary UNESCO-listed Rani ki Vav stepwell and the Sun Temple at Modhera.
The journey continues to Vadodara, Gujarat's cultural capital, for a visit to the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Champaner-Pavagadh and the magnificent Laxmi Vilas Palace, before heading south to Rajkot, a vibrant city closely linked to Mahatma Gandhi's early life.
From Rajkot, the route heads into the Gir forest for two nights at Sasan Gir, home to an included jungle safari in search of the endangered Asiatic lion and a variety of other wildlife, before looping back through Rajkot for the flight home.
Guests can choose from Five Star or Four Star hotels throughout, with private air-conditioned transport and an English-speaking guide for the whole tour, local in Ahmedabad and an accompanying guide elsewhere in Gujarat.
Highlights
- The UNESCO-listed Rani ki Vav stepwell and the Sun Temple at Modhera, on a full-day excursion from Ahmedabad
- Ahmedabad's own heritage, from the Adalaj Stepwell to Sabarmati Ashram, the Siddi Sayyed Mosque and the Jama Masjid
- The UNESCO World Heritage Site of Champaner-Pavagadh and Vadodara's Laxmi Vilas Palace
- A jungle safari through Gir National Park in search of the endangered Asiatic lion, found nowhere else in the wild
- Watching double ikat Patola silk being woven by local master artisans in Ahmedabad
- A private English-speaking guide throughout, local in Ahmedabad and an accompanying guide elsewhere in Gujarat
Itinerary
A suggested journey
This is one way to experience the journey, not a fixed itinerary. Your specialist will adjust the pace, order and stops around you before anything is confirmed.
- Ahmedabad
Day 1Amdavad Awaits: Arrival Among Ancient Stepwells
Touch down in Ahmedabad, a city where six centuries of heritage sit comfortably alongside glossy new malls and restaurants. Fondly known to locals as Amdavad, its walled old city is a UNESCO World Heritage Site in its own right, and the days ahead promise stepwells, mosques and markets in equal measure. After settling into your hotel, head out this afternoon to the stunning Adalaj Stepwell, a deep, intricately carved stone structure just outside the city, cleverly engineered to stay cool even in Gujarat's heat. Round off the day with some free time to browse for souvenirs or Ahmedabad's famous block-printed textiles.
- Private airport transfer and hotel check-in
- Adalaj Stepwell
- Time to explore at your own paceNot guided, own expense
Day 2The Soul of the Walled City
After an early breakfast, spend a full day exploring the old city's landmarks. Begin at Sabarmati Ashram, on the banks of the river of the same name, once home to Mahatma Gandhi and still a place of quiet reflection. Continue to Dada Harir ni Vav, a magnificent 15th-century stepwell in the Asarwa district, before visiting the Siddi Sayyed Mosque, celebrated for the delicate stone filigree in its windows, and the Jama Masjid, a yellow sandstone marvel completed in 1424 by Sultan Ahmad Shah I. As the sun sets, take a peaceful walk through the tombs and palaces of Sarkhej Roza.
- Sabarmati Ashram
- Dada Harir ni Vav (Bai Harir Sultani Vav)
- Siddi Sayyed Mosque
- Jama Masjid
- Sarkhej Roza
Breakfast
Day 3The Queen's Stepwell and the Temple of the Sun
This morning, venture out on a full-day excursion to the breathtaking Rani ki Vav, a UNESCO World Heritage stepwell renowned for its sheer scale and craftsmanship (approximately 135 kilometres, 3 hours each way). Nearby, visit the Sun Temple at Modhera, where the perfectly symmetrical Surya Kund stepwell and sun-aligned inner sanctuaries reward a closer look. This evening, meet local master artisans practising the rare double ikat Patola silk weaving technique, a centuries-old craft unique to Gujarat.
- Rani ki Vav excursion
- Sun Temple, Modhera
- Patola silk weaving demonstration
Breakfast
- Vadodara
Day 4A Royal Welcome to Baroda
After breakfast, drive to Vadodara, Gujarat's cultural capital. Formerly known as Baroda, the city's character owes much to the visionary Maratha ruler Maharaja Sayajirao Gaekwad III, who shaped it into a centre for education, art and architecture. After checking in, spend the afternoon at Sayaji Baug, also known as Kamati Baug, the largest public garden in western India at over 113 acres, gifted to the city in 1879 and set beautifully on the banks of the Vishwamitri River.
- Drive to Vadodara
- Sayaji Baug (Kamati Baug)
Breakfast
Day 5A Lost Sultanate and a Maharaja's Palace
After an early breakfast, head out to the Champaner-Pavagadh Archaeological Park, a breathtaking UNESCO World Heritage Site around 45 kilometres northeast of Vadodara. Remarkably unspoiled, it blends Hindu, Jain and Islamic architecture, from hilltop temples and fortifications to the mosques and palaces of the last great pre-Mughal capital of Gujarat. Explore the beautifully preserved Jama Masjid of Champaner, completed in 1513, and the Shehar ki Masjid, before returning to Vadodara this afternoon to visit the massive Laxmi Vilas Palace, an architectural All together, we had 18 itineraries, out of which we have now finalised 11. showpiece of the Indo-Saracenic style.
- Champaner-Pavagadh Archaeological Park
- Jama Masjid of Champaner and Shehar ki Masjid
- Laxmi Vilas Palace, Vadodara
Breakfast
- Rajkot
Day 6Saurashtra Hospitality in Gandhi's Rajkot
Check out after breakfast and settle in for the drive to Rajkot, deep into the Saurashtra region. Closely tied to Mahatma Gandhi's early life, Rajkot blends historic landmarks and traditional crafts with a thoroughly modern city, and is well known for the warmth of its Gujarati hospitality and cuisine. After checking in and a spot of lunch, spend the afternoon on a half-day tour of the city's sights. This is the first of two stays in Rajkot on this trip, the second falling on Day 9, on the way back from Sasan Gir.
- Drive to Rajkot
- Half-day Rajkot sightseeing
Breakfast
- Sasan Gir
Day 7Into the Kingdom of the Asiatic Lion
After breakfast, check out and drive to Sasan Gir, in the heart of the Gir forest. This is one of India's most celebrated wildlife destinations, and the only place in the world where the Asiatic lion still survives in the wild, alongside a rich variety of other wildlife across its scenic forests and grasslands. After checking in, the rest of the evening is yours to settle in ahead of tomorrow's safari.
- Drive to Sasan Gir
Breakfast, lunch and dinner (all meals included at the Sasan Gir hotel)
Day 8Dawn Safari in the Realm of the Lion
Rise early this morning for an included jungle safari through Gir National Park, riding out in an open Gypsy vehicle with trained guides. The safari winds through dry deciduous forest, open grassland and riverine landscape in search of the endangered Asiatic lion, alongside leopards, spotted deer, sambar, chital, nilgai, wild boar and a rich variety of birdlife, a thrilling introduction to one of Gujarat's most celebrated wildlife experiences. Return to your hotel for a well-earned breakfast. A second safari can be arranged this afternoon on request, subject to availability and paid locally.
- Jungle safari in Gir National Park (one exclusive Jeep safari)
- Second, afternoon safariOn request, subject to availability, paid locally
Breakfast, lunch and dinner (all meals included at the Sasan Gir hotel)
- Rajkot
Day 9An Unhurried Return to Rajkot
After breakfast, check out and drive back to Rajkot, retracing the route of Day 7. This is the second of two separate stays in Rajkot on this trip; after checking in, the rest of the day is free to relax ahead of tomorrow's departure.
- Drive back to Rajkot
Breakfast
Day 10Farewell to Gujarat, Until We Meet Again
All good things must come to an end. After breakfast, check out and transfer to the airport to board your flight home, taking with you memories of stepwells and mosques, palaces and gardens, and the thrill of spotting a wild Asiatic lion in Gir.
- Airport transfer
Breakfast
Accommodation
Where you'll stay
The hotels we recommend for this journey are shown below for Four Star, the standard you have chosen. Your specialist will confirm the most suitable options and availability when your journey is planned.
Ahmedabad
3 nights
Or Le Méridien AhmedabadFive Star
Vadodara
2 nights
Or Laxminarayan Palace ResortFive Star
Rajkot
1 night
Sasan Gir
2 nights
Or The Fern Gir Forest ResortFive Star
Rajkot
1 night
Rajkot is visited twice, on the way to Sasan Gir and again on the return, and both tiers use the same hotel there. Hotels are as listed or similar, subject to availability at the time of booking.
The detail
What the price covers
Included
- 9 nights' accommodation at the hotels listed, or similar, in a well-appointed room
- Breakfast daily
- All meals (breakfast, lunch and dinner) at the Sasan Gir hotel, for both nights
- Private, air-conditioned transfers and touring in a Toyota Innova Crysta or similar, as per the itinerary
- An English-speaking guide throughout: local in Ahmedabad, accompanying for the rest of Gujarat
- Entrance fees to monuments named in the itinerary
- One exclusive Jeep safari at Gir National Park
- All currently applicable GST
Not included
- Airfares and train fares
- Personal expenses such as laundry, telephone calls, drinks and other beverages
- Anything not stated under Included
- A second, afternoon Jeep safari at Gir National Park, if requested (subject to availability, paid locally)
- Single room, dinner and vehicle upgrade supplements, priced separately
Breakfast only is included for the 7 nights outside Sasan Gir (Ahmedabad, Vadodara and both Rajkot stays); a dinner supplement is available for those nights.
When to travel
October to March, when temperatures across Gujarat are at their most comfortable for sightseeing; April to June is very hot, and July to September brings the monsoon. Gir National Park closes each year for the monsoon, typically from mid-June to mid-October, and safaris are not available while it is closed. The tour is not offered from 18 December 2026 to 5 January 2027 (Christmas and New Year).
9 Nights, 10 DaysPrivate
Ahmedabad, Vadodara, Rajkot and Sasan Gir
Four Star hotels
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