10 Days Across Western Gujarat : Rann of Kutch (Salt flats), Sacred Temples, Roaring Lions and Historical Forts (Jan 2025)

10‑Day Gujarat Journey: A Personal Tale of Culture, Color, and Contrast

Our 10‑day Gujarat trip turned out to be one of the most eventful, vibrant, and memorable vacations we’ve ever experienced. From witnessing surreal sunsets over salt flats to tracing mythological legends and encountering lions in the wild, every moment was a treasure.

Day 1 – A Rocky Start & Arrival at Rann Utsav, Dhordo

We planned to fly from Mumbai to Bhuj via Alliance Air 91 625 and arrive by 8:40 AM. But at 5:30 AM at the airport, we were stunned to discover the flight had been canceled. To our dismay, airline staff only turned up around the scheduled departure time—leaving us stranded and clueless. Word to the wise: never book this flight.

Thankfully, our travel agent Sneha came to the rescue—she booked us on an Indigo flight to Ahmedabad, followed by an 8‑hour taxi ride to Dhordo Tent City. We finally reached at 7 PM instead of the intended 11:30 AM.

Knowing we’d miss the iconic Rann sunset, we drove straight to the Sunset Point. The view was mesmerizing—the vast white salt desert turning into a golden sea under the descending sun.

At Tent City, we received a warm welcome. Picture-perfect setups, cultural sculptures, a tower, a museum of artifacts, and a beautifully landscaped entrance set a vibrant tone. We were led to our Super Premium Tent—473 sq ft of glamping luxury with porch, sitting area, attached bathroom, double bed, and premium toiletries—perfectly located for instant access to the festival grounds.

After settling in, we strolled through the Tent City, marveling at sculptures and art installations. Dinner was a lavish vegetarian buffet in a well‑managed dining hall (menu changes every meal). We ended the night with a fun motorcycle rickshaw ride through the campus.

Day 2 – Full Moon, Sunrise & Kala Dungar Excursion

Morning bed tea delivered to our tent was a cozy indulgence in the chilly January air. We watched the full moon glow over the white salt flats, then turned to witness the sunrise. On one horizon the moon’s silver light shimmered, on the other, golden rays bathed the sand—absolutely surreal.

After a hearty 7:30 AM breakfast, we explored the Tent City—Skyzilla rides, craft market, art gallery, selfie spots, rejuvenation center, and live Kutch craft demonstrations made for a lively morning.

Post‑lunch, at 3 PM we left for Kala Dungar (Black Hill)—Kutch’s highest point. We stopped at “Gandhi Nu Gaam,” a charming handicraft village, and enjoyed tea and light snacks during the journey. Kala Dungar offered panoramic views of the Rann, along with a temple dedicated to Dattatreya. Legend says temple priests daily feed prasad to local jackals. En route, we experienced the magnetic hill illusion—vehicles appearing to roll uphill by themselves.

Returned by 7:30 PM for dinner, followed by vibrant cultural performances and Garba under the stars.

Day 3 – Road to Heaven & Ancient Dholavira

After breakfast, our 2‑hour drive to Dholavira along the “Road to Heaven” delivered stunning visuals of India’s largest salt plains. We stopped frequently to capture the beauty.

At Evoke Dholavira, after lunch and a rest, we visited the UNESCO World Heritage site. Dholavira—over 4,500 years old—is one of the best‑preserved Indus Valley Civilization cities. Its intricate planning, stone reservoirs, street grid, and Indus script inscriptions stunned us. Evening ended at the sunset viewpoint before returning to the resort for dinner and sleep.

Day 4 – Bhuj Exploration: Palaces, Cenotaphs & Fort

Our Innova Crysta and driver‑guide Anand Kuwadiya (+91 90540 44600) arrived early. On the 4 h 40 m drive to Bhuj, our excitement built.

Bhuj highlights:

• Rakshak Van
• Aina Mahal – 18th‑century Mirror Palace
• Prag Mahal – Italian Gothic irradiation
• Kutch Museum – Gujarat’s oldest (founded 1877)
• Hamirsar Lake – peaceful town oasis
• Bhujodi – national‑award weaving village

After lunch, we visited Chattaradi Cenotaphs (built ~1770 AD) honoring Kutch royalty. The red sandstone “umbrella” cenotaphs, though partly damaged in the 2001 earthquake, still exuded grandeur with their detailed carvings.

Next, we climbed Bhujiya Fort on Bhujiya Hill—about 300–400 stone steps. Built by Rao Godji in the early 1700s, the fort offered sweeping aerial views of Bhuj and distant Rann of Kutch. Bhuj also functions as a strategic Indian Army and Air Force base close to the Indo‑Pakistan border.

Evening shopping in Bhuj followed, before an overnight stay.

Day 5 – Jamnagar’s Charms & Dwarka’s Divine Aura

A ~5.5‑hour drive landed us in Jamnagar, part of the Ambani‑run oil refining hub. We visited:

• Bala Hanuman Temple – home of continuous “Ram” chanting (Guinness record)
• Khijadiya Bird Sanctuary – over 300 migratory bird species
• Lakhota Lake & Palace – serene lake with central palace museum

Three hours later, we reached Dwarka. Post check‑in, we attended the mesmerizing 8:30 PM Shayan Aarti at Dwarkadheesh Temple.

Day 6 – Bet Dwarka, Nageshwar & Krishna’s Legacy

We crossed Sudarshan Setu to Bet Dwarka, where Krishna supposedly lived. The island’s name comes from Sudama, who gifted chipped rice (“bhent”) to Krishna, giving rise to “Bet Dwarka.”

Also visited:

• Nageshwar Jyotirlinga – believed to protect from poison (Rudra Samhita calls it ‘Daarukaavane Naagesham’)
• Rukmini Temple – 12th–13th century, honoring Rukmini who eloped with Krishna
• Gopi Talav – pond where Krishna danced with the Gopis

Krishna established Dwarka as a refuge capital after leaving Mathura due to Jarasandha’s attacks—making it a site of immense spiritual relevance. Overnight in Dwarka.

Day 7 – Bhalka Tirth to Somnath

We drove 5 hours to Somnath, stopping en route at Bhalka Tirth in Veraval—site of Krishna’s demise by a hunter arrow, fulfilling a tragic Yadava curse. The temple commemorates Krishna’s final passage.

At Somnath, we attended the awe‑inspiring evening aarti at the temple, followed by a poignant Light & Sound Show depicting its resilient history.

Temple significance:
Sind Chandra, cursed by Daksha, regained his brilliance here after penance to Shiva—earning Somnath the name “Lord of the Moon.”

Historical significance:
The temple, one of the 12 Jyotirlingas, was repeatedly destroyed by invaders—Mahmud of Ghazni in 1025 AD, then other Islamic rulers. Invasions were brutal, many Hindus were killed, and the structure desecrated. Rebuilt in 1951 under Sardar Patel and KM Munshi, the current sanctum symbolizes enduring faith.

Day 8 – Diu: Portuguese Legacy & Sacred Seascapes

A 2‑hour drive brought us to Diu, where we paused to admire coastal birdlife en route.

We toured:

Diu Fort – Portuguese-built (1535–1541), with bastions, lighthouse, and ocean views; defended against Mughal and Ottoman threats
Gangeshwar Mahadev Temple (Fudam village) – five Shivalingas installed by the Pandavas, washed by waves at high tide; a solemn and reverent place

Evening beach time at Nagoa Beach indulging in waterside activity. Next morning, we revisited the temple during high tide to see the ocean showering the lingams—purely spiritual and visually stunning.

Day 9 – Into the Wild: Gir Safari

Arrived at Gir National Park in 1 h 40 m. At 3 PM we embarked on a Jeep safari into the only natural habitat of the Asiatic Lion, whose population now totals around 891 across greater Saurashtra. We also spotted leopards, sambar, chital, nilgai, wild boars, langurs, jackals, hyenas, and birds like flamingos, eagles, and woodpeckers.

The next morning we visited Devaliya Safari Park, an enclosed area where lion sightings are more common—ideal if time is limited. Best sights come with early‑morning safaris.

Day 10 – Sacred Heights & Ancient Forts in Junagadh

Post-breakfast, we drove ~2.5 hrs to Junagadh, then climbed the 10,000 steps of Girnar Hill—a sacred route lined with Jain and Hindu temples:

• Neminath Temple – nirvana site of the 22nd Jain Tirthankara
• Mallinath Temple (1177 AD)
• Temples of Amba Mata, Gorakhnath, Dattatraya, Kalika Devi across higher peaks

We then visited Uparkot Fort, built in 319 BC by Chandragupta Maurya. Surviving 16 sieges (one lasting 12 years!), the fort features:

• Adi Kadi Vav – 41 m deep stepwell
• Navghan Kuvo – 52 m deep spiral stair well
• Buddhist caves and Ottoman cannon from the Siege of Diu

On the drive to Rajkot, we stopped at a roadside chai stall for tea served in saucers—a quaint local experience—before boarding the Duronto Express (9 PM) to Mumbai.

Summary Itinerary (Quick Overview):

Day 1: Mumbai → Ahmedabad → Dhordo → Rann sunset → Tent City
Day 2: Moonrise & sunrise at Rann → Tent City fun → Kala Dungar & Garba
Day 3: Drive to Dholavira → Harappan site visit → sunset
Day 4: Drive to Bhuj → palaces & museums → cenotaphs → Bhujiya Fort hike
Day 5: Drive to Jamnagar → temple, sanctuary, lake → Dwarka & aarti
Day 6: Bet Dwarka, Nageshwar, Rukmini Temple, Gopi Talav
Day 7: Bhalka Tirth → Somnath aarti & history show
Day 8: Diu Fort → Gangeshwar Temple → beach time
Day 9: Safari in Gir & Devaliya
Day 10: Girnar Hill temples → Uparkot Fort → tea stop → Rajkot → Duronto to Mumbai

🏨 Accommodation Summary

Travel Contacts You’ll Need

• Anand Kuwadiya – +91 90540 44600 (Excellent Innova & driver/guide)

• Sneha – +91 84518 55520 (For hotel & itinerary bookings)