[skanchan95]

Originally Posted by SwatiS

Day 4: Morning come to Bhuj then go to Dwarka

All the travel will be done by buses and train and will be travelling alone.

It will take you almost the entire day to reach Dwarka from Bhuj. Travelling in those pathetic, rickety GSRTC buses will add further to your tiredness. I don't think you have an option of going by a direct train on this route. Probably you will have to come down to Rajkot to catch a train for Dwarka. You will need half a day atleast in Dwarka if you want to visit the Dwarkadhish temple and other temples in Dwarka. If you want to visit Bet Dwarka in Okha, add another half of the day.

Originally Posted by SwatiS

Day 5: Dwarka to Somnath , then go to Gir
Day 6: Gir.Night leave for Ahmedabad


All the travel will be done by buses and train and will be travelling alone.

Again Dwarka to Somnath will take you atleast 5-5.5 hours by bus. Again no direct trains on this route. Or you can catch a train(which have unreserved 2nd Class seater coaches) from Dwarka to Jetalsar Junction and then catch a connecting train from to Veraval/ Somnath. Either way, the time taken will be same, probably will take more time in the train. If you travel by train, it will probably be night by the time you reach Veraval/Somnath. You can probably spend the next day in Somnath and start in the afternoon for Gir.

Gir is around 40 kms from Veraval. You will found lots of GSRTC buses for Gir/Talala. You can catch the overnight Somnath Express for Ahmedabad, probably board the train at Junagadh.

[SwatiS]

Originally Posted by skanchan95

It will take you almost the entire day to reach Dwarka from Bhuj.

Can you please suggest me a better itinerary?

[ampere]

Originally Posted by SwatiS

Can you please suggest me a better itinerary?

Usually North and coastal Gujarat are disjoint sets in terms of destinations. People mostly pick one against the other. If you leave Rann of Kutch, then you can cover all coastal sections within 5 days. Best is to actually to rent a cab. That saves on time as well.

[Vishal.R]

Originally Posted by SwatiS

Can you please suggest me a better itinerary?

One option for Bhuj-Dwarka would be to take an overnight sleeper bus from Bhuj to Dwarka, Redbus is showing two options (Non AC Sleeper - 10+ hours).

For Somnath-Dwarka, looks like there is an express train now Somnath-Okha Express (19251-19252 source : (http://indiarailinfo.com/train/okha-...1832/1758/2123), even though it is taking longer route, but still would be a good option with sleeper and one third AC bogie also.

[SwatiS]

Originally Posted by ampere

Usually North and coastal Gujarat are disjoint sets in terms of destinations. People mostly pick one against the other. If you leave Rann of Kutch, then you can cover all coastal sections within 5 days. Best is to actually to rent a cab. That saves on time as well.

I want to see the Rann of Kutch festival. Is 2 days, 1 night enough for it or should it be 3 days 2 nights ?

Originally Posted by Vishal.R

One option for Bhuj-Dwarka would be to take an overnight sleeper bus from Bhuj to Dwarka, Redbus is showing two options (Non AC Sleeper - 10+ hours).

For Somnath-Dwarka, looks like there is an express train now Somnath-Okha Express (19251-19252 source : (http://indiarailinfo.com/train/okha-...1832/1758/2123), even though it is taking longer route, but still would be a good option with sleeper and one third AC bogie also.

I am seeing where all I can travel by night by bus or train.

How does this sound:

Day 1 : Fly Bangalore to Ahmedabad - Reach there by 2 PM
Take overnight train/bus to Bhuj
Day 2: Go to Rann (Rann Utsav package)
Day 3: Rann Utsav
Day 4: Come back to Bhuj then overnight bus to Dwarka
Day 5: Day in Dwarka, Overnight train to Somnath
Day 6: Somanath and then go to Gir (How do people travel to Gir from Somanath? Is there any package in Gir?)
Day 7: Gir
Day 7: Gir. Night leave for Ahmedabad (How to go from Gir to Ahmedabad?)
Day 8: Rani ki vav and other places around and come back to Ahmedabad. From Ahmedabad overnight bus to Udaipur
Day 9: Day in Udaipur. Late night flight back to Bangalore

I can drop Udaipur if needed.

[SwatiS]

Modified the itinerary to make it more realistic.

Day 1 : Fly Bangalore to Ahmedabad - Reach there by 2 PM
Take overnight bus to Bhuj
Day 2: Go to Rann (Rann Utsav package)
Day 3: Rann Utsav
Day 4: Come back to Bhuj. Day in Bhuj, then overnight bus to Dwarka
Day 5: Day in Dwarka, Overnight train to Somnath
Day 6: Somanath in morning and then go to Gir (Need to find a package in Gir)
Day 7: Gir
Day 8: Gir. Night leave for Ahmedabad (How to go from Gir to Ahmedabad?)
Day 9: Rani ki vav and other places around . Leave for Bangalore

[skanchan95]

Originally Posted by SwatiS

(How to go from Gir to Ahmedabad?)

As I said earlier, you can catch the Somnath Express(Train no. 19222) for Ahmedabad (the train has AC & 2nd sleeper coaches) .You can either head to Junagadh from Gir or head back to Somnath(Veraval) to catch the train. The Point or Origin of the train is Veraval at around 9:30 PM if I remember correctly. Or you can catch a bus for Ahmedabad from Veraval or Somnath. Lots of GSRTC/Private buses are available including sleeper, but don't expect any Volvos or Scanias .

OR if for some reason, you can't catch the overnight train, there are other train options:
1> Morning (Train no. 11463/11465 Somnath-Jabalpur Express) , that originates at Somnath at around 9:30 AM and reaches Ahmedabad at around 6PM on the same day. The train has AC & Sleeper coaches.

2> Afternoon (Train no. 59460 Veraval - Mumbai Central Passenger/ Saurashtra Mail) , that originates at Veraval at around 1:00 PM and reaches Ahmedabad at around 10:40 PM on the same day. The bogies from this train join up with the Mumbai bound Saurashtra Mail(via Ahmedabad and originating from Okha) at Rajkot (around 5:00 PM).

To make things clear for you, basically Somnath & Veraval are the same.I have lived in Veraval for most of my life and moved to Mangalore in 2012. Veraval is the town where Somnath temple is located. Somehere in the mid-2000s,a new railway station was built nearly Somnath as a political gimmick mainly because of L K Advani .The locals hated the idea as it made no sense to have two stations so close by. When the trains would pass through the town heading to or from Somnath, it would led to huge traffic jams. Somnath/Veraval was the place from where he had started his Rath Yatra in 1990 that eventually led to Babri Masjid demolition and the rise of BJP as a national party. As a 7 year old kid, I still remember the sight of the Rath and its political and police escort vehicles whizzing past on the roads. All traffic was stopped to make way for the Rath and its escorts.

If you take rickshaw from Veraval station, and if he takes you through the short cuts, you can reach Somnath much faster than the train!!!! Somnath temple is barely located 6-7 kms from Veraval and it is a part of the town.

It was only after the Somnath railway station was operationalized, that Somnath got a seperate identity. Funnily enough, the Veraval-Ahmedabad Somnath Express originates from Veraval, and not Somnath. Only a 2nd class seater train to Ahmedabad and the train mentioned above for Jabalpur originate from Somnath station. Both these trains have to pass through Veraval to continue their journey.

While in Somnath/Veraval, you may also want to visit the Bhalka Tirth(in Veraval) - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bhalka and Geeta Mandir(near Somnath)

Originally Posted by SwatiS

Day 6: Somanath in morning and then go to Gir (Need to find a package in Gir)

From Somnath/Veraval, you have many rickety GSRTC buses for Gir. You are much better off hiring a taxi. Since I lived in Veraval, it never made sense for me to stay at Gir. You can ask your driver to take you to the Gir Interpretation Zone in Devalia. This is where I preferred to go. Inside the Zone, they have buses that takes you around in the enclosed sanctuary. You can return on the same day or head off to Junagadh (http://girlion.in/DevaliyaSafariParkDetails.aspx)

[SwatiS]

Originally Posted by skanchan95

As I said earlier, you can catch the Somnath Express(Train no. 19222) for Ahmedabad (the train has AC & 2nd sleeper coaches) ...... Junagadh (http://girlion.in/DevaliyaSafariParkDetails.aspx)

Thanks for the detailed info. I did not know a lot of that stuff

Is there any way I can visit the Flamingo City. Is it worth going there at this time (too early for flamingos) ?

Would it be better to stay 2 nights in Gir or 1 night is enough? I would prefer a night safari if available.

[sathya.bhat]

We are planning a road trip in Gujrat in the coming month. We will be six friends, two being the main drivers and one backup driver. This is what we have finalized for now.

Day 1, Feb 10th, Friday:
Reach Ahmadabad airport at 5:00AM. Pickup Scorpio (ZoomCar) from Prahlad Nagar (20 KM away from airport). Then drive 360KM to reach Gir by 2.30PM. We have already taken online permit for 3:00 PM safari.
Route: https://goo.gl/2Jsq61

After finishing the safari, leave for Somnath (70 KM). Night stay at Somnath.
Route: https://goo.gl/t1QkUU
Total distance to be traveled: 360 + 70 = 410KM

Day 2, Feb 11th Saturday
Visit the Somnath temple and surroundings in the morning. Checkout and head for Dwarka via Porbander. (238 KM) See Kirti Mandir at Porbander. Check in at Dwarka and visit the temple. Take rest of the day off.
Route: https://goo.gl/dv2sB3
Total distance to be traveled: 238 KM

Day 3, Feb 12th Sunday
Leave from Dwarka early and head to Kutch. Night stay destination is Runn of Kutch.
Route: https://goo.gl/qhncGC
Total distance to be traveled: 465 KM

Day 4, Feb 13th Monday
Leave from Kutch leisurely and reach Ahmadabad and take rest for the day.
Route: https://goo.gl/X80De1

Day 5, Feb 14th Tuesday
Go to Gandhi nagar, Visit akshradham temple and surrondings. Come back to Ahmadabad, do shopping etc. Head to airport for flight at 9 PM.

Some questions:

1. Ahmadabad to Gir: To reach gir by 2:30PM, what time we should leave Ahmadabad?
2. For stay at Somnath, guest houses of the temple looks good in the pics on their website. Are they good enough for a night stay?
3. Any good stay recommendation for Dwarka? Haven’t found anything good yet.
4. Are there any ferries that carries vehicles also from Dwarka to Mandvi?
5. Any other interesting places that we can add to this itinerary?
6. Are any of the route we have mapped is not preferred road to take?

Any help to sort out the plan is gretly appreciated.

[Turbanator]

Ahmadabad to Gir: To reach gir by 2:30PM, what time we should leave Ahmadabad?

You arrive at 5 Am and then go to pick the Rental car and you are asking what time you should leave Ahmedabad to reach Gir by 2 30PM probably you should be asking is this doable at first instance? Though I don't have first-hand experience with self-drive rentals but some general questions since you have to pick the car from city office first check at what time do they open? Chances are they may not open till 9 30 -10. In case they do open early say 6, it will be touch and go if you start at around say 7 after doing all formalities considering google maps tell you about 8 hours of the journey with one break. Though Highways in Gujarat are overall fast but better if you can come one day early.

[SDP]

Originally Posted by sathya.bhat

We are planning a road trip in Gujrat in the coming month. We will be six friends, two being the main drivers and one backup driver. This is what we have finalized for now.

Day 1, Feb 10th, Friday:
Reach Ahmadabad airport at 5:00AM. Pickup Scorpio (ZoomCar) from Prahlad Nagar (20 KM away from airport). Then drive 360KM to reach Gir by 2.30PM. We have already taken online permit for 3:00 PM safari.
Route: https://goo.gl/2Jsq61

This seems a bit tight. Route would be ..Sasan Gir through Rajkot and Junagarh. Actual travel time of 7 hours + 1.5 hrs for breaks (breakfast + lunch). Unless you are on road at 7am or before, it might be tricky.

After finishing the safari, leave for Somnath (70 KM). Night stay at Somnath.
Route: https://goo.gl/t1QkUU

In Google Maps, put "Sinh Sadan" and NOT "Gir national park". This is where the booking office is and all jeep safaris start from here. The distance to Somnath is just 40 odd kms and can be covered in about an hour.

Some questions:

1. For stay at Somnath, guest houses of the temple looks good in the pics on their website. Are they good enough for a night stay?

We stayed at Lilavati Guesthouse and it was strictly OK. Lodge grade accommodation. Apparently there are other guest houses as well which offer a range of quality accommodation.

1. Any good stay recommendation for Dwarka? Haven’t found anything good yet.
   

Stayed at Hotel Gomti. Good place. You can literally walk from the hotel to the main temple.

[earthian]

Originally Posted by sathya.bhat

Reach Ahmadabad airport at 5:00AM. Pickup Scorpio (ZoomCar) from Prahlad Nagar (20 KM away from airport). Then drive 360KM to reach Gir by 2.30PM. We have already taken online permit for 3:00 PM safari.

Unless you are ready to be disappointed ( not reaching GIR in time for the safari) i would not do this. Rather, if possible ask the car to be met at airport and send them papers well in advance. Enjoy the drive and scenery. And the bountiful food offerings. And the cutting chai. Morning safaris of GIR are beautiful. Spend an extra day at GIR and leave after morning safari. The Lions are exactly told to brush up an await your arrival. So if i were you, i would take a back up safari. And if nothing works, you can visit the old lions home nearby. Sightings guaranteed.

[*]For stay at Somnath, guest houses of the temple looks good in the pics on their website. Are they good enough for a night stay?

The VIP guest house is good, but the food is so so.

[sathya.bhat]

Originally Posted by Turbanator

first check at what time do they open? Chances are they may not open till 9 30 -10. In case they do open early say 6, it will be touch and go if you start at around say 7 after doing all formalities considering google maps tell you about 8 hours of the journey with one break.

Originally Posted by SDP

This seems a bit tight. Route would be ..Sasan Gir through Rajkot and Junagarh. Actual travel time of 7 hours + 1.5 hrs for breaks (breakfast + lunch). Unless you are on road at 7am or before, it might be tricky.

I have booked ZoomCar, they open pretty early and I am planning to hit road by at least 6:00 AM.

Originally Posted by SDP

In Google Maps, put "Sinh Sadan" and NOT "Gir national park". This is where the booking office is and all jeep safaris start from here. The distance to Somnath is just 40 odd kms and can be covered in about an hour.

Originally Posted by earthian

Spend an extra day at GIR and leave after morning safari. The Lions are exactly told to brush up an await your arrival. So if i were you, i would take a back up safari. And if nothing works, you can visit the old lions home nearby. Sightings guaranteed.

Then, I will also book a morning safari. If we don't make it for evening safari, we will move onto Somnath and come back in the morning for Safari.

Originally Posted by SDP

We stayed at Lilavati Guesthouse and it was strictly OK. Lodge grade accommodation. Apparently there are other guest houses as well which offer a range of quality accommodation.

Stayed at Hotel Gomti. Good place. You can literally walk from the hotel to the main temple.

I also saw Lilavathi photos online. Thanks for the heads up. I will also look up Gomti.

[ramassrs]

I am planning to travel from Ahmedabad (AMD) to Dwarka by road in Jan-2021 and will be starting from AMD airport around 9-00 am (after landing there from Bangalore).

While a lot of helpful information is available on road conditions and eateries/restaurants between AMD and Rajkot, not much information available in the 2nd leg - from Rajkot to Dwarka.

Also, a lot of the information is pre-COVID-19 and hence I thought of initiating a new thread to get latest information on the following -

1. Road conditions - especially from Rajkot to Dwarka
2. Information about highway eateries and rest rooms - including quality and hygiene
3. Since I'm starting late, my lunch stopover may be after Rajkot and so will welcome information on good restaurants between Rajkot and Dwarka.

I'm traveling with my family including parents aged 75+ years and strictly vegetarian.

Would welcome members inputs and approximate driving time including refreshment breaks.

Thanks in advance,

ramassrs