Gujarat is a state that overflows with the abundance of nature and heritage. If Saputara beckons with its pristine landscapes, the heritage city of Ahmedabad unveils its wonders. Here is a 7 day Saurashtra itinerary that looks beyond Ahmedabad. It will take you on a scintillating journey that will cover some of the iconic temples of India, unique wildlife sanctuary, and heritage sites.

7 Day Saurashtra Itinerary – Saurashtra Darshan

Saurashtra in the state of Gujarat is a peninsular region that historically was known as Sorath or Kathiawar. It is a region whose history dates back to the Vedic times. Today Saurashtra comprises 11 districts of Gujarat. The region of Saurashtra is home to many of the attractions that draw tourists to the state in droves. Here we present a 7 Day Saurashtra itinerary that covers the main must-visit places in Gujarat, specifically the region of Saurashtra.

7 Day Saurashtra Itinerary – Best Places to Visit in Saurashtra

This itinerary is best done as a Saurashtra Road Trip, that covers some of the most important places to visit in Saurashtra, Gujarat. The Saurashtra Tour would start and end at Ahmedabad and would cover the following top places to visit in Saurashtra. These are Rajkot, Dwarka, Somnath, Porbandar, Sasan Gir, and Junagadh.

You can customize the itinerary to suit your preference. For example. if you want to cut down on road travel, you can fly to Rajkot and begin and end the trip there.

Saurashtra Tourist Places Map | Saurashtra Darshan Route Map

Day 1 of the 7 Day Saurashtra Itinerary – Ahmedabad | Rajkot

On day 1 of your Saurashtra tour, you shall leave Ahmedabad, preferably after breakfast and reach Rajkot in the afternoon around lunchtime, after a drive of about 215 kilometres. Check in to your hotel and after lunch proceed for a half-day of local sightseeing. The places that you will cover are listed below. The Saurashtra tour appropriately begins by paying homage to Gujarat, and India’s greatest son, the father of the nation, Mahatma Gandhi.

Mahatma Gandhi Museum – 7 Day Saurashtra Itinerary

The Mahatma Gandhi Museum or MGM is a state-of-the-art museum that showcases the life and times of the Mahatma. It is housed in a historic building that housed the school where Mahatma Gandhi studied in Rajkot. A visit to this museum is something not to be missed in Rajkot. Read More.

Kaba Gandhi No Delo – Mahatma Gandhi’s Ancestral Home

Kaba Gandhi No Delo is the house where the Mahatma’s family lived in Rajkot. It was known as Kaba Gandhi No Delo, which in Gujarati means, “Kaba Gandhi’s House.” Mahatma Gandhi’s father Karamchand Gandhi was also known as Kaba Gandhi, and hence the name. The house is today a museum named Gandhi Smriti.

Night Halt At Rajkot

After visiting the Mahatma Gandhi Ashram and the Kaba Gandhi No Delo, you have leisure time which you can spend in the local market or relax in your hotel.

Pro Tip – When in Rajkot you must taste the famous Rajkot Peda which is a peda that has its own unique and distinctive taste.

Day 2 of the 7 Day Saurashtra Itinerary – Rajkot | Dwarka

Check out of your Rajkot hotel after an early breakfast to drive to Dwarka which is at a distance of about 226 kilometres. You shall pass through Jamnagar on the way to Dwarka, you stop at one of the local highway restaurants for an authentic Gujarati meal. We recommend the Jay Somnath Paratha House Laiyara, located on the Rajkot-Jamnagar highway, some 42 kilometres from Rajkot.

The restaurant (Dhaba) serves authentic Kathiawari cuisine. Look out for the unique rectangular tray laden with six bowls of different chutneys and salads. If you prefer not to stop, you can head to Dwarka directly and have clinch there.

After arrival at Dwarka, check into your hotel, and relax till the evening.  There are many stay options in Dwarka, depending on your budget and preference. We can recommend Hawthorn Suites by Wyndham Dwarka, which is a luxury resort in Dwarka. After relaxing till evening, you can proceed for sightseeing The places to cover for the day are Shivrajpur Beach and the Dwarkadhish temple.

Shivrajpur Beach

One of the top places to visit in Saurashtra is the blue flag certified Shivrajpur beach which is located about 10 kilometres from Dwarka. It is one of the few blue flag certified beaches in India. The beautiful beach is a great place to spend the evening, watching a spectacular sunset on the Arabian Sea. The beach also offers many water sports including scuba diving. Read More.

Dwarkadhish Temple

After watching the sunset at Shivrajpur Beach, you can move to the famous Shree Dwarkadhish temple for night darshan. The famous temple is dedicated to Lord Krishna. The current temple is over 2,000 years old. The original temple is believed to have been built by Krishna’s grandson, Vajranabha.

Apart from the main temple to Krishna, within the complex, there are shrines to Vasudev, Devaki, Rukmini, Radha, and other Gods and Goddesses of the Hindu pantheon. The Paschimamnaya Shankaracharya Peetham (Sharada Peetham) of Dwarka, one of the four established by Adi Shankaracharya is also located within the Dwarkadhish temple.

Night Halt At Dwarka

Spend the night in your hotel in Dwarka.

Day 3 of the 7 Day Saurashtra Itinerary – Dwarka

Day 3 of your Saurashtra tour will be spent exploring the different places to see in Dwarka. Here are the important places that you can cover on the day. There are many temples in Dwarka, that you can add to your itinerary based on your time and preference, other than the ones listed here.

Dwarka is one of the sacred Char Dham pilgrimage centres, that also includes Puri, Rameshwaram, and Badrinath. Check out our places to visit and things to do in Dwarka for details.

Gomti Ghat & Sudama Setu

Wake up early morning and head to the Gomti Ghat near the Dwarkadhis temple to experience a mesmerizing sunrise over the Sudama Setu. The Gomti Ghat offers a surreal experience in the early morning as the first rays of the sun kiss the river, and the temple bells from the temples on the Ghat strike a hypnotic symphony.

The Gomti river is a sacred river with many ancient temples, including the Dwarkadhish temple nestling on its banks. You can cross over to the other bank of the Gomti by walking across the Sudama Setu. You can get excellent views of the Dwarkadhish temple, and also visit some of the temples located here.

Samudra Narayan Mandir

The Gomti river meets the Arabian Sea, a couple of kilometres from the Dwarkadhish temple. The Samudra Narayan temple is located here. It is a beautiful and ancient temple dedicated to the river Goddess Gomati and stands right on the edge of the sea. Dwarka Beach can also be easily visited from here.

If you are interested in getting the morning darshan of Dwarkadhish, you can visit the temple and also admire its architectural features during the day.

After this, you can have your breakfast, either in any of the local eateries, or head back to your hotel for breakfast.

After breakfast, proceed for another round of Dwarka sightseeing. The following are the places that you will visit.

Rukmini Devi Temple

The Rukmini Devi Temple, also known as Rukshmani Mandir is a beautiful temple that is dedicated to Rukmini, the consort of Shri Krishna. There are many myths and legends associated with this temple to Rukmini, who is believed to be the incarnation of the Goddess Lakshmi in the Dwapara Yuga. Read more about this temple in our Rukmini Devi temple blog post.

Nageshwar Jyotirlinga Temple

Dwarka is not only a sacred centre for Hindus because of the Dwarkadhish temple. It is also home to one of the Jyotirlinga temples, the Nageshwar Jyotirlinga temple. There is also a beautiful statue of Lord Shiva sitting in a meditative posture, that towers to a height of 25 metres. Read more about this Jyotirlinga temple in our Nageshwar Temple blog post.

Beyt Dwarka

Take a ferry to an island that is known as Beyt Dwarka. There is an ancient temple to Krishna here. It is believed that Krishna stayed here when he arrived from Mathura and established the new kingdom of Dwarka. The boat ride to and from Beyt Dwarka is in itself a unique experience. Thousands of birds will greet and escort your boat.

In the evening you can spend time shopping, some of the things to buy are traditional Ghagra Choli and Patola sarees with intricate mirror work.

Night Halt At Dwarka

Spend the night in your hotel in Dwarka.

Pro Tip – When in Dwarka you must experience the flavours and aromas of a Gujarati Thali at Shreenath Dining Hall.

Day 4 of the 7 Day Saurashtra Itinerary – Porbandar | Somnath | Sasangir

On Day 4 of your Saurashtra Darshan trip, you will leave Dwarka after an early breakfast and head to Porbandar, which is about 105 kilometres.

Porbandar Kirti Mandir

You shall arrive in Porbandar in the afternoon. Here you can visit one of the most historical places in India, the birthplace of Mahatma Gandhi. This is the Kirti Mandir, which is today a museum built in memory of Kasturba and Mahatma Gandhi.

After visiting the Kirti Mandir, you can have lunch at Porbandar before proceeding to Somnath.

Somnath Jyotirlinga Temple

Porbandar to Somnath distance is about 137 kilometres and the drive would take about 2.5 hours. After reaching Somnath in the late afternoon, proceed to visit the famous Somnath Jyotirlinga temple.

The temple stands on the edge of the Arabian Sea, a proud icon of India’s heritage. After visiting the temple, you can watch the sunset on the Arabian Sea and later watch a unique Sound & Light show at the temple.

You can also visit the Ahalyabai Temple which is an ancient Shiva temple, located close to the main Somnath temple. For more details of Somnath temple and its history, read our Somnath blog post, “The Somnath Story.”

Night Halt At Somnath

Spend the night in your hotel in Somnath.

Day 5 of the 7 Day Saurashtra Itinerary – Somnath | Sasangir

Checkout of your hotel after breakfast and proceed for Somnath Sightseeing. The major places to visit in Somnath on Day 5 of your Saurashtra itinerary are as below:

Bhalka Tirth

Bhalka Tirth is a temple to Krishna. The temple is located at the sport where a hunter named Jara, shot an arrow at Krishna and wounded him. It is a temple where you will find a beautiful statue of Krishna and a remorseful Jara, leaning before him.

To know more about Bhalka Tirth, and the story of the end of the Krishna Avatar, read our Bhalka Tirth blog post.

Dehotsarga

A few kilometres away from Bhalka Tirth is Dehotsarga. This is the place where Arjuna is believed to have performed the final rites for the mortal remains of Krishna, before his ascent to heaven. It is a sacred place and the spot is marked by a canopy that houses the sacred footprints or Padukas of Lord Krisha.

Gita Mandir

This is a beautiful temple in Dehotsarg that has been built by the Birlas. The unique feature of the temple are 18 pillars on which are carved the 18 chapters of the Bhagavad Gita.

Lakshmi Narayan Temple

The Lakshmi Narayan temple is another beautiful temple in the cluster of temples that you will find at Dehotsargh, on the banks of the Hiran River.  It is said that the deity of this temple is similar to that in Badrinath, which is one of the Char Dhams.

Baldev Gufa

It is believed that immediately after Krishna left his physical body, his brother Balram also left his mortal body to join Lord Vishnu. There is a small temple in a subterranean cave, that is called Baldev Gufa, which is said to be the place from where Balram left the corporeal world.

Prabhas Patan Museum

A very interesting place that will give you an insight into the history and heritage of Somnath is the Prabhas Patan Museum. It is an archaeological museum that exhibits various stone sculptures, inscriptions, and other artefacts found in the area of the ancient Somnath temple.

Night Halt At Sasan Gir

After finishing sight seeing in Somnath, you can drive to Sasan Gir which is at a distance of about 67 kilometres and check in to your hotel for night halt. The best place to stay in Sasan Gir are, “The Fern Gir Forest Resort,” or, “The Gir Jungle Lodge.”

Pro Tip – When in Somnath, do feast on some of the famous Gujarati snacks like Methi Na Gota, Fafda, Jalebi, Dalwada, etc., at one of the eateries located near the Somnath Temple, adjacent to the Ahalyabai Temple.

Day 6 of the 7 Day Saurashtra Itinerary – Sasangir | Junagadh

On Day 6 of the Saurashtra Darshan tour, you can go for the famous Sasan Gir National Park Lion Safari. The Gir National Park is the only place in the world apart from Africa, where you will get to see lions in the wild. It is an experience you will cherish for a long time.

You would need to wake up early and embark on the morning safari, which is from 6.30 AM to 9.45 AM. There is one more safari in the afternoon, around 3.00 PM. The timings of the safaris vary depending on the month of the year, do check the official government website of Gir National Park for exact timings and safari booking. After the lion safari, you can have breakfast and checkout of your hotel to proceed to Junagadh.

Pro Tip – The Gir Lion Safari is closed annually from 16th June to 15th October, so you would need to plan your Sasan Gir trip accordingly.

Junagadh

A short drive of about 73 kilometres from Sasan Gir and you shall reach the historic city of Junagadh. It is a city with a rich history that dates back to the Dwapara Yuga and the times of Chandragupta Maurya. It is a city full of heritage sites, waiting to be explored. The famous temples of Mount Girnar are also located here.

After checking in to your hotel and lunch, you can proceed for a half-day sightseeing tour of important tourist places in Junagadh. Below are the places to be covered and a brief description.

Uparkot Fort Junagadh

The Uparkot Fort is a historic fort of Junagadh. Historical evidence dates it back to the times of Chandragupta Maurya in the year 319 BCE. Within the fort are many places of historical and archaeological value.

Ranak Devi Palace | Jamma Masjid

Within the Uparkot fort is located the Ranak Devi Palace which was later converted into a mosque. The place is said to have been the residential palace of a legendary queen named Ranak Devi who was married to King Ra Khengar. The palace was transformed into a mosque after the fort was captured by Mahmud Begda.

Adi Kadi Vav

The Adi Kadi Vav is an ancient stepwell that is believed to have been built sometime between the 10th and 15th centuries. An interesting legend about two sisters Adi and Kadi are associated with the building of this stepwell. The bottom of the stepwell can be reached through a series of steps. The well is 175 feet in depth.

Navagham Kuvo

The Navagham Kuvo is another stepwell within the Uparkot Fort. This well is bigger than the Adi Kadi Vav and also has a forecourt. This dates back to the 11th century or even further.

Buddhist Caves

Buddhist rock sculptures and paintings are a priceless part of India’s heritage. The Buddhist presence in Junagadh can be seen in the Buddhist caves located within the Uparkot Fort. The Buddhist caves date back to the 2nd century. There are beautiful architectural elements of Graeco Scythian architecture in the Buddhist caves.

Khapra Khodiya Caves

Another group of Buddhist caves are located near the outskirts of Junagadh. These caves too date back to the 3rd and 4th centuries. These caves are plain as compared to the ornamentation that one can see in the Buddhist Caves within Uparkot.

Read all about this Buddhist monument in our Khapra Khodiya caves blog post.

Mahabat Maqbara

A pair of exquisitely beautiful mausoleums stand right in the middle of a busy street in the heart of Junagadh. These are the Mahabat Maqbara and the Bahauddin Maqbara. Both of them are magnificent structures. The Mahabat Maqbara is a scintillating example of a fusion of Gothic, European, and Islamic architectural elements. It is a tomb of Nawab Mahabat Khan II.

The Bahauddin Maqbara is the tomb of Bahauddin Vazir. It is a unique structure with four minarets flanking the main structure. It reminds you of the design of the Taj Mahal in Agra.

Read our Mahabat Maqbara blog post for more details about this unique monument of Junagadh, Gujarat.

For a complete list of places to visit in Junagadh, read our Junagadh Guide blog post.

Night Halt At Junagadh

Retire to your hotel room and relax. Be ready to start early the next day.

Pro Tip – While in Junagadh experience a unique Gujarati Thali at The Grand Patel, it is named Kumbhkaran Thali.

Day 7 of the 7 Day Saurashtra Itinerary – Junagadh | Ahmedabad 

Day 7 which is the last day of your Saurashtra itinerary will start early. You will visit the famous Shri Ambaji Temple Girnar Parvat by the ropeway, which is one of the longest ropeways in Asia. It covers 2.3 kilometres and transports travellers to the Ambaji temple. Normally you would need to climb 5,000 steps to reach the temple.

The peak of the mountain on which is located the Dattatreya temple is further away, and one would need to climb more than 5,000 steps from the Ambaji temple to reach it.

Ideally, you would return back from the Ambaji temple via cable car to Junagadh city, in time to check out from the hotel and proceed back towards Ahmedabad after lunch. However, based on your preference you can extend your stay by a day, and climb to the top of Girnar hill, but it is an arduous climb and one needs to be fit to do the same.

You can leave Junagadh for Ahmedabad, which is at a distance of about 310 kilometres, by afternoon. It would take approximately 6-7 hours to reach Ahmedabad, late in the night.

With that, the Saurashtra tour on a 7 day Saurashtra itinerary comes to an end at Ahmedabad, which was the starting point of the trip.

If you are planning a trip to Saurashtra you can book a cheap flight right here through TripAdvisor or CheapAir or Cleartrip or Makemytrip or Priceline and fly to Ahmedabad or Rajkot. If you are thinking of a complete road trip from Ahmedabad, across Saurashtra, check out the rental car and bus options.

You can book hotels for any destination right here through any of the below options: TripAdvisor or Cleartrip or Makemytrip or Priceline and save a lot by getting the best deals on booking your stay.

Click to book the best hotels in Gujarat

We do hope that you found this blog post about Saurashtra Darshan and a 7 day itinerary of the best places to see in Saurashtra, Gujarat, useful, and informative. Do let us know your thoughts and reach out to us if you have any questions. Subscribe to our blog for more interesting travel content, and do not forget to connect with us on our social media channels.

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