4 Days Itinerary for Gujarat with 3 UNESCO Heritage Sites

When I first looked at the 4 days itinerary of Gujarat covering 3 UNESCO World Heritage sites and a few more places I felt this would be too good a dream to come true. But believe me this is very doable and very much a moderately leisure pace.

Gujarat is the westernmost city of India and has geographically diverse landscape. It has 4 UNESCO World Heritage sites, a big stretch of White Desert, a hill station, innumerable temples and mosques, amazing food and handicrafts. To be honest 4 days are hardly enough to experience this beautiful state. Nevertheless you can always make a start with this itinerary. Choose a long weekend to make use of this itinerary.

Car Rentals

The best mode of transport to do this road trip would be to hire a car. There are plenty of car rental services in Ahmadabad at reasonable rates. The charges are split up like per kilometer basis, daily allowance and with or without driver.

4 Days Itinerary for Gujarat with 3 UNESCO Heritage Sites

Day 01: Arrival in Ahmedabad – quick breakfast – drive to Patan, sightseeing Rani ki Vav, Patola Saree weaving, sightseeing Modhera – arrival Dasada

Day 02: Drive to Rann of Kutch Desert Wildlife Sanctuary – have lunch – drive to Dholavira Khadir Bet.

Day 03: Sightseeing in Dholavira Harappan site, Museum, Fossil Park, sunset points.

Day 04: Drive to Ahmadabad – Breakfast and lunch on the way – Ahmadabad City heritage Walk

Google Maps – Gujarat Itinerary 4 Days

Day One of Gujarat Weekend Itinerary

My Bangalore to Ahmedabad flight with Indigo was scheduled at 6 AM. Indigo is reputed to fly on time with no delays and as planned we reached Ahmedabad, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport, at 8.10 AM five minutes before time. By 9 AM we were at the restaurant German Palace, after freshening up and having breakfast we left for Rani ki Vav, the first destination of our trip.

Distance – AMD Int Airport to Hotel German Palace is 5.3 km to Rani Ki Vav in Patan is 118 km.

Rani ki Vav

Rani ki Vav (Queen’s step well) was declared a UNESCO site in 2014 and has a very interesting history. It was built as a tribute to King Bhima I by his wife Rani Udayamati in 1067 AD. Due to floods in the River Saraswati that flowed nearby the whole step well got covered with silt and soon was forgotten. The temple was rediscovered in 1940s, after that till 1980s Archaeological Society of India (ASI) worked on it meticulously and brought out this architectural gem, an inverted temple almost 70ft deep. The walls of it are intricately carved with sculptures.

Sitting on the steps I wondered if this looks so grand in its worn out state  how grand it must have been when it was newly built and what a wonderful time the Queens, their maids and the people around would have had a great time bathing here. I had my fill photographing the place. We spent an hour here.

Read more: Rani ki Vav Step Well, a UNESCO Site

Rani ki Vav (Queens’ Stepwell) – 4 Days Itinerary for Gujarat with 3 UNESCO Heritage Sites

Patan Silk Weaving Centre

It wasn’t lunch time yet so off we went to see the Patan silk weaving centre. The Patola Saris of Patan were once a symbol of royalty and aristocracy. It is considered sacred by many communities of Gujarat. The cost of one sari starts at 1.5 lakh rupees (2000 USD) and goes up depending on the number of colors used and the designs. The uniqueness of this type of weaving is that the final design is made in the thread itself and then woven with each thread overlapping correctly to form the design. It is a very time consuming process. Buying one sari is beyond my dreams so I came away with just one souvenir in remembrance of the great artwork I saw.

By now we were hungry and stomachs were grumbling. We had a grand lunch at a local restaurant. The lunch was in fact simple roti chawal and sabzi (flat bread, rice and curries), rounded off with a dessert, but when one is hungry even the simplest meal seems heavenly!

Patola silk sari from Patan Gujarat

Modhera Sun Temple

We next set off for Modhera, 35.9 km south of Patan. The roads were free of heavy traffic and we were at our destination in 45 minutes. Modhera Sun Temple is a mind blowing piece of Indian Temple architecture. It has three many parts, each one with outstanding plans and designs. The Kinda (pond) in front of the temple has steps running around it. 108 small shrines dedicated to different Gods and Goddesses are built on these steps.

Next we stepped on to the Sabhamandapa (the assembly hall) through the Kirti Torana, the arch of which no longer exists. A circular space, I was at a loss of perspective for clicking the best frame. This structure has 52 pillars, a mix of short and tall ones. The arches over these pillars are semi-circular and triangular. Each architectural part is studded with sculptures. Just to observe, learn and photograph alone would take hours.

Distance – Rani ki Vav to Modhera Sun Temple is 36 km.

The western exit of Sabhamandapa leads to the Gudhamandapa (the main shrine). Here the idol of Surya Devata (Sun God) was worshiped. The idol had a diamond in the place of third eye! Mohamud Ghazni invaded the temple to loot the wealth of this temple. The temple was further destroyed by Alaudin Khilji. If whatever stands today has so much grandeur I am trying to imagine what it must have been in its heyday when it was constructed in the early eleventh century.

Sun was sinking fast, and we left for Dasada where the night halt was planned at Rann Riders Resort. Everything was going like clockwork, the first day was spent really well and now we were looking forward to the three days ahead.

A sumptuous dinner at night was followed by a small entertainment program by the local artists.

Distance – Modhera Sun Temple to Dasada is 47.2 km.

Day Two of Gujarat Weekend Itinerary

Kutch Desert Wildlife Sanctuary

After a restful night in the resort we set off for Rann of Kutch Desert Wildlife Sanctuary famous for Indian Wild Ass breed. This sanctuary is one of the largest in India area-wise; we could venture into a small section at the boundaries of the sanctuary vis Dasada Talav.

We crossed wetlands, grassy patches and small lakes that hosted several kinds of migratory birds. The wild asses eluded us; however we could spot several birds in the water bodies. I saw flamingos for the first time in its natural environment. Other birds we could spot are Painted Storks, Pelicans, Ducks, Sandpiper, Gulls, Terns, Cormorants and more.

This really was a good halt because driving straight to Dholavira from Ahmedabad, a road trip of seven hours and more would have been really tiring.

Distance – Dasada to Dholavira is 266 km.

We were lucky to spot Indian Wild Ass on our way back to Ahmadabad

Vista Point at Eastern Rann

It was almost sunset time when we closed into Khadir Bet Island. The salt flats on either side of the road were mesmerizing beyond words. As the sun set the colors changed from white to pink to red and finally to night blue. It was sheer magic! Walking on a hard salt bed was a unique experience. I felt the salty surface with my hands, picked up salt crystals, splashed salty water with my feet… felt like a child! Really wished the time would stand still.

We still were an hour away from our destination Dholavira in Khadir Bet. Winding our way through the dusty roads, crossing shepherds and cowherds returning home with their flocks we reached Dholavira Tourism Resort which would be our home for two nights. After dumping our luggage we all gathered in one room, ordered our dinner, and gave ourselves a small party. We chatted away recollecting the sweet memories of the two days spent together and rejoicing at the thought of getting to see the Harappan site the next day. Reluctantly we parted, agreeing to be up early the next morning to catch the rising sun.

Sunset Collage with pics from Chandrei.

Day Three of Gujarat Weekend Itinerary

Kutch Fossil Park

The plan for the day was to see the sunrise at Kutch Fossil Park, but that didn’t happen as the Sun decided to pop up early. In fact we were half an hour late. The salt flat stretched as far as the eye could see. We were told a few kilometres away is the Indo-Pak border… that close we were to the international border.

The Kutch Fossil Park was founded by Mohan Singh Sodha, and has a good collection of the several fossils. that are on display in the small 2 rooms’ exhibition area. He started this collection with a fossil called Ammonite in the 70s, then he went on to collect many of the fossils ranging from plants, fruits, gems, animals, reptiles etc. Most of the tree fossils are in the open. They have been given a thick coat of varnish to protect from further deterioration. The park is located in an eco-friendly area with statues of dinosaurs and other prehistoric animals. This is a perfect educational place to get children.

Dholavira Harappan site

After breakfast we visited Dholavira Harappan site and the Dholavira archaeological museum. Dholavira was declared a UNESCO World Heritage site in July 2021. Touring the site we didn’t realize when three hours slipped by. It was quite hot and sunny but none of us complained. We were eager to hear more from our guide Mr Nagji Parmar. He had spent his childhood in this very site without realizing the importance of the place. As a kid he and his friends would run through the tunnels not knowing that they were the water channels of Harappan times, 4500 years back.

At the site there are no standing structures, only plans of the houses that existed then remain. The tour was through the water reservoirs with steps, granaries, gates, castle and bailey. Do read more here:

Dholavira Harappan site and the Dholavira archaeological museum

Dholavira Harappan site – 4 Days Itinerary for Gujarat with 3 UNESCO Heritage Sites

Chipper Point

Post lunch we left for Chipper point which is a naturally made ledge that stands precariously over a hill. A wrong move and you can hurt yourself seriously. Please exercise some caution when you are there. The place seriously needs a barricade before anything dangerous happens.

Next we left for the vista point we visited the previous day. With more photography and more memories framed we returned to our rooms and retired early to bed. Next day the long return journey to Ahmedabad City awaited us.

Chipper Point on Google Map – 4 Days Itinerary for Gujarat with 3 UNESCO Heritage Sites

Day Four of Gujarat Weekend Itinerary

All of us started our journey back home at 5 AM. 7 hours of road trip, with a brief halt for breakfast, by 12.30 PM we were in the city.

Distance covered is 360 km via GJ SH 51 to NH 27.

Heritage walk of Ahmedabad

We still had one more activity left, the heritage walk of historic city of Ahmadabad.

Ahmedabad was formally accorded the status of India’s first World Heritage City by UNESCO in 2017. I was looking forward to doing The Ahmedabad Heritage Walk for a long time. Ideally the walk takes three hours to complete with halts at 22 points. It is also called Mandir se Masjid tak… meaning temple to mosque.

It drizzled for a while but luckily the clouds cleared and we could continue with our walk. We crossed several Hindu and Jain temples and Islamic monuments. Every corner we felt like we were back in time when life was much simpler, the architecture of buildings influenced by different styles, in short a good way to understand the history of the city. It was a beautiful experience filled with friendly people.

Swami Narayan Mandir Ahmadabad

Total distance covered and Rough travel expense

My rough estimate for Gujarat itinerary for 4 days: From Ahmadabad City to Dholavira with several stops and back to Ahmadabad city, the distance we covered by road totaled to 833km. Car expense  can be roughly totaled to 833 (km) x 11 (Rs per km diesel) = Rs 9163 + 1000 (daily allowance) = 10163 INR.

Stay at Rann Riders 9500INR per night, Dholavira Tourism Resort 12,000INR for 2 nights. Total – 21,500 INR.

There are budget travel and stay options too.

Conclusion

The four days trip in Gujarat were well spent. Thanks to Gujarat Tourism for hosting me for this familiarization trip and giving me this opportunity to visit the UNESCO Heritage sites of Gujarat. I am back with wonderful memories and experience.

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