“the journey is the destination”
Ahmedabad –> Bajana –> Gir –> Morbi –> Dholavira –> Patan –> Ahmedabad
A 9-Day Journey – 18-26 January 2025
Lion, salt flats and a 4500 years old city
This nine-day trip through Gujarat traced a wide arc from the salt flats of the Little Rann of Kutch to the lion country of Sasan Gir, the ancient port town of Somnath, the Harappan ruins of Dholavira and the Great Rann of Kutch, before winding back through the stepwell and sun temple heritage of Patan and Modhera to Ahmedabad. The route began and ended with flights connecting Kolkata and Ahmedabad, with the rest of the journey covered by road across roughly 1,500+ kilometres, taking in wildlife safaris, desert landscapes, temple architecture and a strong thread of Gujarati culture and cuisine throughout.
9-Day Gujarat Itinerary
Day 1: 18 Jan | Kolkata → Ahmedabad → Bajana
- Bajana Wild Ass Sanctuary [Wildlife] • Little Rann Salt Flats [Natural Landscape]
- Fly into Ahmedabad and embark on a scenic drive to Bajana. Start your Gujarat journey with an evening safari across the salt flats of the Little Rann of Kutch to spot the rare, endemic Indian Wild Ass.
Day 2: 19 Jan | Bajana → Sasan Gir
- Cross-country Route [Scenic Transit / Landscape]
- Set out on a scenic cross-country road trip heading south, watching the landscape transition from open salt marshes to the dense teak forests of Sasan Gir.
Day 3: 20 Jan | Sasan Gir
- Gir National Park [Wildlife] • Resort Cultural Night [Cultural Experience]
- Dive deep into the wilderness of Gir National Park on an afternoon safari for a chance to spot the majestic Asiatic lions in their natural habitat. End the day relaxing with a cultural evening at your resort.
Day 4: 21 Jan | Sasan Gir (Somnath – evening trip)
- Gir Forest Safari [Wildlife] • Somnath Temple [Sacred / Coastal Heritage]
- Catch one final morning safari through Gir’s forests before taking a drive to the coastal, ancient temple town of Somnath to admire its sacred seaside architecture.
Day 5: 22 Jan | Sasan Gir→ Junagadh → Morbi
- Mahabat Maqbara Palace [Heritage] • Junagadh Fort & Gates [Heritage] • Buddhist Caves [Archaeology]
- Journey toward Morbi with a stop in Junagadh to explore its rich heritage, including the stunning Mahabat Maqbara Palace, Sardar Patel Darwaja, ancient Buddhist rock-cut caves, and historic fort structures.
Day 6: 23 Jan | Morbi → Dholavira
- Great White Rann Salt-Flat Road [Scenic Route] • Dholavira Regional Surroundings [Natural Landscape]
- Drive north across the iconic salt-flat road that cuts straight through the Great White Rann of Kutch. Arrive in Dholavira and take your first look at the ancient landscapes of the region.
Day 7: 24 Jan | Dholavira
- Dholavira Harappan Site [UNESCO Heritage] • Fossil Park [Geological] • Artisan Crafts [Culture] • White Desert Sunset [Landscape]
- Spend a full day exploring the 4,500-year-old Indus Valley Civilization archaeological site, ancient fossil parks, and local artisan crafts, capped off with a breathtaking sunset over the White Desert.
Day 8: 25 Jan | Dholavira → Patan → Modhera → Mehsana
- Rani ki Vav [UNESCO Heritage] • Modhera Sun Temple [Heritage]
- Travel south toward Mehsana, stopping to marvel at two of Gujarat’s premier architectural wonders: the intricate subterranean art of Rani ki Vav (a UNESCO World Heritage stepwell in Patan) and the magnificent Modhera Sun Temple.
Day 9: 26 Jan | Mehsana → Ahmedabad → Kolkata
- Route Back through Ahmedabad [Transit / Departure]
- Drive back to Ahmedabad and catch your flight home to Kolkata, wrapping up an unforgettable journey across Gujarat.
Highlights of the trip:
a) Asiatic Lion b) Flamingos at Wild Ass Sanctuary c) Somnath Temple and Beach d) White Desert (Rann) e) Dholavira Harappan Civilization
Places of stay of the trip:
(click on photo for Resort / Hotel Location)
Detailed Travel blog :
Day 1 – Into the Little Rann of Kutch (18 January 2025)
The trip began with an early flight from Kolkata to Ahmedabad. After breakfast at Oshwal, the drive headed out towards Bajana, about 115 km away, arriving at the Royal Safari Resort by early afternoon. The highlight of the day was the Bajana Wild Ass Sanctuary safari, running from 3:30 pm to 6:00 pm. This offered a first glimpse of Gujarat’s wide, flat salt-desert landscape and its unique wildlife—including the Indian wild ass that gives the sanctuary its name, as well as vibrant flamingos, various migratory birds, and other wild animals.
Day 2 – On to Sasan Gir (19 January 2025)
That long 311 km travel day from the Little Rann of Kutch to Sasan Gir turned out to be a solid 9-hour journey on the road, but stopping along the highway for a proper local snack break made it completely worth it. We recharged on classic, crispy fafda with hot, sweet jalebis. One crucial lesson we learned the hard way: if you’re taking any route in Gujarat, plan your lunch timing carefully! Local places strictly close down lunch service around 3:00 PM, and finding a proper meal after that window is almost impossible. We finally reached Sasan Gir in the evening and checked into The VanVeda Resort by Nirvana, ready to rest up and unwind after a full day on the highway.
Day 3 – Sasan Gir (20 January 2025)
Built around the excitement of the Gir Forest Safari, our day was centered on finding the iconic Asiatic lion in its last remaining wild habitat. After enjoying a relaxed lunch, we geared up for the evening safari—a thrilling highlight where securing pre-booked online tickets in advance is mandatory to get in. Exploring the rugged park terrain in search of wildlife was an incredible experience, while the rest of our day moved at a delightfully unhurried pace as we unwound back at the resort, caught up over a lovely adda, and enjoyed a delicious buffet dinner.
Day 4 – Gir and Somnath (21 January 2025)
The next morning brought our second Gir Forest Safari, which rewarded us with the moment we had all been waiting for—our group’s very first Asiatic lion sighting, leaving everyone completely thrilled! After a satisfying lunch back at the resort, we set off on a pleasant drive to Somnath. The rest of the evening was spent relaxing, taking in the tranquil surroundings with the magnificent Somnath Temple’s coastal setting providing a truly memorable backdrop to end the day.
Day 5 – The Road to Morbi (22 January 2025)
Day 6 – Arrival in Dholavira (23 January 2025)
Our journey took us from Morbi to the ancient, salt-encrusted landscapes of Dholavira in the Rann of Kutch. The 4.5-hour drive spanned roughly 202 kilometres before we checked in at Praveg Resort. The absolute highlight of the day was stepping back in time at the iconic Dholavira Harappan site, marvelling at the incredible engineering of the Indus Valley Civilization. As evening approached, we witnessed a sunset so breath-taking and vivid it felt like a once-in-a-lifetime moment, painting the horizon in unforgettable hues. To top it all off, the day concluded beneath a pitch-black desert sky glittering with countless stars—a peaceful, magical end to an extraordinary day of exploration.
Day 7 – Exploring Dholavira (24 January 2025)
A full day dedicated to the ancient wonders and landscapes of Dholavira. After breakfast, we took a drive along the scenic Road to Heaven, taking in the striking views of the surrounding salt flats. Following a delicious lunch, we headed out in the evening to witness a stunning sunset near the Wood Fossil Park. The day concluded back at the resort with a vibrant cultural program.
Day 8 – Patan, Modhera and Mehsana (25 January 2025)
The journey turned back toward Ahmedabad, with two major heritage stops en route: Rani ki Vav, the intricately carved stepwell at Patan, and the Modhera Sun Temple, dedicated to the sun god Surya. Covering 308 km in about 10 hours, the day ended with check-in at a hotel in Mehsana.
Day 9 – Ahmedabad and the Journey Home (26 January 2025)
The final day combined a short drive to Ahmedabad (around 60 km) before the flight back to Kolkata brought the nine-day journey to a close.
From the vast, serene expanse of the White Rann to the dense teak forests of Gir and the timeless stone carvings of Rani ki Vav, this 1,500-kilometer journey captured the remarkable diversity of Gujarat. Traversing prehistoric Harappan ruins alongside bustling modern highways reminded us that Gujarat’s heritage is not just preserved in museums, but lived every day across its landscapes, culture, and hospitality. Whether you are drawn by wildlife safaris, ancient architecture, or local flavors, driving through these varied regions offers an unforgettable road trip experience that stays with you long after the journey ends.
Places captured are 👌