Top Weekend Getaways in Gujarat

Gujarat has many amazing tourist experiences. Of course, for the first time traveler who is simply curious about a destination, there is nothing like a weekend getaway to get the feel of a place before exploring it. Here are some great weekend getaways in Gujarat that you simply must check out.

Gir National Park:

Gir National Park is the perfect getaway for wildlife lovers. Here, you can spot Asiatic Lions, spotted deer (chital), blue bull (nilgai) and the chousingha (the world’s only four-horned antelope). These are just some of the animals which the park is home to. There is also the wild boar, Jackal, rusty-spotted cat, and about 250 bird species. Clearly, a weekend of nature and sightseeing means you should come to Gir National Park.

Rann of Kutch:

The Rann of Kutch is best known for the White Salt Desert, a photographer’s delight for its white salt plains. At night, you can enjoy camel safaris across the cool desert sand (this is during the Rann festival in December-March).  The nearby villages of Dhordo and Hodka offer lodging, and you can you explore authentic rural life and cuisine.

Dwarka:

Everyone who has grown up on traditional Hindu stories of Lord Krishna knows the name of Dwarka. This is why Hindu devotees throng here throughout the year. It is one of the four major Dhams of India, and offers peace and serenity to visitors. One must visit the Dwarkadhish Temple, a five-storied shrine, as well as the nearby Okha (30kms away) as well as the many temples dedicated to Lord Krishna’s wife Rukmini.

Marine National Park:

Now it’s time for some real adventure if you’re tired of simply sightseeing. India’s first Marine National Park is in Gujarat, on the Gulf of Kutch. It is home to coral, Dugong and Porpoise, Dolphin, and even large whales. But people love to view the coral reefs. The water is so clear you can view them without even taking a dive!

Velavadar Blackbuck National Park:

The Blackbuck is an endangered species, and it would be advisable to see it at least once. This is possibly one of the best places to see the blackbuck simply due to the abundance of this other rare species. Obviously, this means it is a great ecosystem for other flora and fauna, and the wetlands are the photographer’s delight.

Mehsana:

The town of Mehsana is ideal for peaceful family vacations. The town is home to India’s biggest water park, which the kids will love. For the adults, there is also the many temples that the elderly will love. Mehsana’s proximity to Gandhinagar and Ahmedabad makes it great for a weekend getaway to these locations.

Ranakpur:

In a half day journey, you can also reach Rajasthan, which has India’s most stunning Jain temple in the town of Ranakpur. The temple town has many many hotels, but the finest among them is Mana Hotels, with 40 rooms and many luxurious villas, along with a spa and bar for relaxation opportunities. Mana Hotels is also close to Udaipur, which means you can take a day to explore the heritage sites like Pichola Lake, Udai Sagar, Fateh Sagar and Swaroop Sagar.