Amazing Gujarat | Sneek Peek into Gir, Dwarka and Somnath

Amazing Gujarat - Gir Jungle 

Gir Jungle Jeep Safari

After a great stay at Rann of Kutch, it was time to move to next destination, Gir Forest.We had booked for 2 nights at United-21 Vanvaso resort in Sasan Gir.

It was again a long journey of 8 hours to Gir, the route was through Rajkot-Junagad-Gir.

How to Reach Gir :

By Air: Rajkot is the nearest airport about 160km, from here there are volvo buses and cabs you can hire directly to Gir.

By Rail : Junagadh and Veraval railway station are nearest about 2-3 hours from Sasan Gir.Best way to travel from here would be hiring cab.

By Bus : Gir has good connectivity with Gujarat tourism buses.They have direct buses here from various major cities.The roads are also in good condition, except for a small patch in between just before reaching Gir.

 We had traveled during day time and that made us think if we wasted the whole day without much to look around.

Stay at Gir resort and Jungle safari

Vanvaso Resort, Gir

      After a long and tiring travel, the most important thing needed is a good and relaxing stay and that's what the resort gave us.We had booked our safari next early morning.

      It is recommended to go for Jungle safari early morning or before sunset, as lions are easily spotted at these time of the day.

 How to book Safari: 

     You need to book Gypsy permit online and then you can directly go for gypsy and guide locally at the reception.

      If you are a planned traveler and don't like last moment planning, you can book Gypsy Lion safari permit online through Gujarat Government website.

      There are other private websites through which you can book with gypsy and guides included. Personal experience is that charges differ for private website and government, which is quite obvious, but you get pick up and drop facility from resort.

       You can also go for Devalia park if you were unable to spot lions.

Our Safari Guide and Driver

Spot the Deer's 😝

Malan river

         We were lucky to be able to spot a lion and lioness after waiting for about half hour and it was worth waiting.Deers are most easily spotted along with peacocks.We were also lucky to spot four-horned antelope, which are only found here.

        On returning back to resort, one thing which we experienced for the first time, was earthquake tremors😯, and it was terrifying though it seemed to be pretty usual stuff for the resort staff.

        The stay was great at Gir and it wouldn't have been possible without Vanvaso resort's enjoyable, relaxing and welcoming ambience.

Somnath Temple

About The temple:

         Somnath Temple is among first Jyotirlinga shrines of Shiva and is considered very sacred. The temple was invaded many times but it has been reconstructed and restored. The magnificence of current temple construction is just next to none, with its strategic location on the western coast of India.

Things to Note and do near Somanath temple:

•  You will find a Baan-stambh(Arrow pillar), it is claimed that one can follow the direction to reach south without any piece of land in between.
• You wouldn't find pictures of Somnath in this blog, as mobile and cameras are not allowed inside temple so we had to keep them in the digital lockers. It was good to see so properly managed facility for digital equipment and footwear.
• Triveni Sangam, Suraj Mandir, Panch Pandav Gufa are other local sightseeing spots.

Triveni Sangam

How to Reach Somnath Temple:

We booked a cab from Gir resort to Somnath.Distance from Gir is about 70km, so its about 3 hour journey.

There are government as well as private buses available on this route, but the fastest and recommended option would be cab.
Cab costed us around 2400/- which included tolls, Somnath, local site seeing and drop to Somnath railway station.
 

Dwarka:

Dwarka

        Dwarka temple is dedicated to Lord Krishna, as the city is considered to be where Lord Krishna had his kingdom. It also has the city dwarka under sea which was the actual capital city of Lord Krishna. 

How to Reach Dwarka:

We traveled by train to Dwarka from Somnath.

Distance between Somnath and Dwarka is about 230km by road. We dint want the travel to be tiring again like it was during Gir journey, so we planned for train travel. The train departs at around 10.15pm and reaches at around 7.30 am.

There are frequent cabs and buses between Somnath and Dwarka but recommended would be train.

Things to do in Dwarka :

Dwarka dweep : Island close to Dwarka, which is place to Dwarkadish temple.It can be reached by ferry which costs around Rs 20-30 but is not considered too safe, though that does not stop people from visiting Dweep.

Close to Dwarka is another Jyotirlinga, Nageshvara Jyotirlinga.

Best way to travel here is getting a 6-seater rickshaw if you don't have a private car or cab.

Shiva Statue near Nageshvara Temple

Tour Expenses

Gir Jungle Safari - 5800/-
Vanvaso resort stay 2N for 2 rooms- 6000/-
Innova Cab from Gir to Somnath - 2400/-
Somnath to Dwarka train sleeper - 250/- per head
Dwarka hotel stay 2 rooms 1N - 2400/-
Dwarka to Nageshvara temple 6-seater - 300/-
Dwarka to Ahmedabad bus - 600/- per head

Tip for the trip
I would recommend traveling Dwarka first then Somnath and keep Gir as last stop to make it less tiring and more enjoyable.

Gujarat is surely an amazing place to visit and its very little that I could see and experience.
Hope you enjoy your travel here and this blog helps you in planning the same.
Do let me know you comments or experiences.