Top Things to Do in Gujarat

Gujarat abounds in endless attractions and thus has grown into a popular tourism destination of late. This is one state of Western India that intrigues tourists with its diverse attractions. Your exploration of Gujarat never ends and every time you come to feel that there is much more to the state of Gujarat than meets the eyes! If you wish to explore Gujarat to the fullest, here are some areas you could tap to get an out-of-the-world experience:

Sightseeing

Gujarat comes with a plethora of sightseeing destinations which lure domestic and International tourists alike. When you plan a sightseeing of Gujarat, you must know that it cannot be completed in just a day or two. In order to visit all the famed destinations across Gujarat you need a minimum of seven days if not more. Gujarat sightseeing trips can be categorized into smaller sub-trips like Gujarat cultural sightseeing, Gujarat historical sightseeing, Gujarat heritage sightseeing, Gujarat religious sightseeing, Gujarat wildlife sightseeing and so on.

A cultural sightseeing tour of Gujarat introduces you to the culture and rich traditions of the state. The cultural tour takes you to the very heart of Gujarat and you get to enjoy the authentic, tribal culture in some of the most renowned tribal villages like Devhat, Timla, Ludiya, Hodka, Dhordo, Rabari, Bhujodi etc.

A historical sightseeing tour of Gujarat makes you go back in time as you start exploring the stunning historic facets. Such a tour covers places like Watson museum, Uperkot fort, Toran of Vadnagar, Sharad Baug palace, Laxmi Vilas Palace, Lothal excavation sites, Dholavira ancient city, Kirti mandir, Lakhota Fort and Kotha Bastion and many more.

A heritage sightseeing tour of Gujarat takes you on a tour of some of the best heritage sites that the state has. You get to understand the true essence of the state’s heritage from such a tour. The main sites covered are Rani-ki-vav, Champaner-Pavagadh.

Gujarat with its many ancient and holy temples is an ideal place for the God lovers. A religious sightseeing tour of Gujarat will take you to places like Dwarkadheesh Temple, Bala Hanuman Temple, Swaminarayan Temple, Somnath temple, Suraj Mandir, Jain temples, Jama Masjid, Sidi Bashir mosque and many more.

For wildlife enthusiasts Gujarat is a real paradise. The biodiversity of the state enriches it with rich fauna and flora. A wildlife sightseeing tour of Gujarat will take you to places like Gir National Park, Marine National Park, Vansda National Park, Blackbuck National Park, Barda wildlife sanctuary, Gaga wildlife sanctuary, Kutch Bastard Sanctuary, Ratanmahal Sloth bear sanctuary and many more.

Jungle Safari

A tour of Gujarat is never complete without a tour of the famous ‘Jungles’ of Gujarat. Gujarat abounds in National Parks and Wildlife Sanctuaries and presents one with some of the rarest species of fauna and flora. Open-roofed jeeps take you on a jungle safari and this adventurous, heart pumping ride helps you enjoy the unparalleled wilderness and the sight of unusual wild animals. The various National parks/sanctuaries that could opted for a Jungle Safari Tour are Gir National Park, Vansda National Park etc.

Bird Watching

Gujarat is home to many rare species of domestic and migratory birds. When it comes to bird watching, Gujarat is indeed a bird watcher’s paradise. Nalsarovar Bird Sanctuary, Khijadiya Bird sanctuary, Gir National Park, Marine National Park, Rann of Kutch are the major bird watching locations in Gujarat.

Beach Strolls

Beaches of Gujarat are some of the most picturesque locations to unwind and relax amid the quiet and scenic ambience. Vast stretches of coastline with soft golden sands, crystal clear waters and azure sky above, allow for the most romantic strolls ever. The must-visit beaches of Gujarat include Mandvi beach, Dwarka beach, Madhavpur beach, Balachadi beach, Tithal beach, Suvali beach, Ghogha beach, Chowpatty beach, Porbandar beach and so on.

Feasting on Street Foods

Gujarati food is globally famous and in every street of Gujarat, you will find these delicious foods being sold like hot cake. So, for foodies Gujarat trip comes as a real treat. While you are on your casual street strolls, don’t forget to savor some of the most authentic and lip-smacking delicacies of Gujarat like Gathiya, Ragda, Dhokla, Jalebi, Fafda, Bhel, Petish.

Shopping

Tourists often visit the various markets of Gujarat in order to pick souvenirs for their loved ones. The various bustling bazaars of Gujarat display a vast assortment of enticing items for you to choose from.  The specialties of the state include items like Patola Sarees, Bandhani Sarees, handcrafted toys, appliqué and embroidered quilts, lacquer furniture, intricately embroidered Ghagra-Cholis, wall hangings, embroidered footwear, cradle cloths, tribal jewelries, cloth toys etc. The major shopping sites in Gujarat are Sejal handicrafts [Vadodara], Mahidharpura diamond market [Surat], Sindhi market [Ahmedabad], Bangdi Bazaar [Rajkot].

Adventure Activities

Adventure tourism in Gujarat has gained in much popularity of late. The various adventure sports or activities that Gujarat offers include trekking, rock climbing, paragliding, jet skiing and surfing. Challenging terrains, fascinating rivers, rocky mountainous ranges and extensive coastlines offer Gujarat with ample potential for some most exciting adventure activities. The major trekking trails of Gujarat include the Saputara trekking trails, Dhrangadhra trekking trails, Abur trekking trails. The main locations for the sports of paragliding include Pavagadh, Junagadh, Saputara. Water sports such as speed boating, water skiing, jet skiing etc can be practiced in locations like Mandvi beach, Nagoa beach, Ghoghla beach, Chakratirth beach, Simmer beach etc

Entertainment

The vivacious state of Gujarat comes alive with numerous entertainment options to give tourists fun-filled & exciting outings. For a refreshing and relaxing outing, you could visit some of the most famed amusement parks and picnic spots of Gujarat such as Swapna Srushti Water Park, Shanku’s water park, Jalandhar water world, Kankaria Lake etc. apart from parks, Gujarat also has other exuberant entertainment options like gaming centers, fast food corners, bars and pubs, movie halls and so on. Thus, you could consider visiting places like Ajwa Fun World [Vadodara], Funky Monkeys Play Center [Surat], Jay Ambe Juice centre, Casaluxo bar, The Angrezi pub, Inox- City pulse mall etc. in other words, the abundance of entertainment options in Gujarat will simply make you spoilt for shift!.