Gujarat is home to two of India's most important pilgrimages, Dwarka and Somnath, and our Dwarka Somnath tour packages cover both in one trip for families and groups. The two temple towns lie on the Saurashtra c, about 230 km apart by road. Read More
Dwarka is believed to have been Lord Krishna's kingdom, while Somnath is revered as the first of the twelve Jyotirlingas of Lord Shiva. The flag flying from the top of the Dwarkadhish Temple carries the sun and the moon, reflecting the belief that Krishna's presence will stay in Dwarka as long as the sun and moon exist. At Somnath, Lord Shiva is worshipped in the form of a Jyotirlinga on a site holy for centuries; the present temple was rebuilt after Independence and consecrated in 1951.
At Gujarat Expert, we plan these itineraries by road with a private car and driver, and each day is built around the Darshan hours of both temples. Festival crowds can still mean long queues. If you also want to visit Nageshwar Jyotirlinga, our Somnath, Dwarka and Nageshwar package covers it. To see the Asiatic lions of Gir as well, the Dwarka Somnath with Gir National Park package adds a safari (the park is open from 16 October to 15 June). Short 2-day and 3-day options are available; 3 nights / 4 days is a more relaxed pace for families travelling with elderly parents.
Quick Facts
| Detail | Answer |
|---|
| Recommended duration | 3 nights / 4 days |
| Best time to visit | October to March |
| Dwarka to Somnath | About 230 to 240 km by road |
| Nearest airports | Jamnagar or Porbandar for Dwarka; Diu or Rajkot for Somnath |
| Nearest railway stations | Dwarka; Somnath and Veraval |
| Starting price | ₹10,000 per person, twin sharing |
| Suits | Families and groups, including senior citizens |
Compare Our Dwarka Somnath Tour Options for Families and Groups
Each package covers Dwarka and Somnath; they differ in what is added around the two temples. Prices are per person on twin sharing for 2026-27 and change with hotel category, car type and group size.
How a Dwarka Somnath Itinerary Usually Runs
Most trips follow the same route along the coast; the day-wise plan for each tour is on its package page.
- Arrive at Rajkot, Jamnagar or Dwarka. Evening Darshan and Sandhya Aarti at Dwarkadhish Temple.
- Bet Dwarka in the morning (by road over Sudarshan Setu), then Gopi Talav, Nageshwar Jyotirlinga and Rukmini Devi Temple on the way back.
- Drive to Somnath along the coast, stopping at Porbandar for Kirti Mandir and Sudama Mandir. Evening aarti at Somnath.
- Morning Darshan at Somnath, then Triveni Sangam and Bhalka Tirth before departure from Rajkot or Diu.
From Ahmedabad, the 440 km drive to Dwarka takes most of a day, and the return is similar.
What Is Included
- Included: hotel on twin sharing, daily breakfast, private AC car with driver, fuel, tolls, parking and driver allowance, pickup and drop.
- Not included: train or air tickets, lunch and dinner, puja fees, light and sound show tickets, Gir safari permit, guide and vehicle charges (paid separately on the official portal), personal expenses, and festival surcharges.
Places Covered on a Dwarka and Somnath Trip
| Place | Distance | Why pilgrims go |
|---|
| Dwarkadhish Temple and Gomti Ghat | In Dwarka town | Main Krishna temple (Jagat Mandir); holy dip at Gomti Ghat. The approach includes about 56 steps (Incredible India) |
| Rukmini Devi Temple | About 2 km from Dwarka | Temple of Krishna's consort Rukmini |
| Nageshwar Jyotirlinga | 16 to 18 km from Dwarka | One of the twelve Jyotirlingas, with a large seated Shiva statue in the grounds |
| Bet Dwarka | About 30 km from Dwarka, via Okha | Island shrine of Krishna, reached by road over SuDarshan Setu (2.32 km, opened 25 February 2024). Gujarat Tourism lists temple hours as 7:30 AM to 12 PM and 4:30 to 6 PM |
| Shivrajpur Beach (optional) | 12 km from Dwarka | Blue Flag beach; Gujarat Tourism lists ₹30 per adult and 8 AM to 7 PM |
| Kirti Mandir and Sudama Mandir, Porbandar | On the coastal road between the two towns | Gandhi's birthplace; temple of Krishna's friend Sudama |
| Somnath Temple | Prabhas Patan, Somnath | First Jyotirlinga; present temple consecrated on 11 May 1951 |
| Triveni Sangam, Bhalka Tirth, Gita Mandir | Within a few km of Somnath | River confluence and sites linked to Krishna's final journey |
For more on each town, see our Dwarka travel guide and Somnath travel guide.
Dwarka to Somnath Distance and Travel Times
The road from Dwarka to Somnath runs along NH-51 through Porbandar, Madhavpur and Mangrol. Distances are approximate road distances. Times are driving time only; add time for meals, sightseeing stops and traffic.
| Route | Distance | Drive time |
|---|
| Dwarka to Somnath | 230 to 240 km | 4.5 to 5 hrs |
| Dwarka to Porbandar | About 100 km | About 2 hrs |
| Porbandar to Somnath | About 130 km | 2.5 to 3 hrs |
| Somnath to Sasan Gir | 45 to 65 km, by route | 1 to 1.5 hrs |
| Somnath to Diu | 85 to 95 km | About 2 hrs |
| Rajkot to Dwarka | About 225 km | 4 to 5 hrs |
| Rajkot to Somnath | About 195 to 200 km | About 4 hrs |
| Ahmedabad to Dwarka | About 440 km | 8 to 9 hrs |
How to Reach Dwarka and Somnath
- By air: Jamnagar (about 130 to 137 km) is the most used airport for Dwarka; Porbandar is closer but has fewer flights. For Somnath, Diu airport is about 85 km away and Rajkot about 200 km. If flight timings suit you, flying into Jamnagar and out of Diu or Rajkot avoids driving back over the same road.
- By train: Dwarka station is about 2 km from the temple, on the Ahmedabad to Okha line. Somnath station is about 0.5 km from the temple, and Veraval Junction about 7 km.
- By road: Rajkot is the most practical start for a short trip; Ahmedabad suits a longer Gujarat itinerary.
Dwarkadhish and Somnath Temple Timings
Timings below are as published by each temple trust, checked on 15 October 2026. Festival days follow a different schedule.
| Temple | Darshan | Aarti |
|---|
| Dwarkadhish, Dwarka (source: dwarkadhish.org) | 6:30 AM to 1:00 PM and 5:00 PM to 9:30 PM, with short breaks for bhog | Mangla 6:30 AM, Shringar 10:30 AM, Sandhya 7:30 PM, Shayan 8:30 PM |
| Somnath (source: somnath.org) | 6:00 AM to 10:00 PM, entry free | 7:00 AM, 12:00 noon and 7:00 PM; light and sound show after the evening aarti, not held in the monsoon |
Why Book with Gujarat Expert
- Our office is on Fulwadi Station Road, Jetpur, in Rajkot district.
- Every enquiry gets a personalised quote within 2 hours, as promised on our enquiry form.
- You travel in a private car with a driver from our own fleet, matched to your group size.
- You can pay online through Razorpay, and reach us on call or WhatsApp at +91-7838908606.
- Read guest reviews before you book.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. How many days are enough for a Dwarka and Somnath tour?
Three to four days are usually suitable for a focused Dwarka and Somnath pilgrimage, including Nageshwar, Bet Dwarka and a stop at Porbandar on the way. Add one or two days if you also want Gir, Junagadh or Diu. A 2-day trip is possible, but the 230 km drive between the towns takes up most of one day.
Q2. What are the main temples covered on a Dwarka and Somnath trip?
The core pilgrimage usually centres on Dwarkadhish Temple and Somnath Jyotirlinga. Travellers also commonly visit Nageshwar Jyotirlinga, Rukmini Devi Temple, Bet Dwarka, Bhalka Tirth and Triveni Sangam. Plan the day around temple breaks. Dwarkadhish closes for Darshan from 1 PM to 5 PM, and Gujarat Tourism lists the Bet Dwarka temple as open 7:30 AM to 12 PM and 4:30 to 6 PM, so Bet Dwarka works best as a morning visit.
Q3. What is the best time to visit Dwarka and Somnath?
October to March is generally the most comfortable season for road travel and temple sightseeing. April to June is hot, and in the monsoon the Somnath light and sound show is not held. Festivals such as Janmashtami in Dwarka and Mahashivratri or Kartik Purnima at Somnath create a vibrant atmosphere, but also bring larger crowds and longer queues.
Q4. How far apart are Dwarka and Somnath?
Dwarka and Somnath are about 230 to 240 km apart by road along the Saurashtra coast (the Somnath Trust lists 230 km). Driving on NH-51 via Porbandar takes about 4.5 to 5 hours. Add a Porbandar stop and meals, and it fills most of the day.
Q5. Can Porbandar be included between Dwarka and Somnath?
Yes. Porbandar fits naturally between the two pilgrimage centres, about 100 km from Dwarka and 130 km from Somnath. It is often added for Kirti Mandir, the house where Mahatma Gandhi was born, and Sudama Mandir. One to two hours here breaks up the road journey well.
Q6. Is the Dwarka-Somnath circuit suitable for senior citizens?
Yes, with a sensible itinerary. Senior travellers benefit from shorter sightseeing days, hotels close to the temples (see hotels in Dwarka and hotels in Somnath), adequate rest breaks and extra time for crowded Darshan. Somnath temple provides wheelchairs and golf carts at the main gate and a lift inside. Dwarkadhish is reached through narrow, busy lanes and about 56 steps, so tell us about any mobility needs before we choose the hotel.
Q7. Can I include Bet Dwarka in this tour?
Yes. Bet Dwarka is one of the important religious stops near Dwarka and can be combined with Nageshwar Jyotirlinga and Rukmini Devi Temple on the same day. Since 25 February 2024 you can drive to the island over SuDarshan Setu from Okha, about 30 km from Dwarka, instead of taking a boat.
Q8. What should I wear during the Dwarka and Somnath pilgrimage?
Comfortable and modest clothing is recommended for temple visits. Footwear that is easy to remove is useful, and a light shawl helps on cooler mornings and evenings. At Somnath, mobile phones, cameras and smartwatches are not allowed inside and can be left in the free cloak room; mini skirts and revealing clothes are not permitted.
Q9. Can Gir National Park be added to a Dwarka-Somnath tour?
Yes. Gir can be added after Somnath if you have an extra day and want to combine pilgrimage with wildlife. The park is closed every year from 16 June to 15 October, and safari permits are booked only on the official Gir Lion portal of the Gujarat Forest Department. Devalia Safari Park is a separate option with its own booking, timings and weekly closing day. Permit, guide and vehicle charges are paid separately from the package. Our Gir National Park guide and Gir jungle safari tour cover the safari in detail.
Q10. Can the Dwarka and Somnath tour start from Ahmedabad or Rajkot?
Yes. Both Ahmedabad and Rajkot are commonly used as gateways for Saurashtra road trips. Rajkot, about 225 km from Dwarka, works well for a shorter route, while Ahmedabad, about 440 km away, suits a wider Gujarat itinerary and adds a day of driving at each end.
Q11. How much does a Dwarka Somnath tour package cost?
Our Dwarka Somnath packages start from ₹29,470 per person on twin sharing, including hotel and private car. The final cost depends on hotel category, car type, group size and travel dates.
Q12. Is there a train between Dwarka and Somnath?
Yes. The Somnath Okha Express (19251/19252) links Somnath and Veraval with Dwarka and Okha. Check the current timetable on IRCTC before booking. Most travellers still go by road because it allows a stop at Porbandar.
Q13. Do I need to book Darshan in advance?
No. General Darshan is free at both Dwarkadhish and Somnath. Book puja, rooms or prasad only through the temples' official websites; the Somnath Trust has warned pilgrims about fake bookings over WhatsApp and UPI.
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