Take the overnight Duronto/express in AC 2A/1A for comfort and space — elders will rest better on a sleeper train and you save a day of travel. Reserve lower berths and assistance if needed.
Pack medicines, mobility aids, small Jain snack box (no root vegetables, no onion/garlic), and a printed list of emergency contacts and hotel bookings.
Choose a central hotel with lift and ground‑floor rooms if mobility is an issue. Drop luggage and rest; request wheelchair/porter assistance at station/hotel in advance.
Pure vegetarian, Jain‑friendly options available (ask for no root veg and no onion/garlic). Matunga and Fort have reliable Jain‑sensitive eateries open from morning.
Drive up to the Gateway, do short walks only — elders can stay seated and enjoy the view; Colaba Causeway shopping has many stalls accessible by car stops.
If elders prefer not to queue, enjoy the external view and participate in the aarti from accessible areas; otherwise book prior entry slot if available.
Board a morning ferry from Gateway; the island has stairs — for elders, plan to stay near the jetty/entrance or hire a local guide who can arrange minimal walking options. Boat runs typically 9:00–15:00 (seasonal).
Vande Bharat ~6–7h (comfortable AC chair). Flight Mumbai→Ahmedabad ~1h15m — flights are recommended for elders to reduce travel time and fatigue. Choose direct flight if available.
Recommended for elders: stay central (C G Road / Ellis Bridge) in hotels with lifts and ground‑floor rooms. Pilgrim option: Hutheesingh Jain Dharamshala (basic); comfortable mid‑range hotels: Lemon Tree / Ginger / Regenta Central (book accessible rooms).
Distance ~215–240 km; road time ~4.5–6 hours depending on stops. For elders, a private car with a driver who knows pilgrim stops is ideal. Plan rest stops every 1.5–2 hours.
Pilgrim options: Shree Shatrunjay Jain Dharamshala (simple, clean) or local mid‑range hotels with ground‑floor rooms. Book rooms close to the temple complex to minimize walking.
Elders should rest at the base temples and join the evening puja; skip the stair climb on this day to conserve energy for the main visit the next morning.
For elders, avoid the full 3,500 steps. Hire a palki/palanquin service or arrange local porters/palanquin (widely used for elder pilgrims) or a guided minimal‑walking route; confirm availability & book in advance. Start early to avoid heat and crowds.
Spend time at major temples (Adinath and others). With palki/palanquin you can reach top‑level temples with minimal effort; allow 1–1.5 hours for darshan and photos.
Stay another night in Palitana or move to Bhavnagar (30–60 min) which has better hotels and medical facilities. This avoids a long drive on the same day after darshan.
If staying Palitana overnight, travel to Ahmedabad (or Bhavnagar/Ahmedabad airport) to catch a flight to Belagavi/Hubli region for a less tiring transfer to Sankeshwar. Road distances: Palitana→Ahmedabad ~215–240 km (4.5–6h); Palitana→Bhavnagar ~70–90 km (1.5–2h).
Flight time ~1–1.5 hours; from Belagavi airport Sankeshwar is ~60–100 km by taxi (~1–2h). Flights significantly reduce fatigue compared with a 10–12h road drive.
Relax at a local pilgrim hotel/dharmashala or a comfortable budget hotel in Sankeshwar/nearby town. Recommended for elders: nearby hotels with lifts and ground floor rooms; book a hotel that provides vegetarian Jain meals.
Distance depends on exact Rantej site (typically within the same region); plan a 1–2 hour comfortable taxi transfer and short darshan. Keep the visit gentle for elders.
After a light Jain lunch, drive toward Surat. Long drive Sankeshwar→Surat by road may be ~8–10 hours; for elders the recommended route is: taxi to Belagavi → flight/rail to Surat or overnight train with lower berths. This reduces fatigue.
If flights not available, consider comfortable AC train from Belagavi to Surat or an overnight AC train to Ahmedabad then morning train to Surat. Aim to reach Surat by late evening or overnight rest.
Surat has multiple prominent Jain temples/derasars — plan short, respectful darshans and ask temple staff to reserve seating for elders if needed. Temples generally open early (6am) to late evening — confirm timings locally.
Surat is famous for textiles; pick fabrics for puja or gifts. Arrange a driver to drop/pick and avoid long walking stretches; vendors often come to car if asked.
Distance ~350–380 km; road time ~6–7 hours. For elders, book a private car with good suspension and frequent rest stops or an AC train with reserved lower berths (if available).
Visit local temples or simply rest; Girnar climb is strenuous — for elders avoid climbing and plan a minimal/alternative visit (road access to lower temples or vehicle access where possible).
Somnath is wheelchair‑friendly in parts and has seating — request assistance for elders to minimize standing time. Aim for quieter morning darshan if possible.
Dwarka is ~230–260 km (4.5–6h). For elders, either split the journey with an overnight in Rajkot or take a comfortable, air‑conditioned coach with minimal transfers. Overnight at Rajkot recommended to reduce fatigue.
Stay close to the temple for easy access; evening arti is very atmospheric but can be crowded — use priority/accessible entry if available or attend outer arti.
Return drive ~8–9 hours; for elders, split into two days (overnight at Rajkot) or take a comfortable AC train from Dwarka/Rajkot to Ahmedabad with lower berths reserved.
30–45 minutes from Ahmedabad; accessible complex with exhibitions and seating. Elders will find this a restful and inspiring visit. Confirm opening hours before travel (typically 9:30am–7:30pm).
Ambaji is ~165–200 km (3.5–4.5h). For elders, do Ambaji only if they are rested — otherwise keep the day for rest and local shopping. If doing Ambaji, plan an overnight there or return late to Ahmedabad only if the elders feel comfortable.