Begin early to cover the long drive to Somnath; driving via NH48 → NH27 covers the most direct route across Gujarat Saurashtra. Aim to minimize city traffic by leaving pre-dawn.
Stop at a clean highway restaurant (suggestion: multi-cuisine dhaba near Surat) for a hearty breakfast — poha/upma or a full vegetarian thali to fuel the long drive.
Attend the evening aarti at Somnath Temple, one of the twelve Jyotirlingas; the aarti is a moving experience with sea backdrops (temple generally open early morning to late evening, evening aarti around 7:00–8:00PM).
Dine at a recommended local restaurant (e.g., Hotel Prabhat or a popular seaside restaurant) for a fresh Gujarati thali — simple, light and regional flavors after a long driving day.
Return early for the morning aarti and quieter darshan at Somnath Temple, which opens before sunrise (typical temple hours ~5:00AM onward); best for photos and calm devotion.
Visit Bhalka Tirth, the place associated with Lord Krishna's arrow episode, and nearby Triveni Sangam where three rivers meet the sea; sites are open during daylight hours (approx 6:00AM–6:00PM).
Start pre-dawn to climb Girnar Hill (many steps to reach the Jain and Hindu temples) for sunrise and cooler temperatures; climbing can take 2–4 hours round-trip depending on fitness and stops (temple complex accessible early).
Arrive, check in to Dwarka hotel, then attend the evening darshan/aarti at Dwarkadhish Temple (temple timings typically include an evening aarti around 7:00–8:30PM).
Dine at a recommended spot near the temple/seafront (many hotels serve both vegetarian and seafood options; choose vegetarian if following temple norms).
Take the ferry to Bet Dwarka to visit Krishna’s island temples and shoreline; ferries generally operate from early morning until late afternoon (confirm local timings, typically ~7:00AM–5:00PM).
Short drive north to Nageshwar (approx 20–30 minutes) to visit the Nageshwar Jyotirlinga; the temple complex is usually open during daylight hours (approx 6:00AM–6:00PM).
Stroll Dwarka’s markets for handicrafts, Krishna-themed souvenirs and traditional bandhani fabrics; good time to pick gifts (shops typically open until evening 8–9PM).