December 2025 Mumbai – Palitana – Ahmedabad Trip (5 People)

Day 1: Night Departure & Arrival in Palitana

Morning: After a restful night in Mumbai, the group boards the overnight express from Mumbai Central to Songadh (AC 3‑Tier). The train departs around 22:30 on 26 Dec and travels through the scenic Western Ghats.

Afternoon: The train arrives at Songadh around 08:00 on 27 Dec. A pre‑booked taxi transfers the party to Palitana (≈30 km, 1 hour), where they check into a comfortable guesthouse near the temple complex.

Evening: After settling in, enjoy a relaxed dinner at a local restaurant and an early night to prepare for a full day of temple exploration.

Day 2: Palitana Temple Circuit

Morning: Begin the pilgrimage with a climb to the iconic Shri Shatrunjaya Temple, the heart of Jain worship. The ascent offers panoramic views of the surrounding hills.

Afternoon: Visit the historic Kunthunath Temple and the beautifully carved Mahavira Temple. A short auto‑rickshaw ride (≈15 min) connects the sites.

Evening: Return to the guesthouse for a traditional Gujarati thali dinner and share reflections of the day’s spiritual experiences.

Day 3: Travel to Ahmedabad

Morning: Check out and board the early express train from Palitana to Ahmedabad (AC Chair Car, ~2 hrs). Enjoy scenic views of the Sabarmati River en route.

Afternoon: Arrive at Ahmedabad Junction and check into a centrally located hotel. After a brief rest, head out to explore the bustling Manek Chowk market for a quick snack.

Evening: Stroll along the historic Sabarmati Riverfront, watching the sunset and sampling street‑food delicacies.

Day 4: Ahmedabad Highlights (Akshardham Closed – Alternative Attractions)

Morning: Since Akshardham Temple is closed on Monday (27 Dec), visit the inspiring Sabarmati Ashram (≈3 km from the station). Explore Mahatma Gandhi’s residence and museum.

Afternoon: Head to the exquisite Sidi Saiyyed Mosque (≈2 km) to see the famed stone lattice work, then continue to Gujarat Science City (≈12 km) for interactive exhibits.

Evening: Enjoy a leisurely dinner cruise on the Sabarmati River, offering live music and panoramic city lights.

Day 5: Return to Mumbai

Morning: Pack up and check out of the hotel. Take a cab to Ahmedabad Junction for the scheduled train back to Mumbai.

Afternoon: Board the express train (AC 3‑Tier) departing at 14:00 and travel comfortably through Gujarat and Maharashtra.

Evening: Arrive at Mumbai Central around 22:00, concluding the memorable five‑day journey.

Time and Cost Estimates

• Mumbai–Songadh (overnight train, AC 3‑Tier) – 12 hrs – ₹1,500 per person (₹7,500 total)
• Songadh to Palitana (taxi) – 1 hr – ₹500 total
• Palitana local transport (auto‑rickshaws) – 3 hrs – ₹600 total
• Palitana–Ahmedabad (train, AC Chair Car) – 2 hrs – ₹300 per person (₹1,500 total)
• Ahmedabad local transport (cabs/auto) – 4 hrs – ₹1,000 total
• Sabarmati Ashram entry (donation) – 1 hr – ₹50 per person (₹250 total)
• Gujarat Science City entry – 2 hrs – ₹150 per person (₹750 total)
• Akshardham exhibition (Tuesday visit) – 2 hrs – ₹200 per person (₹1,000 total)
• Sabarmati Riverfront dinner cruise – 2 hrs – ₹500 per person (₹2,500 total)
• Accommodation (3 rooms, 4 nights) – 48 hrs – ₹3,000 per room per night (₹36,000 total)
• Meals (breakfast, lunch, dinner) – 5 days – ₹800 per person per day (₹20,000 total)
• Miscellaneous (souvenirs, contingency) – – ₹5,000 total
• Total Estimated Cost: ₹76,600

Tips

If you wish to shorten the trip, consider skipping the Gujarat Science City and the dinner cruise, which would reduce both time and cost by about ₹3,250. To extend the stay, add a full day in Ahmedabad to explore the historic Adalaj Stepwell (≈18 km) or take a day‑trip to the charming town of Modhera (≈70 km) to see the Sun Temple. Adjusting train classes (e.g., opting for Sleeper instead of AC) can also bring the budget down by roughly ₹2,000 per leg.