Rise early in Delhi and catch your morning flight to Rajkot; aim for an arrival that gives you time for a relaxed transfer. After landing at Rajkot Airport, meet your driver and set off toward the Gir-Somnath region, enjoying the changing landscape of Saurashtra as you pass small towns and farmland en route to your accommodation near Sasan Gir.
Stop for a leisurely lunch at a local Gujarati restaurant in Junagadh or Veraval—try thali specialties like farsan and undhiyu—then continue toward your resort or heritage homestay near Sasan Gir. Use the afternoon to check in, unpack, and take an orientation walk around the property or nearby village to glimpse rural life and spot birds such as peafowl and Indian rollers.
As dusk approaches, gather for an early dinner at the lodge and a briefing from your resort about tomorrow’s safari timings, park rules, and pickup points for Gir National Park. Spend the evening relaxing on the veranda under starlight or join a short cultural activity if offered—folk music, a cooking demo, or a chat with a local naturalist—to set the tone for wildlife-focused days ahead.
Wake to the sounds of peafowl and a hearty Gujarati breakfast at your lodge, then meet the resident naturalist for a short orientation and binocular check—many lodges near Sasan Gir offer a guided nature walk through scrub forest and village edge where you can spot chital, langur families, and a variety of resident birds like Indian rollers and paradise flycatchers. Use this relaxed morning to visit the nearby Devaliya Interpretation Zone (if you prefer a gentle introduction) or explore the lodge’s birding trails and learn basic tracking signs for tomorrow’s deeper safari.
After lunch, head to the Gir Forest checkpost for paperwork and board your shared gypsy/jeep for the park’s afternoon safari; the cooler late-afternoon light often brings out herbivores and increases chances of sighting elusive Asiatic lions along known circuits such as the Girnar or Hiran regions. The guide will scan waterholes and ridgelines while explaining pride dynamics, local conservation efforts, and identifying other mammals like sambar, nilgai and marsh crocodiles in seasonal wetlands.
As sun dips, enjoy the electric moment when the forest comes alive—watch for lions moving toward dusk, and listen to the chorus of crickets and nightjar calls on the drive back; return to your lodge with field notes from the guide and photos to review. Finish the day with a traditional Gujarati dinner at the homestay or resort, a short debrief with the naturalist about tomorrow’s early safari plan, and a peaceful verandah night under starlight, reflecting on your first true Gir wildlife encounter.
Rise before dawn for a pre-sunrise jeep safari into Gir National Park—likely on the popular Hiran or Kankai circuit—when Asiatic lions and shy antelopes are most active; your guide will scan waterholes and ridgelines, point out pride structure, and explain ongoing conservation efforts. Return to your lodge mid-morning for a late Gujarati breakfast, then take a short guided walk through nearby village edges or the Devaliya Interpretation Zone to spot chital, langurs and resident birds up close.
After lunch, drive into historic Junagadh (about 45-60 minutes) to explore the 2nd-century Uparkot Fort and the serene Ashok Rock with sweeping views, then visit the local Sakkarbaug Zoo if you want a controlled glimpse of regional fauna and rescue work. Stop by the bustling Mahabat Maqbara and a local mithai shop to sample Junagadhi specialties like peda before returning toward Sasan Gir, keeping an eye out for roadside peacocks and village life along the Saurashtra plains.
As dusk settles back at your lodge, join a naturalist for a short spotlight walk or an illustrated talk reviewing the day's sightings and lion behavior, followed by a relaxed rooftop or verandah dinner of thali and regional dishes. Spend the night stargazing and chatting with hosts about traditional Saurashtra culture and tomorrow’s coastal plans, letting the sounds of the scrub forest lull you to sleep.
Set out after an early breakfast and short drive from Sasan Gir to the iconic Somnath Temple complex in Prabhas Patan; arrive for the serene morning aarti, explore the ornate corridors and the coastal viewpoints, and walk the temple ghats where pilgrims perform rituals with the Arabian Sea as a dramatic backdrop. Pause at the nearby Triveni Sangam where three rivers meet and visit the Somnath Museum to see artifacts and the recreated historic temple models that contextualize the region’s layered past.
Head to Veraval for a fresh seafood lunch at a local seaside restaurant or the bustling fish market—try a local lacha or pomfret curry—and then stroll along Somnath Beach, watching fishermen mend nets and sea birds hunt in the shallows. In the late afternoon, visit the nearby Bhalka Tirth (the place associated with Lord Krishna) and the Somnath Light House for panoramic coastal views, keeping an eye out for passing fishing boats and dramatic golden-hour light over the Arabian Sea.
Return to the Somnath Temple precinct for the spectacular evening aarti if you wish, when lamps and chants transform the shore into a luminous scene, then enjoy a relaxed dinner at your lodge sampling Saurashtra coastal specialties and talking with hosts about local maritime traditions. End the night with a quiet walk on the beach under starlight, listening to the surf and reflecting on the contrast between the scrubland safaris and the expansive sea you experienced today.
After an early breakfast at your lodge, pack and bid farewell to your hosts before driving back toward Rajkot; enjoy the changing Saurashtra scenery and a possible short stop at the roadside town of Vanthali to stretch your legs and buy local snacks like fafda or gathiya. Arrive at Rajkot with time to spare for check-in at Rajkot Airport — use this window to review photos, confirm flight details, and pick up any last-minute souvenirs from the airport shops.
Board your flight from Rajkot to Delhi and settle in with a light lunch either at the airport or on the plane, reflecting on the contrasts you’ve experienced from scrub forest to coastline; if your flight schedule allows, take a last-minute detour to the Watson Museum complex in Rajkot (near the city) for a quick glimpse of regional history and crafts. On arrival in Delhi, retrieve luggage and transfer home or to your onward accommodation, carrying fresh memories of lions, coastal shrines, and Saurashtra hospitality.
Spend the evening decompressing in Delhi—unpack, sort wildlife photos, and share highlights with friends or family over a relaxed dinner of North Indian fare, or if you’re up for a gentle wind-down, visit a nearby park or rooftop café to watch the city lights and mentally close your Gir and Somnath chapter. If you have onward travel the next day, use the night to prepare logistics and rest well after an enriching five-day escape.
| Place / Activity | Cost |
|---|---|
| Delhi Airport (Departure) | INR 0 (airport fees included in ticket) + INR 300-800 taxi/ride to airport from home depending on location |
| Flight: Delhi → Rajkot | INR 3,000-8,000 per person one-way (economy; depends on carrier, advance booking and season) |
| Rajkot Airport pickup & Transfer toward Sasan Gir | INR 3,000-6,000 one-way by private car (Dzire/compact SUV). Shared transfer/tempo traveller may be cheaper per person: INR 600-1,200 pp |
| Lunch stop in Junagadh or Veraval (local Gujarati restaurant) | INR 200-600 per person for thali and drinks |
| Check-in at resort / heritage homestay near Sasan Gir | INR 1,500-8,000 per room per night (budget homestays ~1,500-3,000; mid-range resorts 3,000-6,000; premium lodges 6,000-12,000+) |
| Orientation walk / birding around property | Often free with stay; guided bird walk INR 200-800 per person |
| Evening cultural activity at lodge (folk music/cooking demo) | Free to included (or INR 200-800 pp if organized separately) |
| Morning nature walk / lodge birding (Day 2) | Often included; guided walk INR 200-800 per person |
| Devaliya Interpretation Zone (Devaliya Safari Park) | INR 100-250 per person entry + INR 150-500 jeep/vehicle charges (rates may vary); camera fees extra INR 50-200 |
| Park paperwork / checkpost (Gir entry formalities) | Entry permit fees INR 250-500 per person (varies by category) + forest fees; vehicle/jeep fee INR 1,200-2,000 per jeep for shared gypsy safaris (split among passengers) |
| Afternoon/Evening shared gypsy/jeep safari (Gir National Park) | INR 700-2,000 per person for shared jeep safari (depends on private vs shared, and season). Private jeep can be INR 6,000-10,000 per safari. |
| Dinner at lodge / homestay | INR 200-800 per person (simple to multi-course thali; premium lodge dinners higher) |
| Pre-sunrise full-day jeep safari (Day 3 morning) | INR 700-2,500 per person (shared) or INR 7,000-12,000 for private jeep |
| Late breakfast at lodge (Day 3) | Usually included with stay; otherwise INR 150-400 per person |
| Drive to Junagadh (Uparkot Fort, Ashoka Rock) | Fuel and driver: INR 1,000-2,500 for round trip transfer; Uparkot Fort entry INR 10-50 per person; local guide INR 300-800 if hired |
| Sakkarbaug Zoo (Junagadh) | INR 10-50 entry + small camera fees; vehicle parking minimal |
| Local snacks / mithai (peda) in Junagadh | INR 50-300 depending on quantity |
| Spotlight walk / naturalist talk at lodge (evening) | Often included; guided session INR 200-600 pp if charged |
| Drive to Somnath Temple (Day 4 morning) | Fuel/driver INR 500-1,500 round trip depending on distance and vehicle |
| Somnath Temple complex & morning aarti | Free entry to temple complex; donations optional (INR 20-500). Camera restrictions apply |
| Somnath Museum & Triveni Sangam | Museum entry INR 10-50 per person |
| Lunch in Veraval / fish market (seafood meal) | INR 300-800 per person (seafood pricier; depends on restaurant and items ordered) |
| Somnath Beach stroll & fishermen area | Free |
| Bhalka Tirth & Somnath Light House | Bhalka Tirth free; light house/viewpoint small fee INR 20-100 |
| Drive back to Rajkot (Day 5) | INR 3,000-6,000 one-way by private car (same as arrival transfer) |
| Watson Museum quick visit (Rajkot, optional) | Entry INR 20-100 per person |
| Flight: Rajkot → Delhi | INR 3,000-8,000 per person one-way (economy; same variability as outbound) |
| Taxi/transfer in Delhi from airport to home | INR 300-1,200 taxi/ride |
| Estimated Total (per person) | INR 18,000-55,000 per person (5 days) |