Leave Ahmedabad at 7:00 AM via the Himmatnagar–Vijaynagar route; the drive to Polo Forest takes roughly 2.5–3 hours. Roads are generally straightforward, but the last stretch is quieter, so fill up with fuel and carry breakfast, water, hats, and a light rain layer before leaving. Have breakfast en route or bring the children’s preferred food, as options near the forest are limited. Park near the main forest access area and avoid driving onto rough interior tracks unless your driver knows the route.
Spend the late morning exploring Polo Forest at an easy pace—look for seasonal streams, old stone structures, birds, and the remains of historic temple complexes. Allow around 2.5 hours, keeping children close near rocks and slippery streambeds, particularly after rain. There is usually little shade on exposed paths, and mobile coverage can be patchy. Entry and parking arrangements can vary by season, so carry small cash; a local guide, if available near the entrance, can add useful context to the ruins.
Have an early lunch near Vijaynagar around 1:00 PM. Choose a simple local Gujarati thali or family restaurant rather than waiting for a late meal; budget approximately ₹200–₹500 per person, and confirm what is available before ordering for the children. After lunch, visit Sharneshwar Mahadev Temple, a peaceful historic shrine beside the forest. Allow 30–45 minutes, dress respectfully, and remember that facilities around the temple are basic.
Continue by car to Idar Fort, about an hour from the forest depending on the exact access point and road conditions. Give yourselves roughly 1.5 hours here for the granite hill, fort remains, and broad views over the surrounding countryside. The climb can be uneven and tiring for seven-year-olds, so wear proper shoes, carry water, and turn back before the route becomes uncomfortable; there is no need to reach every upper section to enjoy the setting.
Leave Idar around 4:30 PM for Ahmedabad, allowing about three hours and a short roadside tea stop. Take the Himmatnagar–Ahmedabad route and aim to arrive between 7:00 and 7:30 PM; evening traffic near Ahmedabad can add time, so do not delay departure for a long fort visit. Keep water and light snacks in the car, as reliable food stops are easier to find closer to Himmatnagar than between Idar and the highway.
Leave your hotel by 7:00 AM so you can reach Shri Arasuri Ambaji Mata Temple with plenty of time for the late-morning darshan. Keep footwear and large bags in the designated cloakroom—security checks are strict, and queues can take 30–60 minutes on busy days. Allow around two hours overall; the temple is generally open from early morning until late evening, but exact darshan arrangements can change on festival days. Park in the temple-town parking areas and walk through the pedestrian streets around the shrine. Dress modestly, carry water, and keep the children close in the crowded approach lanes.
Have an early vegetarian lunch near the temple, where simple Gujarati thalis and North Indian meals are usually available for about ₹200–₹500 per person; ask your driver to choose a clean, busy family restaurant rather than eating in the busiest lane. After lunch, drive roughly 10 minutes to Gabbar Hill. The ropeway is the easiest option with two seven-year-olds and usually operates during daylight hours, though services may pause in strong winds or maintenance periods; confirm the fare and closing time at the ticket counter. Allow 1½–2 hours for the ride, shrine area, and views across the Aravalli landscape. The climb can be tiring, so wear shoes with grip and carry water—September weather may still feel humid.
Continue about 5–6 km to Kumbhariya Jain Temples, a peaceful complex of finely carved marble temples away from Ambaji’s bustle. Spend about an hour here, maintaining the quiet expected at an active religious site; photography rules and opening hours can vary, so check locally before taking pictures. Depart around 4:00 PM for Ahmedabad, allowing 3½–4 hours plus one family tea and restroom break along the route. Keep snacks in the car, as reliable options thin out after leaving the temple area. With normal traffic, you should reach Ahmedabad around 7:30–8:00 PM.
Leave Ambaji by around 5:30–6:00 AM in your private car so you reach Modhera before the sun becomes harsh; allow roughly 2½–3 hours, depending on traffic and road conditions. Keep breakfast, water, and hats in the car, and confirm that your driver is comfortable waiting during the visits. Park at the Modhera Sun Temple complex, where the spacious grounds make it easy for children to explore. Spend about 1½ hours around Surya Kund, the pillared halls, and the intricately carved sanctum. The monument generally opens from around 6:00 AM to 6:00 PM; there is an entry fee, with separate rates for Indian and foreign visitors, so carry some cash as well as identification for ticketing. The stone surfaces heat up quickly, and footwear must be removed in designated areas.
After Modhera, continue toward Mehsana and Patan; stop for a simple vegetarian Gujarati meal at a clean family restaurant along the main highway rather than losing time searching inside the smaller lanes. Expect approximately ₹200–₹500 per person for a thali or basic meal, and keep lunch to about 45 minutes. In Patan, visit Rani ki Vav, allowing 1½ hours to descend through the beautifully carved galleries and admire the stepwell’s sculptures. It is best seen in the afternoon once the strongest heat begins to soften, though the steps can still be tiring for young children—carry water and avoid rushing them. Keep the official ticket and parking receipt together; the site usually closes by early evening, but confirm timings locally if there is a special event or maintenance.
Finish at the Patan Patola Heritage Museum, where a guided explanation of double-ikat weaving makes the visit especially worthwhile for adults and children alike. Allow about an hour, and ask whether a demonstration is taking place; museum hours can vary, so call ahead or have the driver check before leaving Rani ki Vav. Depart Patan by approximately 4:30 PM for Ahmedabad, following the Mehsana route and stopping near Mehsana for tea, fruit, or packaged snacks. The return drive is normally around three hours, but evening traffic approaching Ahmedabad can push arrival to roughly 7:30 PM; keep dinner flexible and ask the driver to drop you directly at your hotel or home.