How to Plan a Somnath Dwarka Tour: A Step-by-Step Guide

Planning a pilgrimage to Somnath and Dwarka, the first Jyotirlinga and the city of Krishna, is exciting but has a few moving parts. This step-by-step guide, from the team behind Somnath Dwarka Tour Package, a unit of Experience My India, walks you through exactly how to plan a Somnath Dwarka tour, from choosing when to go to booking, budgeting and packing, so nothing is left to chance.

How to plan a Somnath Dwarka tour: the steps

Planning the trip is straightforward once you break it into steps. Here is the process at a glance:

•  or Step 1: Decide the best time to go.

•  or Step 2: Decide how many days you need.

•  or Step 3: Choose your route and where to start.

•  or Step 4: Book your flights, trains or a car.

•  or Step 5: Book your hotels and the Gir safari.

•  or Step 6: Plan your itinerary and set your budget.

•  or Step 7: Pack and prepare for the temples.

Each step is covered below, with links to the detailed guides. Or, to skip the planning altogether, a tour operator can arrange everything for you.

Step 1: Decide the best time to go

Start by choosing when to travel. The best time for a Somnath Dwarka tour is the cool season, October to March, when the coastal weather is pleasant for the temples, the Bet Dwarka ferry and sightseeing, as covered in our best time to visit Dwarka and best time to visit Gujarat guides. The summer, April to June, is hot, and the monsoon, July to September, brings rain and a rough sea. If you plan to add a Gir safari, remember the safari zones close during the monsoon, so a Gir-inclusive trip must be in the winter. Festival times like Janmashtami and Mahashivratri are magnificent but very busy, so decide whether you want the festival atmosphere or a quieter trip. Fixing your dates first lets you book flights, trains, hotels and the safari at the best rates, so this is the natural place to begin your planning.

Step 2: Decide how many days you need

Next, decide how long to travel, as this shapes everything else. As a guide, Dwarka needs about two days for the temple, Bet Dwarka and Nageshwar; Somnath needs one to two days; and adding a Gir safari needs about a day more. So a Dwarka and Somnath trip is comfortable in three to four days, and adding Gir makes it four to five days. If you have only a short time, even one to two days at each is worthwhile, while a week lets you add Diu, Girnar or a relaxed pace. Decide your total days based on your time and what you want to see, then plan the itinerary to fit. Being realistic about your days at this stage saves disappointment later, as trying to squeeze too much into too few days makes for a tiring trip rather than a peaceful pilgrimage.

Step 3: Choose your route and where to start

With your dates and days set, choose your route. The smoothest plan starts at one end and finishes at the other, without backtracking. Many travellers start at Dwarka in the west and travel down the coast to Somnath, about 230 km away, and on to Gir, or the reverse. Decide your gateway city too: Ahmedabad is the main hub, while Rajkot, Jamnagar for Dwarka, and Diu or Keshod for Somnath are nearer regional airports. Our how to reach Dwarka and how to reach Somnath guides cover the arrival options, so you can pick the best start and end points for your trip.

Step 4: Book your flights, trains or a car

Once the route is set, book your travel. For reaching the region, fly to Ahmedabad, Rajkot or Jamnagar, or take a train, which reaches Dwarka's own station and Veraval near Somnath. For getting around within the tour, a private car with a driver is by far the most convenient, as the temples and Gir are spread out and the drives are long, so a Somnath Dwarka taxi service is ideal for the local legs. Book long-distance travel and the car early, especially in peak season, to secure availability and better rates. Trains and peak-season flights in particular fill up well ahead.

Step 5: Book your hotels and the Gir safari

With transport arranged, book your stays. Choose Somnath Dwarka hotels near the temples in each town, in the category that suits your budget, and book early for peak season and festivals. If your tour includes Gir, book the lion safari permit and gypsy well in advance, as slots are limited and sell out in the peak winter months, with the costs covered in our Gir safari ticket price guide. Booking the safari is the one part of the trip that most needs advance planning, so do it as soon as your dates are fixed. Reserve your Gir lodge near Sasan Gir for the night before the dawn safari, so you are on the spot for the early start.

Step 6: Plan your itinerary and set your budget

Now shape the day-by-day plan. Map out which temples and sights you will see on each day, allowing for the drives, the aartis and rest, using our Somnath itinerary and the ready-made Dwarka Somnath 3-day itinerary as templates. At the same time, set your budget, covering transport, hotels, the safari, meals and extras. A tour is usually priced per person, and the cost depends on your days, group size, hotel category and season. With the itinerary and budget set, your plan is complete and you are ready to travel.

Step 7: Pack and prepare for the temples

Finally, pack and prepare. As this is a pilgrimage to major temples, dress modestly and respectfully, with clothing that covers the shoulders and knees for temple visits. Carry comfortable footwear that is easy to remove, as you will go barefoot in the temples, along with light cotton clothes for the coastal warmth and something warmer for cool winter mornings and the dawn Gir safari. Bring any medicines, sun protection, and cash for the fairs, offerings and small purchases. Keep your identity documents handy for hotels and the safari permit. A little preparation ensures the trip goes smoothly and you can focus on the darshan and the experience. A small daypack for water, sunglasses and a hat is useful for the sightseeing, and a modest offering of flowers or sweets is a nice touch for the temples.

The easy way: book a package tour

If all this planning feels like a lot, there is an easier way: a package tour does it all for you. A package bundles the transport, hotels, sightseeing and the Gir safari into one price and one point of contact, so you do not have to book each part or plan the route and itinerary yourself. It also draws on the operator's local knowledge and rates. The Experience My India Somnath Dwarka tour packages and the wider Gujarat tour packages are built around exactly this pilgrimage, and can be tailored to your dates, days and budget, so you get a planned, hassle-free trip and can simply enjoy the temples, the safari and the coast. For many travellers, especially first-timers or those with limited time, this is the simplest and most reassuring way to make the pilgrimage.

Tips for planning your Somnath Dwarka tour

A few pointers to make planning easier:

•  or Travel in the cool season, October to March, and avoid the monsoon if you want a Gir safari.

•  or Allow three to four days for Somnath and Dwarka, or four to five to add a Gir safari.

•  or Start at one end and finish at the other, such as Dwarka to Somnath to Gir, to avoid backtracking.

•  or Book the Gir safari and peak-season hotels as early as possible, as they sell out.

•  or Hire a car with a driver for the local legs, as the sights are spread out and the drives are long.

•  or Consider a package tour to have the whole trip planned and booked for you.

Plan your Somnath Dwarka tour

Experience My India can plan and arrange your whole Somnath Dwarka tour, from the two great temples to a Gir lion safari, with the transport, hotels and itinerary all sorted, so the planning is done for you and your pilgrimage across Saurashtra is seamless from start to finish. Whatever your dates, days and budget, the team can shape a trip that fits.

Related guides

To plan the details of your tour, these related guides help:

Plan your visit

Experience My India can plan and arrange your Somnath Dwarka tour. Browse more travel guides, message us on WhatsApp, or call +91 73006 20809.