Places of Interest - Around Ahmedabad

RANN RIDERS – A SAFARI RESORT AT DASADA

Getting there
Approximately two hours drive from Ahmedabad.

Highlights
Jeep safari in the Little Rann of Kutch (wildlife sanctuary), bird-watching trips to nearby
lakes and wetlands, embroidery shopping directly from artisans and Kutch NGOs.

Facilities
Lakeside eco-friendly resort, A/c cottages with modern bathrooms, veg and non-veg
restaurants, logfires and barbecues, educational walks in agricultural fields and plantations,
fishing, desert trekking and camel cart tours.

Excursions
Modhera Sun Temple (45 km), 11th century monuments and silk-weaving center of Patan
(80 km), Jain pilgrimage site of Sankeshwar (25 km), Hindu temple of Bahuchraji (20 km),
12th century Munsar Tank (30 km).

Recommended for
Holidays, family get-togethers, wildlife enthusiasts, birders, conferences, outdoor travelers,
schools & colleges (educational excursions/ picnics/science-geography field trips/nature
club outings/scout and guide camps).

GORBANDH CAMP
Getting there
Approximately two hours drive from Ahmedabad.

Highlights
Dinosaur fossil site nearby.

Facilities
Garden mansion of the Nawab of Balasinor set in multi-acre orchards, a/c rooms with
modern amenities, home-cooked Mughlai and Afghani food, also garden restaurant.

Excursions
Dakor, Tuwa-Timba hot springs, Vanakbori Dam, numerous picnic spots along the River
Mahi
Recommended for: Holidays, family get-togethers, schools & colleges (educational
excursions/ picnics/science-geography field trips).

GARDEN PALACE, BALASINOR

Getting there
Approximately two hours drive from Ahmedabad.

Highlights
Dinosaur fossil site nearby.

Facilities
Garden mansion of the Nawab of Balasinor set in multi-acre orchards, a/c rooms with
modern amenities, home-cooked Mughlai and Afghani food, also garden restaurant.

Excursions
Dakor, Tuwa-Timba hot springs, Vanakbori Dam, numerous picnic spots along the River
Mahi

Recommended for
Holidays, family get-togethers, schools & colleges (educational excursions/ picnics/science-
geography field trips).

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BHAVANI VILLA, DANTA

Getting there
Approximately three hours drive from Ahmedabad.

Highlights
108-acre private estate with jungle trails for horseback riding/jeep safaris/cycling/hiking,
stud farm of riding horses.

Facilities
Large rooms in a heritage home on a hill with superb hill views, Rajasthani veg and non-veg
meals.

Excursions
Taranga Jain Temples, Ambaji, Kumbhariyaji Jain Temples, historic monuments of
Vadnagar.

Recommended for
Holidays, family get-togethers, wildlife enthusiasts, birders, adventure and outdoorsy
travelers, horse-riding enthusiasts.

JAMBUGODA NATURE LOVER’S RETREAT

Getting there
Approximately four hours drive from Ahmedabad.

Highlights
Part of the royal palace of Jambugoda with a view of the forested hills of Jambugoda
panther sanctuary.

Facilities
Large rooms with superb hill views, Indian and western veg and non-veg meals, nature
walks and jeep safaris.

Excursions
Historic monuments of Champaner, Paragraph fort and temples, Ratanmahal Bear
Sanctuary, numerous pretty spots for picnics/nature walks, bird-watching spots.

Recommended for
Holidays, family get-togethers, wildlife enthusiasts, birders, adventure and outdoorsy
travelers, nature lovers.

RAJWANT PALACE RESORT AT RAJPIPLA

Getting there
Approximately four hours drive from Ahmedabad.

Highlights
View of River Karjan and proximity to scenic spots on the River Narmada.

Facilities
Early-20th century palace converted into a resort, seven-acre garden, swimming pool,
indoor and outdoor recreational facilities, museum of princely relics and antiques, tribal
cultural center.

Excursions
Sardar Sarovar Dam, Malsamot Waterfalls.

Recommended for
Holidays, family get-togethers, conferences, royal theme weddings, ad film and TV series
shoots.

DARBARGADH POSHINA
Getting there
Approximately three-and-a-half hours drive from Ahmedabad.

Highlights
Tribal village tours in the Aravalli Hills.

Facilities
Large rooms in a heritage home in an ethnic village, Rajasthani veg and non-veg meals,
tribal dances, camel cart tours of tribal areas.

Excursions
Ambaji, Kumbhariyaji Jain Temples.

Recommended for
Journey-break en route to Mt Abu/Ranakpur, tribal village visits.

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BALARAM PALACE RESORT

Getting there
Approximately three hours drive from Ahmedabad.

Highlights
1930s Palace with hill views.

Facilities
Large rooms with modern facilities, multi-cuisine veg restaurant, swimming pool,
landscaped gardens, indoor and outdoor recreational facilities.

Excursions
Jessore Bear Sanctuary, Taranga Jain Temples, Ambaji, Kumbhariyaji Jain Temples,
historic monuments of Sidhpur, Patan.

Recommended for
Holidays, family get-togethers, conferences.

OLD BELL GUESTHOUSE, SAYLA

Getting there
Approximately three hours drive from Ahmedabad.

Highlights
Heritage mansion.

Facilities
Attractive a/c rooms with modern amenities, South Indian and Punjabi restaurants, also
thali, indoor and outdoor facilities for children.

Excursions
Chotila temple, Lothal archaeological site.

Recommended for
Holidays, family get-togethers.

RIVERSIDE AND ORCHARD PALACE, GONDAL

Getting there
Approximately five hours drive from Ahmedabad.

Highlights
Feel of staying as a guest in a palace – the heritage hotels are appointed with antiques and
colonial-period furniture, vintage cars, rail saloons and horse carriages in the grounds.

Facilities
Large and high-ceilinged rooms in 19th century palatial properties, Continental veg and
non-veg meals, Kathiawadi thalis, 1748 AD Naulakha Palace Museum, bird-rich lakes and
grasslands, visit to stud farm of Kathiawadi horses and Gir livestock.

Excursions
Historic monuments of Junagadh, textile town of Jetpur, Rajkot, Devaliya Lion Safari at Gir.

Recommended for
Those who enjoy staying in heritage hotels with old-world charm, birdwatchers.

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MANELAND JUNGLE LODGE, GIR

Getting there
Approximately eight hours drive from Ahmedabad.

Highlights
Located on the periphery of Gir Wildlife Sanctuary.

Facilities
Attractively designed wildlife resort with good-sized rooms, restaurant facing butterfly-rich
plants, own Maruti Gypsy for safaris.

Excursions
Historic monuments of Junagadh, Jain temples of Mt Girnar, Somnath Temple, Diu Island,
Ahmedpur Mandvi Beach, Chorwad sea coast.

Recommended for
Holidays, family get-togethers, wildlife enthusiasts, birders, adventure and outdoorsy
travelers.

SHARMA RESORTS IN KUTCH

Getting there
Train to Gandhidham from Ahmedabad and then short drive to resort.

Highlights
Comprehensive resort with wide-ranging sports, recreational and therapeutic facilities

Facilities
A/c rooms with modern amenities, swimming pool, sports complex, health club, ayurvedic
massages, naturopathy center, health spa, multi-cuisine veg and non-veg restaurant, fast
food counter, playground for children, boating at artificial lake.

Excursions
Mandvi beach, historic Bhuj.

Recommended for
Holidays, family get-togethers, conferences, tours of Kutch.

GARHA SAFARI LODGE

Getting there
Train to Gandhidham from Ahmedabad and then short drive to resort.

Highlights
Location facing bird-rich Rudramata Lake.

Facilities
Swimming pool.

Excursions
Village safari in the Banni grasslands.

Recommended for
Birders, those who want to shop for handicrafts from the villages of Kutch.

SHIVIKA LAKE HOTEL

Getting there
Approximately eight hours drive from Ahmedabad or overnight train to Falna, 30 minutes
from the hotel.

Highlights
Lakeshore location, jungle drives, proximity to Ranakpur Jain Temples, excursions to
Kumbhalgarh Fort.

Facilities
Simple but comfortable rooms, jeep safaris in Kumbhalgarh Wildlife Sanctuary, Rajasthani
veg and non-veg restaurant, in-house handicrafts shop, lakeshore picnics.
Excursions
Village safari in the Banni grasslands.

Recommended for
Nature lovers, birdwatchers, those who enjoy staying in family-run properties.

CASTLE BIJAIPUR (NEAR CHITTOR)

Getting there
Eight hours drive from Ahmedabad, train to Chittorgarh from Ahmedabad then to Bijaipur.

Highlights
16th century Castle with medieval flavor, attractive location in Vindhya Hills.

Facilities
Good-sized rooms with modern baths attached, jeep safaris in the forested hills and to
nearby lakes and waterfalls.

Excursions
Chittorgarh fort, Menal temples and waterfalls, Bijolia temples, Mandalgarh fort, Pannagarh
fort and lake.

Recommended for
Holidays, family get-togethers, nature-lovers, birders, historic architecture enthusiasts.

CASTLE BIJAIPUR (NEAR CHITTOR)

Getting there
Overnight train to Ajmer then 15 km drive to the resort.

Highlights
A convenient and climatically pleasant alternative to Jaisalmer for those who want to enjoy
a camel safari in the Thar Desert.

Facilities
Well-facilitated resort with a/c cottages, swimming pool, sports and recreational facilities,
camel safaris, horse riding, camel-carriage tours of sand dunes, hills, rose gardens and
Pushkar Lake.

Excursions
Ajmer, Sambhar (salt lake), Sonkhiliya (Great Indian Bustard sanctuary).

Recommended for
Holidays, honeymoon, birders.

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PUSHKAR RESORTS
Getting there
Overnight train to Ajmer then 15 km drive to the resort.

Highlights
A convenient and climatically pleasant alternative to Jaisalmer for those who want to enjoy
a camel safari in the Thar Desert.
Facilities
Well-facilitated resort with a/c cottages, swimming pool, sports and recreational facilities,
camel safaris, horse riding, camel-carriage tours of sand dunes, hills, rose gardens and
Pushkar Lake.

Excursions
Ajmer, Sambhar (salt lake), Sonkhiliya (Great Indian Bustard sanctuary).

Recommended for
Recommended for: Holidays, honeymoon, birders.

PHOOL MAHAL, KISHANGARH

Getting there
Overnight train from Ahmedabad.

Highlights
Lakeshore heritage hotel with hill views.

Facilities
Good-sized rooms with modern baths attached, veg and non-veg meals, shopping for
miniature paintings and marble handicrafts.

Excursions
Roopangarh Fort, Sambhar salt lake, Ramsar bustard area, Arian bird watching site.

Recommended for
Holidays, family get-togethers, nature-lovers, birders, art enthusiasts.

RAWLA BHENSWARA
Getting there
Eight hours drive from Ahmedabad.

Highlights
16th century Castle with medieval flavor, personalized hospitality of princely family.

Facilities
Good-sized rooms with modern baths, night safaris in search of panther.

Excursions
Jalor fort, sand dunes and rocky desert.

Recommended for
Those who enjoy staying in family-run heritage properties.

MANWAR RESORT AND DESERT CAMP

Getting there
Overnight train to Jodhpur then about two hours by road.

Highlights
Jeep and camel safaris on the dunes.
Facilities
A/c cottages and deluxe tents with modern baths, swimming pool, multi-cuisine veg and
non-veg restaurant.

Excursions
Historic monuments of Jodhpur.

Recommended for
Holidays, family get-togethers, wildlife and birding enthusiasts, those seeking adventure
vacations in the desert.

CAMEL CAMP, OSIYAN

Getting there
Overnight train to Jodhpur then about one hour by road.

Highlights
Jeep and camel safaris on the dunes, weekend alternative to a longer desert holiday in
Jaisalmer.

Facilities
Luxury tents with modern baths, swimming pool, multi-cuisine veg and non-veg restaurant,
bar.

Excursions
Osiyan Jain temples, historic monuments of Jodhpur, Khichan for bird watching.

Recommended for
Holidays, family get-togethers, wildlife and birding enthusiasts, those seeking adventure
vacations in the desert.

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DEVIGARH
Getting there
Six hours drive from Ahmedabad.

Highlights
One of the most luxurious heritage hotels of Rajasthan, fort with hill views.

Facilities
Ultra-luxurious rooms, swimming pool, health spa, multi-cuisine veg and non-veg
restaurant.

Excursions
Udaipur, Nathdwara.

Recommended for
Luxurious holidays.

BALSAMAND LAKE PALACE

Getting there
Overnight train to Jodhpur from Ahmedabad then short drive to the palace.
Highlights
Large complex of orchards and gardens next to lake.

Facilities
Attractive rooms, swimming pool, health spa, Rajasthani veg and non-veg meals, horse
riding, mini-golf course.

Excursions
Jodhpur, Osiyan.

Recommended for
Holidays, family get-togethers, bird-watchers and nature lovers.

SARISKA PALACE HOTEL

Getting there
Overnight train to Alwar from Ahmedabad then short drive to the palace.

Highlights
Beautiful palace at the entrance to Sariska Tiger Reserve.

Facilities
Attractive rooms, swimming pool, ayurvedic health spa, Rajasthani veg and non-veg meals,
horse riding, jeep safaris in Sariska.

Excursions
Historic monuments of Alwar, Siliserh lake.

Recommended for
Recommended for: Holidays, wildlife enthusiasts, birders.

JAISAMAND ISLAND RESORT

Getting there
Six hours drive from Ahmedabad.

Highlights
Island location.

Facilities
Wide ranging modern facilities.

Excursions
Jaisamand Wildlife Sanctuary.

Recommended for
Holidays, birders.

HERITAGE RESORT, EKLINGJI

Getting there
Six hours drive from Ahmedabad.

Highlights
Lakeshore location.
 Facilities
Wide ranging modern facilities.

Excursions
Udaipur, Nathdwara.

Recommended for
Holidays.

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