5 Popular weekend getaways in Gujarat

Gujarat, located on the western coast of Maharashtra and Rajasthan, also known as the western jewel of India. The legacy of it’s heritage includes remarkable architecture, temples, palaces and mansions. The state also has some rare wildlife and a handful of bird-watching sites. It is worthwhile to take some time and get away from the hustle and bustle of the major cities to explore some beautiful and authentic places because every destination in Gujarat carries a different story to tell about different cultures.

Often you must have heard Amitabh Bachchan campaigning – “Kuch din to guzaariye Gujarat mei (Spend at least some days in Gujarat)”. Well, he is right, Gujarat is full of surreal natural beauty with Rann of Katcch and Saputara Hills to adorn the state. But, it truly has a lot more to offer and here is the list of 7 places in Gujarat you must give a chance to visit:

Out of the 42 islands, the only ones that visitors are permitted to visit are Narala and Pirotan Island, located in the Arabian sea near the shore of Gujarat. Narala Island falls under the jurisdiction of Jamnagar District. It is a small island just 3 sq km in area. It is characterized by Mangroves including species like Ceriops, Avicennia and Rhizophora. It is also a region of high tides therefore, swimming for long hours and long distances should be avoided at all costs. A 25 m high lighthouse which was used for navigation is a must-visit when you’re in Narala. The place is a bit untouched by the tourists which makes it a peaceful destination.

25 km away from the capital city of Gujarat, the 7 sq. km big Thol Lake Sanctuary is the perfect place to spend your weekend.  A freshwater lake that is surrounded by marshland, is home to about 150 species of birds. Cranes, geese, pelicans, egrets, herons, spoonbills, ducks, whistling teals and many other migratory birds nest and breed here. Some prominently noticed bird species are Flamingoes and Sarus Crane, which are pretty rare to be found elsewhere. The wetland is an open water habitat surrounded by cropland, fallow land and shrubland, which helps other mammals to co-exist. Apart from birds, one can also spot blackbucks, jackals and blue bulls in the vicinity. Every time you visit this serene and beautiful place, you would wish to stay a bit longer.

Gopnath Beach is approx 70 km away from the city Bhavnagar. It is located on the coast of Gulf of Khambat. Gopnath is a pristine beach known for its natural beauty. It was once the summer residence of Maharaja Krishna Kumar Singh of Bhavnagar. The spell bounding beauty of the beach is one of the major reasons for the tourist influx to this place.The beach is famous for its surreal natural beauty, limestone cliffs and rich biodiversity. Apart from this, Gopnath Temple which is located nearby can also be visited. It boasts of a 700 year old shrine and is often visited by tourists. Overall, Gopnath beach is a good getaway if you are looking for a relaxed weekend amidst the nature.

The Mandvi beach is a golden-brown sprawl of sand along the southern tip of Kutch district in Gujarat. Mandvi was a famous port but today, it is a popular tourist attraction in Gujarat. It was also an important shipbuilding centre four hundred years ago however, the art has been discontinued but there are still some locals who make wooden ships called Dhow. The calm beach is a refreshing addition for travellers to the town. Evenings are particularly great with the sunset and the bustle of snack stalls and balloon sellers. You can expect a Sun, Sand and Beach holiday at Mandvi.

If you have been to enough wildlife reserves and this weekend looking for something new to explore without any doubt you can check out Marine National Park. It was established in the early 1980s and was the first one of its kind in India. This 163 sq km marine park, located on the Jamnagar coast along the Gulf of Kutch, is part of a larger protected marine sanctuary. The area is inhabited by colonies of dolphins, green sea turtles and the endangered whale shark. If you go, when the tide is low, you can spot giant sea anemone and shrimp hiding in its folds, more than 40 species of colourful sponges, sea cucumber, octopuses that change colour to hide from predators, puffer fish, jellyfish and a vast variety of crustaceans. You can rent a boat from Jamnagar to get to the marine park, but be sure to take into consideration changing tide timings based on the season.

‘Each one of us needs a break from our work and each one of us deserves it and believe it or not; travel is the best way to beat all your anxieties and stresses, it just revitalizes you and replenishes you with the energy to battle out challenges in life effectively!’

So, give it a thought and plan a trip for you and your family to get away from the crowd of your city and gift yourself a moment of peace. You can avail a Mihuru travel loan or book your travel in advance on EMI with Mihuru Splitfare. Book your flights tickets, hotels rooms or holiday packages on loan with Mihuru. Save upto 40% on your travel booking value travel. Click here to register now!

Happy Travelling!