Travelling to Gujarat in May 2008

Neesha

We need to go Ahmedabad in May 2008. I know it will be hot but is it really unbearable? We are planning to be there 7-9 days and then go to mumbai, chennai or delhi for another 10 days.

During the days in Ahmedabad We are planning to do 3-4 day tours and visit Baroda one day. Any suggestions appreciated?

Thank you for your help

iwanttogoback

what sort of things interest you neesha?

gujarat is great for architecture, textiles, and probably heaps of other stuff as well.

Neesha

We love to see old architecture and historic interest sites. Sarkhej Rosa, Sabarmati and Lothal city are in our list.

We would like to visit a small village, if possible stay with a local family instead of hotels for 1-2 days. But I have not done any research yet.

I would also like to buy indian clothing including sarees. So Ahmedabad or Baroda may be a place to do some shopping.

BTW, I would like to buy a India travel book. Should I buy specific for state or one generic India book? Is there any recommendation? I saw few at local book store but want to get some guidance before buying one. The book store has lonely planet guide as well.

fajitanumerouno

My relatives there said that it is extremely hot at that time and working 5 hours feels like 10. Having said that I understand this is also mango season and quite a good time to go if you enjoy all types of fresh mangos. Perhaps aim for accommodation with air conditioning if you can.
The textile museum in Ahmedabad is not to be missed. Calico Museum of Textiles its called, its free, just make sure you go at the times noted because you have to be part of a tour. They really protect the textiles there and they are wonderful, even people who don't like fabric are impressed. There is also a Heritage Walk of Ahmedabad which my husband did and he said that was OK. Starts sometime around 7AM or 8AM (they were there at 7 and did not start til 8 but not sure of official starting time).

Apparently there is a very healthy (alcohol free) nightlife there where all the people go out to dinner and such at night in that time because during the day its too hot. A bit like Spain I suppose, sounded fun, but hot.

Don't miss the chance to eat at Vishalla, its on the south side of town and its a replica type of village sort of, with all the food prepared fresh and hot right there, eaten outside in village setting, is next to the Utensil museum. Very nice and peaceful, a setting that makes you feel you have left Ahmedabad and gone to the country back in time. Don't miss the Gor Papri, ahhhhhh.

Ahmedabad also has several malls so if you need air conditioning its not very unique, but it may be cool. I would imagine this to be true of the cinema as well. And if you can get a room at the RajPath Club they have a lovely pool.
Anyhow, its probably bearable just plan to be hot and drink a lot of water. Even the water there was dry to me in December, and that does not make sense.
Val

wonderwomanusa

If you want to buy sarees, Gujarat is a truly great place. Local specialty is ikat and double ikat weaves and some of them are incredible! Here are some examples, though I believe they are from another state, they will give you some ideas.

vonkla

North from Ahmedabad you should visit:
-Patan, for the stepwells and the double Ikat sari's
-Modhera, Sun temple

If you really want to see something of the Indus civilization you must try to go to Dholavira instead of Lothal. I know it is a difficult trip and you need to hire a car for some days.

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iwanttogoback

there are quite a few photos in the member gallerys here at india mike, searching there might help you choose some places to visit. i know that i have uploaded quite a few photos, as have some other members, jorge reverter springs to mind, but i'm sure others have as well.

the adalaj stepwell is superb;

a trip to the vohra community at siddphur (perhaps in conjunction with patan, and if you are at patan have a good look at the old city walls) is worth it just for the vohra houses;

there is, of course, some superb modern architecture in ahmedabad - le corbusier, louis kahn, balkrishna doshi to name a few. doshi's studio sangath is probably the most beautiful building i have visited;

the pol houses in the old town (i think that the walking tour mentioned above includes them) are fascinating and beautiful;

law court garden night markets;

just to name a few.

The_Londoner

Also,

Don't forget the wonderful rebuilt temple of Somnath, it is just so beautiful and a great historical place.

Jorge Reverter

In my opinion Baroda is not interesting at all. There are many places to see/visit in Gujarat. Not far from Baroda (45 km NE) you can visit: Champaner/Pavagarh (World Heritage Site since 2004), Dabhoi ( is 30 km SE), I loved the place, and in the same road Chandod and Rajpipla.

Jorge

Neesha

Thank you for all the help.

arkz

Hai,

The temp can go up to 40 D, it would be hot in day time. 10 days would be more than OK to cover the highlights. Baroda is only 1 hr drive on the new Expressway, Baroda is not a happening place, really nothing to see, as someone said.

Some places of interest / activities you can consider while in Ahmedabad:

Visit to Akshardharm, step wells, Sabarmathi Ashram, calico museum, Dinner @ Vishala, Law Garaden, visit to the old town / pols / heritage walk, Hare Krishna Temple, Vaishnodevi Temple, Tirupathy Balaji Temple, Many malls in town, lots of eating joints in the night near the many lakes that are filled with Narmada waters etc., One of the few places in Inaid where women can wander relatively safely even late at night. Lots of choices for staying depending on budget, starts from Rs.750/- per person per day in studio apartments to the 5 star TAJ Hotel.

Outside: Modhera, Palithana, Daseda / Little Raan of Kutch to see the wild Donkeys, may be stay out there for a night or two, trip to Morbi / Kutch to see the local handicrafts, stay out with a family or two there, Dwaraka Lord Krishna's birth place, Somnath / Lorad Shiva's temple, Gir forest (not many lions left there now) etc.,

Lonely Planet has coverage of Gujarat and the places I mentioned, there are many other books on Inida, Crossword has many good ones @ http://crosswordbookstores.com/html/AboutCW.htm

Happy Traveling,

--ARKZ

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Puja76

Hi,

Neesha -I too am planning to travel to Anand early March.Are you going to be staying in Ahmedabad or Anand??

White B - how was you trip to Anand? Would you reccomend the hotel you stayed at? Any info would be helpful.

I'll be flying from New York to New Delhi as I have my family there & then travel to Anand, Gujrat.

Thanks
Puja

Neesha

We are planning to stay in Ahemdabad for 7-8 days and then stay in Anand or Baroda for 1-2 days.