Two Sacred Temples of Krishna and Shiva, & the Last Wild Lions on Earth
A focused 5-day circuit from Rajkot combining two of Gujarat's most significant pilgrimage sites with a genuine wildlife safari — Dwarka, the legendary capital of Lord Krishna, Somnath, home to the first of the twelve Jyotirlingas, and Gir National Park, the last wild refuge of the Asiatic lion.
Two full nights at Dwarka allow an unhurried pace to explore the Dwarkadhish Temple, Nageshwar Jyotirlinga, and Bet Dwarka — Krishna's island residence, reached by a short ferry crossing — rather than rushing through in a single overnight stop.
From Dwarka, the route continues along the Saurashtra coast to Somnath, where the temple's evening light and sound show narrates an extraordinary story of repeated destruction and rebuilding, before concluding with a genuine safari at Gir, the only place on earth where the Asiatic lion survives in the wild.
What makes this journey special
Your journey, unfolded
Welcome to Gujarat! On arrival at Rajkot Airport, meet our representative and drive to Dwarka (approximately 225 km, ~4.5 hours) — the legendary capital of Lord Krishna and one of the four Char Dham of Hinduism. On arrival, check in to your hotel. In the evening, visit the Dwarkadhish Temple, its gold-topped sanctum standing beside the Gomti River, and attend the temple's evening Aarti ceremony.
After breakfast, a full day exploring Dwarka. Visit Nageshwar Temple, home to one of the twelve Jyotirlingas of Lord Shiva, and Gopi Talav, a sacred pond associated with Krishna's legend. Take a short ferry ride (approximately 15-20 minutes) to Bet Dwarka, believed to be Lord Krishna's original island residence, to visit its own Dwarkadhish shrine. Visit Rukmini Devi Temple, dedicated to Krishna's principal queen, on the return.
After breakfast, check out and drive to Somnath (approximately 233 km via NH51, ~4.5 hours). On arrival, check in to your hotel. Visit the Somnath Temple — the first of the twelve Jyotirlingas of Lord Shiva, rebuilt several times through history — standing directly on the Arabian Sea coast. In the evening, attend the temple's Aarti ceremony and witness the light and sound show, narrating Somnath's extraordinary story of destruction and resilience across the centuries.
Morning visit to Bhalka Tirth, believed to be the site where Lord Krishna was accidentally struck by a hunter's arrow, and Triveni Sangam, a sacred river confluence nearby. After breakfast, check out and drive to Gir National Park (approximately 65 km depending on the exact route, ~1-1.5 hours) — the last wild refuge of the Asiatic lion anywhere on earth. On arrival, check in to your wildlife lodge. In the afternoon, head out on a jeep safari into the park's dry deciduous forest in search of lions, leopards, and chital.
Optional early-morning jeep safari for a final chance at a lion sighting. After breakfast, check out and drive to Rajkot (approximately 165 km, ~3.5-4 hours) for your departure flight. Tour concludes.
Inclusions & Exclusions
Included ✓
- ✓ 4 nights accommodation on twin/triple-share basis (2 nights Dwarka, 1 night Somnath, 1 night Gir)
- ✓ Buffet meals as specified in the itinerary
- ✓ Private chauffeur-driven AC vehicle for all road transfers & sightseeing
- ✓ Bet Dwarka ferry ticket
- ✓ 1 jeep safari at Gir with naturalist guide
- ✓ Gir National Park entry permits
- ✓ 1 bottle of mineral water per person per day
- ✓ All applicable Indian GST
Not Included ✗
- ✗ International/domestic airfare or train fare to/from Rajkot
- ✗ Visa charges
- ✗ Optional 5th day morning safari at Gir (payable locally, subject to availability)
- ✗ Entrance fees / camera charges at temples and monuments
- ✗ Tipping — an entirely personal gesture
- ✗ Laundry, drinks, and items of a personal nature
Your questions, answered
Dwarka rewards a slower pace — beyond the main Dwarkadhish Temple, Nageshwar Jyotirlinga and Bet Dwarka (Krishna's island residence, reached by ferry) both deserve proper time rather than being rushed through in a single overnight stop. Two nights lets you experience both a bustling daytime visit and a quieter evening Aarti.
Yes — Diu sits just ~95 km from Gir and pairs naturally with this route. See our separate Gir & Diu itinerary, or let us know if you'd like both pilgrimage sites and Diu combined into one longer trip.
Absolutely. Every Discover India tour is fully private and built around your preferences. We can adjust the pace, add extra nights, or combine this with another Gujarat circuit. Submit an enquiry and our specialists will tailor it for you at no obligation.
Cancellations 60+ days before departure receive a full refund minus a small admin fee. 30–59 days: 75% refund. 15–29 days: 50% refund. Under 15 days: no refund. We strongly recommend comprehensive travel insurance.
