Pavagadh Hills

A must-visit site, which has a lot of historical and mythical significance. Formed from a volcanic eruption that happened here over 500 million years ago, the 800m-high hills are part of the volcanic cone itself. The historical city of Champaner lies at the foot of the Pavagadh Hills, and forms part of the Pavagadh-Champaner Archaeological Park, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Jain temples at the site are also worth a visit.

Distance from Ahmedabad: 151 km
Climate: Tropical; rainy summers
Best time to visit: October to February

Mount Abu

A beautiful hill station in Rajasthan, quite close to the Gujarat border, Mount Abu is a traveller’s delight. Nikki Lake is a great boating destination and is located right in the centre of the town. The Dilwara Temples, made of white marble and featuring intricate carvings, are of interest both to the religiously-minded as well as fans of culture and architecture. Don’t miss out the two famous viewpoints, Toad Rock and Honeymoon Point.

Distance from Ahmedabad: 227km
Climate: Warm summers, chilly winters
Best time to visit: May, June, Oct to Dec

Girnar

Trekking enthusiasts, this one’s for you. Also called Girinagar or RevatakParvata, the Girnar mountain ranges are also a sacred destination for Jains, Buddhists as well as Hindus. The place is also home to 14 of King Asoka’s major rock edicts, besides many other rock inscriptions dating back to 150CE.

Distance from Ahmedabad: 267km
Climate: Hot, humid summers, pleasant winters
Best time to visit: September-March

Pirotan

Island Located 12 nautical miles off the coast of Jamnagar, Pirotan Island is part of the Marine National Park. Among the 42 islands that make up the park, Pirotan Island is one of the two are open to the public. The island mainly has mangroves and low-tide beaches. The shrine of Khwaja Khijer Rahmatullahahialaih is also located on this island. You can see a lot of marine animals, including octopuses, king crabs and more on this island.

Distance from Ahmedabad: 307km
Climate: Temperate climate
Best time to visit: October-January