Lions at dawn, Somnath’s evening aarti and darshan at Dwarka. A six-day plan that works for children and grandparents alike.
At a glance: a Gir and Somnath trip from the UK over Christmas
Fly to Ahmedabad, then travel by road through Saurashtra: two nights at Sasan Gir for the lion safari, one night at Somnath for the evening aarti, and one or two nights at Dwarka. Gir National Park reopens on 16 October each year, so it is open right through the Christmas holidays, and the weather is cool and dry. Book safari permits online well ahead. Fares to Ahmedabad start from £219 per person from London, checked 15 October 2026, prices change daily.
Why late December to early January works so well
Most schools in England break up on Friday 18 December 2026 and return on Monday 4 January 2027. That is just over two weeks: enough for a family visit in Gujarat and a short Saurashtra trip without rushing.
The timing suits the region too. Gir National Park closes from 16 June to 15 October every year and reopens on 16 October, so it is fully open across Christmas and New Year. Late December is dry, with warm afternoons and cool mornings. Children can sit in an open safari jeep in comfort, and grandparents can walk the temples without the heat. Stay until mid-January and you may catch Uttarayan, the kite festival, on Thursday 14 January 2027 in Ahmedabad.
The catch is demand. Indian families holiday then too, so permits and good hotels go early. Plan now, not in December.
Getting there from the UK
Ahmedabad is the natural gateway. Air India flies non-stop from London Gatwick to Ahmedabad several days a week, and Qatar Airways, Emirates and Etihad connect to Ahmedabad on one ticket from Heathrow, Manchester and Birmingham. See our guides to flights from London to Ahmedabad and flights from Manchester to Ahmedabad. Flying from the North? Read our Leeds Bradford and Newcastle to India route guide.
From Ahmedabad you have two choices:
- By road. Ahmedabad to Sasan Gir is about 330 km, roughly six to seven hours with a stop. Hire a car and driver for the whole circuit. It is the simplest option with luggage and grandparents.
- By domestic flight. Fly Ahmedabad to Rajkot (about 160 km, three to three and a half hours from Sasan Gir) or to Diu (about 95 km from Sasan Gir). At the end, Jamnagar airport is about 130 km from Dwarka, which saves the eight-hour drive back to Ahmedabad.
A 6-day sample itinerary
Adjust this plan around your relatives’ home and your flight times.
Day | Where | What you do |
Day 1 | Ahmedabad to Sasan Gir (about 330 km) | Leave early, lunch on the way, check in and rest before the dawn safari. |
Day 2 | Sasan Gir | Morning safari in the main park. Afternoon at Devalia for younger children and grandparents, or a second safari. |
Day 3 | Sasan Gir to Somnath (about 45 km) | Easy one-hour drive. Darshan at Somnath temple, time by the sea, evening aarti and the sound-and-light show. |
Day 4 | Somnath to Dwarka (about 235 km) | Around five hours on the road. Arrive for evening darshan at Dwarkadhish temple. |
Day 5 | Dwarka | Bet Dwarka by boat or the new Sudarshan Setu bridge, then Nageshwar Jyotirlinga. Second night in Dwarka. |
Day 6 | Dwarka to Jamnagar airport (about 130 km) or Ahmedabad (about 440 km) | Fly from Jamnagar, or drive back in about eight hours. Allow a rest day before your flight to the UK. |
Short on days? Drop the second Dwarka night. Got more? Add Diu for a beach day between Gir and Somnath.
The lion safari with children and elderly parents
Gir is the only place in the world where Asiatic lions live in the wild. Seeing one from an open vehicle is the moment children remember.
1. Book permits online, early
Permits are issued through the official portal at girlion.gujarat.gov.in. You need passport details for every traveller, the foreign-visitor rate is higher, and weekends carry a 25 per cent surcharge. Slots for late December and early January fill fast, so book as soon as your flights are confirmed, and check the site for current fees.
2. Choose Devalia for the youngest and oldest
Devalia Safari Park is a fenced section of the forest with a shorter, easier tour and a high chance of seeing lions. It suits toddlers, grandparents who cannot manage a long bumpy ride, and families whose main-park permits sold out.
3. Expect an early start
Safaris run roughly in the early morning and mid-afternoon. The morning drive gives the best sightings. Have breakfast packed and leave the hotel in the dark.
4. Dress in layers
Late-December mornings feel cold in an open jeep. Bring fleeces, hats and a shawl for grandparents, then peel off by nine o’clock. A scarf helps with the dust on the tracks.
5. Keep expectations gentle
Lions are wild. Most families see them, but not every drive does. Tell children that spotted deer, peacocks and crocodiles count too.
Somnath and Dwarka: temple etiquette and what to expect
Somnath is one of the twelve Jyotirlingas, set right on the Arabian Sea. The evening aarti is the highlight, followed by the sound-and-light show. Phones and cameras are not allowed inside. Dress modestly and remove shoes before entering.
Dwarka is where Krishna is said to have ruled. The Dwarkadhish temple is busy at aarti times, so take grandparents at a quieter hour if queues are a worry. Bet Dwarka, the island temple, is reached by boat or the new Sudarshan Setu bridge, and Nageshwar Jyotirlinga is a short drive away. Timings and fees change through the year, so check the official temple websites before you go.
Children often do better with a short darshan and then time by the sea, which both towns have.
Food and practical tips
- Eat the Kathiawadi thali. This is the home of sev tameta, ringan no olo, bajra rotla and plenty of ghee. Vegetarian food is everywhere.
- Book hotels early. Sasan Gir has a small number of good family resorts and they fill over New Year. See our hotels page or our guide to hotels in India for a winter trip from the UK.
- Carry some cash. Smaller temple-town shops and the boat to Bet Dwarka may not take cards.
- Allow for the roads. Distances look short on a map, so use the hours above and add breaks for grandparents.
- Documents. British passport holders need an e-Visa or an OCI card. Read our OCI card guide and check the UK government’s India travel advice before you fly.
- Students and education staff: Mann travel Offer gives verified UK students and education staff £25 off selected return flights between the UK and India, valid for 30 days, renewable, not combinable with other promotions.
Why book with Mann Travel?
Mann Travel has been taking families home to India since 2007, and our Southall office has looked after UK travellers since 2019. Our team speaks Hindi, Punjabi and English, specialises in group and family bookings, and gives phone and WhatsApp support. We can book your UK to Ahmedabad flights and the domestic legs to Rajkot, Diu or Jamnagar on the same call.
Let’s take you home to Gujarat this Christmas.
Search live fares at manntravel.co.uk/flights or call our Southall team on 0208 099 9900. Ask us to price the Ahmedabad flight and the Saurashtra domestic legs together.
frequently asked questions
Is Gir National Park open at Christmas?
Yes. Gir closes from 16 June to 15 October each year and reopens on 16 October, so it is open through the Christmas and New Year holidays. Permits must be booked online in advance.
Which airport is best for Gir and Somnath from the UK?
Fly into Ahmedabad, then drive about six to seven hours to Sasan Gir, or take a domestic flight to Rajkot or Diu to shorten the road trip.
How many days do I need for Gir, Somnath and Dwarka?
Six days is comfortable: two nights at Sasan Gir, one at Somnath and one or two at Dwarka, then fly out of Jamnagar or drive back to Ahmedabad.
Is the lion safari suitable for young children and elderly parents?
Yes, with planning. Devalia Safari Park is shorter and easier than the main park. Book the morning slot, dress in layers and bring a scarf for the dust.
Do British citizens need a visa for Gujarat?
British passport holders need an Indian e-Visa or an OCI card. Apply well before the Christmas rush and check the UK government’s India travel advice for the latest rules.
Fares and availability change daily and depend on the airline, date and fare type. Always check live prices before booking. Park, permit and temple timings and fees can change; check the official sites.
