Five days covers Junagadh, Girnar, Gir and the Somnath coast, and seven days adds Kutch. Most travellers from Delhi fly to Rajkot, Diu or Ahmedabad, or take a train to Junagadh, then continue by road. For the flight ticket price Patna to Delhi, this guide quotes no fare, so check live airline search first.
Gujarat's Saurashtra peninsula rewards a planned trip. The sacred hill of Girnar, the Asiatic lions of Gir and the temple towns on the coast sit a long way from most Indian cities, so the order you visit them in matters as much as the number of days you have. This guide is written from the viewpoint of someone who has guided visitors through this country, and it is aimed at international travellers and NRIs, including those flying in from Patna.
How many days the trip deserves and who it suits
Five days is enough for the core of the trip: Junagadh, the Girnar hill, a Gir safari and the Somnath coast. You will move at a steady pace and spend most of your time seeing things rather than sitting in a car. If you have five days, drop Kutch rather than squeezing everything in.
Seven days suits first-time visitors who want Kutch as well as the temple coast. You will still have a rest day in the middle, and you will not lose a whole day to driving. Families with older members and travellers who are returning to see relatives in Gujarat often find seven days more comfortable.
If your time is short, choose Junagadh and Gir over Kutch. Gir is the reason many people come to this region, and the lion country needs unhurried mornings to do properly.
Flight ticket price Patna to Delhi and the route onward
Patna visitors usually route through Delhi or another hub before continuing west. No fare is quoted in this guide, because the fare changes with the date, the airline and how far ahead you book. Search live fares for your dates on your preferred airline, and compare the total time including connections, not only the headline price.
From Delhi, the Delhi to Girnar distance is about 1,331 km, which is around 22 hours by road via the Udaipur to Ahmedabad highway. For that reason, most travellers fly to Rajkot, Diu or Ahmedabad and continue by road, or take a train to Junagadh. You can compare flight, train and road options from Delhi before you settle on an airport.
If Diu is on your list, read the route notes in the Somnathdwarkatourpackage guide to Delhi to Diu travel. The Delhi to Diu distance is about 1,361 km, again around 22 hours by road, so the flight is usually the sensible choice for the Diu leg.
Once you land, a short cab or taxi ride is normal for the last stretch. Confirm the cab arrangement and the drop point before you leave the airport, and keep the driver's number handy for the whole trip.
Sights in visiting order, starting with Junagadh and Girnar
Start in Junagadh, the gateway to both Girnar and Gir. It is the natural base, and you can settle in before the day of the hill climb. Allow at least one full day for the Girnar hill, and check the climb timings on arrival, because they can change with the season and the crowds.
Many visitors take the cable car up part of the route and then climb on foot. The Girnar Ropeway ticket price and booking tips explain where the cable car stops and where the walking part resumes. Confirm the ropeway's current hours before you set out, since they are not fixed in this guide.
Go early in the day for the climb. Wear proper footwear, carry water and plan to come down before the afternoon heat builds up. Respect the shrines along the route, and keep the trail clean.
Gir safari and the lion country
The Gir safari is the highlight for most visitors. Book through the official forest portal, not through a third-party seller. Each safari lasts about 3 hours and runs on morning or evening shifts, so plan your day around the one you choose.
The safari season runs from 16 October to 15 June. Outside that window, the park is closed to safaris, so build your itinerary around the coast and the temples if you travel in the monsoon months.
Costs are set by the forest department and change over time. At the time of writing, a jeep for Indian citizens (seating 6 to 8 people) costs roughly ₹6,000 to ₹7,700, and for foreign nationals roughly ₹16,500 to ₹18,700, including the permit, gypsy, driver and guide. Confirm the current tariff on the official portal before you pay, and keep your confirmation with you on the day.
Gir is a drive from Junagadh, so allow travel time on the morning of your safari. Book the earlier shift if you want cooler air and more active animals, and arrive at the gate with time to spare.
Somnath, Dwarka and an optional Vadodara detour
Somnath is the coastal temple town that many visitors combine with Gir. Plan a morning or afternoon there, and check darshan timings before you go, since they vary. The road, train and flight routes to Somnath are worth reading if you are coming straight from Delhi.
Dwarka lies further along the coast and is known for the Dwarkadhish Temple. Like Somnath, it is best reached with a planned car or a rail connection, and it deserves a dedicated half day. For the route options, see the road, rail and air routes to Dwarka guide.
Vadodara is an optional stop rather than a base. If your route already passes through the city, the Laxmi Vilas Palace is worth a visit. Built in 1890 by Maharaja Sayajirao Gaekwad III, the palace spans over 500 acres. It is open from 9:30 AM to 5:00 PM, Tuesday to Sunday, and is closed on Mondays. Tickets cost about ₹250 for Indians and ₹525 for foreign visitors, but confirm these on the official site before you go.
Best season and local etiquette
The best season for the full itinerary is roughly October to June, when the Gir safari is open. Within that window, the cooler months are more comfortable for the Girnar climb and the coastal walks. If you travel outside the safari window, weight the trip toward the coast and temples and check the conditions locally before you finalise your plans.
Remove your footwear before entering temples, and check whether shoes are allowed at the particular shrine you visit. Dress modestly, covering shoulders and knees, and follow the instructions of temple staff about where you may stand, sit and photograph. Keep your voice low during aarti and darshan, and avoid pointing your feet toward shrines.
At Gir, stay in the vehicle, keep to the route and never feed or approach the animals. Keep your voice down so that other visitors and the wildlife are not disturbed.
Skip unofficial safari sellers, roadside touts and any booking site that is not the official forest portal. Also skip the temptation to rush the whole region in three days, since you will spend more time in the car than in the places you came to see.
One practical sample day
Early morning: take the morning Gir safari shift, which lasts about 3 hours. Return toward Junagadh afterwards and allow time for the drive back and a simple lunch.
Afternoon: visit Girnar, using the ropeway timings and ticket guide to plan your climb. Go up early enough to return before the hottest part of the day, and carry water.
Evening: rest in Junagadh and confirm your onward road or train travel for the next leg, whether that is Somnath, Dwarka or a flight from Rajkot or Diu. Check your bookings for the following morning before you sleep.
For the Girnar part of the day, the Girnar Ropeway timings and visitor guide is a useful reference to keep open on your phone.
Frequently asked questions
What is the flight ticket price from Patna to Delhi?
This guide does not quote a fare, because the sources used here do not give one and fares change daily. Search live fares on airline websites or a trusted booking platform for your exact dates, and compare the total journey time as well as the price.
How many days do I need for Junagadh, Gir and Somnath?
Five days covers the core of Junagadh, Girnar, Gir and the Somnath coast without Kutch. Seven days allows you to add Kutch and the temple coast without rushing. If your time is limited, prioritise Gir and Junagadh.
Can I book the Gir safari myself?
Yes, you can book through the official forest portal. Confirm the current tariff before you pay, since prices are set by the forest department and change over time. Avoid unofficial sellers and look-alike booking sites, and keep your confirmation with you on the day of the safari.
