Here’s a suggested 3-Day Travel Itinerary for Gondal, along with a table of key attractions(with popularity, approximate visit times, and known or estimated fees).
Day 1 — Palaces, Heritage & Royal Collections
- 08:30 AM – Breakfast in Gondal
Start with local Gujarati breakfast near your lodging. - 09:00 AM – Naulakha Palace & Museum (Darbar Complex)
Explore the royal rooms, Durbar Hall, museum exhibits (miniatures, silver caskets, royal artifacts). - 11:30 AM – Huzoor / Orchard Palace & Royal Garages (Vintage Car Collection)
Visit the Orchard Palace wing and the Royal Garages with vintage cars, horse-drawn carriages, etc. - 01:00 PM – Lunch Break
Enjoy a local meal in Gondal. - 02:00 PM – Riverside Palace
Explore the scenic gardens, colonial and Indian wings, antique furnishings. - 03:30 PM – Akshar Deri / Swaminarayan Shrine
Visit the memorial shrine of Gunatitanand Swami. - 04:00 PM – Bhuvaneshwari Ayurvedic Pharmacy & Ayurveda Exhibit
See the historic herbal pharmacy, understand traditional medicine practices. - 04:45 PM – Local Bazaar / Handicraft Shopping
Shop for beadwork, embroidery, brassware, silverware, local crafts. - 06:00 PM – Evening Walk / Revisit Favorite Spot or Scenic Spot
Return to palace gardens or riverside for photography, sunset. - 07:30 PM – Dinner & Overnight Stay
Stay in a heritage hotel (Riverside or Orchard) to soak in atmosphere.
Day 2 — Temples, Local Culture & Surrounding Areas
- 08:00 AM – Breakfast
- 08:30 AM – Shri Swaminarayan Mandir (Main Temple)
Enjoy the spiritual ambiance and architecture. - 09:30 AM – Sureshwar Mahadev / Dhareshwar Mahadev / Bhuvneshwari Mandir
Visit these local temples in Gondal city. - 10:30 AM – Keerti Stambh (Victory Tower)
Climb or view the monument; photograph. - 11:15 AM – Shri Ramanath Dham / Ambey Dham / Big Temple
Visit the bigger temples listed in Gondal’s attractions. - 12:30 PM – Lunch Break
- 01:30 PM – Dasi Jeevan Mandir (Ghoghavadar, ~6 km from Gondal)
Excel in peaceful surroundings and spiritual heritage. - 03:00 PM – Anand Ashram (Ghoghavadar vicinity)
Visit this center for folklore, Gujarati literature, cultural insight (if open). - 04:00 PM – Return to Gondal – Relax / Café / Local Walk
- 06:00 PM – Evening Activities / Light Shopping / Photography
- 07:30 PM – Dinner & Overnight Stay
Day 3 — Offbeat Sites, Archaeology & Leisure
- 08:00 AM – Breakfast
- 08:30 AM – Rojdi Archaeological Site
Explore this Indus Valley civilization–era excavated site. - 10:00 AM – Travel back to Gondal — stop en route at scenic or rural spots
- 11:00 AM – Visit smaller Heritage or Haveli Tours / Hidden Mansions
Explore historic havelis, old mansions, lesser known palaces or ancestral houses. - 12:30 PM – Lunch in Gondal
- 01:30 PM – Art of Living / Yoga / Wellness Program
Some palace trusts facilitate yoga or spiritual sessions (per “Attractions of Gondal” site). - 02:30 PM – Textile & Handicraft Workshop Visit / Local Artisan Meet
See local beadwork, handloom, silversmith or brass work in action. - 03:30 PM – Leisure / Revisit Favorite Place / Photography / Cafés
- 05:00 PM – Wrap Up & Depart Gondal or prepare for onward travel
Attractions in Gondal — Popularity, Time, Fees Table
| No. | Attraction / Place | Popularity / Importance | Approx. Time Spent | Entry Fee / Charges (if known or estimated) | Notes / Comments |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Naulakha Palace & Museum | #1 heritage icon | 1.5 – 2.5 h | Free / nominal; camera charges may apply | Oldest palace; displays royal artifacts, silver caskets, Durbar Hall etc. |
| 2 | Huzoor / Orchard Palace & Royal Garages | #2 | 1 – 1.5 h | ₹~120 for car museum + camera/video fees (approx) | Orchard Palace is part of the royal residence; Royal Garages has vintage car collection. |
| 3 | Riverside Palace | #3 | 30 – 45 min | Nominal (often included in palace visit) | Built in 1875 as the crown prince’s residence; now heritage hotel + gardens. |
| 4 | Akshar Deri / Swaminarayan Shrine | #4 religious / spiritual | 20 – 30 min | Free | Memorial shrine of Gunatitanand Swami; pilgrimage site. |
| 5 | Bhuvaneshwari Ayurvedic Pharmacy | #5 | 20 – 30 min | Free / donation / small charge | Historic herbal medicine facility; often open for demonstrations. |
| 6 | Shri Swaminarayan Mandir (Main) | Significant temple | 30 – 45 min | Free | Important religious site in Gondal’s attractions list. |
| 7 | Sureshwar Mahadev / Dhareshwar Mahadev / Bhuvneshwari Mandir | Local temples | 15 – 30 min each | Free | Mentioned in “What to expect” list for Gondal temples. |
| 8 | Keerti Stambh (Victory Tower) | Monument / local landmark | 15 – 30 min | Free | Noted among top attractions in Gondal. |
| 9 | Shri Ramanath Dham / Ambey Dham | Significant temple | 30 – 45 min | Free | Listed among key religious sites in Gondal. |
| 10 | Dasi Jeevan Mandir (Ghoghavadar, ~6 km) | Moderate / spiritual outstation | 30 min | Free | Temple dedicated to saint Dasi Jeevan in nearby area. |
| 11 | Rojdi Archaeological Site | Offbeat / archaeological interest | 30 – 45 min | Minimal / small state archaeology fee | Ancient Indus Valley site in Gondal taluka. |
| 12 | Art of Living / Yoga / Wellness Program | Wellness / cultural | 45 min – 1 h (optional) | Possibly fee / arranged by palace trust | Mentioned under “Attractions of Gondal” for heritage palace visitors. |
| 13 | Textile & Handicraft Workshops / Local Artisan Visits | Cultural / craft interest | 30 – 60 min | Purchase cost / workshop fees | Gondal is known for beadwork, embroidery, silversmithing, brassware. |
| 14 | Hidden Havelis / Old Mansions & Ancestral Houses | Local heritage | 30 min | Free / small local charge | Depending on access; not all are public, some need permission or local guide. |
Tips, Notes & Adjustments
- Opening Hours & Closures: Many palaces or museums may close midday (e.g., 12:00–3:00 PM), or be closed one day of week (often Monday). Always check locally.
- Camera / Video Fees: Many heritage palaces impose extra fees for cameras or video recording.
- Guided Tours: Hiring a local guide in palaces adds depth and can help with hidden details.
- Travel Time & Movement: Day 2 and Day 3 include excursions outside city center (Ghoghavadar, Rojdi), so allow for travel time.
- Flexibility: You may skip or swap some smaller sites if you want rest time or more photography time.
- Stay & Meals: Staying in heritage hotels (Riverside or Orchard) gives you built-in ambience and easier access to palace complexes.
- Season / Best Time: October through March is ideal for pleasant weather.