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Buckle Up: We’re Going to Gujarat (Yes, All of Us)

So here’s how it started. My family wanted a trip. My brain said, “Let’s not.” But my mouth said, “Sure, let’s go to Gujarat!” And just like that, we packed four bags, five water bottles, one charger (a terrible decision), and way too many snacks into our car and hit the road.

This wasn’t just any trip. It was my first full-fledged Gujarat adventure — featuring camels, temples, lions, salty deserts, and some very questionable detours. And somewhere in between all that, cheQin.ai made sure I didn’t lose my cool hunting for hotels.

First Stop: The White Desert, Rann of Kutch

Let’s begin with the Rann of Kutch. It’s white, it’s endless, and it’s basically what you’d get if the moon and a salt shaker had a baby.

We arrived just in time for sunset, which, by the way, is like watching the sun drop into a sea of powdered sugar. Kids ran wild (one almost licked the ground), and my parents were busy arguing whether that glowing thing in the distance was a mirage or a wedding.

Travel Tip: Bring sunglasses, a hat, and a serious respect for salt. Also, no matter what your cousin says, white sneakers are not a good idea.

I booked a last-minute desert camp using cheQin.ai because my usual go-to apps were giving me overpriced options or the classic “sold out” message. With cheQin, I just posted what I needed, and boom — hotels started offering me deals. It was like eBay, but for beds.

Dwarka: Temples, Seas, and a Lot of Bhajans

Next up, Dwarka, the land of Krishna, sea breezes, and an alarmingly enthusiastic temple bell guy.

We visited the Dwarkadhish Temple early morning (because according to mom, blessings don’t count after 8 a.m.). The place was alive with chants, flowers, and a long queue of people who had all clearly skipped breakfast.

The beach nearby was a bonus. While the elders took photos pretending to walk into the ocean like movie stars, I discovered a vendor selling the best butter garlic corn I’ve ever had.

Travel Tip: Wear clothes that are easy to remove shoes from — you’ll be taking them off a lot. And pack snacks. God may be everywhere, but food stalls are not.

Gir Forest: Where Lions Roar and Humans Whisper

After temples, it was time for tigers — well, lions actually. Gir Forest is home to the Asiatic lion and, on our lucky day, a guide who spoke in poetic metaphors.

“If the jungle is a poem, the lion is the full stop,” he said.

Deep, right?

We hopped into a safari jeep at sunrise. My mom was convinced she saw a lion within five minutes (spoiler: it was a rock). But 30 minutes later, the real thing happened — a majestic lion walked right past us like he was on his morning commute.

I wanted to stay near the forest, but finding accommodation that wasn’t either too wild or wildly expensive was a task. That’s when I used cheQin.ai again. The best part? Hotels competed for my booking in real-time. I picked a lovely eco-stay that wasn’t even listed on other apps.

Travel Tip: Book safaris in advance. And bring binoculars unless you enjoy squinting at distant trees and pretending you saw something.

Somnath: Where the Vibes Are Immaculate

Last stop: Somnath. Spiritual energy, sea breeze, and a temple that looks like it was carved by gods with excellent taste.

After all the chaos of the road trip, Somnath felt like a reset button. The temple stands strong by the sea, its golden shikhara glowing in the sun. I sat by the shore, watching waves crash and uncles take group selfies like their lives depended on it.

cheQin.ai helped me again here. The app showed me multiple offers, I bargained (okay, I tapped a button and the app did the rest), and I got a clean hotel five minutes from the temple. No stress. Just peace.

Travel Tip: Evening aarti is a must. So is wearing comfy footwear you can slip on and off because temple steps are not designed for fashion.

Foodie Highlights: The Real Prasad

Let’s talk food, because Gujarat deserves applause.

Fafda & Jalebi in the morning? Yes, please.
Dhokla so soft it could double as a pillow.
Kathiawadi thali that nearly knocked me into a food coma.
And that buttermilk? It’s not a drink, it’s a survival tool.

The best meals weren’t fancy. They were roadside dhabas with three benches and a chai kettle that had seen more sunrises than I have.

The Family Drama (Of Course There Was Some)

No family trip is complete without at least one meltdown. We had ours in the parking lot of a petrol pump where my dad insisted we’d taken a wrong turn. Turns out, Google Maps was right (this time).

Then there was the time someone left the hotel key at a restaurant. And that moment my niece fed a biscuit to a langur and almost lost her entire lunchbox.

But these moments? They’re what made the trip.

What I Learned (Besides Where to Get the Best Jalebi)

Gujarat was more than I expected. It was colorful, chaotic, deeply spiritual, and full of personality. I expected a checklist of places. What I got was a collection of stories.

And honestly, having CheQin.ai as my silent sidekick made everything smoother. No endless hotel scrolling. No overpaying. Just posting what I needed and letting places come to me like, “Hey! Pick me!”

Final Thoughts: Go, But Bring Snacks and Patience

If you’re planning a trip to Gujarat, here’s what I’d say:

Don’t try to cover everything in 4 days. Space it out.

Be flexible. Sometimes the best spots aren’t on your list.

Use hotel tools that actually save you time. (Yes, cheQin.ai, I’m looking at you.)

Eat like your diet doesn’t exist.

And most importantly? Laugh at the chaos. Because that’s where the memories hide.

Rann of Kutch to Somnath: Complete Gujarat Travel Itinerary