Signature Vegan Trip to Gujarat

Journeys

Signature Vegan Trip to Gujarat

December 02 -15, 2025

Length

14 Days

Destination

Gujarat

Discover Through

Vegan Food, History, Culture, Architecture and Adventure

This thoughtfully curated itinerary explores Gujarat through a compassionate, plant-based lens—celebrating the deep ties between food, faith, and sustainability. From the vivid heritage lanes of Ahmedabad to the serene hill temples of Palitana and the coastal charm of Diu, each destination reflects a distinctive facet of Gujarat’s cultural and culinary legacy. Guided by the principles of ahimsa and sattvic living, travellers will engage with local communities, savour traditional vegan cuisine, and discover how ancient philosophies continue to shape modern lifestyles. This is much more than a mere journey. It’s a mindful exploration of Gujarat’s heart, where every meal tells a story of kindness.

Trip Highlights

Climb to the Sacred Shatrunjaya Temples of Palitana: Experience a profound spiritual setting on a guided (optional) sunrise ascent of 3,500 steps to one of Jainism’s holiest sites, which is completely vegan in philosophy and practice.
Hands-on Cooking Experiences with Royal Families and Local Women: Learn to veganise traditional recipes in historic kitchens—from palace-style festive dishes in Muli to temple-inspired meals in Palitana.
Explore Gujarat’s Diversity: Witness royal palaces, coastal forts, wildlife sanctuaries, and salt desert landscapes, all while staying true to plant-based travel values rooted in regional traditions.

Please note that elements of the itinerary may change.

THE VEGAN ROUTES PROMISE: We believe that travel should nourish both the soul and the planet. Every journey we curate is rooted in the principles of compassion, sustainability, and authenticity — designed by India’s foremost vegan travel experts with over two decades of experience. When you travel with us, you’re not just exploring a destination — you’re supporting a movement. From fully plant-based culinary experiences and cruelty-free stays, to community-led immersions and low-impact travel, we ensure that your footprint is gentle and your impact meaningful. Let your travels reflect your values.

Itinerary at a Glance

Day 1: December 2 — Ahmedabad

Ahmedabad, India’s first UNESCO World Heritage City, offers a meaningful start to this vegan journey through Gujarat. The old city’s historic “pols” are living heritage sites, where wooden havelis and winding alleys reflect centuries of community-focused living. Explore the roots of sattvic philosophy and how vegetarianism has been practised as a spiritual discipline here for centuries. A welcome talk introduces the group to the concept of ahimsa (non-violence) and how it shaped the region’s culinary traditions.

Overnight: Ahmedabad City

Day 2: December 3 — Ahmedabad to Baroda (100 km | 2 hrs)

Begin the day with a visit to the Hutheesing Jain Temple, where stone carvings tell stories of non-violence and spiritual discipline. Continue your exploration of the city’s vegan culture with a walking tour of the old city, sampling snacks like sev khamani and moong dal chilla—prepared without dairy or ghee. After lunch, drive to Baroda, the cultural capital of Gujarat. Arrive in time for a gentle evening stroll around Sayaji Garden, followed by a home-style vegan Maratha-Gujarati fusion dinner inspired by the royal kitchens of the Gaekwads.

Overnight: Baroda City

Day 3: December 4 — Baroda

Tour the opulent Laxmi Vilas Palace, where the legacy of the Gaekwads lives on through grand halls, galleries, and weapon displays. Visit the Maharaja Fateh Singh Museum, housing an extraordinary collection of Raja Ravi Varma paintings. In the afternoon, meet a local chef for a hands-on vegan cooking demonstration, reimagining royal recipes using plant-based ingredients—think khichu spiced with sesame oil and coconut milk-based curries inspired by traditional feasts.

Overnight: Baroda City

Day 4: December 5 — Baroda to Bhavnagar (200 km | 4.5 hrs)

Drive to Bhavnagar, a coastal city shaped by trade, princely history, and strong Jain influences. En route, stop at a village to enjoy a farm-style vegan lunch with locally harvested produce. In Bhavnagar, visit the Barton Library and the old town area to experience the confluence of colonial and regional architecture. A relaxed dinner awaits you at the heritage homestay, showcasing Kathiawadi dishes—such as ringan no olo (fire-roasted eggplant mash) and bajra rotla—made entirely plant-based.

Overnight: Bhavnagar

Day 5: December 6 — Bhavnagar

Spend the day understanding Bhavnagar’s Jain heritage. Visit the Takhteshwar Temple and learn about the Jain principles that promote strict veganism as a path to liberation. Visit a local NGO promoting sustainable food practices and take part in a kitchen session focused on salt-free, garlic-free Jain cooking. The day ends with a candlelight dinner highlighting slow-cooked regional dishes, with a conversation on mindful eating.

Overnight: Bhavnagar

Day 6: December 7 — Bhavnagar to Palitana (60 km | 1.5 hrs)

Arrive in Palitana, a sacred city of Jain pilgrimage. Home to the spectacular Shatrunjaya Hill, it is a unique spiritual destination where even the air feels imbued with silence and reverence. After a visit to the base of the hill and Jain museums, enjoy a vegan lunch at a dharamshala-style kitchen offering simple, clean meals with seasonal produce. In the evening, participate in a discussion on the role of food in Jain asceticism.

Overnight: Palitana

Day 7: December 8 — Palitana

An early start for an optional sunrise climb to the top of Shatrunjaya Hill (optional for those able to manage the 3,500 steps). The panoramic views and temples at the summit are profoundly moving, often called one of the holiest pilgrimages in Jainism. Descend for a wholesome vegan brunch, followed by rest and a free afternoon. Later, gather for a cooking circle where local women share temple-style preparations made without root vegetables or dairy.

Overnight: Palitana

Day 8: December 9 — Palitana to Diu (200 km | 5 hrs)

Journey towards the coastal town of Diu, once a Portuguese colony. Unlike the spiritual hush of Palitana, Diu has a relaxed seaside charm. Arrive by evening and enjoy a beach walk before dinner at a sea-facing café offering a specially curated vegan seafood-inspired menu—think jackfruit cutlets, banana blossom fritters, and coconut milk curries.

Overnight: Diu

Day 9: December 10 — Diu

Explore Diu Fort, the lighthouse, and charming colonial-era churches while understanding how Portuguese rule influenced local architecture and cuisine. A vegan food walk introduces coastal ingredients such as kokum, raw mango, tamarind, and coconut in innovative plant-based formats. End with a sunset yoga session by the sea, followed by a casual vegan beach barbecue using regional produce.

Overnight: Diu

Day 10: December 11 — Diu to Sasan Gir (95 km | 2 hrs)

Depart for Sasan Gir, home of the Asiatic lions. On the way, stop at a forest-side retreat for a plant-forward lunch that honours tribal cooking traditions. In the evening, a nature expert offers a session on Gujarat’s wildlife conservation efforts and their overlap with traditional eco-conscious diets. Dinner includes millet-based dishes and native greens.

Overnight: Sasan Gir

Day 11: December 12 — Sasan Gir to Muli (160 km | 4 hrs)

Take an early morning safari drive (optional) to spot lions and learn about the unique ecosystem of Gir. Then head to Muli, a little-known princely state with a strong Vaishnavite legacy that celebrates vegetarian food as devotion. Check into a historic darbargadh and enjoy a quiet evening filled with temple music and a thali dinner prepared without onion and garlic, as per Vaishnav customs.

Overnight: Muli

Day 12: December 13 — Muli

Spend the day exploring Muli’s heritage: visit the local stepwell, temple, and village areas. The hosts, descendants of the royal family, share insights on their ancestral culinary traditions. A hands-on session in the palace kitchen focuses on veganising festive foods such as sukhdi, kansar, and kachri bateta, using jaggery, groundnut oil, and traditional grains.

Overnight: Muli

Day 13: December 14 — Muli to Bajana (150 km | 3.5 hrs)

Drive to Bajana near the Little Rann of Kutch. Visit the Wild Ass Sanctuary en route and witness the stark, haunting beauty of this salt-marsh ecosystem. Enjoy a tribal-inspired vegan lunch made with pearl millet, pulses, and wild herbs. Stay at a charming eco-resort, and end the day with a bonfire and local folk music under the stars.

Overnight: Bajana

Day 14: December 15 — Bajana to Ahmedabad (130 km | 3 hrs)

Drive back to Ahmedabad to drop the group. A farewell lunch at a serene café includes a final taste of Gujarat’s vegan bounty—from hand-churned peanut curd to seasonal vegetable stews—alongside reflections on the journey. Depart with memories of a region where food, faith, and compassion intertwine beautifully.

End of Journey

Interested in Customising this Journey?

We will be happy to tailor this itinerary to match your travel dates, interests, and pace. Whether you’re planning a personal escape, a family adventure, or a special group trip, our specialists can customise every detail to make it uniquely yours.

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