Things to see & do in Gujarat

“Don’t get me wrong, I love Rajasthan,” she says. “It’s the land of the kings, of rich heritage, but it is very busy. Gujarat is much quieter, but it still has this amazingly rich heritage – with gorgeous Hindu, Islamic and Jain architecture – and there’s so much culture to explore here too.”

Kashka’s passion for Gujarat is intoxicating. This is a state of enormous diversity, yet in terms of international tourism it is still largely undiscovered. You’ll find some of the largest salt flats in the world, peaceful Arabian Sea beaches, the only place to see lions outside Africa and a wealth of incredible bird life. Local guides help you navigate the maze of alleys which make up the colourful bazaars of Ahmedebad and Jamnagar, take you to the Bala Hanuman Temple where the melodic Hindu prayer Shri Ram, Jai Ram, Jai Jai Ram has been chanted continually since 1964, and introduce you to some of Gujarat’s traditional tribal craftsmen.

For Kashka, the latter is where Gujarat’s cultural heart lies – and responsible tourism has a key role to play in its preservation. “We also visit the Banni tribal lands where handicrafts are a livelihood and a way of expressing cultural identity. India does well at preserving these kinds of traditions but so much can be lost if we are not careful.”

And as she describes the local food you’ll taste, Gujarat becomes a mouthwatering prospect too. “Don’t miss dhokla, squares of fermented batter made from rice and chickpeas which make a nice little snack. Or gathiya, a crunchy snack made from chickpea flour.”

Gir National Park

Some 600 Asiatic lions call Gir National Park home, the very last of a species that once roamed from Greece to modern-day Bangladesh. Lions aside this is also the best place to see leopards in India, as well as being Gujarat’s most biodiverse area – a bold claim in a state that also features some of the largest salt flats in the world and no fewer than 23 designated wildlife sanctuaries.

For Kashka, Gir’s appeal goes beyond its iconic big cats. She says, “The chances to see the lions are reasonable, but come ready to enjoy whatever you see. This is a wonderful national park, beautiful to explore with lots of other wildlife too, including lots of different types of deer and antelope, hyenas, leopards, rusty spotted cats and porcupines. And over 300 species of birds.”

However, Gir’s success in protecting its lions – numbers have more than doubled here in the last 40 years – has bred problems of its own, as they venture deeper into surrounding farmland and come more often into conflict with local people. Ensure you’re supporting the communities which have to share their space with wildlife by staying overnight at least, using local guides and choosing a tour operator which supports income generation projects – safari specialists and accommodations affiliated with the Tour Operators for Tigers network are a good place to start.