Ahmedabad brings a smile to your face as you start to imagine the city which is resplendent not just with colors of traditional Gujarati chaniya cholis and kediyus but also with the colors and zest for life. Tourism in Ahmedabad offers everything for a tourist for it to be a fun-filled adventure. You can indulge in sightseeing, relax at places that offer scenic beauty coupled with a serene ambiance. You can shop to your heart's content and indulge in gluttony, tempted by lip-smacking Gujarati cuisine.
The city warrants that you spend some time here absorbing its vibes and getting an insight into its rich culture and heritage. A city tour package for Ahmedabad is the perfect way to do it as you get to spend your time in the city productively, visiting places handpicked for you, without worrying about issues like accommodation, travel and planning an itinerary.
A good city tour package for Ahmedabad will help in planning your trip around the city well in advance so that you can be aware of all the places you would be visiting for sightseeing, the dining options available in the city and the traveling arrangements.
The tour operator will handle the nitty-gritty of the trip along with providing you with detailed and updated information about the city, right from its climate to what kind of clothes and shoes you must carry with you. The vacation is not just as good as the destination but also as good as the tour package you select and the itinerary that you follow.
History of Ahmedabad
The city came into being in 1411 when it was founded by Sultan Ahmad Shah I, which also gave the city its name of Ahmedabad, also referred to as Amdavad by the Gujaratis. A strong Mughal influence can be seen in the monuments and structures standing majestically in a city that otherwise is a true reflection of the Gujarati culture.
The old part of the city has been declared as a UNESCO Heritage site. The city is dotted with monuments, temples, mosques, tombs, gardens, and museums which draw tourists to it all year round. Another claim to fame for Ahmedabad is its association with Mahatma Gandhi and the Sabarmati River flowing through the city reminds you of the iconic Dandi March, a testimony to the city playing its role in Indian independence.
Ahmedabad is one of the largest cities of the state and it used to be the state capital until 1970 when its status was changed to that of an administrative center for Ahmedabad district. Going around the city, you will be able to witness shades of history reflected in the old buildings and monuments while the newer ones proudly endorse modernism and economic advancement. It is a city that takes into its embrace many cultures and heritages and is a mélange of different religions that exist in India.
Places to visit in Ahmedabad
All the tourist attractions in Ahmedabad are a work of art with their architecture reflecting the fine craftsmanship of the artisans and masons of the 14th and 15th centuries. You can see this in places like Jama Masjid, Bhadra Fort, Teen Darwaza, Sarkhej Roza, Sidi Sayyed Mosque and Jhulta Minar. All these places were built in the Mughal style of architecture blended with other styles like British, Rajasthani and Marathi. This in itself is a testimony to the fact that Ahmedabad has always been a confluence of cultural and regional diversity.
Sabarmati Ashram in Ahmedabad was once home to Mahatma Gandhi and is one place that beckons all tourists to pay a visit to it. The ashram is located on the banks of Sabarmati River and will envelop you in a blanket of calm as you enter the place. You will be able to see a glimpse of his life here through pictures, artifacts, and documents.
If you are a history fanatic, you can visit several museums in the city, each of which caters to a different aspect of Indian history. There is the Calico Museum of Textiles which showcases the journey of Indian fabric over five centuries. The World Vintage Car Museum has a collection of vintage cars like Jaguar, Rolls Royce, Austin, Bentley, and Cadillac. Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel Museum is dedicated to the first deputy Prime Minister of India, Sardar Patel and has pictures and documents which give an insight into his life.
Where on one hand Ahmedabad has several Mughal culture-inspired monuments, the city has several temples whose architecture will leave you spellbound. There is the Swaminarayan temple, ISKCON temple, Hathee Singh Jain temple, and Shree Camp Hanuman Mandir which is at least a century old and is one of the largest Hanuman temples of the country.
If you wish to spend some time away from the cacophony of the city hustle-bustle there are places like Balvatika, Parimal garden, Vastrapur Lake and Kankaria Lake. The lakefront at Kankaria Lake has been developed to attract a lot of tourists. There is a zoo, several water activities like jet skiing, and eating joints like a garden-themed restaurant called Nagina Wadi at Kankaria Lake. Those who come here to enjoy the pleasant evening breeze can also enjoy the laser light show that takes place here at that time.
There are several attractions at a drivable distance from Ahmedabad, the most popular one being Lothal which is an Indus Valley Site and Balasinor which is home to the first Dinosaur Museum of India.
Shopping at Ahmedabad
Once you are done with sightseeing in the city you can channel all your energies into transforming into a shopaholic, for Ahmedabad is a shopper’s paradise. The city still has markets which are very old but are frequented not just by the locals but tourists as well. One of the things Gujaratis have gifted to the world, apart from the sweetness of their behavior and food, is the regional dance of garba and dandiya, a dance which is now equally popular internationally.
You can shop for traditional garba dresses like lehenga, chaniya choli, kediyu and dandiya sticks from Ahmedabad. Ahmedabad is known for its textiles, especially the tie-dye bandhani fabric which is in demand all over the world. Tourists coming to the city shop for bandhani sarees, embroidered dress materials, mirror work dupattas and local handicrafts. Manek Chowk, Law Garden Night Market, and Lal Darwaza are some of the famous markets here.
Eating at Ahmedabad
Gujarati handicrafts and food items like gathiyas and farsaan are dry savories that people visiting Ahmedabad make sure to carry back with them in loads. While you are there in the city you can feast on Gujarati snacks like dhokla, khandvi, fafda, undhiyu and theplas along with dollops of sweet dishes.
A typical Gujarati thali consists of dal, rotli, rice and shaak which are cooked vegetables along with the curry. The most common accompaniments include pickles and roasted papads. You would be served buttermilk, also known as chhaas and tea along with your meals at most places along with a sweet dish like mangoes with laddoos.
There are several eating joints in Ahmedabad including restaurants that serve Indian and international cuisines and street food stalls or laris that serve lip-smacking snacks. Most food outlets in the city serve only vegetarian food as the city follows vegetarianism predominantly; a faith maintained by the Hindu and Jain communities residing here.
Festivals at Ahmedabad
The culture of Ahmedabad is so diverse that you would always find the city in the middle of some or other festival celebrations. The year starts with Uttarayan on 14th January which is a very famous kite-flying festival of the state. You can barely see the blue of the sky in the city that day as every inch of it is filled with kites of all designs and styles trying to fly high and send the other kites back to the ground.
Navratri during September or October is the time when the city is colored with the hues of the rainbow and much more. It is a time when every corner of the city has pandals with people performing the traditional dance garba.
Best Time to visit Ahmedabad
The best time to visit Ahmedabad is from November to March which is the winter season. Winters in Gujarat are mild and the weather is very pleasant. You can easily do sightseeing without sweating buckets. During the summer, which is from April to June, the city witnesses a dry weather with mercury levels sometimes touching up to 47 degrees. Monsoons in Gujarat arrive from July and stay till October. Rains make the weather of Ahmedabad very humid and sometimes torrential rains result in the flooding of Sabarmati River.
Accommodation in Ahmedabad
Finding a comfortable accommodation at reasonable prices in Ahmedabad is very easy. Getting a good place to stay during your vacation along with booking a good tour package ensures that you enjoy your vacation completely without any hassles.
There are several accommodation options available in Ahmedabad and tourists can pick according to their requirements and budget. The luxury category has names like Novotel, Hyatt, Sheraton and Radisson Blu. Some other options that can be considered are Ramada, Lemon tree, and Starottel.
How to Reach Ahmedabad
Ahmedabad is well connected to all major cities through rail and bus network. Ahmedabad has an airport named Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel Airport that operates both domestic and International flights to almost all airports in the country and across the globe.
You can also check the given list of top car rental companies in Ahmedabad if you wish to commute within the city in the comfort of a private cab.
For all inclusive tour packages, visit Ahmedabad Tour packages page that offers tour of city at affordable rates which include Hotel, sightseeing and cab facilities. Please fill the Contact Us form for further details on various packages and offers.
