BALARAM
Balaram is a holy place with considerable importance as a Hindu pilgrimage. Among the many temples here are the Gaumukh, with a natural stream flowing from the mouth of a cow. Situated in scenic forest areas, Balaram is an ideal spot for a day picnic from Ahmedabad. A river flows through the region and the mountains rise in beautiful formations on every side. There are some pretty plantations here. The tomatoes and vegetables here are delicious.

Balaram palace was the weekend retreat and hunting resort of the Lohani who ruled from Jalore in South western Rajasthan, and moved to Palanpur after Jalore was annexed to the kingdom of Jodhpur- Marwar. The palace was erected in the 1920s and '30s during the rule of Talej Muhamad Khan Lohani. The palace has now been taken over by a private entreprenuer, whose family has been in the hotel-restaurant business for 17 years.The BALARAM AMBAJI WILDLIFE SANCTUARY and nearby JESSORE HILL SANCTUARY are home to Sloth bear, Panther, Blue bull, 4 horned antelope, jackal etc. Excellent area for birdwatching with grey hornbill, grey jungle fowl and various song birds. Palanpur, 14 kms from Balaram was a Nawabi capital. The Zoravar palace of Palanpur is now a court, with beautiful wall paintings, sandalwood staircases and inlay-work intact. The maqbara or mausoleum complex of the nawabs of Palanpur offer splendid Indo-Saracenic architecture. Iqbalgadh near Balaram is known for it's jewellery.

LITTLE RANN OF KUTCH
The Little Rann of Kutch Wildlife sanctuary, can be from Dasada, 93 kms from Ahmedabad and on an important route. This is one of the largest wildlife sanctuaries in India, spanning some 4950 sq ft in area, and comprising a range habitats from saline desert plains, arid grasslands, rocky and thorn scrub to lakes and marshes.

The sanctuary is known for its herds of the handsome chestnut brown Asiatic (Wild ass), which is the last of India's wild horse family, does not survive elsewhere in Indian lowlands, but also supports a thriving population of gazelle, blue bull, wolf, and Indian foxes, jackal, jungle cat, hare and birds from the houbara bustard, spotted Indian sandgrouse, francolin partridge, bustard quails, desert wheatear, desert , larks, steppe eagle, imperial eagle, short toed eagle, 5 of vulture, laggar falcon etc to flamingoes, pelicans, ducks,cranes and storks . The 11th century sandstone of Jhinjwada, historic walled town of Mandal, Rajput at Patdi, intricate temples around Munsar tank at Viragam and Darbargadh of Dasada can be visited on the way from to the Rann of Kutch.

LOTHAL
One of the southernmost outposts of the Indus civilisation, and certainly one of the most interesting of Harrapan townplanning, Lothal is around 80 kms from Ahmedabad. The unique lockgated dockyard is perhaps the greatest of maritime architecture from the ancient world, and to the Sabarmati river just before its meeting with the sea in Gulf of Cambay. The citadel is obviously seperated an acropolis, with its own paved baths, and a lower town more humble residential quarters, coppersmithing workshops, sheds and bead factories. The whole exhibits system an excellent of sanitary drainage.

MODHERA
99 kms from Ahmedabad, the 11th century Sun temple of Modhera is easily one of the finest examples of devotional in western India. Built by the Solanki Rajput kings, the aid of donations from the people, the temple features carved torana arches mounted on kirti stambhas (pillars of victory) as the entrances, a large rectangular stepped with 108 smaller shrines, an exquisite 52 pillared portico, beautiful domed central portion and a sanctum sanctoruim designed so that the sun light fell on the bejewelled statue of the God, specially at sunrise during the equinox. The exterior of temple is carved with traditional erotic scenes, rivalling at Konark and Khajurao, and depictions of various Gods and, while inside are friezes of the Mahabharata and portrayed on the pillars. The temple is framed by a well garden, and sits on the banks of river Pushpawati. There is a cafeteria here run by the Tourism corporation of India tea, and a PWD Guest House.

NALSAROVAR
The Nalsarovar bird sanctuary, 54 kms from Ahmedabad and connected by State transport buses with the city, offers one the most pleasant trips out of Ahmedabad, but tends to get crowded on sundays. The sanctuary mainly comprises a huge lake of about 100 sq kms, and ambient marshes where you can see flamingoes, pelicans, , geese, cranes, storks, ibises, spoonbill, wading birds, swallows, fishing eagles, osprey, harriers and in great numbers.

PATAN
Another fine example of the Solanki period architecture can be seen at Anahilwada Patan, the capital of Gujarat from the 8th century till Ahmed Shah moved his seat of power to the larger and more impressive citadel of Ahmedabad in the 15th century. It saw the The greatest reminder of the golden period of Gujarat under the Solanki kings can be seen at the Rani-ki-Vav stepwell some distance from the town centre. Built in the 1050s and named for Rani Udamati, wife of Maharajah Bhim Deva and daughter-in-law of Mulraja, founder of Solanki rule in Gujarat, the stepwell is the oldest and perhaps the grandest among the 120 plus step wells in Gujarat. It's massive size can best be measured by comparism with the tourists who descend the steps and seen from above look little more than ants swarming an anthill. The stepwell was silted up for centuries, and only a major excavation and restoration work in the 1980s, which has helped resusticate something of its former glory.7 storeys down to the water level. Steps are string-coursed by sculpture of the Avatars of lord Vishnu, Hindu Goddesses, Jain idols and beautiful apsaras. Behind the water are sculpture of lord Vishnu.

PAWAGARH
On the 822 meter high hill of Pawagadh, associated with lord Hanuman, can be seen the old fort with it’s superb rocky defenses, the Makai kota where the rulers kept their grain, the ruins of Patai Rawal palace, Naulakha kotha mansion, the 11th century Laukalish temple, wells and numerous religious monuments.Pawagadh is uniformly important for Hindus and Jains. Knowing that conquering the fort by direct assault was impossible, Sultan Muhammad Beghada built a city, Muhammadabad now called Champaner, near the fortified hill of Pawagadh, and waited his chance for a suitable seige.

The main monument in the citadel of Muhammad Shah’s citadel in Champaner, beside the high walls a nd custom house, is the 1513 AD Jumma masjid, with an exquisite carved entrance, a vast and imposing courtyard surrounded by cloistered galleries, and intricate attention to details reflecting the quality of the artisans who worked at Champaner. The front elevation shows 5 pointed arches and slim minarets flanking the central arch, perfectly proportioned. The Shahr masjid with 4 rows of ornate pillars, domes and delicate carved mihrabs, Nagina masjid with a fine arcade and Kevda masjid should not be missed.

WATER PARKS
The first of its kind in India, the Shanku's water-park has excellent rides for children and adults ranging from float trips like the lazy river to exciting tunnels that you through 50 meters of curves and contours into the cold pool! It also has a 2 acre lake, lakeshore garden, wave, sports complex, cottage resort, health club, hotel. There  are other  waterparks  in Sanand, Mehsana  and Baroda

TARANGA & VADNAGAR
The other citadel with fine havelis is Vadnagar, east of  Sidhapur, which was known from medieval times for its tradition of classical and folk music, and in more recent times has given  Gujarat such famous artists as Dayaram and Narsinh Mehta, 2 of her greatest poets, Govardham, her famous novelist, and Kaumudhi Munshi, one of  her foremost painters.In the 3rd century, Vadna gar was colonised by the Naggar Brahmin community, whose fame as  administrators were known to an extent that  Hindu and Muslim kings invariably depended on them for advice. It was here that Akhbar's court singer, Tansen, burning from the effects of singing Dipak raag, the song of fire, came in search of Tana and Riri, the two girls who were expert in the Megamaldhar, the song of the rain. This raag was said to counter the effect of the Raag Dipak. Enchanted by this song, Akhbar invited Tana and Riri to sing in his court, but as the Brahmin laws prevented them from entering the Muslim court, they committed suicide rather than refuse the emperor or go against their religion. Their memorial, the 17th century Vishnu and Shiva temples and the  several Naggar Brahmin havelis are major attractions of Vadnagar. But the high light of this city is undoubtedly the Torana arches, with which it has become synonymous.  Across the Saraswati river and ascending the Taranga hills, the cluster of Jain temples dated from the 12th century, offers yet another insight into the devotional architecture of the Solanki Rajput period. Like the Jain temple clusters of  Dilwara, Palitana, Girnar, Gwalior  and Bihar, the temples of Taranga crown a hilltop and offer splendid views on everyside. The magnificent wall erected by Raja Kumarapala, are one of the most lasting remains of Solanki architecture, and inside you find the Ajitnath temple, dated to 1165 AD, which is the crown jewel of Taranga. The temple measures some 150'X100', the whole covered with breathtaking carvings , and the madapa inside has has 8 beautiful columns, ending in lovely lotus petals and  16 carved brackets depicting beautiful women. The central statue  has a bejewelled eyes sparkling with jewels.