Travel Kevadia: Majestic Statue of Unity, Breathtaking Landscapes and Local Charms

4 Day-Riverside Retreat in Breathtaking by Statue of Unity

Kevadia, a small town in Gujarat nestled on the banks of the mighty Narmada River, has long drawn visitors due to its unparalleled natural beauty, mesmerizing scenery, and, most notably, two man-made wonders: the Statue of Unity and the Sardar Sarovar Dam.

My best friend and I moved to the United States to pursue our childhood dream of studying there. After three long years of living on different coasts, we finally found ourselves back in our beloved hometown. To celebrate our graduation and the fulfillment of our dreams, we decided to embark on a remarkable adventure to the newly built Statue of Unity.

View from Jagat Niwas Palace, Udaipur, India. For more travel content follow @shivanis_travelverse

What to Expect

• BEST TIME TO VISIT

• DURATION OF STAY

• HOW TO GET THERE?

• UDAIPUR: THREE-DAY ITINERARY

  • Day 1 - Check-in at The Fern and freshen up - Explore the awe-inspiring Sardar Sarovar Dam - Capture stunning moments at the selfie spot - Visit the vibrant Valley of Flowers - Enjoy a river cruise on Sardar Sarover Nauka Vihar - Experience the enchanting Unity Glow Garden

  • Day 2 - Start with a guided Khalwani sunrise walking tour - Embark on a thrilling river rafting activity at Khalwani - Board an eco-tourism bus tour to explore stunning locations - Relax and witness the magnificent Statue of Unity Laser Show and Illumination tour

  • Day 3 - Begin with an invigorating cycling experience on the riverfront - Embark on a thrilling Jungle Safari in a state-of-the-art zoological park - Delight in the scenic beauty of the hills and encounter diverse wildlife- Conclude the day with a visit to the entertaining Pets Zone

  • Day 4 - Visit Ekta Nursery for an immersive experience in eco-friendly practices - Witness the making of bamboo crafts, areca leaf utensils, and organic pots - Discover a wide range of Ekta plants and make purchases -Indulge in the flavors of fabulous tribal delicacies at Ekta Cafe Tribal Thali

• STAY @ THE FERN

Jungle Safari, Near Statue of Unity Kevadia, India. For more travel content follow @shivanis_travelverse

BEST TIME TO VISIT

The cooler months of October to February are the ideal time to visit Kevadia, as the landscape has been enveloped in a lush green velvety layer by the recent monsoon season, and everywhere the eyes wander, they are blessed with a profusion of beauty and hues. We visited the place in mid-July to avoid the crowds. And since the summers aren't too scorching here, we found the trip to be equally rewarding and pleasant.

How Many Days?

Although the town is small, there are several alluring places to explore around here. You can easily spend 4 days and 3 nights, roaming through the famous touristy spots as well as some offbeat locations. You must spend a minimum of 2 days and a night to do justice to this magical hamlet.

HOW TO GET THERE?

The question now is how to get there. Kevadia has a railway station, and the government has begun to run numerous direct trains from a few major cities to Kevadia. If you prefer to go by air, fly to Ahmedabad or Vadodara and then take a bus or train to Kevadia. I would also recommend renting a car because the countryside would be so breathtaking that from time to time you might simply want to stop the car and take it all in.

With the rapidly growing tourism, Kevadia has many comfortable and luxurious places to stay. My recommendations are as followed:

Budget Stay: BRG Budget Stay

Luxury Stay: Ramada, The Fern

Valley of Flowers, SoU, India. For more travel content follow @shivanis_travelverse

DAY WISE ITINERARY

Embraces a City of Grandeur and Natural Marvels at the Statue of Unity

 DAY 1

We arrived in Kevadia late in the morning and decided to first check into the Fern and freshen up before embarking on our adventure. It is near the bank, and most tourist attractions are easily accessible. After a hearty meal at the Fern, we made our way to the Sardar Sarovar Dam, our first stop. The sound of the pouring water was both enthralling and intimidating. This man-made marvel being India's third-highest concrete dam (163 meres)surely leaves an impact on you. There is also a selfie spot. We too captured a few insta worthy moments there.

Entry is free for Sardar Sarovar Dam and selfie-point

Valley of Flowers, Kevadia, India. For more travel content follow @shivanis_travelverse

Sardar Sarovar Nauka Vihar, Kevadia, India. For more travel content follow @shivanis_travelverse

Unity Glow Garden, Kevadia,India. For more travel content follow @shivanis_travelverse

We then drove to the Valley of Flowers, which is about a 10-minute drive from the dam, and indulged in the explosion of gorgeous colors and fragrances. We decided to take a river cruise on Sardar Sarover Nauka Vihar while the evening was still young. The view was spectacular. The setting was accentuated by the neighboring mountain range, tranquil water, and the colossal statue of India's Iron Man. After savoring the rejuvenating twilight, we headed to the Unity Glow Garden, which was about 7.5 kilometers from SoU Nauka Vihar. Unity Glow Garden is a one-of-a-kind theme park featuring a dazzling array of installations, figures, and optical illusions. There are numerous botanicals, animals, and birds, as well as an LED fountain with glowing lights. And thus ended our first magical day at Kevadia.

• Valley of Flowers: 300 RS for 3 days

• Sardar Sarovar Nauka Vihar: 580 Rs for 2

• Unity Glow Garden: 200 Rs for 2

DAY 2

The next day began with a guided Khalwani sunrise walking tour. Followed by a fun river rafting activity at Khalwani. The whole endeavor was both rigorous and exhilarating at the same time.

We next boarded an eco-tourism bus tour and were taken to many stunning locations - Cactus Garden, Butterfly Garden etc. We decided to take it easy that evening and enjoy the Statue of Unity Laser Show and Illumination tour. The Statue of Unity, which encapsulates the spirit of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, the man who contributed significantly to uniting the newly independent India, is a fitting tribute to the legend. The grandeur and pride it generates are indescribable.

• Khalwani river rafting activity: 2000 Rs for 2

• Ecotourism bus: 600 Rs for 2

• Sardar Sarovar Laser Show+ Illumination Show: 2060 Rs for 2

DAY 3

On the third day, we decided to go for more outdoor activities. Firstly, we went cycling on the riverfront and then opted for Jungle Safari. A state-of-art zoological park with a unique collection of indigenous and exotic animals and birds from the various biogeographic regions of the world. This zoo will take you through an adventurous and exciting trip of watching wildlife, enjoying the scenic beauty of the hills, and entertaining experiences of a lifetime. The last destination of the day was Pets Zone. A perfect end to enjoying and celebrating nature.

• Riverfront cycling activity: 800 Rs for 2

• Jungle Safari: 400 Rs for 2

• Pets Zone: 100 Rs for 2

DAY 4

On the fourth day, we visited Ekta Nursery which has been developed as a tourist destination to spread awareness about eco-friendly practices. Here you can experience the making of bamboo crafts, areca leaf utensils, and organic pots live and can purchase them too, along with Ekta plants.

Ekta Nursery, Kevadia, India. For more travel content follow @shivanis_travelverse

• Ekta nursery+ workshop: 60+ 100 for 2

• Ekta Cafe Tribal Thali: 440 for 2

This is a demonstration cum sale unit. If you come here, you must savor the fabulous tribal delicacies at the Ekta Tribal Cafeteria. The trip to Kevadia was gratifying, delightful, and invigorating. I highly recommend adding this place to your bucket list.

Tribal Thaali at Ekta Tribal Cafe, Kevadia, India. For more travel content follow @shivanis_travelverse

Ekta Nursery, Kevadia, India.For more travel content follow @shivanis_travelverse

Stay at The Fern: Experience Opulence

WHAT IS SPECIAL ABOUT THIS STAY?

As we indulged in the natural beauty of Kevadia and the serenity of the River Narmada, we found ourselves a tranquil getaway with the Fern. The hotel is close to Ekta Dewar, which serves as the entrance to the historic Statue of Unity. As a result, it is relatively simple to access tourist attractions from here. Rooms of various classes are available, with prices beginning at 7K Rs per night. If you like, you may also stay in a supremely opulent presidential suite, which can cost up to 50K Rs per night.

This 14-acre resort features 96 rooms, 2 restaurants, conference facilities, a multitude of indoor activities, a magnificent swimming pool, spa, fitness club Jacuzzi, and unparalleled outdoor activities. You may relax and breathe while you take in the soothing surroundings, catching up on some much-needed rest.

The Fern Sardar Sarovar Resort. (Source : The Fern facebook page)

WHERE CAN WE GET THE BEST DEALS FOR THIS?

You can find some good offers on their website. I have attached the link below!

https://www.fernhotels.com/offers/the-fern-sardar-sarovar-resort-kevadia.html

FOOD

The hotel has a multi-cuisine restaurant named after the Zharwani Waterfalls which is a waterfall nearby to the resort. It serves delicacies reflecting Indian, Chinese, and Continental cuisines, with many ingredients and ideas sourced locally. Its celebrity chefs prepare a variety of buffet-style and a-la-carte meals. Exotic spices and aromatic herbs from the region are used to produce robust flavors with a modern twist in the buffet. Starting with your welcome drink upon arrival, and continuing with unique mocktails during your stay, you will be both refreshed and relaxed. I recommend dining at their signature restaurant for an out-of-the-ordinary and delicious culinary experience.

The Fern Sardar Sarovar Resort. (Source : Booked.net)

AMBIENCE

The interior and exterior are both modern and appealing. The service was excellent. The entire establishment was maintained neat and tidy. We did have a fantastic time here.

Commute and Cab/Shuttle facilities

Since the hotel is quite near to the most famous tourist spot you can easily find rickshaws and shuttles from here.