How We Saved Almost ₹1,00,000 On Our 10 Days Gujarat Road Trip

It was October 2023 and we were looking for our next trip. Yes, we just came back from Nanital trip and were so thrilled with the experience that we wanted to travel again. We thought to decide it during Diwali holidays but due to some responsibilities, things didn't workout and we had to postponed it for year end holidays. We then started asking for quotes from travel agencies. 

Some said, they don't operate in Gujarat. A few said the locations you want to cover in 10 days would be difficult, you should make it for 12 days. Somehow after talking for 2 weeks we couldn't finalise on any trip agency. One thing which happened in our favor that by doing some research over internet, we finalized our itinerary. 

One option which came to our mind that we plan it by ourselves and do all booking like we did in Nanital. We didn't see any issues in Nainital. But here I was little worried and my wife too. As it is 10 days long trip, that also far from home, with a baby. My brother-in-law and his wife were also planning with us so we all were trying to find best option - asking known people.

After so much chaos, we ended up that at least book flights and then see for taxi and hotel by ourselves or by tour agency. Flight ticket prices were increasing day by day. Two days ago same tickets were priced for 38,000. The day I booked, it costed us 45,000 for 4 adults and 1 infant. It helped us clearing some thoughts about going or not going. By booking flights we are sure that we are going Gujarat.

Next we have to see taxi and hotels. I contacted with so many taxi agencies in Gujarat and asked for quotes. Only 5 responded - 1 not operating, 2 asking more personal details, 2 gave quotes. I talked to both of them and 1 looked convincing to me so I finalised it immediately and gave advance booking amount. Advance amount of 1000 rs., Cost 33,000 rs. for 10 days for 3000 kms, 300 driver allowance per day and 10 rs. per km assuming avg. run of 300 kms per day.

This was the time when we realised that it is not tough and we can plan it by ourselves. The only thing which is left was hotel bookings. We started looking but couldn't find any in Dwarka as per our itinerary. So we shuffled it and shifted Dwarka for next day. On day 1, now we were not going Little Rann of Kutch, we were doing local Ahmedabad. On 2nd day we were going Little Rann. Same for SOU, we found it is closed on Monday so shifted it a day prior. 

One night I and my wife were thinking about hotel bookings, how to do - by ourselves or by agent? We decided to take a risk of not knowing local area etc. We booked all hotels for 10 days sitting on my laptop that night. Quotes we got from travel agencies without flight for 4 adults, 1 child => 1,60,000 rs. (only hotels and tour via taxi). Taxi we booked in Rs. 36,000, Hotels we booked in 30,000 rs., Total => 66,000 rs. We clearly saved almost 1,00,000 rs. here.

Our total expense: 4 adults, 1 child => 1,53,000 rs.

Food, sightseeing/activity tickets, shopping - 20,000 rs.
Taxi - 30,000 fare for 10 days for max 3,000 kms, 300 per day driver allowance, 2,000 (toll), 840 parking - 36,000 rs.
Flights - Delhi to Ahmedabad round trip (4 adults, 1 infant) - 45,000 rs.
Hotels - 52,000 rs.