Polo Forest Gujarat | Perfect day trip from Ahmedabad

Polo Forest Gujarat is known for the heritage Jain temples. This forest in Gujarat is popular for camping and trekking and most popular visited during monsoon. 

The first thing that comes to my mind when someone asks about day trips near Ahmedabad is Polo Forest Gujarat. This Polo Forest guide will give a glimpse of what is up for grabs for visitors of all ages.

About Polo Forest Gujarat

The name ‘Polo’ is derived from the word pol, which is a Rajasthani word for ‘gate’.

The name quite literally translates to a gateway between the states of Gujarat and Rajasthan, which it rightly is. Polo Forest has 4 sculptured gates made of local sedimentary rocks in each direction.

The forest is situated on the foothills of the lush Aravalli Mountain range which is home to many tree species, birds and animals. The forest contains several Hindu and Jain temples from the 15th century.

Polo Forest in Gujarat is one of the ancient historical sites and is popular for its unique yet picturesque deciduous surroundings. In monsoon, it completely changes its nature and transforms into misty heaven with lush green surroundings and overflowing rivers and streams. Chances are that you may even enjoy a shower in the seasonal waterfalls.

I feel it can easily be turned into a wildlife park given the diversity it has as well as the expanse on which it is spread – Polo Forest is spread across 400 square km area. There are recorded sightings of Sloth bears and Leopards in the area.

Activities in Polo Forest Gujarat

Polo Forest Idar is a haven for adventure seekers, wildlife enthusiasts and those who want to enjoy pristine nature. 

Adventure activities in Polo Forest

Polo Forest has many adventure activities and trails to keep the visitors busy. Nature trails, cycling in forest, trekking, riverside walking, wildlife photography, etc. some of the activities one can get busy in Polo Forest. There are many hiking trails available ranging from 3kms to 14 km known as the Mango, Kalal, and Bhim treks, respectively. 

All of these activities are possible if you go with a local guide or with a tour operator as the safety gears required for the activities are exclusive with them. There is also a chance of getting lost in the forest as there are no visible trails marked.

I was there only for a day trip so skipped adventure activities but I would love to try them the next time.

Trekking in Harnav Dam

Also known as Vanaj Dam, it is one of the most popular attractions in Polo. Walk amongst the drenched tree cover to reach the Harnav Dam. A nature trail along the Harnav river takes one to the reservoir of the river. Visitors can explore the dam site which is nicely developed and maintained in Polo forest area.

Birdwatching in Polo Forest

Forest residents which are quite easily spotted are flying squirrels, Indian grey hornbill, sloth bears and many birds. Polo is known to house 275 species of birds, 30 species of mammals, and 32 species of reptiles. 

Blame it on my bad luck or bad timing, I could not spot any birds that day. Maybe if I had gone deeper in the forest, I might have caught a glimpse of some wildlife! 

Temples in Polo Forest

The Jain temple of Polo Forest is believed to have given refuge to the then Maharaja, Maharana Pratap during his battle against the Mughals. This place was earlier a pilgrimage for the Jains and Shivadharmi people of the area.

However the temples were destroyed by the Mughals and what remains are some spectacular ruins of a fort, now a heritage site. The temples are said to be over 1500 years old. On a closer look at the designs, they are lavishly crafted with incredible details of deities, sculptures and motifs from everyday life. 

The architecture of the ruins definitely reminded me of Angkor Wat temples.

Another stunning temple worth visiting is the Sarneshwar temple. The 15th-century Sarneshwar temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva and is a three-storied temple with fortified walls. The carvings on exterior walls include deities, social life scenes; bands of humans, elephants, swans and plants.

Where to stay in Polo Forest

If you are wondering about Polo Forest resorts, there are many options.

If visitors just want to enjoy the raw nature instead of going around to places, they can simply relax at the luxurious and air-conditioned tented accommodation and enjoy the views of Aravali range in the middle of a forest. The tents of Polo Tent city are luxurious, eco-friendly yet comfortable. They are operated by the Gujarat State Forest Department and need prior booking through the district forest department office Himmatnagar. Polo campsite offers both AC / Non AC accommodations which are available on a twin sharing basis.

There are few resorts, camps as well as hotels in Polo Forest where one can book a stay. There are luxury as well as budget options available in Polo Forest. Fern Sattva Resort and MWS Polo Hideaway are one of the best.

Food at Vijaynagar

There are tea and Maggi stalls on the main road but no restaurants. Lunch and dinner are generally served by the tour operators/camp owners. In case you are on a one day trip, it is best to carry snacks with you.

How to reach Polo Forest

By road

Polo forest is located at a distance of 150 km from Ahmedabad, 70 km from Himmatnagar Gujarat and 120 km from Udaipur, Rajasthan. GSRTC buses are frequently available to reach Idar via bus. From Idar to Vijaynagar, jeeps are frequent. However, it is ideal to travel by hired car as the distance between places to see in Polo is a lot.

By train

The closest railway station is Himmatnagar if travelling within Gujarat. If travelling from outside of Gujarat, hire a car from Ahmedabad.

By flight

Ahmedabad and Udaipur are the nearest airports. Hire a car from there to reach Polo forest.

Best time to visit Polo Forest

As it is surrounded by mountains and forest, this place starts getting pleasant from monsoon season and is lush green between the months of September and December especially if you want to trek here. But the rich wildlife here can be experienced at any time of the year. I would prefer planning after monsoon season to winter and will recommend avoiding in summer.

Places to visit near Polo Forest

Rani-ki-Vav Patan

The intricately carved stepwell in Patan is called Rani-ki-Vav. Located 3 hours away from Polo, this is a good trip worth planning. Read about it here: Rani-ki-Vav, Patan

Vadnagar, Gujarat

The heritage town of Vadnagar is one of the treasure trove in Gujarat. Read about it here: Vadnagar, Gujarat

Modhera Sun Temple

Modhera Sun Temple is one of the most exquisitely-sculpted temples in India, that is a prominent shrine dedicated to Hindu Sun God. Modhera is 3 hours away from Polo Forest. Read about it here: Modhera Sun Temple

Idar

Idar is a lovely town which boasts of a fort on a hilltop, breathtaking views of the Aravallis from the top of Idaariyo Gadh and a lake in the town.

Sustainable tips for Polo Forest Gujarat

• Be sensitive towards forest wildlife. Keep your eyes and ears open to sounds and movement while walking/cycling. Keep safe distance while photographing them.
• Wear camouflage colours which will easily blend with the forest – shades of green, brown and grey.
• Do not talk loudly or make unnecessary noises in the forest. 
• Avoid wearing perfumes or body spray in the forest.
• Carry water and food but do not dispose of plastic or leftover food in the forest. Keep it in your bag or vehicle and dispose of safely once you return to the hotel.
• Do not feed anything to wild animals.

Read More Gujarat Blogs here:

• Places to visit in Jamnagar
• Things to do in Vadodara
• Is Bhuj worth visiting?
• Girnar Ropeway – Asia’s longest ropeway
• Mandvi, Gujarat

I hope this blog on Polo Forest Gujarat helps you to plan a trip. Have you been there before? Did you like it? Tell me in the comments below.

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