Located on the country's western coast, Gujarat is bounded by the Arabian Sea to the west and southwest and Pakistan to the northwest. Rajasthan neighbors it to the north, Madhya Pradesh to the east and Maharashtra to the southeast. The most convenient entry point into Gujarat is through the metropolis of Ahmedabad. Gandhinagar the capital of Gujarat is in west-central India.

Signs of civilization in the region that is now Gujarat date back to the period from 3000 to 1500 BC. The region was part of the Mauryan Empire in the 3rd century BC under King Ashoka. In 1818 AD, the British East India Company took control of Gujarat by administering the state through local princely rulers. For tourists who have comparatively less time at their disposal and want to 'do' Gujarat within a week, three places may be considered a 'must' for them. These are the Gir lion sanctuary, Palitana temples and the Ahmedabad city.