National park · India
Lothal Archaeological Park
Enter Lothal site: pay INR 30 ₹ at the gate, walk the 1 km (0.6 mi) archaeology trail (≈30 min) any day; avoid Apr–Jun heat and go early morning.Enter Lothal site: pay INR 30 ₹ at the gate, walk the 0.6 mi (1 km) archaeology trail (≈30 min) any day; avoid Apr–Jun heat and go early morning.
- Source checked
- A source and a date are on record: we read it from an official or published page. Not yet confirmed on the ground.
- Field checked
- Someone checked it on the ground, with the date shown.
- Plan calculated
- Worked out by Voykit from its own data (times, distances, budgets). A calculation, not a measurement.
Unknown times stay unknown. How we verify
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Map to the park
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Area
1 km² (0 sq mi)0 sq mi (1 km²)
approximate
Established
1990
Best months
—
UNESCO
None
Rules in force · 6
- South Asia ↗Trekking regions, border districts and several Indian states need separate permits on top of the visa; check the permit before you book transport into them.
- South Asia ↗Remove shoes (and in many Jain and Hindu temples, leather) before entering; cover shoulders and legs; ask before photographing people or rituals.
- India ↗Apply for the e-visa only on the official government portal (indianvisaonline.gov.in); lookalike sites charge extra. Check the current rules, fees and how far ahead to apply.
- India ↗Do not follow anyone who says your hotel is closed, the station ticket office is closed or a road is shut; use the prepaid taxi counter, the metro or an app car.
- India ↗Carry Indian rupees in small notes (10, 20, 50, 100); change for 500 is often refused.
- India ↗Parts of the Northeast, Sikkim, Ladakh, the Andaman and Nicobar Islands and all border belts need a Protected or Restricted Area Permit or an Inner Line Permit for foreigners; check before you book the route.
At a glance
- Country
- India
- Area
- 1 km² (0 sq mi)0 sq mi (1 km²)
- Approximate size of the protected archaeological zone; official figure not published (check).
- Established
- 1990
- Best months
- —
- Permits
- For some areas
Lothal Archaeological Park preserves one of the major Indus Valley civilisation sites, featuring a dockyard, bead‑making workshops and a museum that illustrate early urban planning and maritime trade.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- No UNESCO listing; national park since 1990.
Size and age
1 km² (0 sq mi)0 sq mi (1 km²) · national park since 1990
Approximate size of the protected archaeological zone; official figure not published (check).
Why go
- Explore one of the major Indus Valley civilisation sites.
- See the well‑preserved dockyard and ancient bead‑making workshops.
When to go
- JanGo
- FebGo
- MarGo
- AprCaution
- MayCaution
- JunAvoid
- JulAvoid
- AugAvoid
- SepCaution
- OctGo
- NovGo
- DecGo
- JanCool, dry.
- FebCool, dry.
- MarMild, low rain.
- AprRising heat, occasional showers.
- MayHot, higher humidity.
- JunPeak summer, possible storms.
- JulVery hot, monsoon start.
- AugMonsoon, heavy rain.
- SepRain tapering, still hot.
- OctCooling, less rain.
- NovPleasant, dry.
- DecCool, dry.
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Urban birds (e.g., house sparrow, common myna)All year | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
Arrive & move
Getting in, how the park is divided, and where things are
Show 3 sectionsHideHow to get there, Zones and sectors, Sketch map
How to get there
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Archaeological zone | Main excavations, dockyard, museum. | Open with entry ticket. |
| Museum area | Artifacts and interpretive displays. | Open with entry ticket. |
Sketch map
- 1Lothal Archaeological Site · Headquarters≈22.523, 72.249Main excavation area with dockyard and ancient structures.Map ↗
- 2Lothal Museum · Gate≈22.521, 72.251Artifacts and interpretive displays near the site.Map ↗
- 3National Maritime Heritage Complex · Viewpoint≈22.508, 72.240Under‑construction maritime museum; check opening status.Map ↗
Take the points offline
3 points as a GPX waypoint file, plus a plain-text list of coordinates. Save it while you have signal: maps apps show the points without a connection.
Coordinates from Wikidata; approximate centre of the archaeological zone.
See & do
Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking
Show Top experiencesHide
Top experiences
Practical
Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong
Show 8 sectionsHideEntry fees and permits, Park rules, Where to stay, Safety, Accessibility, Visiting lightly, Questions people ask, Related
Entry fees and permits
| Item | Range | Per | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Park entry (gate) | INR 30 (≈ under US$1) | person | Check at gate; fee may vary. |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Park entry permit or guide
Park rules
- Guides
- Not required for the main trail but recommended for detailed interpretation.
- Photography
- Allowed; flash prohibited inside the museum.
- Litter
- Carry out all waste.
Where to stay
Near the park
Lothal Guesthouse
Basic rooms 2 km (1.2 mi) from the gate.Basic rooms 1.2 mi (2 km) from the gate.
Near the park
Ahmedabad hotels
Wide range of options; 30 km (19 mi) away.Wide range of options; 19 mi (30 km) away.
Safety
Heat medium
Lost on unmarked paths low
How much daylight do you have?
Time out
Finding the local time zone…
Times are local to the spot (zone loading). The half-hour margin is our rule of thumb, not an official figure; light fades earlier in forest or under cloud. Carry a headlamp on any route that could run late.
Accessibility
- Main trail is flat and suitable for wheelchairs with assistance.
Visiting lightly
- Support local guides and purchase souvenirs from village artisans.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Lothal?
The entry fee is about INR 30 per person at the gate; confirm the exact amount on arrival.
What are the best hikes in Lothal?
The main archaeological trail is a short 1 km walk (≈30 min) suitable for all fitness levels.
When is the best time to visit Lothal?
Cool, dry months from November to February offer comfortable temperatures and clear skies.
Is there a museum at Lothal?
Yes, the Lothal Museum near the site displays artifacts and models of the ancient city.
Can I visit Lothal without a guide?
Guides are optional for the main trail but can provide deeper historical context.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go
Show the detailsHide
Sources
- secondaryWikidata – Lothal
- secondaryWikivoyage: Lothal, revision 5314222 (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Ask about Lothal Archaeological Park
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