Girnar Ropeway (Udankhatola)
Somnath, Gujarat · nature walk
- Days OpenOpen daily
- Entry Fee₹700
Strung across the sacred Girnar massif on the edge of Junagadh, the Girnar Ropeway — affectionately called the Udankhatola, the "flying palanquin" — is one of the longest passenger aerial ropeways in Asia. Opened in October 2020, its cabins rise roughly 2.3 kilometres from the base station near Girnar Taleti to the Ambaji temple plateau high on the mountain, a journey that once meant a punishing climb of well over five thousand stone steps but now takes only a handful of minutes. For elderly pilgrims, families with children and travellers short on time, it has transformed access to one of Gujarat's holiest and most dramatic landscapes.
Where to Eat Nearby
- ✦Pure-veg Gujarati-Kathiyawadi thali bhojanalayas around Girnar Taleti and Bhavnath
- ✦Unlimited veg thali houses in Junagadh town
- ✦Pure-veg ganthiya, fafda and chaas snack houses in Junagadh
About
Strung across the sacred Girnar massif on the edge of Junagadh, the Girnar Ropeway — affectionately called the Udankhatola, the "flying palanquin" — is one of the longest passenger aerial ropeways in Asia.
- Opened in October 2020, its cabins rise roughly 2.3 kilometres from the base station near Girnar Taleti to the Ambaji temple plateau high on the mountain, a journey that once meant a punishing climb of well over five thousand stone steps but now takes only a handful of minutes.
- For elderly pilgrims, families with children and travellers short on time, it has transformed access to one of Gujarat's holiest and most dramatic landscapes.
- The ride itself is the attraction.
- Enclosed multi-person cabins, operated by Usha Breco, glide smoothly up the flank of the extinct volcanic massif, and the mountainside falls away to reveal a sweeping panorama: the crumpled dark ridges of the Girnar range, the green expanse rolling toward the Gir forest, and the town of Junagadh with its Uparkot fortress spread out below.
- On clear mornings the light across the rock faces is superb, and the slow lift over gorge and cliff is exhilarating without being alarming.
- Girnar is a layered pilgrimage mountain, sacred to both Hindu and Jain traditions, with a cluster of ancient shrines climbing its successive peaks.
- The ropeway sets pilgrims down at the Ambaji plateau, from where the fit and determined can continue on foot toward the higher Guru Dattatreya summit.
- It is best visited early to beat the heat and the queues; carry water, wear sturdy shoes and expect crowds on weekends and festival days.
- For food, stay firmly with the pilgrim belt's pure-vegetarian kitchens.
- Simple bhojanalayas and thali houses cluster around Girnar Taleti and the Bhavnath area near the base station, serving unlimited Gujarati-Kathiyawadi thalis — rotla, shaak, dal, kadhi, khichdi and jaggery — while Junagadh town, a short drive away, has many pure-veg Gujarati thali restaurants and snack houses for ganthiya, fafda and chaas.
Timings & Entry Fee
Verified: August 2026
Location & How to Reach
Address
Girnar Ropeway, Girnar Taleti, near Bhavnath, Junagadh, Somnath, Gujarat, 362001
How to Reach: Junagadh is the nearest city, about 6 km from Girnar Taleti and the ropeway base station. Junagadh Junction railway station connects to Rajkot, Ahmedabad and Veraval/Somnath; the base is a short auto-rickshaw or taxi ride from town. From Somnath it is roughly 85 km (about 2 hours) by road. The nearest major airports are Rajkot and Keshod.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Girnar Ropeway and how long is the ride?
It is a passenger aerial ropeway, one of Asia's longest, running about 2.3 km from the base near Girnar Taleti to the Ambaji temple plateau on the Girnar massif. The ride takes only a few minutes and replaces a climb of over five thousand steps.
When did the Girnar Ropeway open?
It was inaugurated in October 2020 and is operated by Usha Breco. It quickly became one of the most popular attractions in the Junagadh and Somnath circuit.
Does the ropeway reach the top of Girnar?
The ropeway takes you to the Ambaji plateau partway up the mountain. From there, fit pilgrims can continue on foot along the stepped path toward the higher Guru Dattatreya peak.
Where can I eat vegetarian food near the Girnar Ropeway?
Stick to the pilgrim belt's pure-vegetarian kitchens. Simple bhojanalayas and thali houses near Girnar Taleti and Bhavnath serve unlimited Gujarati-Kathiyawadi thalis, and Junagadh town has many pure-veg thali restaurants and snack shops for ganthiya and fafda.
What is the best time to ride the Girnar Ropeway?
Winter months from November to February are ideal, and an early-morning ride gives cool weather, clear panoramas over the Gir forest and shorter queues than weekends or festival days.