Junaraj Eco Tourism Campsite, Narmada, Gujarat

A travel information guide of Junaraj Eco Tourism Campsite. Junaraj is a village in Narmada district of Gujarat.

A few months back, I was contacted by Narmada Forest Department to improve digital presence of Rajpipla eco tourism campsites. I, along with help of my younger brother Kunj Dodiya, set out to document every campsite in Narmada district by photos, videos and web pages.

Following is the account of Junaraj Eco Tourism Campsite:

Please note that we photographed the campsite in the month of February 2018, which isn’t the best time to capture beauty of Narmada region. Expect the campsite to be a lot more vibrant and green in the monsoon and post monsoon months upto December.

Introduction Video on YouTube

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t1_FkI3rYl0

Video by: Kunj Dodiya

Photo Gallery

14D Junaraj Village Narmada Eco Tourism Campsite

Photos by: Kunj Dodiya

Location

Junaraj Campsite is situated 16 km from the Narmada district headquarter, Rajpipla.

Comment on Route

I posted a comment on road to reach Junaraj in comments section. Copying it here for reference:

You’ll need to reach to Rajpipla from Surat. Take either the highway or Mandvi route.

At Rajpipla, you need to make a turn at this point: Dropped pin
near Unnamed Road, Gujarat 393155
https://goo.gl/maps/vN8zjQhYGn72

After you make the turn, best bet is to ask locals with route to Junaraj.

It’s merely 15 km but takes an hour.

Yes, you’ve read right, the road isn’t there at all. It’s not a tar road.

So in the monsoon months, it is highly recommended not to take risk.

Post monsoon however, I don’t see any problem.

We drove there in Algo 800 multiple times and haven’t faced any issue.

Distance Matrix

From Place	To Place	Distance in kms/Time in hr
Rajpipla	Junaraj Ecotourism	145 km / 3 hr 30 min
Surat	Junaraj Ecotourism	20 km / 1 hr
Ahmedabad	Junaraj Campsite	220 km / 4 hr 30 min
Mumbai	Junaraj Campsite	400 km / 8 hr
Vadodara	Junaraj Campsite	120 km / 3 hr

Booking Details

I have implemented online booking functionality, however due to circumstances it couldn’t be enabled for production.

The booking can be done offline by calling the forest department at: +91 2640 220013

Campsite Contacts

Vishal Khadi Campsite: +91 2640 220330

Zarwani, Junaraj and Sagai Campsite: +91 2640 – 220013, 220343.

Contact Vijaybhai Directly for Zarwani, Junaraj, Sagai or Kunbar Campsite. His Mobile number: +91 7016861567

Above contact details are published in best faith and might not work in future.

Accommodation and Facilities

Facility	Count
Rooms	6
Kitchen Room	1
Tent	10

Cost of Accomodation

It’s always an good idea to call the Narmada Forest Department to get accurate pricing details.

Item	Cost
Room	Rs. 1000 / night
Tent	Rs. 500 / night

Activities

The forest department/campsite managing team has published list of all *possible* activities.

It is important to note that the list of activities is just an indicator of possibility and doesn’t guarantee its availability.

Trekking
Local dance
Bird watching
Star gazing
Botanical garden
Night walk
Cultural program
Games
Agriculture field visit
Adventure activity
Local Aadivasi food
Wildlife movie
Painting kits of children
Digital detox
Meeting
Waterfall
Games for children
Interpretation center

Closing Note

My visit to Junaraj was an impressive experience. I would rate Junaraj the highest among all other campsites of Narmada. Secluded location, the temple in middle of reservoir, ruins of old capital and the peaceful surroundings attribute to the high rating.

I hope this post has been helpful to plan your visit.

If you have any additional information or feedback, please drop a comment down the post. Happy journey!

Other Narmada Campsites

Posted

November 4, 2018

Travel

Darpan

Tags:

Campsite, Cottage, Eco Tourism, Eco Tourism Campsites of Gujarat, Gujarat, Island, Rajpipla, South Gujarat

Comments

35 responses to “Junaraj Eco Tourism Campsite, Narmada, Gujarat”

Urjit

September 16, 2022

I am planning to go with a group of 25 to 30 people. Do they have that many rooms?

How can I do a booking for one night stay?

Reply
JIGNASA PATEL

May 22, 2021

Like historical places and bird watching. Want to visit.

Reply
Anubhav Sharma

March 16, 2021

Hi darpan, 1.)

appreciating your passion for travel , it’s clearly visible in your writing.

Writing to express my gratitude , I was looking for contact details of various campsites, which I had got now . Pics clicked were amazing.

Thanks brother 🍺

Reply
1. Darpan
  
  March 20, 2021
  
  Thanks for the kind words Anubhav. Glad to hear that it helped you.
  
  Reply
Bhumit Sheth

January 7, 2021

Can we take our own tent and place it there? Any kind of booking needed for that?

Reply
nishant

December 16, 2020

hey, i found wrong info
Surat Junaraj Ecotourism 20 km / 1 hr
its not 20km from surat its almost 140 kms

Reply
Priyam

December 10, 2020

self camping allowed?
i mean if i bring my own tent.

Reply
Gautam Ravaliya

July 26, 2019

Hi Darpan,

Apologies, for the delayed reply and thanks for your quick and details response.

Reply
Gautam Ravaliya

July 10, 2019

Hi Darpan,

I hope you are doing good in the USA and of course missing apadu Gujarat. I have read your every blog on Gujarat’s beautiful places. I am from Baroda and planning to visit the Junaraj with family. I have one query regarding the rout. In your rout comment, you have mentioned the below.

“At Rajpipla, you need to make a turn at this point: Dropped pin
near Unnamed Road, Gujarat 393155
https://goo.gl/maps/vN8zjQhYGn72
After you make the turn, the best bet is to ask locals with route to Junaraj.
It’s merely 15 km but takes an hour.”

But when I check the route on google map from your dropped pin to Junaraj. It’s showing me 60.6 km. So is there any other route from Rajpila for 15 km distence?

Reply
1. Darpan Dodiya
  
  July 10, 2019
  
  Hi Gautam! Thanks for the kind words. Yes, definitely, I look forward to visit Gujarat in next few months.
  
  Regarding route, yes indeed, there’s another route of 15km which is not shown on Google Maps.
  
  Switch Google Maps to satellite mode and zoom in at the dropped pin. You can see there’s a road. The road travels near the border of the reservoir all the way up to Junaraj.
  
  The road is dusty, there’s no tar on most parts. That’s why it would take an hour for the 15 km distance. If you plan to go in monsoon, make sure your vehicle is big and capable enough.
  
  Hope that helps!
  
  Reply
Raj Shah

March 11, 2019

I am planning to visit Janaraj Eco Camp Site in April, 2019. So, I would like ask Parag Desai, who recently visited the site and commented on I this blog on 15th January, 2019 to share his views on the present situation of the site. I would be great if he can share his views on below topics:-
1) Greenery
2) Whether there is sufficient amount of water in the dam or there are more arid areas due to reduced quantity of water.
3) Whether the place is picturesque now as it was as shown in the photographs on this page.
4) How are the tents?
5) Do we get enough crowd there or it looks more like a lone, empty space?
6) How was the weather in January? (Extreme Hot, Hot, Cold, Extreme Cold)

Hoping to see your response.
Thank you in advance.

Reply
1. Darpan Dodiya
  
  March 19, 2019
  
  Hi Raj,
  
  I noticed your comment quite late.
  
  I have emailed to Parag Desai with your post. Hope you’ll get reply soon and hope it’s not too late.
  
  Although, as a personal note, I’d strongly suggest not to visit Junaraj in April.
  
  1) It will be quite hot
  2) There wouldn’t be any greenery
  3) Water level wouldn’t be any good
  
  Reply
parag Desai

January 15, 2019

Bad points of Junaraj Eco camp site.

1. Dirty rooms which stink so much.
2. Rude kitchen staff.
3. Very bad road to reach at this place.

Based on overall experience, don’t visit this place. they have put very old photos.

Reply
1. Darpan Dodiya
  
  January 15, 2019
  
  Hi Parag,
  
  Thanks a lot for sharing the current state of the campsite. As you might have noticed, indeed, the photos here on the blog are old and only representative to describe the place. Also, I am not officially affiliated with the campsite.
  
  With that said, your comment will help future visitors to be careful. I appreciate it!
  
  Reply
2. Darpan Dodiya
  
  March 19, 2019
  
  Hello Parag bhai,
  
  Raj Shah had asked a question about Junaraj for you. I am quoting his comment,
  
  ”
  I am planning to visit Janaraj Eco Camp Site in April, 2019. So, I would like ask Parag Desai, who recently visited the site and commented on I this blog on 15th January, 2019 to share his views on the present situation of the site. I would be great if he can share his views on below topics:-
  1) Greenery
  2) Whether there is sufficient amount of water in the dam or there are more arid areas due to reduced quantity of water.
  3) Whether the place is picturesque now as it was as shown in the photographs on this page.
  4) How are the tents?
  5) Do we get enough crowd there or it looks more like a lone, empty space?
  6) How was the weather in January? (Extreme Hot, Hot, Cold, Extreme Cold)
  
  Hoping to see your response.
  Thank you in advance.”
  
  If you could please take some time off to respond to this, it would be of great help! Thanks. 🙂
  
  Reply
Vimal sarvani

November 17, 2018

Hi.Darpan bhai,
I want to go for camping at junaraj ecocamp site with my groups of about 6-7 couples for 2-3days…
I contacted vijaybhai for this, very cooperative reply by him…
I ask u to how to reach their from surat? On some of webpages i read that there is no any good road for personal vehicles….Plz explain the route to reach there by car….

And second question I want to ask is….. Is primary basic facilities are there in cottages?? What about drinking water,bathing, and food services?? How is the electricity connection during night??
Look for ur satisfied reply…
Thank u…

Reply
1. Darpan Dodiya
  
  November 17, 2018
  
  Hi Vimal bhai,
  
  While I’m not an official authority and I might be wrong – I will make an attempt.
  
  You’ll need to reach to Rajpipla from Surat. Take either the highway or Mandvi route.
  
  At Rajpipla, you need to make a turn at this point: Dropped pin
  near Unnamed Road, Gujarat 393155
  https://goo.gl/maps/vN8zjQhYGn72
  
  After you make the turn, best bet is to ask locals with route to Junaraj.
  
  It’s merely 15 km but takes an hour.
  
  Yes, you’ve read right, the road isn’t there at all. It’s not a tar road.
  
  So in the monsoon months, it is highly recommended not to take risk.
  
  Post monsoon however, I don’t see any problem.
  
  We drove there in Algo 800 multiple times and haven’t faced any issue.
  
  Regarding facilities,
  
  Since being a remote village, electricity city is always a problem.
  
  Drinking water – I guess it was there.
  
  Bathing – it was there if I remember correctly but not good at all.
  
  Food – they don’t have canteen as such but they can arrange food upon request.
  
  Reply
Bhargav Raval

September 7, 2018

Hi Darpan,

I read your blog last year & got inspired to visit Dediyapada. We booked 2 cottages at Vishal Khadi.

And I was not disappointed at all!!! The place was awesome, very picturesque. We stayed for one night there enjoyed boating & next morning we headed to Ninai, had bath & came back to Ahmedabad.

Today I just talked to Dediyapada Forest Dept & got Vijay bhai’s number. Later I saw your comment with latest contact. Thank you very much for keeping everyone updated.

And last but not least, great to see your name at the bottom of http://www.narmadaecotourism.org.

Keep up the good work!!!
Cheers. 🙂

Reply
1. Darpan Dodiya
  
  September 9, 2018
  
  Hi Bhargav,
  
  Thanks for dropping a note! Great to know that you had a great experience.
  
  I had a chance to work with Narmada Forest Department a while back so I helped them by creating the website. I wanted to add online booking for all campsites but due to circumstances, that couldn’t take off.
  
  Good day,
  Darpan
  
  Reply
Darpan Dodiya

August 30, 2018

Updated contact info provided by Mr Jignesh Rajani:

Vishal Khadi Campsite 02640 – 220330

Zarwani, Junaraj and Sagai Campsite 02640 – 220013,220343.

Contact Vijaybhai Directly for Zarwani, Junaraj, Sagai or Kunbar Campsite. His Mobile number – 7016861567

Thank you very much Jignesh Bhai.

Reply
Darpan Dodiya

May 7, 2017

Some tips for Junaraj trip from Palash Mankad,

“Regarding Junaraj, would like to share that one can enjoy a boat ride in the Karjan dam. There are few fishermen who can be contacted for arranging the boat ride. Also, winter (Nov-Dec) is a very nice time for the visitors as it can offer such misty morning sights such as captured in my photos.”

Reply
nilesh

July 7, 2016

how to book??

Reply
1. Darpan Dodiya
  
  July 7, 2016
  
  As mentioned in other comment, for any additional information or booking Junaraj Eco Tourism Campsite,
  
  Contact:
  Rajpipla Forest Office
  02640 220013
  
  Reply
Amit Nag

June 21, 2016

How i can go ahead by doing booking Pls share the contact no of each of the places with name. I have been searching but no contract no i could find

Reply
1. Darpan Dodiya
  
  June 21, 2016
  
  Scroll down and you’ll find contact number in comment by Hemant Shah.
  
  Reply
Hemant Sant

January 25, 2016

We had to climb many hills for hours to reach Juna raj..my old blog on rivr.sulekha.com..then boat till the end of a waterway ..then bath beyeeen two cliffs ahead

Reply
Mayur Shah

January 21, 2016

Contact number of Rajpipla Forest Office is: 02640 220013

Reply
Indra Vikram Singh

January 20, 2016

This is the old capital of Rajpipla State, where my ancestors ruled for nearly 300 years before shifting to the new site Nandod, present-day Rajpipla, in the plains on the banks of River Karjan. Alas, the old fort is not there any more at Junaraj, in the western Satpuras. There is an older Junaraj higher up on Devastra hill. Thank you for thjis lovely feature, Darpan.

Reply
1. Darpan Dodiya
  
  January 21, 2016
  
  Thanks you very much for sharing the insights!
  
  Reply
Kashmalan K. Doctor

January 20, 2016

Good pics – the location seems to be beautiful overlooking the lake. Can any private group go there and stay ? If yes, please give the contact no. and booking office / person (is it owned and managed by Guj.Govt. Forest Dept.?). How far is it from Rajpipla?
Thanks

Reply
1. Darpan Dodiya
  
  January 21, 2016
  
  Personally, I haven’t visited the place yet. I came across photos of Junaraj Village and Eco cottage one day, they were scenic so I published them here.
  
  From what I know, yes, private group can go there and stay.
  
  I also don’t have contact details, you can try contacting Narmada Forest Department.
  
  From Rajpipla, if you can by the Google Maps’ way, it’ll be 65 km/2 hr journey. There’s also a road from Karjan Dam to Junaraj Eco Cottage, which is not on Google Maps. As per this reference, it’s not suitable for cars.
  
  Reply
  1. Deepak
    
    December 30, 2017
    
    Any contact numbers?
    
    Reply
    1. Darpan Dodiya
      
      December 30, 2017
      
      Contact:
      Rajpipla Forest Office
      02640 220013
      
      Reply
Pravin Shah

January 15, 2016

Nice photographs. Cottages were being constructed when we visited Junaraj before 2 years

Reply
1. Darpan Dodiya
  
  January 15, 2016
  
  Thank you!
  
  Reply