A Trip to Gujarat

Trip Overview

Ahmedabad - Modhera - Dasada - Bhuj - Rann of Kutch - Gondal - Junagath - Sasan Gir - Somnath - Diu - Bhavnagar - Palitana - Lothal - Vadodara - Chmpaner - Ahmedabad

Even in the less traveled Indian state of Gujarat, located in the far west of India, bordering Pakistan, there are cultural sights of absolute world-class to discover. The lower number of visitors may be due to the fact that Gujarat - as far as tourist attractions are concerned - is always in the shadow of its more famous neighboring state of Rajasthan. Nevertheless, the list of discoveries on our trip is long. We can also experience an authentic piece of India. The history of Gujarat goes back a long way, we find remains of the approximately 4,000-year-old Harappa civilization. The entire diversity of India is reflected within Gujarat, especially on the Kathiawar peninsula (Saurashtra). The enormous sun temple of Modhera and the Shiva temple in Somnath are important examples of Hindu architecture. The unrivalled highlight of a trip through Gujarat is of course the Jain temple complex of Palitana, a masterpiece of marble sculpture. Gujarat also has a lot to offer in terms of landscape: the salt desert of the Rann of Kutch fascinates with its colorful villages where traditional handicrafts flourish. In winter, flamingos and pelicans come here to nest. The rare wild donkeys live in the Little Rann of Kutch and the last remaining Asian lions live in the wild in the Gir Forest. On the southern coast, we find beautiful beaches and the city of Diu, which has managed to retain its flair from the Portuguese colonial era to this day. A perfect mix: cities worth seeing, unique cultural monuments and unique natural beauty, all without endless driving distances, which is what makes a visit to Gujarat so worthwhile.

Trip Highlights

• Two-week tour through the largely unknown trip to Gujarat.
• So we experience an original India, with fascinating landscapes and traditional villages.
• A pure overland tour from/to Ahmedabad for the best possible travel experience.
• We are traveling in a small group.
• The Saurashtra peninsula with its cultural highlights.
• A visit highlight: the Jain temples of Palitana on the Sharunjaya hill.
• Wildlfie tour in the scenic salt desert of the Rann of Kutch.
• Exciting safaris in the Gir Forest in search of Asian lions.
• Our special tour for India experts and India lovers.
• Witness the rural and nomadic life.

Itinerary

Day 1 : Arrival in Ahmedabad

Upon arrival at Ahmedabad early in the morning, meet our representative traditional welcome & transfer to the hotel. After breakfast commences sightseeing in Ahmedabad, the largest city in the state of Gujarat and the center of the textile industry: Friday Mosque (Jama Masjid), Sidi Sayed Mosque, Hate Singh Temple, bazaar district, and the Sabarmati Ashram founded by Mahatma Gandhi in 1915.

Meals: Breakfast, dinner included

Day 2 : Ahmedabad - Modhera - Bajana

After breakfast drive to Bajana. En route visit Patan, known for the wonderful Patola silk saris that are woven here. Also worth seeing are some Jain temples, wooden houses with carvings and the Rani Ki Vav step well. Continue via Modhera (here the sun temple from the 11th century, dedicated to the god Surya) to Bajana (260km approx. 4-5 hours)

Meals: Breakfast, dinner included

Day 3 : Bajana - Little Rann of Kutch - Bajana

Excursion to the Little Rann of Kutch. This flat, desert-like plain is flooded every year during the rainy season and then turns into inaccessible salt marshes. Flamingos live here in winter. Visit the sanctuary for Asian wild asses, a rare and endangered species that only occurs here. On the way we see traditional villages of the Rabari nomads.

Meals: Breakfast, lunch, & dinner included

Day 4 : Bajana - Bhuj

Drive to Bhuj (260 km, approx. 6-7 hours), capital of the Kutch district. In the afternoon, visit the old walled city: palace complex with Aina Mahal and Pag Mahal, nearby Bhujodi with its wool and cotton weaving mills.

Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner included

Day 5 : Bhuj (Rann of Kutch)

North of Bhuj, towards the Great Rann of Kutch, visit typical Banni villages (permit required). These villages are known for the production of handicraft products such as embroidery, patchwork, knotted batik, leather work.

Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner included

Day 6 : Gondal

Drive across to the large Saurashtra peninsula, via Rajkot to Gondal (270 km, approx. 6-7 hours). Various palaces still bear witness to the glorious past as a princely state. We visit the Naulakha Palace with its vintage car collection and the Swami Narayan Temple.

Meals: Breakfast, dinner included

Day 7 : Junagadh - Sasan Gir

Continue to Junagadh (65km), an old princely city at the foot of Girnar Hill, surrounded by a medieval fortification. Visit the Uparkot Fort, the Ashoka Rocks and the Buddhist caves. Another 70 km south to Sasan Gir, the last refuge of Asiatic lions. 2 nights in a comfortable tent camp.

Meals: Breakfast, dinner included

Day 8 : Sasan Gir

Morning and late afternoon safaris in the Gir Forest, in search of Asiatic lions.

Meals: Breakfast, lunch, & dinner included

Day 9 : Somnath - Diu

Drive via Somnath (visit to the Shiva temple) to Diu (130km), former Portuguese colony on the Arabian Sea with beautiful sandy beaches. Rest of the day free, opportunity to swim.

Meals: Breakfast, dinner included

Day 10 : Diu - Bhavnagar

In the morning, sightseeing in Diu: Portuguese fort from the 16th century, St. Paul's Church with old paintings and a local market. Then continue through southeastern Gujarat to Bhavnagar (200km, approx. 5 hours), old port city on the Gulf of Khambhat.

Meals: Breakfast, dinner included

Day 11 : Bhavnagar (Palitana)

Full-day trip to Palitana, 50 km away. Climb 4,000 steps to Shatrunjaya Hill, which rises 600m from the plain. Here, followers of the Jain religion built 863 interlocking temples, the entire mountaintop is a holy area. In the afternoon, return to Bhavnagar.

Meals: Breakfast, dinner included

Day 12 : Lothal - Vadodara

Drive to Lothal, here the excavation site with ruins of a port city from the Harappa period, one of the earliest large settlements on earth. Then continue to Vadodara (250 km, approx. 6-7 hours), formerly Baroda. In the afternoon, tour of the important university and industrial city, the third largest city in Gujarat: old town, Laxmi Vilas Palace in Indo-Saracenic style, Fatehsingh Museum.

Meals: Breakfast, dinner included

Day 13 : Champaner - Ahmedabad

Drive to Champaner (60 km, approx. 1.5 hours), here the Champaner-Pavagadh Archaeological Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2004, with ruins of an early Hindu city that has not yet been fully excavated. After the tour, return to Ahmedabad (another 160 km), farewell dinner and one last overnight stay.

Meals: Breakfast, dinner included

Day 14 : Ahmedabad

After breakfast full day Sightseeing of Old City, Heritage Walk & local market. After farewell dinner as per your flight schedule provide departure transfer to onward destination. End our services.

Trip Cost Includes

• A traditional welcome on arrival at Ahmedabad International Airport.
• All in out transfer, sector drive and city sightseeing as per above program
• All toll tax parking fuel and driver’s allowance
• English Speaking City Guide (as per above program)
• One time monuments entrance
• Entire trip with breakfast & dinner.
• Gir National Park and Bajana on full board
• Village walking tour
• Mineral water bottle (1Lt) per day.
• 2 park rides at Gir National Park with English Speaking Naturalist

Trip Cost Excludes

• Any personal expenses
• Any Domestic or International flight fare
• Tip, laundry, lunch on the way, table drinks,
• Any suppliant (guide, activities, park ride etc.) price.
• Anything else that is not mentioned in the “Price Includes” section.