Tour Duration: 12 Nights / 13 Days
Destinations Covered: Mumbai - Ahmedabad - Modhera - Gandhinagar - Patan - Dasada - Dhrangadhra - Bhuj - Wankaner - Gondal - Mt Girnar - Junagadh - Sasan Gir - Veraval - Ahmedpur Mandvi - Diu - Mumbai
Day 01: Arrival at Mumbai
Upon your arrival at Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport in Mumbai, you'll be welcomed by our representative in traditional Indian manner. Get escorted to the hotel and freshen up in your deluxe room. Treat your taste buds with assorted Indian cuisines for dinner and call it a day.
Day 02: Mumbai - Ahmedabad
After a sumptuous breakfast at the hotel, you'll be transferred to the airport to board the flight to Ahmedabad. Our tour guide will greet you at the airport, who'll accompany you to the hotel. After a short relaxing break, you'll be taken on a city's tour, covering various interesting places. The grand Swaminarayan Temple, popular for the splendid architecture of Hindu and Jain temples, boasts of the historic bygone era. The flamboyant wooden mansions, famous for their architecture, the Jama Mosque, and the mausoleums of the Sultans and Begums of Ahmedabad are must-visit sights. Hutheesing Jain Temple, Calico Museum, Sidi Saiyyed Masjid, Heritage gates, Jama Masjid, and Akshardham Temple are some other interesting places to pay a visit. Spend the night at the hotel.
Day 03: Ahmedabad - Modhera - Gandhinagar
Enjoy a lip-smacking breakfast at the hotel to energize yourself for a long drive to the capital city Gandhinagar, via Modhera. Modhera is celebrated for the architectural beauty of the temples and the craftsmanship on their walls, pillars, and ceilings. The 52 carved pillars illustrating the engraved depictions from Ramayana and other Hindu epics form the highlight of the place. They are sculpted and positioned in such a manner that the sunrays fall directly on the central image during any equinox. This awe-inspiring Modhera journey ends as you drive to Gandhinagar. Check-in to the hotel upon your arrival and end the day with a sumptuous supper and relaxing sleep.
Day 04: Gandhinagar - Patan - Dasada
Enjoy the traditional Gujarati breakfast served to you at the hotel. Board the cab as you set out for your next destination - Patan, known for its textiles, particularly the gorgeous Patola silk saris. Patan is also visited for the wonderful Jain temples and artistically carved wooden houses. An erstwhile capital of Gujarat, Patan stores the Ran-ki-van step-well, displaying elaborate carvings and friezes of Hindu gods and goddesses, and Sankeshwar Temple, a prime devotional site for the Jains. Another short pilgrimage can be undertaken as you ride to the town of Becharaj, which houses the temple of Bahuchar Mata. Seek the blessings of the patron goddess and carry on your journey to Dasada. Check-in at the resort for overnight stay.
Day 05: Dasada
Day five will let you discover the beauty and splendor of Dasada, gateway to the Little Rann of Kutch. Zainabad will be the first stopover, a perfect fusion of Saurashtra and Kutch cultures, evident from its architecture, arts and crafts. The Wild Ass Sanctuary is close to this place and is full of exotic flora and fauna. You will encounter a diverse wildlife, the prominent ones being the endangered Indian wolf, jackals, desert fox, Indian fox, desert and jungle cats and hyenas. The vast settlement of Gujarati tribes can be closely observed. These tribes are known for a number of crafts and professions, like embroidery, weaving, and animal husbandry. Overnight stay will be at the hotel in Dasada.
Day 06: Dasada - Dhaneti - Bhuj
You will be driven to Bhuj after an early morning breakfast. On the way, you'll halt at Dudhrej to meet the Rabari tribe and visit the pious temple. Also, stopovers will be arranged at Chobari, May, Midiyara, and Kumbhardi villages of the Rabari tribe. Dhaneti is another tribal hamlet, famous for unique and intricate embroidery. By evening, you'll be in Bhuj, wherein you be accompanied to the Government office to seek permission for visiting the restricted areas of Rann of Kutch. Your overnight stay is arranged at the hotel in Bhuj.
Day 07: Bhuj
The entire day will be spent touring some tribal villages around Bhuj. Bhuj is famous for its tribal culture and the crafts made by the tribes. An old walled city, Bhuj brags of palaces, temples, and cascading streets. The historical and cultural legacy can be discovered while strolling through the lanes. Thereafter, you'll visit the tribal settlements on the outskirts of the city. Overnight stay will be at the hotel.
Day 08: Bhuj - Wankaner - Gondal
After a traditional Marwari breakfast at the hotel, you will be heading to the architectural wonder called Wankaner, enriched with culture and heritage. This celebrated place is a gamut of majestic buildings and imperial architectures. The Ranjit Vilas Palace is the most striking and prominent structure here. An epitome of different styles, you can view Gothic arches, Dutch minarets, Victorian windows, Mughal domes, and classical parapets giving the palace an out-worldly appearance. Artifacts like arms, 95 species of stuffed animals, linen chests, silver-plated howdahs, thrones, paintings, portraits, and much more are present in the palace. Continue your journey to Gondal from here. One of the oldest and most beautiful palaces in Gondal, Navlakha Palace is the prime attraction. Located on the banks of the river, the palace is a 30 meter grand masonry citadel, beautified with stone carvings, exquisite jharokhas, pillared courtyard, and unique spiral staircase. Orchard or Riverside Palace will be your abode for the night.
Day 09: Gondal - Mt Girnar - Junagadh
Start off early in the morning to your next destination, Junagarh, via Mt Girnar. Girnar is famous for the magnificent Jain temples studded on the pinnacle of this mountain. The temple complex which stores these temples is an example of exquisite artistry. This 3660 feet high summit is an epitome of religious harmony, represented in the form of a mosque, Hindu temples, and Jain temples located here at close proximities. The breathtaking views of the hills and forests in the backdrop will leave you spellbound. Your trip continues as you proceed towards Junagadh, the city which stores the famous and majestic Junagadh Fort in its heart. Other key sightseeing spots, like the Buddhist caves, Baba Pyara caves, Adi-Kadi Vav, Navghan Kuvo, and Jami Masjid are of archaeological and historical significance. Overnight stay will be at the hotel in Junagadh.
Day 10: Junagadh - Sasan Gir
After breakfast at the hotel, you will be transported to Sasan Gir, situated at 60 km distance. Check-in at the safari camp and hop onto the jeep for a safari ride in Sasan Gir Forest, popularly known as Gir Forest National Park and Wildlife Sanctuary. Packed with dense fauna population, you'll encounter a number of wild animals and birds, like Panther, Hyena, Chital, Sambar, Nilgai, Chinkara, Indian Deer, and Chowsingha. The park is the only place in the world apart from Africa that houses lions in their natural habitat. Spend the night be at the safari camp.
Day 11: Sasan Gir - Veraval - Ahmedpur Mandvi - Diu
After Sasan Gir, Veraval is your next halt in the glorious Gujarat. Veraval is a small fishing port on the southern coast. Ahmedpur Mandvi Beach arrives next, at the junction of Gujarat and Diu, offering a rich blend of Saurashtra and Portuguese cultures. One of the lesser known gems of India, Ahmedpur Mandvi is a fine coastline, providing some incredible and fabulous views. And finally, you'll be visiting Shree Somnath Mahadev Temple, a prominent Hindu shrine, sited on the banks of Arabian Sea, before you reach your final destination for the day. You'll set your footsteps in Diu late in the evening, after which you'll check into the hotel for overnight stay.
Day 12: Diu
This day assigned to let your hair down and enjoy. You can rejuvenate at the hotel through activities offered by the hotel or you can go out and explore Diu on your own. Diu, being a former Portuguese colony, displays a culture entirely different from any other city in Gujarat. Since its port was a trading point, the native people follow different cultural backgrounds. The local bazaars can be explored for souvenirs and knick-knacks. Retire back at the hotel.
Day 13: Diu - Mumbai
After a delightful morning breakfast, you'll be driven to Diu Airport to board the flight to Mumbai and thereafter, to your onward destination.
