Exclusive Gujarat Tour

Proceed for an early morning Heritage Walk of the old city, beginning from the picturesque Swaminarayan Temple in Kalupur, it covers the numerous pols, havelis, ornamental facades, workplaces of artisans and number of magnificent Hindu and Jain temples, it covers from KaviDalpatramChowk - which housed the great 19th century Gujarati poet - in Lambeshwarni Pole, to the classic reminisces of the city's textile era - the Calico Dome to the century old Kala RamjiMandir in the Haja Patel ni Pole with a unique idol of Lord Rama in dark colour and in a sitting posture. A special feature of Ahmedabad is the plan of the old city, comprising numerous pols, self-contained neighbourhoods, sheltering large numbers of people, traversed by narrow streets, usually terminating in squares with community wells and chabutaras for feeding birds. And it ends at the most glorious architectural legacy- the Jumma Masjid.

Proceed to Calico Museum (Remains close on Wednesday & Public Holidays).

The Calico and Sarabhai Foundation Collection is the premier textile museum of the country, and one of the most celebrated institutions of its kind in the world for its distinguished and comprehensive collection of textiles and artefacts. Its outstanding collection of Indian fabrics exemplifies textiles spanning five centuries.

(The guided tours are free of cost but have to be pre booked and only 20pax are allowed at a time.)

(10.30am -12.30am) info@calicomuseum.com)

After lunch visit the Mosque of Sidi Sayed is one of the most prominent in the Ahmedabad city. Constructed in the last year of the Gujarat Sultanate, it was built by Sidi Sayed, a slave of Sultan Ahmed Shah. The mosque consists of ten semi-circular windows, the appeal of which is accentuated by the splendid mesh covering them, which is more popularly known as “Jali' in the Indo-Saracenic style.

Sabarmati Ashram

Originally called the Satyagraha Ashram, the Sabarmati Ashram was home to Mohandas Gandhi from 1917 until 1930 and served as one of the main centres of the Indian freedom struggle. It is named after the river on whose bank it is located. The Ashram is presently involved in a number of activities that serves to both preserve the history of Gandhi and the freedom struggle and also to promote and educate people in the great philosophies, values and teachings of Gandhi.

Drive past the Law Garden Market, unlike other gardens of the city, the Law Garden is filled with a large number of shops selling colourful handicrafts and textiles and is quite a visual treat.

Overnight at hotel.

After breakfast drive north to the town of Patan

Patan. See the amazing Rani kaVav (The Queen's Step well). This magnificent east facing step well measures approximately 64m long, 20m wide & 27m deep. A stepped corridor is compartmented at regular intervals with pillared multi-storeyed pavilions is a unique feature. The minute and exquisite carving of this vav is one of the finest specimens of its kind. Befitting its name, the Rani-Ki-Vav is now considered to be the queen among step wells of India. They are also part of the structures, under consideration to be put on the UNESCO World Heritage List.

Visit to Patola Weavers The Double Ikat “Patola” glorifies India’s rich and ancient heritage in fine textiles. With its unique gem like qualities, gorgeous colours, designs and durability, it’s very appearance lures the connoisseur of fine textiles. It has no reverse side. Both the sides have equal intensity of colour and design.

Legend indicates that sometimes in the 12th Century AD, King Kumarpal of Solanki dynasty invited 700 families of Patola weavers from Jalna in South Maharashtra to settle down in Patan.

Visit the Salvi family who have continued this traditional art and have preserved it even today. Flowers, animals, birds and human figures, form the basic designs.

After lunch proceed to Modera (1hour drive from Patan) to see the Sun Temple. The temple is dedicated to the Hindu Sun-God, Surya. It was built in 1026 AD by King Bhimdev Solanki. The Solankis considered themselves descendents of the Sun God. The temple is of a unique architectural style, the temple was designed such, that the first rays of the sun fell on the image of the Sun God, at the time of the equinox. The temple has been partially in ruins after it was destroyed by the AllauddinKhilji. However, enough has remained of the temple to convey its grandeur.

Evening arrive at Dasada. It is a small village occupied mainly by farmers, nomadic cattle herders and artisans. It is situated on the outskirts of the Rann of Kutch, a vast salt marsh that spans 30,000 square kilometres.

It is the perfect base from which to explore the Rann of Kutch, the last refuge in India of the Asiatic Wild Ass, an elegant member of the horse family. In winter it is also home to migratory birds such as flamingos, Macqueen’s Bustard, pelicans cranes etc.

Dasada and its nearby villages are inhabited by a number of interesting communities including pastoral tribes such as the Mirs, Rabaris, Bharwads, Jats and Kolis.

Check in to Rann Riders. Evening at leisure.

Overnight in Dasada.

Enjoy a morning wildlife & bird watching safari into the Little Rann. Evening optional Safari into the Rann or you could choose to visit the tribal settlements.

Overnight in Dasada.

Note: Little Rann of Kutch sanctuary remains close from 15th June to 15th October every year.

Departure from Dasada after breakfast. Arrive at Bhuj by noon. Check into hotel. In the afternoon view the
museums and palaces of Royal family of Kutch.

Bhuj Museum (KUTCH MUSEUM / BHUJ REMAINS CLOSE ON Wednesday, 2ND & 4TH SAT & PUBLIC HOLIDAY)
The oldest museum in Gujarat, founded in 1877 by MaharaoKhengarji, it has the largest existing collection of
Kshatrapa inscriptions, dating to the 1st century AD, as well as examples of the extinct Kutchi script and an
interesting collection of coins. A section of the museum is devoted to tribal cultures, with many examples of
ancient artefacts, folk arts and crafts and information about tribal peoples. The museum also has exhibits of
embroidery, paintings, arms, musical instruments, sculpture and precious metalwork.
Ainamahal: (REMAINS CLOSE ON Thursday AND PUBLIC HOLIDAY)

The Ainamahal palace or “Hall of Mirrors” was built during the rule of the flamboyant ruler MaharaoLakhpatji
in the middle of the 18th century. Designed in a mixed Indo –European style, he commissioned master craftsman

Ramsinh Malam, who had trained as an artisan for 17 years in Europe.

Pragmahal:
The Pragmahal is a 19th-century palace located next to the Ainamahal . It was commissioned by Rao Pragmalji
II, and construction began in 1865. It was designed by Colonel Henry Saint Wilkins, in the Italian Gothic style,
and many Italian artisans were involved in its construction. The palace artisans' wages were paid in gold coins.
Construction of the palace, which ultimately cost 3.1 million rupees, was completed in 1879.
It was severely damaged in the 2001 earthquake. In 2006, the palace was burglarized; thieves stole antiques
worth millions of rupees and damaged many objects. Visitors may enter the main palace halls and ascend the
bell tower, which offers views of the city.

Evening at leisure to explore colourful markets.

Overnight in Bhuj.

Morning head North from the city of Bhuj into the Banni grass and desert lands, circumscribed by the great salt marsh of Rann of Kutch and the Arabian Sea.

Visit Kala Raksha Trust at Sumrasar Sheikh, 25 km north of Bhuj. It is a grass root social enterprise, is dedicated to preservation of traditional arts.

Uniquely committed to documenting existing traditions, the Trust established in 1993 by Judy Frater, maintains a collection of heirloom textiles housed locally as a Resource Center and Museum. Artisans participated in establishing Kala Raksha’s Museum. Thus it embodies a simple but revolutionary concept: involve people in presenting their own cultures.

Honoree of the 2001 International Responsible Tourism Showcase, Kala Raksha Centre inhabits structures that adapt traditional architecture to contemporary function. A model for community development, the Centre is locally managed and operates with solar powered electricity.

Kala Raksha works with 1,000 artisans from 7 ethnic groups in 25 villages.

Visit Nirona village for Rogan art, bell and wood craft. ‘Rogan’, a legacy kept alive through generations by a family of ' Khatris', the traditional embellishers on cloth is a hand painted art form. Bell making is still a form of craft in Kutch. Visit a metallurgist, a traditional maker of cow bells. Iron bells enamelled in copper and bronze, are in many shapes and sizes, emitting melodies which are soft yet carry sonorously through the desert air.

Wind your way to the next community, the Vadhas, whose skill lies in coating wooden implements and toys with lacquer in a psychedelic variation of hues. This semi nomadic community harvests the lac resin from the trees, mixing it with different kinds of minerals and pigments to generate a vast array of colourful shades. These are then meticulously applied to a mixed batch of kitchen implements, toys and small utility items. The craftsmen use hand operated lathes to shape the wood, slash in indentations and the artistic application of coloured lacquer in zigzag patterns defying geometric parameters. The men in the community hold the magic of colour creativity in their hands while the women are a visual treat in their beautifully embroidered costumes.

Later excursion to Hodka& experience the richness of Kutchi culture. Developed as a part of an endogenous tourism project by the UNDP, it is managed by the local community. After lunch explore the last village of Dhordo and drive up to the white Rann.

Return to Bhuj for overnight stay.

Note: White Rann visit in Winter will be possible once the water as dried up (Nov-Mar)

After an early breakfast head for the Kala Dunger the highest point in Kutch. It affords breathtaking views of the volcanic wastelands, and a 400year old temple. Proceed to the northern grassland and visit Banni villages of the traditional tribes and see their incredible arts and crafts. Drive to Kutch Safari Lodge.

Arrive for late lunch. Rest of the day at leisure.

Overnight in Kutch Safari Lodge.

Departure after breakfast. Drive to Gondal via Morbi. Lunch at the 19th century neo classical Darbargarh Palace, reflected in the Macchu River, the palace spreads out all the glory and magnificence of a century made eternal by the patronage of maharajas. Continue your onward journey to Gondal where the 1748 AD Naulakha Palace, housing a collection of antiques and princely relics of the Jadeja Rajput rulers and the Vintage and Classic Car museum are a must see.

Overnight in Gondal

In the morning you leave for Gir via the historic city of Junagadh. Junagadh has a lot of historic places like the Uparkot Fort, Buddhist cave-sites, Ashoka's rock inscriptions (3rd century BC), Palace Museum, 18th & 19th century royal mausoleum complexes, Nawabi buildings and museums and the Girnar temples. Lunch at Junagarh and proceed to Gir.

Gir National Park is the last abode of the Asiatic lions. Check in to the hotel by lunch. In the evening enjoy the afternoon wildlife safari at the Gir National Park. One can also spot Asiatic Lions, Leopards and other animals like the Chital, Sambar, Nilgai, Chausingha, Grey Langur, Hyena and over 250 varieties of birds like the painted Sandgrouse, Peacocks and the Paradise Flycatchers. The Kamleshwar dam reservoir has one of the largest marsh crocodile populations.

Overnight in Gir.

Note: Gir National Park : Remains close from 15th June to 15th Oct

Note: Ashoka Rock Edict is presently under renovation

Experience the thrill of the early morning Wildlife & Bird watching Safari at the Gir National Park. In the evening visit Somnath located on the extreme southwest coast of Gujarat. Visit the temple of Somnath, which is established as one of the twelve Shiva Jyotirlingas. The old Somnath Temple (said to have been built first of gold, then of silver, next of wood and then of stone) was destroyed by the invader Mahmud of Ghazni in 1024. A new temple on the exact site of the original has now been built. The confluence of three rivers to the east of the town provides a sacred spot for pilgrims.

Return to hotel in Gir

Overnight in Gir.

Note: Gir National Park : Remains close from 15th June to 15th Oct

After breakfast drive to Bhavnagar. Check into hotel. In the hectic commercial and industrial city of Bhavnagar, Nilambag Palace Hotel comes as a pleasant juxtaposition with its lush green lawns and beatific foliage surround the imposing Khakhi stoned structure. Built in 1859 A.D., this relic of the past, home to the ruling Gohil dynasty of Bhavnagar, now stands verdant and serene in mute testimony to a royal and regal past.

Rest of the day at leisure to enjoy the beautiful palace

Overnight in BHAVNAGAR.

Early morning (5 AM) departure for Palitana. Begin climb to the Palitana temples located atop Shatrunjaya Hills and crowned with 863 temples, each rivaling the other for its beauty and magnificence. This is one of the most awe inspiring sights to devotees and visitors alike. The peak is a 3 km climb of over 3500 steps from the town, while on each temple one can see detailed carvings, beautiful idols and images, jeweled statues and intricate torans. The climb takes approximately 2 hours. Proceed for lunch at the Vijay Vilas Palace for a sumptuous home cooked meal hosted by the present owners Nitya and Yashpal Singh. The Vijay Vilas palace was build in 1906 AD by Yashpal’s ancestor, Yuvraj Vijay Sinhji of Palitana, a member of the same Gohil Rajput clan as the Maharajahs of Bhavnagar. The palace was used as a country retreat, being splendidly located in the hills with great views of the Shetrunjaya hill and historic Palitana temples.

After lunch drive to Velavadar Black Buck National Park. Check into the Black Buck Lodge. Enjoy an afternoon Wildlife & Bird watching Safari at the Velavadar National Park which has the largest concentration of black bucks in India.

Evening BBQ bush dinner at the waterhole.

Overnight in Velavadar.

Early morning safari into the park. After lunch proceed to Baroda, en route visit Lothal, a 4500 year old Harappan (Indus Valley) archaeological site. The 4,500-year-old city of Lothal was discovered in 1954 it dates back to the second millennium BC. Lothal was an important port on the Indian subcontinent during the Harappan era. Lothal is an important archaeological site due to its scientific layout and a massive dockyard that facilitated trade with other civilizations of the time. The major attractions in Lothal are the vast ruins of the ancient city. The most important are the sites of the ancient dockyard, the acropolis, the lower town, the bead factory, the warehouses, and the drainage system.

An archaeological museum to the west of the ruins houses the objects found from the sites like mirrors of bronze and copper, perforated and painted potteries, toy bullock carts, beads, jewellery and a variety of objects made from stone, shell, and bone. The museum also displays seals from Bahrain, terracotta figures from Sumer, and objects from Egypt. Also on display in the museum is a plaster of Paris model of the city based on reconstructions made by archaeologists.

(Friday museum closed)

Note: Vellavadar Sanctuary Remains close from 15th June to 15th Oct // Lothal Museum Remains close on Fridays)

Drive on to Ahmedabad international airport for departure.

******TOUR END*******