Vibrant Gujrat Tour

Morning drive to Zaianad (Dasada) visiting Patan and Modhera on the route.

Patan: Patan, an ancient fortified town, was founded in 745 AD by VanrajChavda, the most prominent king of the Chavda Kingdom. He named the city AnhilpurPatan or "AnhilwadPatan" after his close friend and Prime Minister Anhil shepherd. The town is famous for the step well ‘Rani kiVav’. It was one of the largest and the most sumptuous structures of its type. It became silted up and much of it is not visible, except for some rows of sculptured panels in the circular part of the well. Among its ruins one pillar still stands which is proof of the elegance of its design and an excellent example of this period. A part of the west well is extant from which it appears that the wall had been built of brick and faced with stone. From this wall project vertical bracket in pairs, this supported the galleries of the well shaft proper. This bracketing is arranged in tiers and is richly carved.

Modhera: Sun Temple, Modhera, at Modhera in Gujarat, is a temple dedicated to the Hindu Sun-God, Surya. It is situated on the bank of the river Pushpavati, 25 km from Mehsana and 102 km from Ahmedabad. It was built in 1026 AD by King Bhimdev of the Solanki dynasty. In the present times, prayers are not offered in this temple.

Arrive and check-in at hotel in Dasada. Overnight at hotel

Morning excursion to Dasada sanctuary (Dasada safari depends on rains if rains will be there before arrival or on arrival than safari cannot be done and in that case we shall visit nearby villages of different community): Indian Wild Ass Sanctuary also known as the Wild Ass Wildlife Sanctuary is located in the Little Rann of Kutch in the Gujarat state of India. Spread over 4954 km², it is the largest wildlife sanctuary in India.

Later drive to Bhuj and on arrival check-in at hotel.

Bhuj, formerly sacred to the snake Bhujang, was established by Rao Hamirji in 1510 and was made the capital of Cutch State by Rao Khengarji I in 1549. Its foundation stone as state capital was formally laid on VikramSamvat 1604 Maagha 5th (approx. 25 January 1548). After 1590, when Rao was forced to acknowledge Mughal supremacy, Bhuj was known as Suleiman Nagar among Muslims. The walls were built by Rao Godji I in 1723, and the Bhujiya Fort by Devkaran Seth in Rao Deshalji I's time (1718 - 1741).

Overnight at hotel

Full day excursion to the nearby Tribal villages around Bhuj*. Excursion to Banni Village and Brindeyra, Hodka, Nirona, Khavda, Sumraser Villages.

NOTE: *A permit is required for non-Indian citizens traveling to this region and should be acquired at the Foreign Registration Office in Bhuj (Permit provided on working days only)

NOW A DAYS PERMIT FOR NORTH SIDE BANNI VILLAGE IS ISSUED FROM BRIENDYRA VILLAGE WHICH IS 50 KM FROM BHUJ. SO WHEN CLIENTS WILL GO FOR FULL DAY VISIT OF BANNI AREA THEY WILL TAKE PERMIT AND VISIT THE VILLAGE AND CARRY ON. AT BIRENDYRA THEY ARE CLOSE ON SUNDAY AND PUBLIC HOLIDAYS. OFFICE TIMING IS TILL 1600 HRS IN THE AFTERNOON.

Overnight at hotel

Morning drive to Gondal visiting Wankaner on the route.

Wankaner Palace is a beautiful historical Indian palace. It was built up by Maharaja of Wankaner H.H. Amarsinhji in the 20th century. Originally, it was holiday palace of Maharaja of Wankaner during his rule in the state. It is now been converted into a hotel.

Continue to drive towards Gondal and on arrival check-in at hotel.

Gondal, the capital of the former princely State of Gondal, was ruled by the Jadeja Rajput clan, till the independence of India. It is a fortified town located on the river Gondali. Present day Gondal is a testimony to the great visionary ruler Sir Bhagwatsinhiji, who introduced social reforms, planned the development of Gondal town and created a model state of Saurashtra in late 19th and early 20th century.

Overnight at hotel

Morning visit of Gondal Palace – NaulakhaDarbargadh Palace was built during the 17th century. This palace is one of the oldest and the most beautiful palace in Gondal. This palace is situated on the banks of the river on a grand masonry base, rising to the monumental scale of at least 30 meter above the river bed. This palace was built in about nine lakhs and thus named so. The palace is approached by the high gateway with the clock tower from the town side. The entrance leads to a huge open space with administrative blocks on the right and a grand staircase with balustrade on the extreme left corner leading to the intricately carved pavilions on the open terrace.

Later drive to Diu visiting Somanath Temple on the route.

The Somnath temple located in PrabhasPatan near Veraval in Saurashtra on the western coast of Gujarat, India, is believed to be the first among the twelve jyotirlinga shrines of Shiva. It is an important pilgrimage and tourist spot of Gujarat. Destroyed and reconstructed several times in the past, the present temple was reconstructed in Chalukya style of Hindu temple architecture and completed in May 1951.

Arrive Diu and check-in at hotel. Overnight at hotel

Diu Island is lying off the south coast of Gujarat's Kathiawar peninsula, separated from the mainland by a tidal creek.The town of Diu and Diu Fort are located on the island.

Morning visit visit Diu Fort, St. Paul church and later drive to Bhavnagar.

Bhavnagar is situated 198 km from the state capital Gandhinagar and to the west of the Gulf of Khambhat. It has always been an important city for trade with many large and small scale industries along with the world's largest ship breaking yard (Alang) located 50 km away. Palitana Jain temples, which are important holy places for Jains, are situated 56 km away, and Velavadar national park, home to endangered species of wolves, antelopes and blackbucks, is situated 42 km away.
Overnight at hotel

Morning excursion to Palitana – visit the famous 863 Jain Temples on mount Shetrunjaya. One has to climb approx 4000 stone steps.

AT PALITANA PHOTOGRAPHY IS NOT ALLOWED FROM OUTSIDE AND INSIDE

PALITANA - Palitana is one of the most sacred sites of Jainism. The Temple dedicated to Shri Adishwara, the First Jain Apostle, is the most sacred. The Four faced temple enshrines a quadruple image of Adinath. A fantastic collection of temple Jewels can be seen during deity adorning ceremonies at Shri Adishwara temple. The 600-meter climb to Shatrunjay is made on foot. (It takes approx. 4-5 hrs walk both ways. Lift-chairs are available one way).

Overnight at hotel

Morning drive to Barodavisiting Lothal (a world heritage site).

Lothal is one of the most prominent cities of the ancient Indus valley civilisation, located in the Bhāl region of the modern state of Gujarāt and dating from 3700 BCE

After the visit, drive to Baroda and on arrival check-in at hotel.

Baroda has a rich historical background. The ardent historian can trace Baroda’s history over 2000 years and more. However, the recent threads can be picked up when the Moghul rule over the city came to an end in 1732, when Pilaji brought the Maratha activities in Southern Gujarat to a head and captured it. Except for a short break, Baroda continued to be in the hands of the Gaekwads from 1734 to 1949.

Later afternoon visit Laxmi Vilas Palace & Fatehsingh Museum ( Both remain close on Monday and Public Holiday ).

Lakshmi Villas Palace, an extravagant building of the Indo-Saracenic school, was built by Maharaja SayajiraoGaekwad III in 1890 at a cost of GBP180,000. Major Charles Mant was the architect. It is reputed to have been the largest private dwelling built till date and four times the size of Buckingham Palace. At the time of construction it boasted the most modern amenities such as elevators and the interior is reminiscent of a large European country house. It remains the residence of the Royal Family, who continue to be held in high esteem by the residents of Baroda.
The collection of Maharaja Fatesingh Museum Trust is in the school building situated in the Lukshmi Villas Palace compound, formerly known as the Motibaug School built in 1875 for Maharaja SayajiraoGaekwad III. Maharaja PratapsinghraoGaekwad and later Maharaja FatesinghraoGaekwad, the founder of the trust, as well as other members of the royal family including Maharaja RanjitsinhGaekwad completed their schooling here. After appropriately redesigning the existing school building to house the art treasures, Dr. H. Goetz, a renowned museum director and an expert art historian, was engaged to arrange the display of this museum.

Come back to hotel and overnight at hotel in Baroda.

Full day excursion to Champaner & Chotta Udaipur.

Champaner, a concentration of largely unexcavated archaeological, historic and living cultural heritage properties cradled in an impressive landscape which includes prehistoric (chalcolithic) sites, a hill fortress of an early Hindu capital, and remains of the 16th-century capital of the state of Gujarat. The site also includes, among other vestiges, fortifications, palaces, religious buildings, residential precincts, agricultural structures and water installations, from the 8th to 14th centuries. The Kalikamata Temple on top of Pavagadh Hill is considered to be an important shrine, attracting large numbers of pilgrims throughout the year. The site is the only complete and unchanged Islamic pre-Mughal city.

ChottaUdepur, the essence of the town, however, is that it lies in the heart of a tribal area with rich indigenous history and culture. Every Saturday there is a haat or tribal market. The town is a good base from which to explore the surrounding tribal villages, particularly in the Rathwa communities. The Tribal Museum is also worth a visit, though of course not nearly as important as day-to-day interaction with people alive today.

Come back to hotel and overnight.

Breakfast at hotel & drive to Ahmedabad . Upon arrival check into the hotel. Later afternoon visit Adalaj Step well &SarkhejkaRoza in Ahmedabad. Overnight at hotel.

In time transfer to airport for flight back home or for the onward destination.

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