Bhuj, Gir National Park, Sasan, Somnath, Diu, Bhavnagar, Palitana, Lothal, Dasada, Modehra, Patan, Balaram, Khumbariya, Adalaj tour in Gujarat
12 DEC ‘2010 ( Sunday) : Arrive BHUJ.
Meals Included: None
Upon arrival at Bhuj airport, ( ex Mumbai ), you will be met at the airport and transferred to your hotel.
Bhuj was founded in 1548 AD by Rao Khengarji I, starting a dynasty of jadeja rulers that ruled over Kachchh for 400 years. And so, the old walled city of Bhuj is the most important town in the area. The place lies at the heart of Kutch and is linked by many roads to the rest of the peninsula. This afternoon we need seek the permission from collector’s office to visit villages in the Banni area.
Rest of the day at leisure.
Overnight in Bhuj.
13 DEC ’2010 ( Monday ) : Bhuj
Meals Included: Breakfast
Morning do the formality to seek the permission from collector’s office to visit villages in the Banni area.
Late afternoon sightseeing of Bhuj.
Overnight in Bhuj.
14 DEC ’2010 ( TUESDAY ) : Bhuj
Meals Included: Breakfast
Today will be dedicated to visit of the villages around Bhuj engaged in various handicrafts like – shawl weaving, Rogan art painting, Bead / mirror work on fabrics, leather embroidery, pottery making, wood carving etc., where you will come across some master craft people’ exhibiting their traditional art, turning out master pieces every day. Their ornaments, clothes, utensils, everything they use – will make you feel as if you have stepped into lifestyle museum leaving you spellbound.
Full day excursion to North Side of Bani Village.
Overnight in Bhuj.
15 DEC’2010 ( WEDNESDAY ) : Bhuj
Meals Included: Breakfast
Full day excursion to South Side of Bani Village.
Overnight in Bhuj.
16 DEC’2010 ( THURSDAY ) : Bhuj / Gondal
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
After breakfast this morning you will drive to Gondal - the capital of the former princely State of Gondal. 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. Gondal royal family has an exquisite & rare collection of vintage cars.
This afternoon you will enjoy sightseeing of important sights of Gondal. Overnight at the Gondal .
17 DEC’2010 ( FRIDAY ) : gondal / junagadh / sasan
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
After breakfast this morning you will drive to Sasan. Enroute visit Junagadh.
Junagadh is an ancient, fortified city at the base of the holy Girnar hills. The town is famous f or many exotic old buildings. Junagadh was the capital of the Junagadh State under the Muslim rulers of Babi Nawabs. In Gujarati, `Junagadh’ literally means an ancient fort. The place also has Ashokan edicts from about 250 BC. Junagadh has at different times in history, been influenced by all the four major religions of this area – Hindu, Buddhist, Jain and Islamic. All of that has left an indelible impression on the culture and architecture of this town.
Continue drive to Sasan. On arrival checkin at hotel.
Evening jungle safari at Gir National Park.
Reputed across the world for its population of Asiatic Lion, Gir National Park is a paradise for the connoisseurs of wildlife. Spread across an area of 1,412.13 sq Km, it has a rugged terrain and the steep rocky hillsides are covered in mixed deciduous forests. Due to the high density of lions at Gir, spotting is very good. Also Jungle Cat, Desert Cat, Rusty Spotted Cat, Sambar, Nilgai, Chinkara, Sambar, Black Buck, Four-Horned Antelope, Wild Boar, Indian Flying Fox, Indian Pangolin and Indian Porcupine can be spotted. Overnight at Sasan.
18 DEC ’2010 ( SATURDAY ) : SASAN
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Early and late in the day are always best for wildlife viewing. Morning & afternoon Jungle safari.
The period between game drives can be spent at the hotel but if you wish you can plan bird watching activities or other local excursions.
Overnight at Sasan.
19 DEC ’2010 ( SUNDAY ) : SASAN / SOMNATH / DIU
Meals Included: Breakfast,
Breakfast at hotel. Drive to Diu. Enroute visit Somnath.
Somnath is the first among the twelve Jyotirlings. Since ancient times, Prabhas Patan has been a pilgrimage, being the confluence of the mythological Saraswati, Hiranya and Kapila. Legend has it that Lord Shiva’s Kalbhairav linga is situated at Prabhas. It is also associated with the moon as the Moon God is also said to have worshipped this Shivling. This is also the reason why this temple is popularly known as Somnath, the one named after the moon.
Continue drive to Diu. A beautiful blend of sun, sand and sea, Diu is a God’s gift to those in quest of a blessed land where the weary weight of this unintelligible world can, for a while, be lightened and the waking soul can hear the music of the nature. This tiny island of breeze, beauty and serenity situated off the southern tip of the Saurashtra (Kathiawad) peninsula of Gujarat, lapped by the Arabian Sea, is a picture of calmness with superb beaches and a fascinating history.
Checkin into your resort. Relax at Beach. Overnight at Diu.
20 DEC ’2010 ( MONDAY ) : DIU
Meals Included: Breakfast,
Full day at leisure to enjoy the beach. They are exception ally beautiful, quiet and some of the beaches also offer a wide variety of water sports facilities.
Overnight at Diu.
21 DEC ’2010 ( TUESDAY ) : DIU / Bhavnagar
Meals Included: Breakfast
After breakfast this morning sightseeing of Diu visiting Diu Fort, St. Paul Church.
Later drive to Bhavnagar – Bhavnagar was founded in 1723 A.D. near the gulf of Khambhat on a carefully chosen strategic location having potential of Maritime trade. Bhavnagar remained a major port For almost two centuries, trading commodities with Africa, Mozambique, Zannibar, Singapore and the persian gulf.
Present day Bhavnagar owes much to the vision of the past ruler sir Takhtsinhji Gohil ( 1869 – 96 A.D.). In 1948, the last princely ruler, late Sir Krishna Kumar Sinhji, handed over the administration of his state to the people’s representative on the advise of Mahatma Gandhi.
Checkin at your hotel. Overnight at Hotel.
22 DEC ’2010 ( WEDNESDAY ) : Bhavnagar / Palitana / Bhavnagar .
Meals Included: Breakfast
After breakfast this morning excursion visit to Palitana – The Shetrunjaya Hill (2,000 ft) behind Palitana town has 863 elaborate temples with arches, carved pillars, jewelled idols, that range form the 11th to 20th century. All the temples have been built on top of the hill and it takes approximately 2 hours to climb the 3,500 steps. The summit has the most revered Jain temples complex, surpassing those of Mt.Abu and Ranakpur. At dusk everyone must leave this temple city – even the priest, who then return the following morning dawn.
Return to Bhavnagar. Overnight at Bhavnagar.
23 DEC ’2010 ( THURSDAY ) : BHAVNAGAR / LOTHAL / Dasada
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
After breakfast this morning you will drive to Dasada via Lothal.
Lothal is the name of an ancient mound situated in the revenue jurisdiction of Sara gwala village in Dholka Taluka of Ahmedabad district. The word ‘Lothal’ meaning ‘place of the dead’ in Gujarati language is said to have been formed by combining the words Loth and Thal (sthal). Lothal is essentially a single culture site. The Harappan culture in all its various forms is well represented here.
Continue driving to reach Dasada, the base camp for exploring the desert of Kutch, described by Lt. Burnes in his memoirs “as space without a counterpart in the globe.” The word Rann is from Sanskrit meaning waste while Kutch (from kachbo) means “tortoise” for the shape of the land. As you drive through the area visiting a few small villages, keep an eye out for migratory birds and herds of wild ass that have made the Kutch their home.
Overnight in Dasada.
24 DEC ’2010 (FRIDAY) : DASADA
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
In the morning jeep safari at Little Rann of Kutch – the only sanctuary for The Asiatic Wild Ass in India. The wild ass is a handsome chestnut brown member of the equus genus (horse family). Capable of reaching high speeds when galloping across the Rann, the wild ass is usually seen in small herds.
The elegant blackbuck, blue bull (India’s largest antelope) and the graceful chinkara (Indian gazelle) are other mammals seen at the bets.
The main carnivores of the Little Rann of Kutch are the endangered
Indian wolf, desert fox, Indian fox, jackals, desert and jungle cats, and a few hyenas.
Evening safari to explore the tribal villages around. Overnight in Dasada.
25 DEC ’2010 (SATURDAY) : DASADA / MODHERA / PATAN / BALARAM
Meals Included: Breakfast,
After breakfast this morning you will drive to Balaram.
Visit Patan - for its beautifully designed patola silk weaving by unique style of ikat weaving. There is also the renovated Rani-ki-Vav, a step well which boasts of some of Gujarat’s finest carvings.
Modhera – The beautiful and partially ruined sun temple of Modhera was built by King Bhimdev I (1026 – 27) and bears some resemblance to the later, far better known, Sun temple of Konark, Orissa. It was designed so th at the dawn sun shone on the image of Surya, the sun God at the equinoxes.
Arrive Balaram. Checkin at Hotel. It is a holy place with considerable importance as a Hindu pilgrimage. Situated in scenic forest areas, Balaram is an ideal spot for a day picnic from Ahmedabad.
Overnight at Balaram.
26 DEC’2010 (Sunday) : BALARAM
Meals Included: Breakfast,
Breakfast at hotel. Full day excursion to villages of Grasia & Bhil Tribes.
Overnight at Balaram.
27 DEC’2010 (MONDAY) :BALARAM / KHUMBARIYA / ADALAJ / AHEMADABAD.
Meals Included: Breakfast,
After breakfast drive to Ahemadabad. On the way visit Khumbariya to see the beautiful jain Temple and visit Adlaj to see the beautiful stepwell.
Adalaj is a village to the north of Ahmedabad. The ‘Vav’ (step-well) at Adalaj derives its name from the lady patron, Ruda, wife of the Vaghela chief, Virsinh. Stepwell perhaps is a unique feature of Gujarat, which speaks of the history, culture, and architecture. It was also considered to be a religious obligation.
Continue drive to Ahemadabad. Checkin at hotel.
Ahmedabad – Manchester of the East. Founded in the year 1411 AD is located on the banks of river Sabarmati and has been named after Sultan Ahmed Shah, who was primarily responsible for building it. Today, this city is known as India’s Textile City. It is the second largest industrial city in Western India.
Overnight at hotel.
28 DEC ’2010 (TUESDAY ) : Ahmedabad
Meals Included: Breakfast,
After breakfast this morning you will proceed for full day tour of the city covering Calico textile museum, Gandhi Ashram, Hatthising Jain Temple, Jama mosque, Siddi sayyed mosque etc.
Overnight in Ahmedabad.
29 DEC ’2010 (WEDNESDAY ) : Ahmedabad / airport
Meals Included: Breakfast,
After breakfast this morning you will drop to Ahemadabad airport to board your flight to Mumbai.
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