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Suggested general and
special interest itineraries for Gujarat
GUJARAT HERITAGE
(Recommended as an extension to Rajasthan tour)
Day-1: AHMEDABAD
Arrive at Ahmedabad. Visit the Calico Museum of
Textiles, the historic Gandhi Ashram and the Sardar
Patel memorial at Shahibagh Palace.
Authentic Gujarati thali dinner and o/n halt at the
House of Mangaldas.
Day-2: AHMEDABAD – PALITANA 239 km (Approx. four
hours drive)
In
the morning, take the Heritage Walk in walled city
of Ahmedabad. This organized walking tour is a great
way to see the historic Swaminarayan Temple,
exquisitely carved Jain and Hindu temples, ornate
wooden havelis and the traditional lifestyle of the
dwellers of the old quarters, bird-feeders, the 15th
century Jumma Mosque and the mausoleum complexes of
the Sultans and Begums of medieval Ahmedabad.
Depart for Palitana calling in on the way at the
2400 – 1600 BC Indus site of Lothal for an insight
into the Harappan civilization. Time permitting,
visit the Jain museum of Palitana and the local
bazaar.
Home-cooked non-veg and veg dinner and o/n at the
six-room Vijay Vilas Palace, the 1906 AD country
house of the late Prince of Palitana now run by his
grand-daughter as a heritage hotel.
Day-3: PALITANA – GONDAL 160 km (Approx three hours)
Early morning ascent to the 863-temple covered
summit of Shatrunjaya Hill. This is one of the most
awe-inspiring sights of Gujarat and is one of the
major Jain pilgrimage sites with an aura of devotion
that is mind-blowing.
Depart after lunch at the Vijay Vilas for Gondal.
See the 1748 AD Naulakha Palace, the Vintage and
Classic Car museum, the Bhuvaneshwari Ayurvedic
Pharmacy and the Swaminarayan Temple.
Stay at the Riverside Palace/Orchard Palace of
Gondal, both of them are heritage hotels owned and
managed by their owners with 11 and seven rooms
respectively and the latter also has a converted
rail saloon suite.
Day-4: GONDAL – JUNAGADH – GONDAL 123 km round trip
Drive to Junagadh to see 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.
Return to Riverside Palace/Orchard Palace of Gondal
for overnight.
Day-5: GONDAL – DASADA 220 km (Approx four hours)
On
arrival at Dasada, depart for a jeep safari in the
Little Rann of Kutch in search of endangered desert
wildlife like the Asiatic wild ass and witness the
sunset at a lake that attracts flamingos, pelicans,
cranes and other attractive birds in large numbers.
Stay at Rann Riders, an imaginatively designed
safari resort.
Day-6: DASADA – DANTA 180 km (Five hours driving and
sightseeing)
Early morning walk in Dasada village, known for its
Rabari and Bharwad embroidery, weaving and other
handiwork. Depart for the 11th century
Sun Temple at Modhera, one of the finest examples of
Chalukya architecture, and Patan known for its 11th
century step well and Patola Silk Weaving. Arrive
Danta for dinner and o/n halt at the Bhavani Villa,
a four-room heritage hotel run by the owners.
Day-7: DANTA – MT ABU/UDAIPUR/DUNGARPUR
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FORTS AND PALACES OF GUJARAT
(This is an ideal extension to an Madhya Pradesh
tour)
Day-1: AHMEDABAD
Arrive at Ahmedabad. Visit the Calico Museum of
Textiles, the historic Gandhi Ashram and the Sardar
Patel memorial at Shahibagh Palace.
Authentic Gujarati thali dinner and o/n halt at the
House of Mangaldas.
Day-2: AHMEDABAD – PALITANA 239 km (Approx four
hours drive)
In
the morning, take the Heritage Walk in walled city
of Ahmedabad. This organized walking tour is a great
way to see the historic Swaminarayan Temple,
exquisitely carved Jain and Hindu temples, ornate
wooden havelis and the traditional lifestyle of the
dwellers of the old quarters, bird-feeders, the 15th
century Jumma Mosque and the mausoleum complexes of
the Sultans and Begums of medieval Ahmedabad.
Depart for Palitana calling in on the way at the
2400 – 1600 BC Indus site of Lothal for an insight
into the Harappan civilization. Time permitting,
visit the Jain museum of Palitana and the local
bazaar.
Home-cooked non-veg and veg dinner and o/n at the
six-room Vijay Vilas Palace, the 1906 AD country
house of the late Prince of Palitana now run by his
grand-daughter as a heritage hotel.
Day-3: PALITANA – GONDAL 160 km (Approx three hours)
Early morning ascent to the 863-temple covered
summit of Shatrunjaya Hill. This is one of the most
awe-inspiring sights of Gujarat and is one of the
major Jain pilgrimage sites with an aura of devotion
that is mind-blowing.
Depart after lunch at the Vijay Vilas for Gondal.
See the 1748 AD Naulakha Palace, the Vintage and
Classic Car museum, the Bhuvaneshwari Ayurvedic
Pharmacy and the Swaminarayan Temple.
Stay at the Riverside Palace/Orchard Palace of
Gondal, both of them are heritage hotels owned and
managed by their owners with 11 and seven rooms
respectively and the latter also has a converted
rail saloon suite.
Day-4: GONDAL – JUNAGADH – GONDAL 123 km round trip
Drive to Junagadh to see 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.
Return to Riverside Palace/Orchard Palace of Gondal
for overnight halt.
Day-5: GONDAL – DASADA 220 km (Approx four hours)
On
arrival at Dasada, depart for a jeep safari in the
Little Rann of Kutch in search of endangered desert
wildlife like the Asiatic wild ass and witness the
sunset at a lake that attracts flamingos, pelicans,
cranes and other attractive birds in large numbers.
Stay at Rann Riders, an imaginatively designed
safari resort.
Day-6: DASADA – BALASINOR 180 km (Approx three and a
half hours)
Early morning walk in Dasada village, known for its
Rabari and Bharwad embroidery, weaving and other
handiwork.Drive to Balasinor and stay at the Garden
Palace. Visit the dinosaur site, one of the largest
prehistoric fossil sites in the world.
Day-7: BALASINOR – CHAMPANER – CHHOTA UDEPUR
Drive to Champaner, the only Gujarat site on the
World Heritage List, and see the impressive forts,
mosques, mausoleum and temples. Proceed to Chhota
Udepur and stay at Kali Niketan, a heritage hotel.
Day-8: Drive into Madhya Pradesh.
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COASTAL KINGDOMS OF GUJARAT
(This is an ideal tour of Gujarat especially after
visiting land-locked states like Rajasthan and MP).
Day-1: AHMEDABAD
Arrive at Ahmedabad. Visit the Calico Museum of
Textiles, the historic Gandhi Ashram and the Sardar
Patel memorial at Shahibagh Palace.
Authentic Gujarati thali dinner and o/n halt at the
House of Mangaldas.
Day-2: AHMEDABAD – PALITANA 239 km (Approx four
hours drive)
In
the morning, take the Heritage Walk in walled city
of Ahmedabad. This organized walking tour is a great
way to see the historic Swaminarayan Temple,
exquisitely carved Jain and Hindu temples, ornate
wooden havelis and the traditional lifestyle of the
dwellers of the old quarters, bird-feeders, the 15th
century Jumma Mosque and the mausoleum complexes of
the Sultans and Begums of medieval Ahmedabad.
Depart for Palitana calling in on the way at the
2400 – 1600 BC Indus site of Lothal for an insight
into the Harappan civilization. Time permitting,
visit the Jain museum of Palitana and the local
bazaar.
Home-cooked non-veg and veg dinner and o/n at the
six-room Vijay Vilas Palace, the 1906 AD country
house of the late Prince of Palitana now run by his
grand-daughter as a heritage hotel.
Day-3: PALITANA – DIU ISLAND 200 km (Approx five
hours drive
Early morning ascent to the 863-temple covered
summit of Shatrunjaya Hill. This is one of the most
awe-inspiring sights of Gujarat and is one of the
major Jain pilgrimage sites with an aura of devotion
that is mind-blowing.
Depart after lunch for Diu Island. Enjoy the beaches
of Diu.
Stay at Radhika Beach Hotel/Richie-Rich Beach Hotel/Magico
Do Mar Beach Resort/Hotel Kohinoor.
DAY-4: DIU ISLAND
Visit the 16th century Portuguese Fort,
churches, museum and other sights of Diu.
Stay as on day-3.
DAY-5: DIU – SOMNATH – GIR (120 km)
Drive to Somnath to see the world-famous shore
temple and other temples. Drive to Gir, enroute
visit the fishing port of Veraval known for its
hand-built dhows. Stay at Gir Birding Lodge set in a
mango orchard. .
DAY-6 & 7: GIR
Game drives in Gir, the last abode of the Asiatic
lion. Gir is also known for its large panther
population and for its birds. Between drives, visit
interesting villages.
Stay at Gir Birding Lodge.
DAY-8: GIR – GONDAL 123 km
Drive to Junagadh to see 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.
Continue to Gondal. See the 1748 AD Naulakha Palace,
the Vintage and Classic Car museum, the
Bhuvaneshwari Ayurvedic Pharmacy and the
Swaminarayan Temple.
Stay at the Riverside Palace/Orchard Palace of
Gondal, both of them are heritage hotels owned and
managed by their owners with 11 and seven rooms
respectively and the latter also has a converted
rail saloon suite.
Day-9: GONDAL – GANDHIDHAM, KUTCH 240 km
Drive to Gandhidham and stay at the Sharma Resort,
the only four-star hotel of Kutch District. Visit
the colourful handicraft markets and the textile
town of Anjar.
Day-10: GANDHIDHAM – BHUJ – MANDVI 112 km
Drive to Bhuj to see the monuments of this historic
town and then to Mandvi.
Stay at the luxury beachside camp in the Vijay Vilas
Palace estate.
Day-11: MANDVI
Visit the dhow-builders of Mandvi, the Vijay Vilas
Palace and nearby villages.
Stay as on day-10.
Day-12: MANDVI – DASADA 350 km
On
arrival at Dasada, depart for a jeep safari in the
Little Rann of Kutch in search of endangered desert
wildlife like the Asiatic wild ass and witness the
sunset at a lake that attracts flamingos, pelicans,
cranes and other attractive birds in large numbers.
Stay at Rann Riders, an imaginatively designed
safari resort.
Day-13: DASADA – AHMEDABAD/MT ABU/UDAIPUR
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BIRDWATCHING AND WILDLIFE TOUR
Day-1: AHMEDABAD- RANN RIDERS SAFARI RESORT, DASADA
(Approx two hours drive)
Arrive Ahmedabad by morning flight or overnight
Rajdhani Express, and have breakfast at the
river-facing Cama Park Plaza, where your bird list
will begin with many garden birds in the hotel
premises and waterside birds along the Sabarmati
River. Travel to Dasada, two hours away, to arrive
in time for lunch at Rann Riders. The road to Dasada
is interesting as you pass cattle graveyards where
white, Egyptian and griffon vultures could be seen
and wetlands that are good for resident birds. This
eco-friendly safari resort is imaginatively designed
using local materials and has extensive grounds with
a water-body, ponds, gardens, plantations and
agricultural fields. Red-necked falcon, shikra, blue
throat, rosy starling, black ibis, white pelican,
gray and pond heron, pied, common and white-throated
kingfisher, and other birds come into the property.
After lunch, depart for a drive in the Little Rann
of Kutch, a sanctuary for the Indian wild ass. An
ancient seabed turned by geological forces into
saline desert plains, the Rann has grassy patches
that offer good bird watching. Crested and Sykes
larks, Oriental skylark, greater short-toed lark,
singing and Indian bush larks, ashy-crowned and
black-crowned sparrow-larks, are likely sightings
and greater hoopoe lark is possible. Desert and
variable wheatears, southern gray, long-tailed,
rufous-tailed and bay-back shrike, common wood
shrike are also likely sightings and the desert
warbler is among the many winter visiting warblers.
We will also look for chestnut-bellied and spotted
sand grouse, Indian courser (cream-colored visits
occasionally), quails, yellow-legged and barred
buttonquails, gray francolin, wryneck, brown-rock
chat, pied bush chat, rufous-tailed scrub robin,
blue-headed rock thrush, black redstart and buntings
in the scrubby areas. At sunset, it is possible to
watch marsh, Montague and pallid harriers, aquila
eagles, falcons and buzzards heading for their
roosting sites. Among the mammals of the Rann other
than the wild ass, there are chances of seeing
nilgai, chinkara gazelle, white-footed desert and
Indian foxes, the wolf, jungle cat (occasionally
also desert cat), pale and long-eared hedgehogs and
hare.
Day-2: DASADA
Morning drive to the bets, elevated patches in the
Rann covered with scrub and grass. In winter, this
is a likely area for Macqueen’s bustard.
Long-legged, common and white-eyed buzzard, booted
eagle, Bonneli’s eagle. short-toed snake eagle, are
often seen during the drive.
Evening visit to Nawa Talao, a lake where demoiselle
and common cranes gather in large flocks during the
winter months. Greater and lesser flamingo are seen
in large numbers, as are great white pelican with
spot billed and Dalmatian recorded. Painted, open
bill, wooly-necked, white, black and black-necked
stork could be seen as also black, glossy and
black-headed ibis. Northern pintail, common teal,
spot-billed duck, mallard, gadwall, pigeon, garganey,
shoveler, cotton pygmy goose, pochards, tufted duck,
lesser whistling duck, brahminy and comb duck are
among the many visitors to the lake. Waders include
pratincoles, lapwings, sandpipers, ruff and other
birds in good numbers.
Day-3: DASADA – HOTEL PRESIDENT, JAMNAGAR
Morning walk in Dasada village. This can yield a
reasonably good bird list including yellow-legged
green pigeon, paradise flycatcher, fantails,
red-breasted flycatcher, white-eye, prinias and
warblers. After breakfast, depart for Jamnagar, six
hours away. This is an interesting route passing
agricultural fields and lakes. Birds of open-country
like roller and black-shouldered kite could be seen.
Arrive at Hotel President in time for lunch. On this
day, we will also try to get permits to enter the
Marine National Park the next day. Evening visit to
Khijadiya Bird Sanctuary, where there are fairly
good chances of seeing Indian skimmer. This
sanctuary is a breeding area for many species of
birds that do not nest elsewhere in peninsular
India. Great-crested grebe, black-necked stork,
Caspian tern and many other birds can be seen
besides most of the species recorded in the Little
Rann area. Stay at Hotel President.
Day-4: JAMNAGAR
Visit coastal areas along the Gulf of Kutch, one of
the finest birding stretches along the Indian
coastline. You are likely to see crab-plover,
Kentish plover, oystercatcher, ruddy turnstone,
broad-billed sandpiper, sanderling, dunlin, curlew
sandpiper, black-headed gull, Pallas’ gull,
temmincks stint, lesser-crested tern, gull-billed
tern, common tern, little tern, black-bellied tern,
whiskered tern, whiskered tern, darters, western
reef egret and other birds could be seen on this
route.
Time permitting, walk to Lakhota Lake to watch
brown-headed gulls and a variety of ducks.
Stay at Hotel President.
Day-5: JAMNAGAR – THE PALACES OF GONDAL
Depart at dawn with a picnic lunch for Porbandar,
two hours away. This coastal city is good for
watching and photographing birds at close range.
Besides large flamingo and crane flocks, this area
also receives yellow-legged gull, henglin’s gull,
sandwich tern, black-bellied tern, etc. Travel three
hours to Gondal and check-in at the Riverside
Palace/Orchard Palace. These heritage hotels are
good for birding with many species coming in to the
orchards and on the river-shores. Drive to the
grasslands where there are chances of seeing
Eurasian eagle-owl, Montagu harrier, short-eared
owl, rock bush quail, ashy-crowned sparrow-lark,
southern grey and rufous-tailed shrike, pipits, pied
bushchat, among other birds. The lakes of Gondal
attract large flocks of demoiselle and common
cranes, white pelicans, ducks, and other birds.
Day-6: GONDAL – GIR BIRDING LODGE
After breakfast, travel three hours to Gir and take
a mini-bus tour of the Interpretation Zone, an
enclosed cross-section of Gir habitats. Dinner and
overnight at the Gir Birding Lodge in a private
orchard of Gir with a forest view.
Day-7 & 8: GIR BIRDING LODGE
A
tapestry of dry deciduous forests, acacia scrub and
grassland, fed by rivers and reservoirs, Gir is the
last abode of the Asiatic lion and has a thriving
population of panther (leopard), sambar, chital
(spotted deer), nilgai (blue bull antelope) and wild
boar. Gir is also one of the major habitats of
chousingha (the world’s only four-horned antelope)
and chinkara (Indian gazelle) that are hard to spot
in the teak forests along the game drive trails.
Among the many birds of Gir, changeable hawk eagle,
crested serpent eagle, Bonneli’s eagle, shaheen
peregrene falcon, laggar falcon, shikra, painted
sand grouse, quails, black-hooded and golden oriels,
marshal’s and common iora, Asian paradise
flycatcher, tickell’s blue, red-throated, verditer
and Asian brown flycatchers, yellow-crowned,
brown-capped pygmy, black-rumped flameback
woodpeckers, green and blue-cheeked bee-eaters,
coppersmith barbet, common, lesser pied and
white-throated kingfisher, blossom-headed parakeet,
hoopoe, black, ashy and white-bellied drongos,
rufous treepie, large cuckoo shrike, small minivet,
red-vented and white-eared bulbul, tawny-bellied,
yellow-eyed, jungle and large gray babblers,
gray-breasted, ashy, rufous-fronted, plain, jungle
and graceful prinias, zitting cisticola, clamorous
reed-warbler, booted warbler, greenish warbler,
lesser and Hume’s warbler, orphean warbler and
blyth’s reed warbler, are among the many birds that
could be seen here. Those interested in herpetology
can visit the crocodile-breeding farm at Sasan.
Day-9: GIR - PALITANA
Travel four hours from Gir to Palitana and check-in
at the Vijay Vilas, a family-run heritage hotel.
Bird in the surrounding countryside or visit
Bhavnagar for birding at Victoria Park (good
scrubland bird life), Gaurishankar Lake and near the
ports where Western reef egret nest in good numbers.
Those interested in combining culture with natural
history can visit the magnificent Jain temple
complex atop Shatrunjaya Hill.
Day-10: PALITANA – VELAVADAR - PALITANA
Early morning depart for Velavadar National Park
with a picnic lunch. Known for its large blackbuck
antelope population, Velavadar is also one of the
few places where the wolf is proliferating in India
though they are rarely seen in the daylight. Jackal,
jungle cat and hare are more easily seen and Indian
fox on the periphery. Sirkeer malkoha, painted
francolin, chestnut-bellied and spotted sand grouse,
rufous-tailed, crested and Sykes’ larks, red-rumped
swallows, desert and variable wheatears and other
birds are seen and many raptors visit specially
short-toed snake eagle, imperial, steppe, tawny,
greater and lesser spotted eagles, laggar falcon,
hobby, common kestrel, red-necked falcon, peregrine
falcon, white-eyed and long-legged buzzard,
black-shouldered kite, shikra, Eurasian sparrow-hawk
and occasionally northern goshawk. Rarities include
the Stoilczka’s bush chat. In the evening, witness a
massive roost of montagu, pallid and marsh harrier.
Return to Palitana.
Day-11: PALITANA – AHMEDABAD/BHAVNAGAR FOR RETURN
FLIGHT.
EXTENSION TO RAJASTHAN: Ahmedabad – Udaipur -
Kumbhalgarh – Jodhpur – Jaisalmer – Bikaner –
Pushkar – Jaipur – Ranthambore – Bharatpur – Agra -
Delhi
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TEXTILES AND HANDICRAFTS OF GUJARAT
DAY-1: AHMEDABAD
Arrive at Ahmedabad and visit the Calico Museum of
Textiles and other museums exhibiting textiles and
handicrafts. Ahmedabad is also a major center for
textiles and handiwork and has interesting markets
and bazaars.
Accommodations: House of Mangaldas Girdhardas, a
heritage hotel, or Hotel Cama, one of Ahmedabad’s
first star-rated hotels. Both are conveniently
located for visiting the museums and textile
workshops of Ahmedabad.
DAY-2: AHMEDABAD – PALACES OF GONDAL (Five hrs)
Drive to Sayla for lunch at a heritage hotel and
visit nearby villages to watch weavers at work and
to see local beadwork. Continue to Gondal, known for
its beadwork, silver jewelry and brassware. Visit
cottage industries of Gondal to watch spinners,
weavers and other artisans at work, and the Naulakha
Palace with beautiful beadwork, brass utensils,
silverware and hand-painted wooden toys from the
princely collection.
Accommodations: Riverside Palace/Orchard Palace,
both heritage hotels decorated with pieces from the
private textile collection of the Maharani of Gondal.
DAY-3: GONDAL – JETPUR – JUNAGADH – GONDAL (One hour
driving time + sightseeing trips)
Jetpur is known for its screen-printing factories,
block-printing and textile units. Junagadh has
museums exhibiting textiles of the erstwhile Nawab
including beautiful carpets.
Accommodations: As on Day-2.
DAY-4: GONDAL – RAJKOT – HOTEL PRESIDENT, JAMNAGAR
(Four hours)
See the textiles at the Watson Museum and visit
Rashtriya Shala working to revive rare weaves and
handicrafts, both at Rajkot. Jamnagar is known for
its bandhini (tie-and-dye).
Accommodations: Hotel President.
DAY-4: JAMNAGAR – SHARMA RESORTS, KUTCH (Four hours)
Anjar is a center for textile and metal handicrafts.
Accommodations: Sharma Resorts, the only four-star
in Kutch District. Nearby Gandhidam has an excellent
textile market.
DAY-5: EXPLORE KUTCH
Drive to Bhuj calling in on the way at villages
known for their ajrakh block printing, Ahir
embroidery, Rabari embroidery and master weavers.
Spend the rest of the day at the markets, monuments
and
Accommodations: Sharma Resorts, the only four-star
in Kutch District.
DAY-6: FULL DAY VILLAGE TOUR
Visit the villages of Sodha Rajputs, Muslim pastoral
groups like the Jaths and Muthwas and their
sub-groups, Hindu pastoral groups like the Rabaris,
Meghwal Harijans and other communities known for
their exquisite embroidery.
Accommodations: Sharma Resorts, the only four-star
in Kutch District.
DAY-7: SHARMA RESORTS, KUTCH – RANN RIDERS SAFARI
RESORT, DASADA Four hours
Dasada is known for its Vadiara Rabari and Bharwad
embroidery. Also, visit weavers and other artisans.
Accommodations: Rann Riders at Dasada, a resort
imaginatively designed using local materials and
handicrafts.
DAY-8: DASADA – PATAN - DASADA
Patan is known for Patola Silk Weaving, a rare
double-ikat weaving technique.
Accommodations: Rann Riders at Dasada, a resort
imaginatively designed using local materials and
handicrafts.
DAY-9: DASADA – AHMEDABAD/MT ABU/UDAIPUR
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TRIBES AND CULTURAL HIGHLIGHTS OF
GUJARAT
DAY-1: AHMEDABAD
Visit the museums of Ahmedabad.
Accommodations: House of Mangaldas Girdhardas, a
heritage hotel, or Hotel Cama, one of the first
star-rated hotels of Ahmedabad.
DAY-2: AHMEDABAD – DARBARGADH POSHINA Four hours
Poshina is surrounded by Garasia and Bhil villages.
Visit a tribal shrine and the village market.
Accommodations: Darbargadh Poshina, a heritage
hotel.
DAY-3: POSHINA – BHAVANI VILLA, DANTA Two hours
Visit the 1062-1134 AD Kumbhariyaji Jain Temples,
the 12th century Taranga Jain Temple and the
monuments of Vadnagar near Danta.
Accommodations: Bhavani Villa, a heritage hotel.
DAY-4:DANTA – RANN RIDERS SAFARI RESORT, DASADA Four
hours
Visit the step well and silk weavers of Patan and
the 11th century Sun Temple of Modhera.
Accommodations: Rann Riders, a safari resort
imaginatively designed from local materials and
handiwork.
DAY-5: DASADA
Dasada Taluka is inhabited by pastoral communities
like the Vadiara Rabaris and the Bharwads, and
nomadic/semi-nomadic groups like the Mirs and
Bajanias.
Safari across the Little Rann of Kutch to see the
desert wildlife and magnificent birds at the lakes
and to visit the Kolis at the salt works.
Accommodations: Rann Riders, a safari resort
imaginatively designed from local materials and
handiwork.
DAY-6: DASADA – SHARMA RESORTS, KUTCH Four hours
Drive to Anjar, a centre for textile and metal
handicrafts.
Accommodations: Sharma Resorts, the only four-star
in Kutch District. Nearby Gandhidam has an excellent
textile market.
DAY-7: ANJAR – BHUJ - ANJAR
Drive to Bhuj calling in on the way at villages
known for their ajrakh block printing, Ahir
embroidery, Rabari embroidery and master weavers.
Spend the rest of the day at the markets, monuments
and
Accommodations: Sharma Resorts, the only four-star
in Kutch District.
DAY-8: FULL DAY VILLAGE TOUR
Visit the villages of Sodha Rajputs, Muslim pastoral
groups like the Jaths and Muthwas and their
sub-groups, Hindu pastoral groups like the Rabaris,
Meghwal Harijans and other communities known for
their exquisite embroidery.
Accommodations: Sharma Resorts, the only four-star
in Kutch District.
DAY-9: SHARMA RESORTS – RAJKOT – PALACES OF GONDAL
Five hours
Visit the Watson Museum and weaving institute at
Rajkot. Gondal is known for its Naulakha Palace
where the royal family has exhibited beadwork,
silverware, brass utensils, hand-painted wooden toys
and other artifacts from their antique collection,
silver jewelry, brass boxes called pataras and
Bhuvaneshwari Ayurvedic Pharmacy. Visit the Bharwad
and other pastoral villages around Gondal town.
Accommodations: Riverside Palace/Orchard Palace,
heritage hotels decorated with pieces of beadwork,
embroidery and other handiwork from the Maharani’s
collection.
DAY-10: GONDAL – JETPUR – JUNAGADH – GIR BIRDING
LODGE Four hours
Jetpur is known for its screen-printing,
block-printing and other textiles. Junagadh is a
historic city with a fort, royal mausoleum
complexes, palaces, museums and cave-sites.
Accommodations: Gir Birding Lodge
DAY-11: GIR BIRDING LODGE
The last abode of the Asiatic lion, Gir is also good
for other wildlife. Besides game-watching drives,
visit Maldhari pastoral settlements, Sorathi Rabari
pastoral villages and a Siddi village (Siddis are
believed to have come to Gujarat in medieval times
from African countries).
Accommodations: Gir Birding Lodge
DAY-12: GIR – VIJAY VILAS, PALITANA
At
Palitana, visit Koli and Bharwad colonies, Jain
museums and the marketplace.
Accommodations: Vijay Vilas, a heritage hotel.
DAY-13: PALITANA – BALASINOR Full day
Visit the Jain temple complex atop Shatrunjaya Hill,
one of the most important Jain holy places.
Proceed to Balasinor to reach in time for dinner
with the Nawab’s family.
Accommodations: Garden Palace.
DAY-14: BALASINOR – KALI NIKETAN, CHHOTA UDEPUR
Three hours
Chhota Udepur Taluka is known for its Rathwa, Bhil,
Bhilala and Nayaka villages. Visit a tribal haat
(market) and the tribal museum.
Accommodations: Kali Niketan, a heritage hotel.
DAY-15: CHHOTA UDEPUR - CHAMPANER - CHHOTA UDEPUR
Visit the medieval monuments of Champaner, the only
Gujarat site on the World Heritage List.
Accommodations: Kali Niketan, a heritage hotel.
DAY-16: CHHOTA UDEPUR – MANDU/INDORE/BARODA/AHMEDABAD
For Rajasthan, reverse the itinerary and drive
Poshina to Mt Abu/Udaipur/Ranakpur.
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