Gujarat

Arrive Ahmedabad and transfer to your hotel. Ahmedabad is Located on the banks of
the river Sabarmati; the city was founded by Sultan Ahmad Shah in 1411. Today it is
one of the fastest growing cities of India and is an immense repository of tradition,
history & culture. Its famous walled area is one of the finest examples of community
living & the city thrived as the textile capital & was nicknamed “Manchester of the East'
in 1888. This multicultural city is home to some of the finest Indo-Sarcenic mosques &
Jain temples.
The old city of Ahmedabad is dotted with labyrinthine by lanes called 'polls'. The
exquisite carved wooden mansions and havelis are in no manner less than their stone
counterparts in Rajasthan. The city also offers a rich architectural legacy that blends
Hindu and Muslim schools of architecture, stone and brick with arches, domes and
vaults, carved pillars, trefoil designs besides the modern buildings designed by the
famous French architect, Le Corbusier, and Louis Kahn.
Overnight at hotel

After breakfast proceed for day excursion to Patan and Modhera.
Patola Weaving – Patan is famous for its Patola weaving. India has a rich and ancient
heritage in fine textiles. (Double Ikkat) Patola from the area of Patan in the North
Gujarat region of western India glorifies this heritage. It has unique gem like qualities –
gorgeous colours, designs and durability. Its appearance lures the connoisseur of fine
textiles. It has no reverse side. Both the sides have equal intensity of color and design.
Historically, the art of Double Ikkat Patola weaving dates back to centuries.
Paintings in Ajanta caves resemble the tie-dye technique of Patola. Legend indicates
that sometimes in the 12 th century AC, King Kumarpal of Solanki dynasty, invited 700
families of Patola weavers from Jalna (South Maharashtra) to settle down in Patan in
North Gujarat. Salvi family is one of them who continues this traditional art and has
preserved it even today. This is our heritage art from four generations.
Also visit Rani ki Vav – stepwell in Patan – The Rani ki Vav, a step well in Patan is an
excellent example of subterranean architecture in Gujarat and has steps that lead down
to the water level. The Rani ki Vav was built by Rani Udayamti of the Solanki dynasty.
This Vav represents the finest of the Indian sculptures and architecture and forms the
link between a kunda and the classical step-well. In addition to the straight staircase, it
also has lateral staircases, along with very broad, stepped corridors.
Later visit Modhera.
Modhera: The Sun temple of Modhera is one of the finest examples of Indian
architecture of its period. Built in 1026 A.D. the temple is dedicated to the Sun-God,
Surya and stands high on a plinth overlooking a deep stone-steeped tank. Every inch of
the edifice, both inside and outside is magnificently carved with Gods and Goddesses,
birds, beasts and flowers. Sun Temple of Modhera was built by King Bhimdev I (1026-
27) and bears some resemblance to the later and far better known, Sun Temple of
Konark in the state of Orissa, which it predates by some 200 years. Like that temple, it
was designed so that the dawn sun shone on the image of Surya, the sun God, at the
time of the equinoxes. The main hall and shrine are reached through a pillared porch
and the temple exterior is intricately and delicately carved. As with the temple of
Somnath, this fine temple was ruined by Mohamed of Ghazni.
Later drive to Bajana – Little Rann of Kutch, arrive and transfer to your hotel.
Bajana is located on the edge of little Rann of Kutch, which is an extension of the Rann
of Kutch onto Saurashtra. Bajana is a major bird watching destination, it is known for
bird watching and only place in India where wild ass can be found. There are several
birds watching sites around the area. Lesser Flamingos are found here in winter in large
numbers. Besides bird watching tribal heritage of the area, craft villages and rural
character is an attraction for guests looking for an authentic rural India experience.
Overnight at hotel

Today after breakfast proceed to Dholavira .
Dholavira: At the height of our civilization, our technological development, our social
and material complexity, all signs point to progress, we often think. And yet, all is not as
it seems and once in a while it occurs to us to look into the past to discover our future.
Dholavira is the larger of the two most remarkable excavations of the Indus Valley
Civilization or Harappan culture, dating back to 4500 years ago. While the other site,
Lothal, is more exhaustively educated and easier to reach, a visit to Lothal only
complements, rather than replaces, a visit to Dholavira. What this site offers you, in the
intense environment that comes with being surrounded by the Great Rann of Kutch, is a
unique insight into the pioneering Harappan mind, with one of the world’s earliest and
best planned water conservation systems and what might be the world’s first
signboards, written in ancient Indus script.
Overnight Dholavira

Today after breakfast drive to Rann of Kutch
Visit the Bhirandiyara – is a favorite Tea stop for locals and visitors alike on the road
to Khavda. The village boasts of a delicious sweet – fresh Maavo. This milk-based
sweet is best when eaten hot. Most of the roadside stalls sell Maavo. The local
Meghwal Community has exquisite embroideries and skillfully decorated, colorful Mud
Bhungas.
Khavda village – Famous for its pottery
Ludia Village is comprised of several hamlets belonging to the Meghwal & Samma
Communities. The latter community, primarily herdsmen, is more conservative when it
comes to tourists. Gandhi nu Gam, populated by the Meghwal community, features
beautifully Painted Bhungas .The Kanjari (Blouses) of the women and the Bhunga
decoration of this village are especially colorful.
Evening visit white Rann of Kutch.
Overnight Hodka

Today after breakfast drive to Bhuj enroute visiting Nirona village .
Nirona: The village of Nirona is the only place in the world where the tradition of Rogan
art is still practiced (a method of producing dyes from natural resources and castor oil
and creating intricate and long-lasting designs on silk and cotton). Rogan art is a rare
craft that is not well known even in India. Because of its rare qualities, its practiced by
only one family in India and they reside in Nirona village in Gujarat.
Nirona also offers the chance to see artisans making copper bells. The Luhars in Nirona
have been preserving the craft of making copper bells over seven generations. The art
form originally comes from Sindh and some sister villages in Pakistan too make similar
bells but with carvings on the surface.
Another family in Nirona is practicing wood lacquering. Raw lacquer in various colours
that is passed with great skill on the wooden object of focus in beautiful waves. The
work they do is mainly focused on household items like jewellery boxes and kitchen
utensils and has known to last more than 30-35 years. If the lacquer work starts to lose
its sheen, just apply some oil on it,

Visit Aaina Mahal: It was constucted by Rao Lakhpatji (1707-61 A.D.) in 1750 A.D.,
who was a great patron of art, architecture, music and literature. AainaMahal is a unique example of an Indian palace built in the mid-eighteenth century with European
influence.
Prag Mahal: Rao Pragmalji II (1838-76 A.D.) undertook the constuction of PragMahal
and appointed the famous architect - Colonel Henry Saint Wilkins to design it.
Constructed in the Italian Gothic style, it has a large Darbar Hall, big rooms, wide
verandahs& a 45 meter high lofty bell tower. It was built using the various type of stones
available in Kutch region. This is a fine example of Indian craftmanship combined with
European architectural design.
Overnight Bhuj.

After breakfast drive to Dwarka, arrive and transfer to your hotel.
The small coastal town of Dwarka is one of the four most holy Hindu pilgrimage sites in
India. It is here that Krishna founded his capital after leaving Mathura. Excavations have
revealed 5 earlier cities at the site, all submerged. The present town dates largely to the
19 th century and attracts thousands of pilgrims to celebrate the Holi, Diwali and
Janmashthami festivals. The multi pillared Sabha Mandapa leads to a 60-pillared
sanctum sanctorum that dates back 2500 years according to the scriptures.
Overnight at hotel

After breakfast visit Dwarkadhish Temple – Dwarka is known all over the world for the
Dwarkadhish temple, the 'Lord of Dwarka'. This temple is also known as the Jagat
Mandir or the temple of the world. This temple was constructed over 1400 years ago
and houses the image of Lord Krishna. This temple is one of the most famous
pilgrimage places for the Hindus and attracts pilgrims from all over the world. This
temple is magnificently built on the traditional lines and has five floors supported by 60
columns. The temple is profusely carved from the base to the pinnacle. The temple is
built of sandstone. The interior is simple while the exterior is covered with elaborate
carvings. Some of the major festivals of Janmashthami
Later visit The Rukmini temple, dating from 12 to 13 Century, was built in honour of
Rani Rukmani, princess of Vidharba, which was to be married to Sishupala, but fled with
Lord Krishna. This small temple, 1.5 km north of the city, is an architectural
masterpiece. The temple walls are decorated with beautiful paintings and sculptures.
Later visit Bet Dwarka: Bet is situated at 30kms from Dwarka and is surrounded by sea
from all sides. One can reach Bet from Dwarka through Okha by road. On reaching Okha port jetty, one can reach Bet through a little sea journey in a launch or in a small
boat.
Nageshwar Temple or Nagnath Temple is located on the route between Gomati Dwarka
and the Bait Dwarka Island on the coast of Saurashtra in Gujarat. The Jyotirlinga
enshrined in the Temple of Nagnath is known as Nageshwar Mahadev and attracts
thousands of pilgrims all-round the year. This powerful Jyotirlinga symbolizes protection
from all poisons. It is said that those who pray to the Nageshwar Lingaa become free of
poison. The Rudra Samhita shloka refers to Nageshwar with the phrase 'Daarukaavane
Naagesham'
Gopi Talav: This is the place where Lord Krishna used to play with his Gopikas. There is
a small pond where it is said that Lord Krishna used to play with the Gopika Strees
(Gopika Women).
Overnight at hotel

After breakfast drive to Somnath enroute visit Porbandar.

Kirti Mandir – Kirti Mandir was the house of the Mahatma Gandhi and Kasturba, his
wife. This place is situated near the place where the Mahatma Gandhi was born. This
place is now a small museum and has a Gandhian library and a prayer hall.
Also, visit Sudama Dwarka Temple, this temple is dedicated to Sudama who was the
childhood friend of Lord Krishna.
Later continue to drive to Somnath; arrive Somnath and transfer to your hotel.
Somnath consists of a few streets leading away from its phoenix like temple. The
rugged sea below gives it a lonely, wistful charm. The pilgrim trade is constant, but
merchants are relaxed, perhaps in deference to the shadows cast by the awe-inspiring
temple. Somnath is mainly known for the legendary shore temple of Somnath, which is
dedicated to the Lord Shiva.
The legendary shore temple of Somnath is one of the twelve most sacred shrines
dedicated to the Lord Shiva. The temple contains the Jyotirlinga of Lord Shiva.
Later visit Bhalka Tirth – Bhalka Tirth is situated halfway between the Veraval and
Somnath. At this place, the Lord Krishna was mistaken for a deer and wounded by an
arrow.
Overnight at hotel

After breakfast drive to Sasangir, arrive Sasangir and transfer to your hotel.
Sasan Gir, popularly known as Gir, the most famous loin sanctuary in India. And the
one place in the subcontinent where Asiatic Loins can be found in the wild. Sasan Gir
on the south-western border of Saurashtra peninsula in Gujarat and is home to nearly
400 Asiatic loins. The Sanctuary was created in 1913 to provide protections to the
largest surviving groups of the Asiatic loins and was given the status of the sanctuary in
1965; the numbers of loins has been steadily on the rise since 1980.This is the only
place in the World outside the African continent where the loin can be seen in its natural
habitat.
The loin safaris are popular among tourist & jeep are freely available for touring the
forest. Though the most famous inhabitants of the park are Asiatic loins. It is also
providing natural habitat to species like chital, Chinkara (Gazelle) four horned antelope.
Leopard, Nilgai, spotted deer, wild boar, wild ass, monkeys, parrots, and peacocks.
Overnight at hotel

After breakfast drive to Bhavnagar, enroute visit Nishkalank Mahadev Temple in Koliyak
near Bhavnagar.
The legend goes like thinks when Pandavas approached Lord Krishna to show the Marg
to sanctify the sins of Kurukshetra War He send them on Pilgrimage with Black cow and
Black Flag and instructed to conduct penance when/where the black cow/flag becomes
WHITE. Here the cow/flag turned white, and Lord Shiva appeared before Pandavas in
the Linga "Roopam". The sea water recedes only at this temple point for few hours and
return.
Pilgrims patiently wait for the receding wave and have Darshan return safely before the
tide come back. The waves are very active during Full Moon and New Moon Day.
(The visit of this temple is bounded to time. As the temple is in the middle of the Sea, it
depends upon the tides – if it is low tide the temple can be visited but as the water level
rises visiting the temple is not allowed.)
Later arrive Bhavnagar and transfer to your hotel.
Bhavnagar was founded by Bhavsinhji Gohil in 1723 AD near the Gulf of Khambhat, on
a carefully chosen strategic location having potential of maritime trade. Till
independence, Bhavnagar State was ruled by the Gohil Rajput clan.
Later visit Gaurishanker Lake: A beautiful picnic spot near the lake. There is also a well
laid out park.
Takhteshwar Temple: Situated on a hill, the site provides a panoramic view. Lock Gate:
The first of its kind in Gujarat. The seawater here is impounded by the lock gates to
keep ships afloat during low tide, which could be seen with special permission.
Overnight at hotel

Today after breakfast drive to Vadodara check in at hotel later proceed for sightseeing
of Vadodara.
VADODARA –
 
Visit The Laxmi Vilas Palace was the official residence of the erstwhile Maharajahs of
Baroda. Though a little down at heel and run down, the palace still has impressive
interiors done up with Venetian glass, crystal chandeliers, Italian marble and mosaic
and find porcelain and marble statues from Europe. The tiered step-well called the
Naulakhi Baoli which got its name because it could store 9million gallons of water is
near the palace. ( remain closed on Monday)
 
Maharaja Fateh Singh Museum: The Maharaja Fateh Singh Museum contains some
fine European paintings. ( remain closed on Monday)
 
Sayaji Bagh: Within this shady, pleasant park is the Baroda Museum, which houses
some good Asian statues and carvings, mangy zoology exhibits and an Egyptian room.
The gallery has lovely Mughal miniatures and a motley crew of European masters.
 
Overnight Vadodara.

Today after breakfast proceed to visit Statue of Unity ( Monday Closed ) later drive to
Ahmedabad.
The Statue of Unity is a monument dedicated to Indian independence movement
leader Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, the Iron Man of India and is located on the river island
called Sadhu Bet facing the Narmada Dam near Rajpipla in Indian state of Gujarat. (
remain closed on Monday)
Overnight Ahmedabad

Today after breakfast proceed for sightseeing of Ahmedabad