Historical Sights, Regal Cities & Wildlife Sanctuaries of Gujarat

Arrive Ahmedabad

On arrival at Ahmedabad airport assistance and transfer to hotel check in. Rest time free and easy to relax.

Overnight at hotel.

Ahmedabad

city tour of Ahmedabad. Visit Hatheesing Jain Temple established in 1850 by Seth Hatheesing, who was a rich Jain merchant. This temple is dedicated to the 15th 'Jain Tirthankar', known as Dharamnath.

Bhadra fort a beautiful monument that is famous for its intricate carvings, pattern works and beautiful frescoes suits. Arches at the entry gate, has some inscriptions that represents the history of the fort. Jama Mosque there are different entrances to the mosque. Near the eastern entrance, stands the tomb of the Sultan Ahmed Shah, which houses the graveyard of three great rulers, namely Ahmed Shah, his son, Mohammed Shah and his grandson, Qutub-Ud-Din Ahmed Shah.

the city of Ahmedabad is popular for the Kite Festival so it doesn’t come as a surprise if you find an entire museum dedicated to kites. The popular Kite Museum that houses some of the rarest kites in the world is a first of its kind in India and second in the world.

Sabarmati Ashram on his return from South Africa, Gandhi’s first Ashram in India was established in the Kochrab area of Ahmedabad on 25 May 1915. The Ashram was then shifted on 17 June 1917 to a piece of open land on the banks of the river Sabarmati. Reasons for this shift included: he wanted to do some experiments in living eg farming, animal husbandry, cow breeding, Khadi and related constructive activities.

Shaking Minarets one of the most unique monuments in Ahmedabad, located in Siddi Bashir's Mosque near the Sarangpur gate.

Overnight at hotel.

Ahmedabad - Modhera - Patan - Dholavira (385kms/ 8hrs approx)

Breakfast at hotel drive to Dholavira with stop to visit Modhera Sun Temple & Rani ki Vav & Panchasara Jain Temple at Patan.

Modhera Sun Temple a Hindu temple dedicated to the solar deity Surya located at Modhera village of Mehsana district. It is situated on the bank of the river Pushpavati. It was built after 1026-27 CE during the reign of Bhima I of the Chaulukya dynasty. No worship is offered now and is protected monument maintained by Archaeological Survey of India. The temple complex has three components: Gudhamandapa, the shrine hall; Sabhamandapa, the assembly hall and Kunda, the reservoir. The halls have intricately carved exterior and pillars. The reservoir has steps to reach the bottom and numerous small shrines.

Rani ki Vav (the Queen’s Stepwell) a UNESCO World Heritage Site located on the banks of the Saraswati River. The world famous 11th century Solanki era step well was built by the Queen in memory of her husband. Designed as an inverted temple, it is highlighting the sanctity of water and is divided into seven levels of stairs with sculptural panels; more than 500 principle sculptures and over a thousand minor ones combine religious, mythological and secular imagery, often referencing literary works.

Panchasara Jain Temple was built by king Vanraj Chavada around VS 802. There are 51 mini temples around the temple. It was said that main idol of lord parshwanath much older than Vikram Samvat 802- hindu calendar(around 8th century). There are around 10 parashwanath temples among 108 are situated in the patan city in different pole. All this temples are century old and marvelous example of carving in marbles.

Continue drive to Dholavira check in at resort.

Overnight at hotel.

Dholavira - Little Rann Of Kutch (255kms/ 5hrs approx)

Explore Dholavira a real treat for historians, and one of Gujarat’s best-kept archaeological and historical sites dating back to the Indus Valley Civilization 4500 years ago. It is full of historic treasures, including seals with animal figures, funerary structures, letters of the Indus script, stone sculptures, pottery with painted motifs, terracotta ornaments, sign boards, and several other structures and objects. The ancient water reservoirs are certainly a highlight and excite visitors with their well-preserved state. 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.

The excavation also tells the story of the 7 stages of the civilization, from development to maturity to decay, the last of which hints at a strange piece of history, with more questions than answers. After the peak of the civilization Dholavira was temporarily abandoned, after which it seems that the settlers returned with a markedly de-urbanized culture. There are hints that they willingly chose to simplify their lives, rather than try to ride the collapse of their once glorified civilization. Here, on the ruins, you will have a chance to contemplate what progress and civilization mean and what, if anything, is truly permanent.

After sightseeing drive back to Little Rann Of Kutch and check in at resort.

Overnight at hotel.

Little Rann Of Kutch - Rajkot (160kms/ 3hrs approx)

Early morning Safari in Little Rann of Kutch a unique place on earth with an unending possibility of exploration, numerous sites for unbelievable sights and unforgettable experiences. Covering an area of 4954 Km2, Little Rann of Kutch is one of the most remarkable and unique landscapes of its kind in the entire world. It is a vast desiccated, unbroken bare surface of dark silt, encrusted with salts which transforms into a spectacular coastal wetland after the rains. The present saline desert of the Little Rann of Kutch is believed to have been shallow sea. The variety of the geomorphic facets of Kutch such as the present surface configuration, its landforms, drainage characteristics and relief pattern clearly reveals a complex interplay of tectonics, sea-level changes and lithology as also erosion and deposition.

Little Rann of Kutch is the only haven on earth for endemic Asiatic Wild Ass. It is also a charismatic birding paradise and a declared Ramsar Site. The marshes in the Rann, and nearby lakes like Nawa Talao and Savada Wetlands, attract huge flocks of water birds. Flamingos, pelicans, cranes, storks, ducks, waders etc can be seen in large numbers. Some very unique dry habitat species like Variable, Isabelline & Desert Wheatears, Isabelline Shrike, Macqueen's Bustard, Lesser White-throat, Greater Short-toed Lark, Long-billed Pipit, Graceful Prinia, Merlin, Short-eared Owl etc. You can also do a village safari to see communities like Mir, Bharwad, Rabari, and Bajanias.

After safari and sightseeing tour drive back to Rajkot check in at hotel.

Overnight at hotel.

Rajkot - Gondal - Junagarh - Sasan Gir National Park (160kms/ 3hrs approx)

Visit Jubilee Garden a large and open park area in Rajkot. It features many monuments of colonial time. The center of the city garden is the Connaught Hall and other notable places of interest near the Garden include the historic Mohandas Gandhi High School, Kaba Gandhi No Delo, Rashtriya Shala, Watson Museum, Lang Library, and Rotary Midtown Library. Watson Museum has a great collection of precious objects of colonial period and is considered to be one the finest in Gujarat. It was made to commemorate the works of the then administrator Colonel James Watson in 1888. The museum also houses a varied collection of old artifacts from the ancient city of Mohenjodaro.

Later drive to Sasan Gir National Park. En-route visit Gondal the former princely state ruled by the Jadeja Rajput clan till the independence of India. Visit Navlakha Palace one of the oldest and most beautiful palaces situated on a riverbank, on a grand masonry base, rising to the monumental scale of at least 30 meters, above the riverbed.

Further drive and visit Junagadh an ancient fortified city rich in myth and legend. Junagadh lies at the foot of the temple-studded Girnar Hill. It derives its name from the 'old fort', which circles the medieval town. The Girnar Hills that landscape Junagadh are a holy sanctuary to the Jains. The history of Mount Girnar dates back to the awesome empire of Ashoka, one of India's greatest emperors. Ashoka inscribed 14 edicts on a huge boulder en-route to Mt. Girnar peak. Junagadh's main feature is the Uperkot fort (upper fort), a somber and inaccessible fortress.

Continue drive to Sasan Gir National Park check in at resort.

Overnight at hotel.

Sasan Gir National Park - Diu (100kms/ 2hrs approx)

Jeep Safari in Gir Wildlife Sanctuary. Sprawling in an area of 1424 sq. kms, Gir with its dry deciduous forest is a luxuriantly rich ecosystem endowed with floral and faunal plentitude. Thirty species of mammals, twenty species of reptiles, several species of insects and birds are found here. The forest is the only place in the world, outside Africa, where the lion can be seen in its natural habitat. The forest also harbors a number of smaller birds and animals. Other predators are the panther and the hyena. The largest Indian deer, Sambhar, Chital (spotted deer), Nilgai (blue bull), Chinkara and the unique Chowsingha (four horned antelope) are found here along with the bear and the long tailed langur.

Gir is also one of the finest bird sanctuaries in India. Some of the typical birds of Gir are the crested serpent eagle, crested hawk eagle, brown fish owl, king vulture, jungle quail, paradise flycatcher, pygmy woodpecker, hard headed oriole etc. Adholia, Valadera, Ratanghuna and Pilipat are rewarding places for bird watching. Another attraction is a crocodile farm developed in the forest.

After lunch drive to Diu check in at hotel.

Overnight at hotel.

Diu

city tour of Diu. Visit Diu Fort a very large and imposing structure, situated on the coast of the island. This fort was constructed between 1535 and 1541 AD after the treaty signed between the Sultan of Gujarat and the Portuguese. The fort is surrounded by the sea on the three sides and a canal on the fourth side. The fort offers a magnificent view of sea. On the fort stands a giant structure which now houses a Light House and the Diu jail. The beam from the lighthouse reaches to about 32 kms. Several canons are still located on the top of the fort and peep out of the holes on the walls of this gigantic structure. Fortress of Panikota is a magnificent stone structure in the sea, built right at the mouth of the creek. This fortress can be reached only by a canoe or a motor launch.

has a light house and small chapel dedicated to Our Old Town has a few old mansions belonging to rich Portuguese and Indian merchants. The colorful three-story Nagar Sheth Haveli has porticoes, carved balconies, stone-made lions and intricate arches in European and Indian styles.

Rest time free and easy to relax and personal activities.

Overnight at hotel.