Ahmedabad to Bhuj Tour Package – Uncover the Gujarat Best Kept Secret

Day 1: Arrive in Ahmedabad

On arrival at Ahmedabad airport assistance & transfer to hotel check-in. Rest time free to relax. Overnight at the hotel.

🏚️ Hotel Option: Ramada Hotel/ Lemon Tree Premier or similar. (5-Star hotel is available on request.)

Day 2: Ahmedabad (B)

City tour of Ahmedabad. Visit Hatheesing Jain Temple established in 1850 by Seth Hatheesing a rich Jain merchant, the temple is dedicated to the 15th Jain Tirthankar Dharamnath. Bhadra Fort is a beautiful monument that is famous for its intricate carvings, pattern works, and beautiful frescos suits. Located in the middle of lush greenery the huge 44 acres Fort got its name from the Bhadrakali Temple that it houses. Sabarmati Ashram was once the residence of Mahatma Gandhi located on the tranquil and serene stretch of the Sabarmati River. The museum is one of the most interesting sections of the ashram as it has on display some of Gandhi’s personal letters and photographs. Shaking Minarets is one of the most intriguing architectural wonders & an unsolvable mystery that the world has ever seen. VECHAAR Utensils Museum house an elaborate collection of utensils ranging from hundreds of years back to the current times. Kite Museum in the premises of Sanskar Kendra the museum had an elaborate display of about 125 uniquely carved kites including mirror embroidered kites, block print kites, and Japanese kites such as Rokuku. & Adalaj Step-well. Overnight at the hotel.

🏚️ Hotel Option: Ramada Hotel/ Lemon Tree Premier or similar.

Day 3: Ahmedabad – Dholavira (385kms) (B, L, D)

Drive to Dholavira via visiting Modhera Sun Temple a Hindu temple dedicated to the solar deity Surya built between 1026-27 CE during the reign of Bhima I of the Chalukyas dynasty. 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 11th century Solanki era stepwell built by the Queen Udayamati & Karna in memory of her husband Bhima I. The stepwell is designed as an inverted temple highlighting the sanctity of water, divided into seven levels of stairs with sculptural panels, more than 500 principal sculptures, and over a thousand minor ones that combine religious, mythological, and secular imagery. And Panchasara Jain Temples, more than 100 Jain temples with exquisite domes & sacred carvings on the walls built by king Vanraj Chavada around 746 CE. Continue drive to Dholavira check-in & overnight at hotel.

🏚️ Hotel Option: Rann Resort Dholavira/ Dholavira Tourism Resort or similar.

Day 4: Dholavira – Bhuj (220kms) (B)

Explore Dholavira archaeological & 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, signboards, and several other structures and objects. The ancient water reservoirs are certainly a highlight and excite visitors with their well-preserved state. Later drive to Bhuj, check-in & overnight at the hotel.

🏚️ Hotel Option: The Fern Residency/ Hill View Resort or similar.

Day 5: Bhuj – Hodka (65kms) (B, L, D)

The city tour of Bhuj visits Aaina Mahal Palace built in the middle of the 18th century. Explore the compound outside the palace, with its beautiful carved doorways, elaborate window boxes, and balconies. Prag Mahal was built in the 19th century next to Aina Mahal, the grand palace boasts Gothic-style windows and Corinthian pillars around it. The opulent Mahal has the second tallest clock tower in the country which offers an amazing view from the top. A part of the palace has been converted into a museum with archives and personal items of the royal family on display. Shri Swaminarayan Temple was initially built in the year 1822, it was the first of many Sampraday Swaminarayan temples. Ramkund is a square stepwell, whose walls have carved miniature idols depicting the 10 incarnations of Lord Vishnu and sculptures of Lord Rama, Devi Sita, Lord Lakshmana, and Lord Hanuman.
Later drive to Banni Region of Kutch Nirona Village for Rogan arts on a piece of cloth. The word Rogan comes from Persian and means oil-based. The process of making the natural colors used in art gives it such a name. Castor oil is heated on a fire for about 12 hours and then cast into cold water to give a thick residue called the Rogan. This is then mixed with stone pigments to lend it different hues. Next, the artisan uses a six-inch metal stick to paint with a fine thread of Rogan on cloth.
Continue to drive to Hodka check-in at the resort. Evening drives a short distance to enjoy the breathtaking views of the White Rann. Overnight at the hotel.

🏚️ Hotel Option: Shaam-e-Sarhad Village Resort/ Kutir Craft Village Resort or similar.

Day 6: Hodka – White Rann of Kutch (B, L, D)

Early morning drive to White Rann of Kutch to see the sunrise. The Great Rann of Kutch is a salt marsh in the Thar Desert of Gujarat. It is about 7500 km² in the area and is reputed to be one of the largest salt deserts in the world.
Later visit Dhordo village in White Rann occupied by Mutwa Muslim Community. Next visit Pathan community hamlet engaged in Embroidery. Continue to Khavda to see the Potters and Samma tribe. Later leave for Kala Dungar to view the beautiful sunset. Overnight at the hotel.

🏚️ Hotel Option: Shaam-e-Sarhad Village Resort/ Kutir Craft Village Resort or similar.

Day 7: Hodka – Mandvi (135kms) (B)

Drive to Mandvi via visiting Sumarasar Village of Shawl & Stole Weavers in Kutch a traditional profession and skills passed on from father to son. Arrive Mandvi check-in at the resort. Later visit Vijay Vilas Palace built-in 1929 by Rao Vijayrajji, this palace is very well-maintained, and often the scene of filming for Bollywood productions. It was built of red sandstone in the Rajput style, with a main central dome, Bengal domes at the sides, bastions at the corner, and colored glass windows. The balcony at the top affords a superb view of the surrounding area, and the king`s tomb can also be seen. Mandvi Town is known for its shipbuilding center. The local carpenters still make ocean-going Dhows in much the same way that their ancestors had done a century ago. One can go and visit the men at work, shaping the great vessels with hand tools and coaxing the seasoned timber into shape. The carrying capacity of these boats can vary from 250 tons to 1000 tons. Rest time to relax on the beach. Overnight at the hotel.

🏚️ Hotel Option: Serena Beach Resort/ Mandvi Beach Resort or similar.

Day 8: Mandvi – Bhuj (135kms) (B)

Check out from the hotel and drive to see some of the finest Batik workshops in Mundra. Next drive to visit Bhadreshwar Jain Temple one of the most appreciated sites of great significance in religious history founded in 516BC. Thereafter drive to Bhuj and drop off at the airport to board an evening flight for onward destination.